“Yes, actually I do.” Maya ruffled his hair. “Would you like to see?”
He responded to her flirtations in kind. “Yes, I would like to see. Do you have plans now? I mean for after you drop me off?”
“No, but I have to leave with Nodin in the morning.” She avoided eye contact, glancing around the parking lot and fiddling with the bun on her head.
“Where are you going?”
“He has an interview so I’m going along as moral support.”
“How is your mother?” One question, he knew, she would answer when others were racing through his mind. Was she really related to Nodin? Where was her father? So much he didn’t know, and yet, she drew him like a siren, keeping him under her spell.
“Nodin and I…I mean, what did you ask? About my mother? Uh…yeah, she’s much better. She was sick, but the fever burned out.” She was silent a moment, kicking the truck tire. “I’m sorry about that night.” With a one-shouldered shrug, she smiled and took the manila envelope he had tucked under his arm and shook out the keys. “I’ll drive.”
Chapter 22
Silence reigned on the drive home, both very aware of what would happen once they crossed the threshold. The sexual tension ratcheted up a notch as thoughts of their “almost moment” by the stream rumbled through Terran’s mind. His head bumped against the headrest as Maya suddenly accelerated down the road.
The truck lurched to a halt in front of his house.
While no longer in any discomfort, he needed a long, hot shower, preferably with Maya in attendance. After guiding Maya down the sidewalk, he stepped inside the front door and shouted, “Scotty, you home?”
No response.
“Come upstairs with me?” He offered Maya his hand. Taking this next step in their relationship would be her choice.
She stood at the threshold. Her hands stuffed in her back pockets, but then she smiled and took his hand.
Choice made, they walked upstairs.
Memories of the last time she was here rolled through his mind. This time, no voice outside the door would stop them, nor would the bruises on his body.
At the top of the stairs, Maya took a deep breath. “I imagine you’re glad to be home.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Terran held tight. He buried his face in the richness of her hair. The clean smell, like citrus scented raindrops, reminded him he did not exude the same freshness. He ran both hands up and down her back. “Are you ready for this?”
“Yes.”
“All of it?”
She pulled away and brushed her fingers across his cheek. “I’m willing to give you all I can for as long as you wish.”
He nodded. That sealed her fate as far as he was concerned. “I wish for it all. Here. Now.” He dropped a quick kiss against her lips. “Let’s shower.”
After grabbing two brown towels off the hall closet shelf, he guided her into the bathroom. He reached into the shower and turned the knob a little hotter than his usual temperature.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Maya leaned against the counter. “You did just get out of the hospital after knocking at death’s door.”
“We’ll take this first time slow and easy. I want the moment to last. No interruptions. You said you’re all in. I’m not backing off now.” He reached for his toothbrush, and then raised a brow when she continued studying him.
“I thought you had questions.”
“I do, but we’ll find the answers together.”
“Terran, perhaps we should…maybe first I should…” She blew out a breath and rubbed her temple.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. You’re right, we’ll find the answers together so this has to be now.” She tugged her shirt up and off then unzipped her jeans, revealing a hint of black lace.
“Stop. Give me a minute here.” He rinsed out his mouth and studied the man in the mirror. A colorful mix of purple and yellow bruises painted his right cheek, and his eye was puffy pink. “Crowder’s men did quite a number on me. I’m alive because of you.” He turned and faced her. “Would you like me to show you how grateful I am?”
“I’m hoping you’ll show me a lot more than gratitude.”
Appreciation was too small a word for the vision standing before him now. The hourglass shape of her body would mold perfectly to his hands. Black lace cups overflowed with the fullness of her pale breasts. Matching black panties covered valleys and a peak he longed to scale.
“When I watched you up on that stage, I knew your body was mine. Not meant to be seen or shared by anyone. Only me. To think, I almost died without getting to feel every inch of your skin.” He shook his head at the thought.
“You’re alive, I’m alive. Touch me…please, Terran. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you.”
Terran reached for her hands and steered them under his T-shirt and over his chest. Together, they lifted off his shirt. Then, he guided her hand down to unsnap his jeans.
Under his boxer briefs, her hand teased and stroked his thick flesh and caressed his swollen sacs.
“Enough,” he growled and attempted to pull away her hand.
She resisted and ran a finger over his seeping, rigid tip then circled in a spiral from the center slit to the outer edge of his crown. Her fingertip glistened with the silky result of her touch. Her chest rose and fell with each panted breath as her fingers stroked up and down his length.
He’d lose control if she kept up that torturous glide. He spun her around and unsnapped her bra. Lifting her fallen tendrils to the side, he feasted on her neck. Her full, firm breasts molded perfectly as he kneaded them with his hands. He brushed his thumb against her taut nipple.
She pressed more fully against his hand, straining for more. She wrapped her arm around his neck, and she rolled her hips back against him.
He traced his thumb along the edge of her lace-topped panties, and he pushed them down over her hips along with her jeans. Steam filled the bathroom and he could barely make out her clothes now puddled at her feet. From his position behind her, he walked her forward and stopped before the shower door. He stepped out of his jeans and briefs then nudged her under the hot spray. A faint russet red tinted the water as it swirled into the drain. The smell of hospital washed away as Maya gently bathed him.
“Mmmm, never underestimate the rejuvenating effects of a shower.”
“Water can be quite a refresher. I agree.” A secret smile lit Maya’s face. “Look at your poor body, all bruised.” She kissed his chest. “Poor man, let’s make sure you’re clean everywhere.” The washcloth made its way south and she did a very thorough job.
Relieved to be scrubbed clean, he took the washcloth from Maya’s hand, placed it aside, and reached for the soap.
She stayed his hand and lifted on her toes to slide her tongue over his bottom lip. “Kiss me.”
As he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, he tangled his fingers in her hair. Once again, the passion between them flared hot. Explosion was imminent. He claimed her lips, slanting his head to glide his tongue in a heated duel with hers.
The depths of her mouth drowned him, and he never wanted to surface. Water poured out of the showerhead, hard and strong. Steam engulfed them, rising and swirling in a dance around their bodies. He roamed his hands freely over her sleek skin. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as he rolled the tips of her breasts between his thumb and forefinger. The water served as liquid fire as he feverishly explored every inch of her body. Refusing to gain release without her, he drew her teasing hand from his rigid shaft.
“The water pressure seems really strong today.” He adjusted the nozzle on the showerhead, but the pressure abated on its own. “Come here. It’s your turn to get clean.”
“Why? I like being dirty.” She licked his nipple.
He jerked against her, more than ready to see how muddy they could make the waters. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy ‘dirty Maya’ very soon. Right now, I want you as steamy as this shower.”
<
br /> She shoved him against the wall. “I’m past steam all the way to boiling. Can’t you tell?” Placing her hands on his shoulders, she boosted up and wrapped her legs around his hips.
He dug his fingers into her bottom’s firm globes and locked her in place.
She worked her hand over his enflamed erection as she flagrantly kissed him.
He bit her bottom lip and again stayed her hand. “Stop. I don’t want to come without you.”
A bit of a struggle ensued when she refused to release him.
He slid her down his body, smiling over her glare. He relieved her pout by gliding his soapy fingers against her core, creating a fluff of foamy bubbles in the wet curls at the apex of her thighs. She tried to kiss him, but he held her back. The sexiest sound he’d ever heard escaped her mouth. Running his hand along her inner thigh, he teased her as she had him.
She clamped her hand around his wrist when he slid his fingers over her sensitive folds.
Brushing a single finger against her wet cleft, he slid a finger inside.
Her entire body arched against his hand.
Amazed at the glory raining down upon his solitary finger, he clenched his teeth against the thunder of need tearing through his body. A continual glide, she moved her hips in time with each gentle stroke, he took their torment to a new level as he whispered his intentions in her ear, “You took care of me when I was lost in a dark cloud of agony. I plan to storm every inch of you until you’re in the same state. But this time we’ll die that little death together.”
She ran her fingers through his hair, gripping tight, and pulling him close. Her bright blue eyes opened, gazing directly into his before she tugged on his lower lip with her teeth.
He took her lips in a kiss way past the point of primal into a new reality that could only be attained with her. His heart pounded and his body ached with the need to expel his seed deep within her—marking her, claiming her as his.
Her body began to tighten around his surging caress.
He pulled back and dropped to his knees. “Open for me.” Kissing his way up her thigh to the tiny triangle covering her wet cavern, he licked her swollen folds and gently sucked her bud of pleasure.
Her knees buckled and she clenched his hair with each rasp of his tongue. “Terran, I’m going to fall.”
“I’ve got you.” He dug his fingers into her hips as he held her in place for the thrust of his tongue. Diving into her well, over and over, he held her still for his ministrations.
He nuzzled against her pale curls, learning her, assaulting her senses, as she pleaded with him not to stop until she broke with a shout. Her death grip on his head kept him in place as her body shuddered with release. Steam filled the shower so completely, he could barely make out her form through the dense mist. Water seemed to pour off her skin as she strained to catch her breath. Incoherent words came from her lips as tiny tremors continued to rack her body.
He rose and thrust his straining manhood between her wet thighs. Not entering only thrusting in that slick hollow, he whispered in her ear. “I’m not finished with you yet. Do you know what happens to your body when you come?” He placed a hard kiss on her mouth and continued his explanation while dropping heated kisses against the side of her neck. “Your clitoral glans moves inward under the clitoral hood, and your labia minora becomes darker.” He pitched his voice lower. “As orgasm develops, the outer third of your vagina tightens and narrows, while overall the vagina lengthens, dilates and becomes congested from engorged soft tissue. Your uterus then experiences a series of muscular contractions then release as your uterus, vagina, anus, and pelvic muscles undergo a series of rhythmic contractions.” These last words were growled from his throat.
Maya strained up on the balls of her feet and moaned against this mouth. “How can you make science sound so hot?”
“Are you hot? Let’s check.” He ran his fingers down and over her sensitive outer lips then slipped past her entrance, probing deep as he kissed her. His little science lesson had fanned his fire just as high.
He turned off the water, stepped out, and quickly patted dry. Wrapped in a towel, with his hair still plastered against his head, he led her across the hall to his bedroom. He briefly rubbed the towel over his body and hers before he pushed her back on the bed with a gentle nudge.
A strong ache coursed from his cock. His balls had to be Artic blue.
His gaze roved over the blonde bounty on his bed. “Quite a vision. Beyond beautiful. All that gorgeous golden hair against my pillow. Lips red. Chest heaving. Your eyes sleepy with satisfaction. Knees bent and open.” He joined her, fitting himself between her thighs.
Maya quirked a brow. “I figured you for a by-the-book kind of lover, who knew you could be such a tease. I’m on a very thin ledge right now, Terran. If you don’t get down to business soon, I’m flipping you over and riding you like a ship in a stormy sea.”
“It’s a ride you’re after? I’m more than happy to give it to you. Ready?”
In answer, she reached down and settled him at her center.
His body shook at the connection. “Wait, we need protection.”
“No, I’m covered. Don’t stop now. It’s safe. I promise.”
Why he trusted her he couldn’t say? Perhaps his mind was fogged with lust, but he didn’t stop. If he was going to finish quickly, then so would she. He bent and drew one nipple deep, rubbing the hard peak against the roof of his mouth. His attentions continued to the next.
She sank her nails into his shoulders. The sharp claw of her arousal, raked against his intent to bathe in every nuisance of this moment.
Maya let out a few choice curses. Her body bowed, seeking that primal connection.
He rubbed his cock between her thighs, gliding back and forth, teasing her.
“Terran…please.”
He dove deep, so deep and began that slow, repetitive glide.
She rose to meet each demanding stroke.
A light film of sweat covered his body as he held back from the final surrender.
The string winding them together went taut. His whole body contained in the pleasure of her yielding heat. The vision of her under him, her lips plumped and parted as she took short breaths, tied him to her. Her creamy skin flushed a soft pink across her chest.
She opened her eyes and a flash of dark blue sparked as she held tight to his upper arms. Her siren’s smile beckoned him to join her as his waving rhythm finally broke against her shore.
Her hips erupted off the bed, taking him with her as fulfillment flowed through her body. He held her hips in place beneath him, answering her heated call, which led him to that final moment of release. Like the tip of a match, it stroked along the surface, then lit and burst into a bright yellow-gold flame. Burning with bliss again and again, he attempted to snuff out the erupting fire, but it only burned brighter and a white blue flare flashed before his eyes, taking him to a level of completion that seared this moment across his heart forever.
Their tremors slowly faded, and an instant addiction forged that would drive him to dive into her spring again and again.
This level of connection and physical fulfillment had never been attained with another woman. Her body aligned perfectly to his, and his climax had scorched like a white-hot magnesium burn—intense like the surface of the sun.
Once his breathing slowed, he dragged his head from its resting place between her breasts. He rose above her on his forearms and kissed her softly. An appreciative kiss, one that lingered and played a game of touch and retreat as he softened inside her. “What was that? Have you ever felt anything that hot? Do you think there are scorch marks on the sheets?” Brown eyes sought answers in her dreamy deep blue depths.
“Even now, you have questions.” Maya chuckled and shook her head.
He joined her, caught up in the pleasure of the moment. He placed tons of smacking kisses all over her face. “Maya, I don’t know how you feel, but I don’t want this to be a one-time thing. I
want to pursue this. I’m complete when I’m with you and after this, well… I…I know I’ll never stop wanting you. I don’t play games. My mind doesn’t function like that. I’ll need answers from you.”
“My body did answer yours.” She reached up and touched his face, avoiding his bruised skin. “We will have a chance at forever, Terran. The path of our relationship is for you to determine. I’ve never had any choice. Not even in this. I’ve accepted fates plan, knowing I belong here, with you. I’ve been alone for so long. I don’t want to be sad or scared anymore. With you, I’ll be stronger than I was before. You’ll see.”
“No, you’re not alone. We’ll always fit together one way or another.” He demonstrated by nudging her with a semi-hard twitch.
“Looks like someone came primed.”
“He did, indeed.”
Throughout the night and early morning hours, Terran reached for her again and again. Exhaustion finally led into a sated dream-filled slumber.
A long trail leads to an isolated mountain lake. His feet sank into the mud as he ran down a narrow path, hedged in by evergreens. Maya waits at the end. Pine needles crunch under his feet. Bright green leaves. A cloudless blue sky. All is perfect. With each step he takes, he sees her moving farther away. The lake churns in angry waves behind her. A tree falls and blocks the road before him. A raging storm strikes downward and a huge funnel cloud envelopes his body, lifting him away from the earth. As he spins through the sky, he sees her at the end of the path—silent, still, waiting. Tears pour down her cheeks. He fights against the raging storm. She raises one arm and runs toward him. Their fingers touch, bending as they try to link. She grasps his hand tight and pulls him to stand beside her. All is quiet as she gazes into his eyes. Not a sound from the forest. Suddenly a deep crevasse forms in the earth and swallows him whole. He sees her bent at the edge, reaching for him, and screaming as he continues to fall.
Terran started as a moan deep in his throat tried to erupt into a scream. He wiped a hand over his sweat-covered chest. Still caught up in the dream, he swiveled his head back and forth, trying to determine his bearings.
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