His hands played beneath the hem of her shirt, feeling her soft curves, exploring where she was most sensitive, testing her body’s reaction before he went further.
And in every way, she was open, ready, and wanting to receive. Giving him all her trust. He ran his hands up along the velvety skin of her back and effortlessly undid the clasp of her bra, watching for hesitancy on her part, monitoring to make sure she felt no fear, only pleasure.
He slid off Faye’s shirt and bra, going slowly despite her rushed eagerness, letting the erotic tension build until her ample breasts finally came free, soft and perfect. Rosy nipples begging for his attention.
Suddenly, going slow was getting harder to do.
Still, he continued with the unhurried, sensual route, cupping her breasts and massaging them with full, circular motions. She moaned lightly at the touch, sending shockwaves down to his toes. Her sounds were soft but intense, the bone-deep kind of sexual pleasure that made him vibrate with satisfaction.
And then his thumbs pressed lightly into her nipples, and she really moaned.
Damn, keep it together, Redmond. His dragon was going crazy at the sight of her, back arching in his lap, eyes closed in pleasure as he softly tweaked her nipples with his fingers, toying with her, drawing moans from her, watching her body writhe over him.
He was already ready to lose it, and they’d only just started.
How was he going to handle seeing her come?
He pulled her closer to him, their hips grinding together as he lowered his mouth over one succulent nipple, then the other, kissing, laving, suckling. Making her wild with want, wild with delicious tension as she got closer and closer.
She was resisting her orgasm; he could tell. But he wasn’t going to rush her. She was special to him, and her first orgasm with him deserved to be earthshattering.
As he continued to kiss her breasts, venturing away from their centers and exploring the rest of her chest, he unzipped the top of her jeans, excited by the feel of soft skin and satiny panties. She sighed in approbation, and he caught her mouth once again in a long, sensuous kiss as his hands ran along her soft hips and slightly beneath her underwear, teasing her.
By now, he could hear her thoughts, her body begging for release as each kiss and each touch pushed her further into new territory.
He felt below her panties with one hand, exploring her soft folds and brushing gently over the soft, erotic nub at the center of her hips, the touch a promise of more to soon come. And then he ran one finger along the length of her clit, softly and slowly, letting her savor the touch as he himself savored the feel of her, the feel of her body as she reacted to it.
To his surprise, one was all it took, and Faye swore under her breath, her body clenching around him, her legs squeezing his hips tightly as the last few seconds before orgasm overtook her entirely.
And then the release came, and she gripped him even more tightly, her fingers digging into the back of his shoulders as she buried her head in the crook of his neck and cried out in pleasure. In response, Red just held her, arms wrapped around her as her hips ground against his and she quivered from the all-consuming pleasure.
When she was finally done, she let out a long, relieved sigh. Her eyes looked up at him in wonder. Her body was glowy and flushed. “I’ve really been missing out, haven’t I?”
“Haven’t you played with yourself at all?”
She bit her lip. “It doesn’t feel anything like this. It’s… stronger with you.”
“So it’s safe to say no other man has done that for you?” he asked, tamping down jealous pride as well as extreme anger that no one had taken proper care of her. Oh well, she had him now.
“Yes, it most definitely is,” she responded, giving a satisfied little sigh that made the hairs on the end of his back stand at attention.
His hands cupped her curvaceous ass as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her breasts rubbing against his chest, making him wish he’d taken off his shirt earlier.
“Good,” he said. “I want to be the only one. Ever. I’ll never let you be unsatisfied.”
Before she had time to respond, he reversed their positions on the bed, laying her down softly on her back as he kneeled above her. He saw heat in her sky-blue eyes as he slowly peeled off her jeans. Her bare legs were so beautiful, so creamy and smooth. He drew a finger over her satiny panties and then pulled them off as well. Then he lowered himself between her legs.
“I’m going to show you a lot of firsts,” he said.
“I wish I was yours,” she said. “You probably don’t have any firsts.”
“I’ve never felt this way about a woman,” he uttered. “That’s a first.”
At that, he lowered himself completely and licked down over her center, eliciting a gasp in response as Faye pressed into the bed, fingers desperately grasping the pillow behind her.
Red threw off his shirt and tossed it to the side and guided Faye’s hands to his shoulders, giving her something to grasp as he came down again and began to make small circles with the tip of his tongue around her clit.
But as he did, he could already feel her body tensing again, could sense her getting close to another release at shocking speed, the grip of her nails in his back and the tautness of her muscles signaling its approach.
He held his hands on her hips as he licked once more, this time in an upward motion against her clit, using every inch of tongue to stimulate her to the fullest extent possible. Halfway through, he felt her body clench again, but he finished the stroke just in time to hold her close as she came apart in his arms, enjoying the feel of her next to him as she screamed out her pleasure.
“You’re very sensitive, aren’t you?” he said with a grin as she came down from her high, flushed and satisfied.
“I don’t know,” she said, letting out a long breath and inhaling. “I mean, none of this felt this way before. Everything is different. Which is why…” She trailed off, hesitancy suddenly in her voice as she bit her lower lip nervously.
“Why what?” Red asked, worried about the sudden source of trepidation.
“Why I think I’d like to see what sex is like with you. You know, sex sex,” she replied, excitement rising behind the tenuousness in her voice.
“Are you sure? We can take it slow.”
“Does it hurt?” she asked nervously.
He felt his whole body tighten at the storm cloud of anger forming inside him. “No. I shouldn’t. Not if you’re ready. Not unless it’s the first time. But any good partner should stop and wait if you’re feeling pain.”
Tears bit at the corners of her eyes, and he brushed them away. “We can stop.”
“No,” she said. “I feel like I want to keep going. I figure while I’m experiencing things I’ve missed and taking control back in my life, why not go all the way?” She bit her lip.
Red had seen a lot of sides of humanity, despite his general tendency to not get involved with them. Lust. Greed. Power mongering. Hatred. But never before had he seen this stunning vulnerability. This trust.
She wasn’t just trusting him with her body, but with her heart.
And he felt he could mate her right now, if only it were right.
But she still didn’t even know what he was. She didn’t know about dragons or mate claiming or any of it. And now wasn’t the right time.
But they still had tonight. This special moment, unique between them that would forever be special and memorable.
“I care for you,” Red said, lifting her hand and kissing the back of her palm. “So you need to tell me how you’re feeling. Let me know if you want me to stop.”
“I don’t,” she said resolutely.
He gave her a soft smile as he knelt between her thighs. Then he gently felt inside her with one finger, then two, making sure she was ready. Her heat and wetness were accommodating, inviting. She let out a little mewl of pleasure, and he felt his whole body clench in response.
He stepped off the bed and p
ulled off his jeans and underwear, content at the long once-over she gave him, her gaze stopping below the waist. Once everything was off, he pulled a condom out of his wallet. He understood this was a form of protection for her and rolled it on. No matter how, he wanted to make sure she felt safe.
He could feel her heart racing as he came over her again, positioning himself between her legs. Though he was experienced, he felt nervous, like a schoolboy, all his skills melting away as he felt totally intimidated by the beauty in front of him.
And then, with a slow, gentle thrust, he came into Faye, watching her eyes for any sign of alarm.
Instead, she seemed to melt in pleasure, even as her body tensed and then relaxed around him, adjusting to his size.
Red was shocked at the feel of it. How at home he felt, how right he felt. How they seemed to fit perfectly. And how emotions seemed to overwhelm him, telling him he’d been in love with her from the first time he’d seen her.
She let out a soft moan at just the mere sensation of it, her hands twisting into the sheets, her back arching. “Oh, that is heaven,” she said. “I don’t know how you make it feel like that.”
Gritting his teeth, Red pulled most of the way out and then thrust back into Faye, who arched in pleasure, moaning his name.
“Oh, that’s even better. Don’t stop.”
He didn’t know how she was even able to talk. He didn’t think he could, with his emotions surging through him, filling him to bursting.
So he just kept moving inside her, savoring every response of her body. Focusing on everything about her so he could freeze this moment in his mind forever. Her sweet scent filling the room, her skin soft as their hips met, her soft hands reaching for his shoulders and then digging in as she held on. Her blond curls bouncing, tousled with sweat. Her soft lips red from his kiss.
She looked as exhausted as she was enthusiastic, and as much as he wanted to keep making love until the sun rose, he knew he couldn’t go much longer as well. Making love to someone he loved was unlike anything he’d ever felt.
So he could probably only give her one more release, and he was going to make it a damn good one.
He lengthened his strokes, letting their bodies come together with more intensity each time, thrusting into her with more strength. And as he did, he saw Faye trying to hold off her orgasm again, digging her hands into his back and tensing her body tightly. He knew it took a lot for her to trust him. He would just have to hold off until she was ready.
With one final, hard thrust, she reached her limit and screamed as she gave herself to the pleasure, and Red felt her tighten around him, her entire body coiling like a spring and then releasing into soft, vibrating sensation.
She called his name, saying it over and over, and at that, Red felt himself pulled over the ledge with her, his skin bursting with electricity as he hardened inside her, the pulsating of her body wringing every last drop of pleasure out of him.
Until finally both of them collapsed together, bodies still humming as one. Red pushed himself up on his arms, enjoying a few more seconds inside her, feeling elated and exhausted and happy with the knowledge that Faye felt the same way.
“And that is what sex is supposed to feel like,” he said, giving her a grin as he curled over her once again.
She kissed his shoulder as he lay there. “Thank you.”
He held her close, keeping all the words he wanted to say inside. She wasn’t ready to hear he was in love. That he wanted her forever.
So he merely said, “You’re welcome.” And she giggled and stayed in his arms.
As long as he got to hold her like that until morning, he’d be fine.
8
The next day, Red stayed at Faye’s apartment after walking her to work. He was feeling extra protective, even of her space, and if she wasn’t there to protect, he would at least be there to protect her things.
The trust she’d given him the night before, the exquisitely beautiful way she’d let herself be vulnerable to him, had only made him that much more in love.
He was seriously falling for this girl, as they’d say on modern TV.
He checked the clock on the wall and grinned when he saw it was finally time to go pick Faye up. He’d hated having to let go of her in the morning, and he knew he’d be a little early this evening, but he couldn’t wait to see her.
He supposed that was just part of having a mate.
Though he still had no idea how to tell her about him.
He shrugged into his jacket, wearing a tee shirt and jeans, feeling more casual today, and walked out.
He knew the way to her place by heart now and kind of liked walking there. Too bad when he got his treasure back, he wasn’t going to let her work there at all. He knew she hated it, and he’d give her the resources to do whatever she wanted with her life.
He had an odd, prickly feeling as he walked down the last street that turned onto the street her bar was on. It was a wide alley littered with trashcans and garbage and was darker than everything around it. As he stepped back onto the main road, the sun was starting to set, though it was still bright outside, and dramatic shadows darkened every surface. The signs, the sidewalks. Plus, the glare from the sun.
He shielded his eyes as he crossed to the road to get to her bar and couldn’t shake the prickly feeling again.
Was someone watching him? Perhaps that douchebag Braden was here stalking Faye again. He looked around but didn’t see anyone.
A group of guys huddled over a magazine, dressed in dirty clothing. A few construction workers eating. A few bikers. Nothing out of the ordinary for that part of town.
He opened the door to the bar, and Faye’s boss Ron, a large, jovial man with a bright-orange beard, lifted his hand in a wave. He’d met him that morning and thought even if Faye had a tough job, at least she got to work with pretty good people for the most part. It reassured him that someone was watching out for her when he couldn’t.
After all, if he just sat in the bar staring at her and growling at anyone who came near, that wouldn’t be very good for tips.
She emerged from the kitchen, counting money and smiling at a co-worker, and then locked eyes with him as she turned forward. She looked like a ray of sunlight bursting out of the dankness.
He watched with pride as a slow, red blush worked over her pale skin, under her freckles.
Had she spent the day thinking of last night, too? The way their bodies had fit together like they were made for each other?
She untied her apron, set it behind the wooden counter, said good-bye to her boss, and walked over to Red.
Unable to resist, he pulled her in for a kiss. He was expecting her to resist, but she just sank in. What a wonderful, loving, giving woman. He couldn’t imagine how anyone could treat her as anything but the queen she was.
“Should we go?” he asked.
“You’re a little early,” she said, her mouth cocking in a smile. “But I had a feeling you would be, so I told Ron I’d need to leave early tonight.”
“For me?” he asked. “I’m flattered.”
She grinned and put an arm around his waist as they walked out of the bar. He tried not to let her pick up on the unease he felt as they stepped back onto the dirty sidewalk and he sensed a prickle of anxiety again.
Someone was definitely watching.
He looked warily at the alleyway he’d come through, wondering if he should really go through it with her beside him.
He scented the air and noticed something unfamiliar. Whatever was watching him, waiting for him, perhaps it was better he faced them somewhere where people couldn’t see him.
So that was one point for the alley. He looked over at Faye, looking innocently happy to just be holding his hand. No, he couldn’t risk anything happening with her right there.
He looked around and saw people waving their hand and getting into yellow cars. “Let’s take one of those. You have money?” he asked.
She nodded. “But—”
/> “Trust me,” he muttered. “I’ll pay when we get back, but we’re being followed.”
Her face paled, and she nodded, stepping forward to signal for one of the yellow cars to stop. When it did, she got in and gave them the address. Then she put her hand in his as they rode.
He flipped around to look behind them, trying to see what was following. If it was a shifter, he didn’t recognize the scent. But he definitely sensed something more than the humans that were out on the street.
Something sinister.
“Was it Braden?” she asked. “Did you see him?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what it is. It’s just a gut feeling, and while I’m sure I can fight them, I didn’t want to get you caught in a bad situation.”
“Do you think they were waiting for me?” she asked.
“Maybe,” he said. “All the more reason I’m glad I came to pick you up. At the same time, I’ve had this same uneasy feeling since I first left.”
“Oh,” she said. “You think they could be following you?” She twisted her hands in her lap, taking hers back. “Now that I think about it, there is a lot I don’t know about you.”
“I told you,” he said. “There isn’t a lot to tell. I’m just here on a sabbatical from work, figuring out the city.”
“Right,” she said. “Then why do I feel like you’re keeping secrets?”
“We all have secrets,” he said, keeping his eye on what was happening outside the car whenever it stopped. “Sometimes secrets are just facts we haven’t found the right time to share. But you trust me, right?”
She flushed. “I would hope so. But you know it’s hard for me.”
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I don’t expect everything at once.” He took her hand and squeezed it in his reassuringly. “But I promise I’m going to keep you safe. Body and heart.”
She just looked at him, flushing again, and he fought back a grin. She was wonderful.
She made him want to be more than he’d ever been. The best version of himself.
And right now, he was hell-bent on protecting her from whatever was following them.
Ruby Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 3) Page 6
