Once More (Mercy Heart #1)

by Madeline Rooks

  “I’m not going to pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do. You know that, right? I want you to trust me. Do you trust me?” he asked, as he held her hands against his bare chest, lightly kissing her fingertips.

  “Yes. Yes, I trust you, Clem,” she answered quietly, but with a confidence that stunned even her. As her eyes met his, she slid her hands up his chest and around to the back of his neck, drawing his face closer to hers for an epically sweet kiss. Reaching up, he slid the zipper of her jacket down and removed it before she could hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her and, kneeling on the bed, slowly lowered them both without breaking the connection of their lips.

  As he lay beside her, one of his legs intertwined with hers, she could feel the hardness of his arousal pressed against her side. The timid kiss she had initiated was now anything but as he deepened the thrusts into her mouth, playfully caressing her tongue with his own. His fingers roamed her body, slowly caressing the spots where her torso was uncovered and moving up to trace the band of her sports bra. He hesitated for just a moment, but then lightly palmed her breast, rubbing the hard peak of her nipple through the fabric. He smiled against her mouth as she let out a moan of satisfaction.

  Lost in the wonderful sensations, she was too far-gone to dwell for even a second on what was happening. Tentatively, she moved her hand to do some exploring of his body on her own. She dragged her fingers from his chest and lower still, fascinated by the rippling of his pronounced abdominal muscles. With a sudden burst of nerve, she forced her hand even lower and ran her long fingernails just once up the bulge of denim in the front of his jeans. His resulting groan made her own belly clench. The gratification of his reaction was a heady reward for her, and she began stroking him through his jeans.

  All of a sudden, he was over her, moving between her legs, still engaged in a ferocious kiss, only now he was rubbing against her in just the right spot, causing such a glorious reaction deep inside her, a feeling that had never occurred before at any other time in her entire life. Just when she thought the sensation couldn’t possibly be more remarkable, she experienced a climax so intense that she broke their kiss, almost pushing away from him as she was certain she could not handle anymore. She never knew that it could be like this, especially when they were still fully clothed. His moan of her name and ragged breathing clued her into the fact that he had taken pleasure in their encounter as well. Wait…did he? How can I tell? Should I ask him?

  Clem opened his eyes and saw a reaction he didn’t expect. She was staring at him, with an anxious look in her eyes. Certainly he hadn’t hurt her. He knew that was for sure. Was she scared of him?

  “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Didn’t you enjoy that?” he asked breathlessly, almost frightened himself of the answer.

  “Yes. Yes, I enjoyed that immensely,” she replied, timidly. “Did you?” she asked, her fingers playing with his chest hair, unable to make eye contact with him.

  “Oh, baby, Katelyn, yes, of course, I enjoyed that,” he said, as he held her close, relieved that she was concerned about his pleasure and that he hadn’t scared her away. She relaxed and cuddled closer, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. “Come on, let me take you home so you can change and then we’ll grab some lunch.”

  The ride back to her apartment was quiet, but not awkwardly so. He glanced at her occasionally, each time finding the same bright smile on her face, and felt a supreme sense of male satisfaction knowing he put it there. While she showered, he stretched out on her bed and closed his eyes, smiling as the occurrence from earlier played out in his mind. He had never felt the same for any other woman in his past. Experiencing her firsts with her and seeing it through her eyes was refreshing for him, as well as exhilarating. She already meant so much to him, but this was all new to her. He knew he had to protect her, even if it meant protecting her from himself.

  Chapter 5

  As Katelyn got ready for her last day of finals, she reflected over the past two weeks with Clem. When they weren’t in class, they spent every moment together. Most nights they stayed at her place. She would cook dinner, most often omelets as she had mastered the art of cooking them, and then she’d hit the books while he messed around on his laptop or cell phone. He was working on a special project for a partnership between the university and Apple computers, designing a program for a fancy new mobile phone they were getting ready to release. He had already completed his finals, and was also set to graduate on Saturday. She had studied until her eyes crossed every night, or until Clem’s presence became too much to ignore, and they would end up making out on the couch for awhile until he went home. She knew that he was eager to take the next step, and admittedly she was too, but she was so thankful that he allowed her the space to ease into their relationship slowly. He wasn’t going to push her, but she knew he wouldn’t wait forever. The decision would have to be hers, and tonight, after her finals and her college days were completely behind her as well, seemed like the perfect night.

  Clem was trying to work off some sexual frustration in the gym. He couldn’t deny to himself that the past few weeks with Katelyn had been a truly wonderful experience, just getting to know her without any of the games other women he had dated had played. But taking matters into his own hands every night after leaving her place was starting to wear on him. He had just finished a long, punishing run on the treadmill when his fraternity brothers, Jack and Sam, entered the weight room.

  “Hey stranger. Where’ve you been, man? We haven’t seen you in weeks,” said Jack, who, as a member of the same pledge class, had been his closest friend since their first days on campus.

  “Yeah, you still hanging out with that nursing student?” said Sam. “She looks like she’d be pretty hot in the sack. Are you getting an up-close anatomy lesson?” he asked with a knowing leer on his face.

  Sam’s comments immediately incensed Clem, who stalked towards Sam while flexing his fists. “Yes, I am hanging out with her, and what we are doing behind closed doors in none of your damn business.”

  Jack reached out to grab a hold of Clem’s arm as Sam put his hands up in defense and backed away to the other side of the weight room. “Whoa, dude, what’s gotten into you? He was just messing around like we always do. What is going on? I’ve never seen you like this.”

  Clem backed down and sat on the weight bench, running his hands through his hair. “It’s her, man. Katelyn. She –“

  “Wait. Nursing student Katelyn, as in, Katelyn Williams? That’s who you are seeing?” Jack sat down beside him.

  “Yeah, you know her?”

  “Know her? I’ve been hitting on her since Cell Bio, but she’s never given me the time of day. Nursing students are required to take a certain amount of science hours, so as a Biology major, she and I have crossed paths more than once. She is absolutely stunning, and so smart. The other science geeks and I have fought over getting to partner up with her over the years. Seriously, she’s incredibly intelligent and smoking hot. What’s she doing with you, again?”

  Clem laughed at his friend, who, at first glance, didn’t appear to be any kind of geek, science or otherwise. At 6’5”, Jack towered over Clem by 4 inches. When he wasn’t studying or in the lab, he was in the gym, and his trim physique made him look like he was ready for the runway instead of a lifetime behind a Bunsen burner.

  “Believe me, Jack, I know she’s gorgeous, and I have no idea what she’s doing with me. Remember a few weeks ago when I had that bike wreck? She was the one who came to my rescue and walked with me to health services. And I doubt she was ignoring your advances. She is very dedicated to her schoolwork, and she hasn’t dated much. In fact,” he looked around to make sure no one could hear their conversation, “she hasn’t dated, ever. She’s a—she’s a virgin, Jack,” he finished with a whisper.

  “A virgin?” Jack replied a little too loudly, only to be shushed by Clem as he looked around to see if anyone had heard. More quietly, he continued. “Are you serious?” Jack looked s
traight at Clem, who simply nodded. “Wow…I mean, just… wow…”

  “Yeah, and up until we met, she’d never even been kissed. We have great conversations, and I love spending time with her, so I’ve been trying to take it slow, but it’s killing me. I’ve never jacked off so much in my life.”

  “Well, if you like her enough to have waited this long, you’re not just going to walk away because she won’t give it up. She’s obviously special. You’ve got to maintain control, Clem. If someone means that much to you, you can’t just let one rash decision mess it up.” Jack looked away, evidently not wanting to disclose anymore about whatever personal experience he had with a hasty act in his past.

  “You’re right, Jack. I can maintain control. She’s definitely worth it. Thanks buddy. I owe you one.” Clem slapped Jack on the back and hit the showers, a newfound strength in his resolve to take it slow where Katelyn was concerned.

  * * * *

  Clem’s resolve lasted up until the moment he got to her apartment. Katelyn met him at the door, wearing a long black strapless dress, held up only by a bow at her back, that skimmed the tops of her bare feet with toes perfectly polished in a bright red. Her curly hair was piled up on top of her head, allowing him full access to her beautiful neck.

  “Hey beautiful,” he said to her when he was finally able to get blood back to his brain that would allow speech.

  “Hey,” she said back to him quietly, as he came in and she shut the door. She leaned back against it momentarily and took in the sight of him, casually dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with a pair of flip-flops, which he toed off at the end of her couch. She never realized how arousing the simple sight of his bare feet would be. Clem reached for her and she stepped forward, taking his hand as he led her to the couch. Before they could sit down, she stopped him. He turned to look at her, and she placed her other hand on his hand and pulled him towards her, meeting with a slow, tender kiss. Though she initiated it, he quickly took control and began kissing her with a ferocity that left them both breathless. As their kiss ended, she took a step backwards and tried to pull him along with her, but he wouldn’t budge.

  “Why are you pulling on me?” he asked, slowly becoming aware of her intention.

  “Just come with me,” she pleaded, an embarrassed blush becoming evident on her face.

  “Wait, Katelyn –, “ he started, but she interrupted him.

  “No, don’t tell me to wait, Clem. I’ve waited long enough. You’ve waited long enough. I’m ready. I’m ready for this,” she said, though repeating it almost made it sound like she was trying to convince herself.

  “Katelyn, baby, I admit that I am more than looking forward to taking the next step, but dragging me into your bedroom without a word and giving yourself a little pep talk doesn’t leave me with the feeling that this is something you’re entirely ready for. I don’t want you doing this just because you think it’s what I expect you to do. I want us both to want this.”

  As she stepped towards him, her hand coming to rest on his chest, she looked deep into his eyes and spoke with a calm and steady voice. “Clem, I am ready. And I do want this. Make love to me. Please, Clem, make love to me.”

  He closed his eyes and turned his head, pursing his lips together with a sharp intake of breath. As he counted to ten in his head, he reminded himself that he had to be gentle. He’d never been with a virgin before, and he knew that this wasn’t going to be a pain free experience for her. He reached for her hand on his chest, and placed his other hand on her neck, drawing her face closer to his for a chaste kiss. He pulled back and looked in her eyes once more to search for some sign of apprehension, but he only saw trust there. She dropped his hand and walked towards her bedroom. She turned at the doorway, looking at him with desire in her eyes, and then retreated further into her room. He felt frozen in his spot for a moment, but then, reality kicked in and he had to stop himself from sprinting to her. He stepped in the doorway, and found her room lit by candlelight. She stood next to her bed, and he went to her, tentatively reaching for her, running his fingers up her arm as his other hand came to rest at her waist. He lightly cupped her face and kissed her, as her hands went to his waistband to begin untucking his shirt. He whipped his shirt off and she ran her fingers through his chest hair and down his flat stomach to his belt, which she quickly unbuckled and then moved to the button and zipper on his shorts. He grabbed her hands to still her motions, and when she looked at him, he smiled and said, “Why am I the only one removing any clothes right now?”

  She sheepishly grinned at him, and said with a blush, “I don’t have anything on under this dress. I only have one thing to remove. I was just trying to even the playing field a little here.”

  “Oh, thank you, Jesus. In that case, carry on, please,” he said, a strained look on his face, his hands balled into fists at his side.

  The movement of her hands unbuttoning and unzipping his shorts caused her to brush his already rock-hard erection multiple times, causing it to grow impossibly harder, tenting his boxers. As he stepped out of his shorts, he looked at her with heat in his eyes and said with a growl, “Now we’re even. Your turn.”

  He reached behind her to untie the bow at her back holding her dress in place. As he pulled the ties out to the side, the top of her dress fell, revealing the pale skin of her beautiful breasts with dusty pink nipples, already growing into hard peaks. He reached out and filled his hand with her breast, rubbing his thumb over the stiff tip, eliciting a moan from her.

  She reached over and slipped her fingers in the waistband of his boxers, pulling them out and over as his hard-on sprang free, slapping his lower abdomen. She inhaled briskly and looked up with wide eyes, only to find his eyes already on her, his mouth forming a smirk.

  He’d be lying if he said the look on her face when she saw his hard length for the first time wasn’t a serious ego boost, but then he reminded himself that she had never seen one at this state of arousal before. He moved his hands to her waist and pulled her dress until it fell to the ground. Grabbing her hand, he sat back on the bed, pulling her down with him.

  She stretched out on top of him, enjoying the feel of his hands caressing her backside as she playfully kissed him. She hadn’t moved her hands from their position on his chest, and he knew she wasn’t going to make the first move. He rolled until he was on top, and she looked up at him with surprise and a little trepidation. Placing soft kisses along her jaw line, he moved lower and sucked her nipple into his mouth. Her gasp and the way she practically bowed off the bed by just that simple touch left him shaking with need, but he continued to maintain control, moving his hands lower until they breached the curls at the apex of her thighs.

  Her fingers ran through his hair as his mouth moved from one breast to the other. Just when she thought she couldn’t possibly handle anything else, his fingers moved into her damp folds and he inserted his index finger inside of her while his thumb rubbed steadily on the most right spot, causing a rush of warmth to spread throughout her body. After her first climax, Clem got up and reached onto her bedside table for the condom she had placed there, in which he quickly sheathed himself. Thank goodness he was paying attention. She felt incapable of forming words into coherent sentences at the moment.

  Taking comfort in the fact that she had planned ahead and that this didn’t seem to be a completely spur-of-the-moment move on her part, he used his knees to nudge her legs apart and then braced himself on his elbows over her. As the head of his penis came into contact with her warm center, she immediately tensed up.

  “Relax, baby,” he said. “I will be as gentle as possible.”

  “I know, Clem. I want this. And I want this to be with you. Please, make love to me,” she whispered.

  Slowly he maneuvered into her tight wet channel, inch by inch. He waited a brief moment, and then eased inside of her all the way. She gasped and he stilled his movements.

  “Are you okay? Sweetheart?”

  “Y-yes. Just—just wait a s
econd. I didn’t realize it would hur—it would be like this.”

  They lay there quietly, Clem still buried deep inside of her. He looked at her, with her eyes closed, a slight tremble to her lips, and felt an ache in his chest like he’d never experienced before. He knew at that instant, without a doubt, that he was falling in love with Katelyn. He didn’t want to say it, for fear that she would think that he was simply saying it because of the position they were in. But he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep it from her. To hell with preconceived notions and assumptions.

  “Kate. Katelyn, I – I want you to know. I am falling in love with you. I think I began falling in love with you when you ran across the grass to get to me when I hit that damn branch. No, no…I can’t curse that branch. Because of that branch, you came into my life.”

  Katelyn opened her eyes, and looked into Clem’s. In them, she saw honesty and utter devotion. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and Clem brushed it away with a kiss.

  “Being with you, not just tonight, but over the past few weeks, has opened my eyes up to an entire world of feelings that I’ve been missing,” she said, as she rubbed her fingers down the side of his face. She wanted to tell him she loved him too, but something was holding her back. She’d never said those words to anyone before. She had no way of knowing for sure that this was what love was supposed to be like. “Clem, I—I am so happy we found each other.”

  Clem pressed his lips to hers, sealing their declarations with a kiss. Katelyn began to move against him. He thrust slowly at first, rolling his hips to rub against her in just the right spot as he plunged into her. He knew she was tender, and it took every ounce of his control not to slam into her, again and again until he found his release. He wanted this first time to be special for her.

  The pressure she felt earlier with her first climax rose, and before she knew it, she was falling over the precipice again, only this time, she took Clem with her. Once they both floated back down to earth, he went to her bathroom to discard the condom, and came back with a warm washcloth to soothe her. Then he pulled the comforter on her bed back and they both crawled underneath, tangled in each other’s arms. With the excitement of the night dying down, he caressed her, gently kissed her, and they drifted off to sleep.