Realizing she’d been caught, she shrugged. “I can’t seem to help it.”
“I can help you with that.” Carson laid the rose on her stomach and reached into his back pocket. The item he withdrew was made of black silk, and when he unfolded it, she realized it was a mask, the kind that people sometimes wore to shut out the sunlight when they wanted to sleep in the daytime. “Lift your head.”
Lily stared at the mask and then at Carson. He’d certainly come prepared. She was frightened, not by the mask, but by the fact that she trusted him enough to wear it. It wasn’t even a question for her, not really.
She was also incredibly excited by the idea of wearing an eye covering, unable to see as he pleasured her with the rose. Lily raised her head.
She could see the satisfaction in his eyes as he slipped the silk mask over her head, making sure the elastic didn’t pull her hair. When she lay back against the pillows, he adjusted the fabric so that her vision was truly blocked.
“Comfortable?”
She rolled her head from side to side. “Yes.”
Chapter Six
Carson’s hands shook with desire as he placed his palm against the center of Lily’s stomach. Her felt the muscles jump and then relax. The trust she was giving him was a gift. It was also an incredible turn-on.
She lay in the center of the bed like a present, an offering. She was still wearing her bra and panties but they emphasized her attributes more than they hid them.
Her cheeks were flushed a light rosy color—mostly likely a combination of arousal and embarrassment. Lily was incredibly brave and trusting. He couldn’t believe how easily she’d agreed to don the eye covering he’d brought along. He hadn’t really anticipated using it tonight but had wanted to be prepared.
She nibbled on her bottom lip and his cock swelled to the point of pain. He flicked open the button of his jeans and carefully lowered the zipper to give himself some relief. He had no intention of making love to Lily tonight. It was far too soon. She was nowhere near ready to take that final step.
Tonight was all about Lily’s pleasure. He planned to entice and arouse her, make her come, make her want more. Carson wanted far more than one night with Lily.
With that goal in mind, he retrieved the rose and feathered it between her breasts before dragging it downward. She sucked in her stomach, her lips parting on a soft gasp. The bikini underwear she wore matched her bra—both of them plain white cotton. He ran the flower along the band of her panties, unable to suppress a smile when her legs shifted and parted.
Letting the rose flow over her hipbone, he teased the crease at the top of her thigh. She moaned and her legs shifted farther apart. He’d taken a chance with the blindfold. He hadn’t been sure that she would be ready for it yet, but his gamble had paid off.
He’d taken an hour drive out of town and purchased it at a large chain store. The last thing he’d wanted was someone local asking him why he needed a silk sleep mask. He grinned at the thought of Mrs. Collins, the pastor’s wife who worked part-time at the Summersville pharmacy, checking it in for him.
Personally, he didn’t care who knew about him and Lily. But he knew she would be embarrassed. For that reason alone, he’d taken the time to protect her privacy. Whatever went on between them would stay that way unless Lily decided differently.
She looked beautiful with her pale, slender legs spread on top of the comforter, which was covered in yellow and pink roses and greenery. It was as if she were lying in the center of a rose garden. Damn, he had it bad. He almost sounded poetic.
The bra and panties she wore were plain, ordinary white, but there was nothing ordinary about the way he felt seeing her in them. He was beginning to sweat, but he ignored his own discomfort, focusing all his attention on Lily. He wanted to know everything about her—what turned her on, what made her moan and what made her scream with pleasure.
Leaning down, he nipped at her hipbones as he let the rose slip between her legs to tickle the soft skin of her inner thighs. Lily arched her back and sucked in a breath. He drew the rose down the inside of her leg, letting the petals skim over her. Her fingers dug into the mattress and clenched at the comforter.
“Do you like this?” He reversed the direction of the flower, pulling it up her leg.
“Yesss,” she moaned, drawing her knees upward.
Carson lifted the rose away and brought it back to the edge of her bra, letting it trail along the contours of her breasts. “Do you want to feel it against you here?” He let the bud touch one of her nipples.
She swallowed hard, her throat moving as he watched. He could almost hear her thinking, trying to decide how far she was willing to go.
“It’s not that hard a decision, Lily. Yes or no, it’s up to you.” He was walking a fine line between nudging her out of her comfort zone and pushing her too far.
“Yes.” He was surprised and pleased by the conviction in her voice. There was no doubt that she wanted this and was embracing the situation between them.
Carson dropped the rose onto the comforter and covered her breasts with his hands. Even through the confines of her bra, her nipples poked at his palms. Practically humming with pleasure, he slid his hands down her sides and slipped them under her back. He made quick work of the hooks and peeled the straps down her arms, pulling the garment from her body.
He stilled as he stared down at her. Her breasts weren’t large, but they were perfectly formed mounds. Her nipples were puckered into tight, rosy buds. He had to taste one.
Laying a hand on her belly, he lowered his head and nuzzled between her breasts, breathing in the perfume of her skin, a combination of fragrant rose and warm, feminine flesh. His cock flexed, reminding him of its plight. The sac between his thighs was heavy and tight. He ignored them both. He had Lily half naked in front of him and he intended to savor every second of it.
He cupped her breast with his hand. Her skin was soft, while his hand was rough, reminding him of the very basic differences between a man and a woman. Carson was a thoroughly modern man, but there was something about Lily that made him feel totally primitive. He wanted to mark her, claim her as his.
For now, he had to taste her. He skimmed his tongue over her puckered nipple. Her hands groped wildly, clasping his shoulders, fingers digging in. Murmuring with satisfaction at her response, he closed his mouth over the tight bud and sucked. Lily’s hands traveled over his neck to tunnel through his hair, clutching him tight to her breast.
Pleasure swamped him, filling his body and his soul. The heat and perfume of her arousal tickled his nose and made his cock throb even harder.
While he suckled one breast, he teased the other with his fingers, tugging gently on the distended tip. Lily’s heart was racing, her breathing getting quicker and harsher and her legs pumping restlessly against the mattress.
It took an amazing amount of willpower, but Carson forced himself to move away from her. His lungs were working hard at sucking in much-needed air. Lily’s fingers were still tangled in his hair, so he didn’t get far. Resting his head against her belly, he struggled for control.
“Carson?”
“Everything is okay, Lily.” He wasn’t sure if he was telling her the truth or lying to both of them. He was close to losing it. Having her nearly naked and so trusting was making it difficult for him to hang on.
“Are you sure?” There was a note of nervousness in her voice. Carson sensed she was becoming more self-conscious by the second. That was the last thing he wanted. He struggled to pull himself together before the evening ended way too soon.
“I’m sure.” He ignored the throbbing in his balls and dick and straightened, reveling in the slide of her fingers against his scalp as she released him. His hands went to the waistband of her panties and paused. “Lily?”
It was her choice, but he was hoping with everything in him that she said yes.
• • •
Lily’s body was a mass of rioting sensations. With her vision obscured,
her other senses were incredibly heightened. She could smell the lush perfume of the rose, the heated musk of Carson’s body mixed with his spicy soap, as well as the unique scent of arousal that she knew was coming mostly from her. She inhaled deeply, drawing all of them into her lungs.
Her hearing was more acute. She could hear Carson’s deep breathing and the rustle of the bedclothes as he shifted on the bed. Even her own breathing sounded different. She could hear the anticipation in it, the slight hitch just before his fingers moved over her skin.
But it was her sense of touch that was most affected.
Touching Carson was a lesson in sensual delight. His skin was warm and heated beneath her hands. His muscles were hard, yet supple as she stroked him. The glide of his hair through her fingers made her core spasm with delight. She wanted to touch all of him.
Every hard, hot inch.
The glide of the rose over her skin was a sensual delight. The light, barely-there strokes made her skin tingle, made it even more sensitive. Not being able to see him, she’d been unable to anticipate where he might caress her next. When he’d finally touched her, she thought she might explode. The rough rasp of his tongue over her distended nipple and the warm clasp of his mouth around it had almost made her come. She was wet between her thighs, her body more than ready to accept his.
She’d never been so primed for sex in her entire life.
Now his fingers were tucked just inside the elastic band of her panties. Waiting. For Lily there was no decision to make. She’d come too far to turn back without knowing his most intimate touch.
“Yes.” She raised her hips from the bed, leaving him no doubt of what she wanted him to do.
The tug of material against her skin as he pulled it over her hips and down her legs sent goose bumps racing across her thighs. She knew she was totally exposed to Carson now. She wanted to see him, but she didn’t want to leave the cocoon of sensation that wrapped around her.
Having the mask on somehow made her braver. It should have been the exact opposite. If anyone had asked her before this evening, she would have said wearing a mask would have made her more nervous. But Lily knew she wouldn’t have been able to allow Carson to touch her in such intimate ways if she could see him. Not being able to see his reactions made her not as anxious.
She was floating in a bubble of pleasure and arousal, and enjoying every second of it.
Lily jolted when she felt the soft brush of rose petals against her most sensitive flesh. “Carson,” she groaned, not quite knowing what she wanted. This was exquisite torment. He dragged the flower over the tight bud of nerves at the apex of her thighs and she gasped. Cream flowed from her core. Her thighs quivered with anticipation.
“Do you like that?” His breath was hot and moist against her core.
“God, yes.” Reaching out blindly, she found him. She sighed with relief as her fingers sank into his hair. There was no way she wanted him to leave her.
Carson laughed as he shifted closer. Lily’s entire body tightened in anticipation. She lay there suspended. Waiting. Wanting.
She cried out when his tongue traced the slick folds of her sex. Up one side and then down the other. He purposely avoided her swollen clitoris, and that only heightened the sensations coursing through her body. She felt totally alive and on fire with need.
“More,” she demanded, and he gave it.
His clever tongue traced the edges of her opening and then she felt the press of something against her. She gasped when he slowly inserted one long, thick finger inside her. Her inner muscles sucked at it greedily, pulling it deeper.
“No,” she cried when he dragged his finger back to the edge of her opening. He couldn’t leave her like this. She was so close. She arched her hips upward, blindly searching for his touch. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her entire being focused on one thing now—orgasm.
Carson thrust deep into her slick channel, this time with two fingers, stretching her sensitive flesh. Her inner muscles rippled as she accommodated him eagerly, easily.
“I’m going to fuck you with my fingers until you come.” Carson’s voice was rough with desire.
“Yes,” she moaned. That’s what she wanted. “Fuck me.” She’d never said those two words aloud in her entire life, but somehow here with Carson, locked in her dark prison of passion, it was easy.
He was looking at her, watching her react to his every touch. She was naked and spread before him, yet she was the one in charge of their encounter. It was exciting and arousing and the most erotic experience of her entire life.
He pulled his fingers out until only the tips were inside, then he thrust them deep. She felt his breath and then his mouth was on her, his tongue lapping at her clitoris. The heavy glide of his fingers and the touch of his mouth was all it took.
Lily’s world splintered.
Her body shook. A low, keening sound broke from her lips. Spasms rocked her as her entire body convulsed. She felt Carson’s fingers deep within her body and his tongue on her clit, driving her higher and harder than she’d ever gone before.
It was frightening. It was exhilarating. It was impossible to stop.
Lily rode out the orgasm, soaking in every sound, every sensation until she could bear no more. Groaning, she closed her thighs around Carson’s head. It was only then that she realized she was still tugging on his hair. Carefully, she unwound her fingers and let her hands fall onto the bed. She couldn’t stop the moan breaking from her lips when he sat up and slid his fingers free.
The bed shifted and then she was being lifted, but she was too exhausted to care. She trusted Carson to keep her safe. She heard the rustle of covers being pulled back and felt the press of cool, crisp sheets against her back and the warmth of her comforter being drawn over her. Her ears caught a groan, a smothered curse and the sound of a zipper being closed.
Then two strong hands cupped her head and Carson’s mouth was warm and firm against hers. She murmured her thanks as she parted her lips. His tongue dipped inside for a brief second and then it was gone. Strong fingers removed the mask and Lily had to blink against the brightness even though the room was lit only by candlelight.
He sat beside her, his face solemn, his eyes unreadable in the dim light. Reaching out, she placed her hand against his jaw. He turned his face inward, placing a kiss in the center of her palm. “Thank you.” The words were totally inadequate considering the pleasure he’d just given her, but she didn’t know what else to say.
“My pleasure, sweetheart.” He placed his hand over hers and glanced toward the window. “I’ve got to go or your neighbors are going to start to wonder about me being here so long. My truck’s been parked in your driveway for a couple of hours now.”
Lily bit her bottom lip. She wanted Carson to stay, but she didn’t want anyone gossiping about her. She glanced over at the huge bulge in the front of his jeans. That couldn’t be comfortable at all. She was being totally self-centered, doing all the taking and none of the giving. She started to reach for him.
He caught her before she could make contact, wrapping his fingers around her slender wrist. “That’s okay.” He reached down with his free hand and used his thumb to soothe her abused mouth. “There’ll be other times.”
It wasn’t a question but she answered him anyway. “Yes, there’ll be other times.”
He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We haven’t tried the whipped cream yet.”
Her eyes shot over to the nightstand. She’d forgotten all about that. The white-and-red spray can sat patiently waiting. Before she could stop herself, Lily yawned. Not a small, ladylike yawn, but a huge, jaw-cracking one.
Carson chuckled. “I think I wore you out.”
Embarrassment flooded her. “I’m sorry.” He must think she was totally selfish to let him pleasure her and then yawn in his face. “I haven’t slept well the past few nights and . . .” She broke off. There was no excuse that would make up for this.
He released her
wrist and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “It’s okay, Lily. We’re not keeping score here. As long as you enjoyed yourself, that’s all that matters.”
“I’ve never felt this way in my life.” She owed him her honesty if nothing else.
She felt him relax slightly and it was only then that she realized just how tightly he was wound. “We’ve only just begun.” On that promise, he stood, grabbed the can of whipped cream, strolled to the dresser and blew out the candles. “I’ll put this back in the refrigerator and lock up behind myself.”
Lily squinted to try to see his expression better, but it was no use.
“Sleep well and dream of me.” He was gone before she could think to reply.
Sounds floated upstairs. Content, she drifted in a state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. She didn’t know how long it was before he left, but she wasn’t the least bit concerned about him being in her house. The noises were almost comforting. She knew the moment he left. The door banged and the house suddenly felt emptier. His truck started and the lights briefly shone through her window as he backed out of the driveway. She strained her ears, listening until she could no longer hear the engine’s rumble.
Hugging her pillow tight, she heaved a sigh and snuggled beneath the covers.
Chapter Seven
“Dream of me,” Lily muttered as she jammed a daisy into a floral arrangement. The fragile stem snapped and she gritted her teeth as she removed it. She hadn’t slept well for the past four nights. She’d awakened Saturday morning after a restless night of tossing and turning, only to come face-to-face with the silk mask that was perched on the nightstand.
Her face heated at the memory.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, when she’d gone to the refrigerator to get cream for her coffee, the can of whipped cream had been sitting right in the center of the top shelf, reminding her that they hadn’t used it—yet. Still, she hadn’t had to face a dirty kitchen. Carson had taken the time to load the dishwasher and clean down the table and the counter. That had left her with a smile on her face.
Lily's List Page 6
