Water Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  Erin’s stomach tightened at the slow rhythm his tongue set. And still Daniel’s hands did not move down. They simply held her in place while he tasted her. She moved her tongue against his hesitantly. Finding his rhythm. Stroking his tongue as he had hers. Taking him further into her mouth.

  She kept her hands at her sides out of fear. What would happen if she wound her arms around him? Pressed her body to his?

  Warmth spread through her as Daniel’s right hand moved down to the top of the neckline of her dress. And yet his mouth still moved against her. Tasting. Testing.

  Erin felt the first button of her ivory dress give beneath Daniel’s hand. She immediately withdrew from his wicked mouth and looked up at him. His ragged breath whistled in and out of his lungs. His eyes were wide open and looking at her. Stark desire in the hazel depths.

  She shook her head. “I can’t.” Her blonde hair came loose from the clip and fell over her shoulders. “I can’t give you that.”

  “Let me,” Daniel murmured. “I won’t hurt you, Erin. I will never hurt you.”

  Erin tried to step back but Daniel tangled his fingers in her hair. “I’ve never had anyone touch me like that.” She tilted her chin up. “I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true.”

  “I love you.” Daniel looked her in the eye. “I love you for who you are. Others before do not matter, querida. My heart beats for you. Only for you.” He touched her lips gently. “I want to give you that.” He rested his hand above her right breast. “I give you my heart, Erin. I wish only to touch yours.”

  “I don’t know if I can.” Erin trembled. “I’ve never…” She trailed off helplessly. Tears brushed against her lashes.

  “Querida.” Daniel brushed the tears away with his knuckles and brought them to his mouth. He kissed the moistness.

  Erin’s resolve crumbled, but her fear remained. “Okay,” she whispered. She reached to undo the rest of her dress buttons, but his hands stopped her.

  “We will take our time. There is no rush, querida.”

  Her hands dropped back to her sides. Then Daniel moved forward to take her mouth again. There was a mixture of gentleness and hunger as his hands moved to press her body closer to his.

  Erin brought her hands up hesitantly around his neck. The small gesture brought a groan from the man who still pleasured her mouth with his. A little thrill of power raced along her nerves at the sound. And then Daniel pressed her closer to him. One hand tangled in her hair while the other moved below her waist to cup her bottom firmly in his hand.

  And didn’t that feel decadent? To have this powerful man want her?

  Daniel moved back from the kiss for a second before his mouth moved across to her jaw and then to the nape of her neck. His hot breath on her pulse point left her gasping. And then his teeth nipped lightly, and her knees nearly buckled.

  Nothing had ever felt that good. He sucked gently on the tender flesh and then nipped until her hands were clenched in his hair to keep him there. The feelings blew through her with an intensity that scared her. Her nipples peaked under her dress, and the sensation caused her to tremble.

  She’d never kissed a customer. Never had one who cared much for what was above her neck.

  But Daniel seemed intrigued by her neck. Her shoulders. The hair that even now tangled in his hands. He withdrew and then licked from her pulse point down to the opening of her dress. And stopped.

  Erin stood in front of him while strange sensations pulsed through her body. She was aroused. She couldn’t lie to herself. Or the man in front of her.

  Daniel undid the next button and looked at her. She knew he could just see the top of her lacy white bra. And then his hands moved over her exposed skin while his mouth moved back to hers.

  And those hands. Those magical hands traced over her bare skin and left a trail of heat in their wake. Erin pressed closer. Daniel’s scent stirred her to something akin to pain. She wanted more of him. Needed more.

  She moved back from him and tugged gently on the strip of cloth that bound his hair back from his face. The dark locks moved free and framed his face. Erin reached out to take a small curl around her finger. She tugged it lightly, and Daniel’s eyes darkened.

  Erin licked her lips nervously and moved forward of her own accord. She traced every plane of his face slowly, memorizing him. He closed his eyes on a groan and stood absolutely still while she touched him. Ran her fingers through his glorious hair. Touched his soft mouth only to bring it to hers once again.

  Daniel’s hunger notched up a bit. Erin could feel the tension in his body and tried to calm the nerves she could feel move through her. As if Daniel could sense this, he immediately slowed his pace.

  The kiss became leisurely again. Another button undone. And then Erin could feel Daniel’s hand gently cup her breast through her bra. She moaned at the sensation of his warm palm against her skin. Her nipple hardened painfully, but he didn’t touch it yet. He simply cupped her roundness while nibbling on her lips.

  Erin tugged at his hair in need. She didn’t know what she wanted. But she knew that if he stopped, she would be lost.

  “I do not wish to scare you, querida.” Daniel’s husky voice brought goose bumps to her skin. “But I need to touch you. All of you.” He looked in her eyes. Longing shone brightly in his eyes.

  “Touch me,” she whispered.

  Daniel brought his hand down with a satisfied sigh, and closed his mouth over her taut nipple.

  Pleasure shot through her with an intensity that left her dizzy. Her stomach tightened as he suckled the hard nub through her bra. The hot moistness left her breathless and wanting.

  “Oh, God,” she muttered and clutched his head to her chest. Spasms of pleasure shot through her as he moved to her other breast to show it the same attention. Her knees buckled then. But she needn’t have worried.

  Daniel swept her into his arms and cradled her close while he walked purposefully to her bedroom. He lowered his arms and let Erin’s feet find the floor. But he kept one arm hooked around her. And when she stood, he continued to kiss her.

  Hunger swept through her. Erin kissed him back with all the abandon she felt. Nothing had ever felt so right. Daniel growled low as he undid another button and traced the opening down to her belly button.

  He traced the circle slowly, and Erin trembled. Daniel pulled back and then dropped down slowly to his knees. Erin’s blue eyes widened as she watched the top of Daniel’s head. And then his mouth replaced his hand.

  Erin’s body tensed as he kissed her belly and nipped softly at her flesh. She shook with the force of her pleasure. Tension built in her until she wanted to scream. And yet Daniel continued to take his time to kiss every inch of exposed flesh. His hands wrapped around her and held her in place while he lavished attention on her.

  “Daniel,” she breathed.

  He raised his head then, and her breath caught in her throat. Blatant need. Desire for her. And he didn’t try to hide any of it.

  Daniel stood slowly, and Erin reached out to slowly undo the buttons on his shirt. Her hands trembled, but he stood stock-still as she pushed the shirt from his shoulders. The sight of him took her breath away. His olive skin so perfect. A small smattering of hair from his chest down to his stomach. And lower.

  Erin’s eyes traced the trail with wide eyes. His erection strained against the khaki pants, and she swallowed convulsively. When she raised panicked blue eyes, she saw him watching her.

  “Not until you’re ready, querida. I promise.”

  She nodded jerkily and drew in a deep breath. And then Erin touched. Her hands traced over his bare chest and circled one nipple and then the other. Daniel twitched but didn’t say a word though he watched her the entire time. A muscle worked in his jaw, but Erin didn’t worry. Daniel would keep his word. She could explore to her heart’s content.

  Erin leaned forward and kissed Daniel’s cheek then slid her lips to his jaw. She nipped him and heard him draw a shaky breath. Pleasure shot th
rough her. Erin glanced up at him and then back down. His eyes were closed. She chuckled lightly and moved down to his chest.

  Her hands moved over his nipples, slightly tugging at the hard pebbles. And, emboldened, she took one into her mouth and sucked gently.

  “Erin.” Daniel shook with the force of self-control he imposed on himself. “Please,” he pleaded.

  “Please quit?” she teased. “Or please continue?”

  “I can’t think,” Daniel growled.

  “Good.” Erin smiled and took him back into her mouth. She ran her tongue over him. Back and forth. He trembled beneath her ministrations. She stepped back, and he opened his eyes slowly.

  Erin held out her hands, and Daniel took them in his. He tugged, and she went willingly. Daniel undid another button and ran his hand along the top edge of her white lace underwear. As Erin’s stomach clenched, she gasped.

  “One more button, querida,” Daniel whispered in her ear.

  “I know.” Erin bit her lip and found a bit of courage. “I’ve never been touched with love, Daniel. Never. I would have you show me.”

  Daniel’s head dropped onto her shoulder, and he quivered. “I will show you love, dearest one. Every time I touch you, know that it is only with love.” His hand lowered to undo the last button.

  Erin stood in front of him as he stepped back and looked at her. She pulled the ivory dress from her shoulders and let it pool at her feet. Daniel’s indrawn breath strengthened her. She trusted him. Wanted him like she had never wanted another. She walked on shaking legs to her bed and sat down.

  Daniel sat beside her and turned to take her into his arms. “You are beautiful, querida. You take my breath away.” He gently laid her back on the bed, still in his arms. His bare chest brushed against her, and she moaned at the feeling.

  Erin started to undo the clasp of her bra, but Daniel’s hands stopped her. “I will do this, love.” She nodded and waited.

  Daniel’s hands moved over her breasts and to her shoulders. Then they dipped down to find the clasp. A second later, they moved back up and brushed her straps from her shoulders. Daniel slid the bra from her and tossed it away from them. And then he bent his head.

  Erin writhed as Daniel’s mouth found her nipple and suckled it gently. She moved her hips against him, wanting. She’d had sex dozens of times, but it had never been like this. So much pleasure, she would surely die from it.

  Daniel’s hand moved down and slid around her hip. He brought her closer to his body, and Erin rubbed against him. She could feel him straining at the fly of his pants and hurriedly tried to undo the slacks. She wanted to feel him. Every inch of him against her.

  Daniel’s hands stilled her. “Soon, querida. Soon. Let me taste you. Let me pleasure you.”

  Erin’s temperature spiked at the words. He was doing that. Inflaming her senses. Filling her head and heart with only him. His scent and taste.

  Daniel lifted his head and smiled. “I have only begun, sweet one.” He bent his head and licked her nipple. “I will know every inch of your body.”

  Erin moaned and threaded her fingers through his hair. He was killing her. Slowly. And in the best way possible. And then she felt Daniel’s mouth move from her breast and down further. But he didn’t stop at her belly button. He went further.

  Her breath hitched in her throat as she looked down at the top of his head only inches from her panties. Surely he didn’t mean to…

  “Daniel!” Panic caused her voice to come out sharper than she intended.

  He lifted hazel eyes filled with desire. “Yes, querida,” he rasped. Daniel must have realized what she was about to say. He smiled. “Trust me.” And then he bent his head.

  All thought left her as his breath moved gently against her. Then his mouth closed over her.

  Erin’s hips slammed up, and her fists clenched in her sheets. She would die of pleasure. Today. At this moment. Daniel’s hand palmed her, and he kissed the inside of her right thigh. He hooked his fingers in her underwear and slid them gradually down her legs. Erin felt exposed. Not only was she stark naked, but she felt as if Daniel could see into her very soul.

  Daniel kissed his way back up from her ankles and nipped at the back of her left knee. His long hair tickled a bit, and she felt a giggle. It died abruptly when his mouth settled over her with nothing between them.

  Erin reached down and clutched the back of his head as his mouth and tongue moved against the heat of her. As her legs fell open, Daniel hooked his arms around her thighs while he pleasured her.

  She moaned as desire built to an intense level. Erin couldn’t see. Couldn’t hear. She could only feel what Daniel did to her. Small spasms shook her but still he continued the rhythm he set for her. And then she couldn’t breathe as the first orgasm of her life burst through her with such intensity that she screamed Daniel’s name. Her hips bucked up again and again as the orgasm ripped through her.

  “Enough,” she pleaded breathlessly. Erin blinked and tried to bring her world into focus. Her legs shook as small spasms moved through her. She looked up, and Daniel moved over her. He had taken his pants off and stood before her in all his glory.

  Her mouth ran dry. She wasn’t done. Not by half. This magnificent man wanted her. And she wanted him fiercely.

  Erin studied him quietly for a moment as he stood there. He had already placed a condom over himself. And the quiet consideration touched her. She wanted him. She wanted it all.

  “Daniel.” Erin held out her arms, and Daniel moved into them with a sigh.

  “I didn’t know if you would still want me,” he muttered.

  “Yes.” Erin cupped his face and tilted it toward her. “I want you.” She reached down between them and took him in her hand. “Show me, Daniel. Show me.”

  Daniel let Erin guide him into her, and he groaned at the feeling. Erin smiled slightly as his arms tensed. She lifted her hips slightly, and then nearly laughed at Daniel’s growl.

  “Woman,” he implored. “I can only take so much.”

  “Show me.” Erin smiled and lifted her hips again.

  Daniel surged inside her, and she gasped at the pleasure. He filled her completely. Erin hooked her legs around his waist. The delicious friction fueled her desire once again. Daniel rained kisses on her throat and breasts as he set the rhythm between them.

  Erin moved her hands from Daniel’s waist up his back and clung to him as the sensations slammed through her. Exquisite. The feel of this man. He found her lips again and kissed her breathless. The tension gathered in her swiftly.

  Daniel settled his hands on her hips as he moved in and out of her. Erin trembled underneath him as he moved one of his hands between her legs and stroked her tenderly. The combined sensations pushed her over the edge. She clung to him as her legs tightened around his waist, and her breath caught once again. She heard Daniel’s hoarse shout as he followed her over the edge into completion.

  Erin could barely hear. Her heart beat so fiercely in her chest. Pleasure lit every cell of her body. Daniel moved to her side and cuddled her close. He placed soft kisses on her cheek while he stroked her hair.

  “Are you all right, querida?”

  Was she? Erin couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Daniel. All her emotions scrambled through her as if waiting for a final decision. Everything had a price. Nothing was free. That much she had learned from the streets. But this man in her bed asked for nothing but her heart. That precious organ she kept from everyone. Because to let someone in meant pain.

  But what had Kendra said? To cripple Daniel before he started was unfair. To pin on him the crimes of others seemed the same. She felt as though she would split in two.

  “Fine.”

  Daniel tipped her head up to study her face. “Do you regret this, querida?”

  “No.” She never would. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever experienced. How could she ever regret that? But the doubts already crept at the edges of her mind. Sure. This was great. But what a
bout tomorrow? And the next day? Daniel had to take care of his family. She would be nothing but a burden to him.

  “Don’t.” Daniel’s firm voice broke through her thoughts.

  Erin started at the tone.

  “I feel your withdrawal, Erin. Your body tenses even now. And you pull away from me.” He sighed. “What are you thinking? For I fear that I am no match for the thoughts in your head.”

  “I’m a liability,” Erin stated. She stared into the darkness and gathered her thoughts. “I care for you, Daniel. I do.”

  “But?”

  “But I do more harm than good. I don’t want your family to pay for my sins. I don’t want to corrupt good people with what I am.”

  “What you are?” Daniel sat abruptly, and Erin could see his scowl through her mini-blinds. “I would rattle your teeth if I thought it would do any good.” He stood from the bed and jerked his pants back on. “I’ll tell you what you are.”

  Erin stiffened.

  “You are a woman who has been hurt beyond measure. A woman who teaches small ones. A woman afraid of her own heart even though she would risk hers to help another. You are a selfless woman who still abuses herself even though others have stopped.”

  Daniel snatched his shirt from the floor and strode from the room.

  Erin shot off the bed and pulled her ivory dress around her. She hurried to the living room, but Daniel was already putting his shoes on.

  “Daniel,” she began.

  “Do not,” he growled. He paused when he finished tying his shoes. He pinned her with his gaze. Those hazel eyes were dark with emotion. “I can speak to you of the moon and stars, querida. I can give you love until I have nothing left to give. But I can never make you love yourself.” Daniel pulled open her door and shut it behind him.

  Erin’s legs gave way, and she sank into the couch. Isn’t that what she wanted? To not do any more harm? Then why did her heart feel broken and shredded?

  The sob broke through her with enough force to double her over. Nausea climbed into her throat and made her choke. Erin hurried to the bathroom and lay on the cold tile while her body shook and pitched. She was in turns hot and cold. Daniel’s words washed over her again and again. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t. But was that the truth? The honest truth?