by Vivian Wood
“I consider it an experiment. I’m doing it for science!” she said, then laughed.
Mason hardly knew what to think. Here was his captor, the doctor he’d been eying up for months even though he’d had zero chance with her. She’d saved his life, and that of his best friend. Then Mason had touched her, make her come while calling his name. Suddenly her austere attitude had given away to a practical-yet-youthful sort of good humor, making her even more attractive. On top of all that, she actually wanted to sleep with him.
“Well, I’ll just let you sit on that. I’m going to take a nap,” Rose declared, pulling some of the blankets atop herself. “You can come keep me warm if you want.”
Helpless before her cheerful determination, Mason lay down and drew her close. He might as well serve as her heater, because for all else he was completely useless right now.
7
Chapter Seven
Rose awoke to find Ian returning to the cavern, his dark hair gleaming with moisture. She sat up, rolling her neck to relieve some of the aches from sleeping on the cool stone floor.
“You look like you just got out of the shower,” Rose said curiously. She patted a hand over her disheveled hair, wishing for nothing so much as a quick wash.
“I found a hot spring about a quarter of a mile that way,” Ian said with a shrug.
“Ooh!” Rose said, scrambling to her feet. “That sounds amazing.”
Ian didn’t reply, choosing instead to head out of the cavern in the opposite direction.
Shaking her head, Rose tried not to take it personally. Maybe the vampire was just generally anti-social, although she hadn’t noted as much when they were in the lab. Out of the two men, he’d definitely been the friendlier one. Now the situation seemed to have been drastically reversed.
At least he’d found the hot spring. Nothing could have appealed to Rose more at the moment than a hot bath, especially after the chill of the cave and spending the whole night lying on a bed of rock.
Brushing herself off, she dug through her bag for an extra shirt and pair of panties to change into after she’d washed. She set off in the direction Ian had indicated.
The cavern led into a narrow, tall pathway that led further down into the cave system. The path branched off several times, and Rose would have been lost except for the faint sound of gurgling water. She was careful to memorize the turns she’d taken, not wanting to lose her way on her return trip.
Rose entered a small chamber which opened into a much larger cavern. Here she could not only hear the water splash and gurgle, but she could smell the water itself. It was a sweet scent, not at all sulphuric as she had expected.
She folded her spare clothes and tucked them safely aside so they would be dry when she was ready to change. Slipping off her shoes, she padded to the entrance of the spring cave, freezing when she took in the scene.
The cave was much smaller than she’d imagined, more the size of a couple of hot tubs than the underground lake she’d imagined. Even more startling, though, was the cave’s inhabitant.
Mason stood on the far side of the cave, his skin bare and white against the darkness of the chamber. Rose ducked back behind the smaller chamber’s wall, not wanting to be caught gawking. Still, while she had the chance…
She peeked around the corner, unable to resist examining Mason au naturel.
He was standing a bit less than waist deep, facing away from her. Rose’s breath caught as she marveled at the breadth of his muscular shoulders and at his perfectly narrow hips. From here, she could see where the thick muscle of his lower back sloped down to his granite-carved rear end. The water covered the bottom half of his ass, but Rose could easily see that he was incredibly shaped.
Rose felt her face heat as she stared, her mouth hanging agape. She’d seen men like this in movies, but this was something altogether different. Mason was the most magnificent specimen she’d ever seen, as a scientist or a woman.
Mason bent down, cupping his hands and splashing water onto his face and shoulders. Smooth waves of muscle rippled across his back as he moved. Rose worried her bottom lip with her teeth, desperately wanting to move closer but also afraid; afraid he’d move further away, or even reject her advances.
Rose remained still, but her heart continued to race as she watched Mason in the water. Her body flushed, warmth creeping up to blossom in her breasts and pool at the juncture of her thighs. Looking down at her body, Rose swept her fingertips across the slope of her right breast. Despite the barrier of her shirt, she felt her nipple tighten and rise against her bra.
Her eyelids felt heavy, and she leaned against the wall as she let them droop. Pressing the fullness of one breast into her hand, she repressed a sigh. It felt nice to imagine Mason’s hand touching her, squeezing her breast…
Mason!
Rose’s eyes snapped open at the soft sound of water splashing. Mason had turned in the water, frozen in place as he stared at her. Rose dropped her hand, biting her lip again. Her gentle blush of arousal turned into fiery embarrassment, especially when her gaze dropped from Mason’s face. She checked out his chest and the veined splendor of his arms, her gaze continuing down to find one of his hands plunged in the water at hip level.
It took a moment for her to put it all together, but in the next second Rose nearly died of shame. She’d obviously snuck in on Mason pleasuring himself, and now he was giving her a look that was part aggravation and part pure hunger.
She felt trapped, unable to simply flee the scene. Rose opened her mouth to apologize, but Mason cut her off.
“Come here.”
His simple command rang through the chamber, sending confused goosebumps across her arms and down her spine. Rose shivered, too enthralled by his voice and his incredible beauty to respond.
“Rose,” Mason prompted, his tone stern. She raised her eyes, which had somehow strayed back down to the hand that was still curled around his manhood. When he saw that he had her attention again, he released himself and beckoned her in a tone that brooked no argument.
“Come in here, or I will drag you in here. Now strip,” he ordered.
Rose dithered for a moment, then slipped off her shoes. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? She’d practically begged Mason to take her virginity. Only then he hadn’t been so bossy.
Or so naked and glisteningly wet.
Releasing the breath, she pulled her shirt up and over her head. It hit the floor near her shoes. She unbuttoned her jeans and wiggled out of them, throwing them beside her shirt.
Mason merely gazed at her, crossing his arms as if impatient.
Reaching behind her back, Rose unhooked her bra and slid the straps off her arms. She paused for a moment before pulling it from her body to let it fall. Closing her eyes against Mason’s stare, she pushed her panties down and kicked them aside. Little eddies of warm and cool air swirled against her bare skin, propelling her toward the water’s edge in search of warmth and concealment.
Opening her eyes, Rose carefully sat down at the edge of the water and dipped her feet and legs in. It was wonderfully warm, hotter than any bath she’d ever had. She looked up to find Mason looming close, making almost no sound as he waded through the water toward her. She licked her lips as he approached, watching all that muscle move.
Mason stopped a bare inch from her knees, his jaw-droppingly-cut abs so close that Rose could feel his body heat even over the warmth of the water. His gaze dropped to her breasts, her flat tummy, and her bare lap.
Rose jumped a little when he reached out silently and pressed her thighs apart, baring her wholly to his sight.
“Mason, I-” she started to say, trying to pull her knees closed.
“No,” he interrupted, shaking his head. Those fiery-hot brown eyes caught her gaze, rebuking her and starving for her at the same time. Raising his hands, he ran them from his shoulders down over his pecs and further; he stroked his ribs and the rippled muscles that define
d his abdomen.
“You wanted to watch,” he said, his voice so low that Rose could barely make out his words. Mason reached out and grabbed one of her hands, pulling it to cup her own breast.
“And touch,” he amended, releasing her and stepping back an inch.
Wide eyed, Rose swallowed her protest. He was right; she did want to watch. And touch.
Mason stood up straighter, raising the top half of his erection from the water line. Gripping himself low, he watched Rose closely as he slid his fist upward to caress the length of his shaft. As his hand reached the top, his thumb swirled just under the head of his cock. Rose bit her lip and leaned forward, too fascinated with his body to remember the explorations of her own.
“Touch,” Mason said, his hand slowing and his eyes flicking meaningfully to her own hands. His gaze was hot on her skin and Rose flexed the hand he’d placed against her breast, squeezing it lightly. Not daring to look up at him, she fluttered her fingertips against her hardening nipple. The graze ran a chill down her side, gooseflesh spreading at her touch.
A little huff of pleasure escaped her, fanning warmly over her lips as she sighed. Emboldened, Rose ran both her hands down her rib cage to her hips. Her muscles were sleek and her skin warm under her fingertips, warmer still when she brushed them over the tops of her thighs.
Mason moved, reaching out and placing a hand on each of her knees and then going still. Rose peeked up at him under her lashes, flushing to see that his gaze was riveted on the juncture of her thighs. Following his unspoken direction, she trailed two fingers over her mons. Mason didn’t speak, but a harsh breath rushed from him.
Taking the cue, Rose slid a single finger down into tight press of her thighs and against her slit. Mason gently pulled at her knees, slowly baring her to his sight. Rose swallowed and leaned back just a little, running two fingers up her moist heat from bottom to top.
Mason moved a little closer, his hands sliding halfway up her thighs as he watched. When Rose paused her exploration, he squeezed the top of her thighs.
“Show me, Rose. Show me how you touch yourself,” he whispered, eyes flicking to her face, her breasts, before dropping low again.
Rose caught his gaze and raised her hand to her mouth, moistening her fingertips with her tongue. Spreading her mons with one hand, she bared her aching warmth. Closing her eyes, she flicked her wet fingertips over her clit. Mason stirred in front of her, but Rose blocked him out for the moment.
Swirling her fingertips over the spot that ached most, Rose bit back a groan. Dipping down to touch her entrance, she spread her wetness upward and smoothed it over her clit. Her fingers moved of their own accord, finding a familiar rhythm despite her audience.
“Watch me,” Mason said, breaking her concentration. When she opened her eyes and found him stroking his hand along his cock, she faltered for a moment.
“Don’t stop, Rose,” he growled, his eyes flicking back and forth from her face to her fingers where they caressed her clit. Letting out a breath, Rose began her ministrations once more but focused her attention on the movements of his hand.
Mason pumped his hand slowly up and down the length of his shaft, unhurried. Rose noticed that his thumb moved a little when his hand reached the top, the pad of his thumb rubbing the sensitive underside of his head. She was embarrassed to realize that her mouth was actually watering with the want to taste him, to follow the contours of his cock with her tongue.
Mason must have been thinking the same thing, because a moment later he was pushing at Rose’s shoulders and lying her back onto the cool stone ledge. His hands trapped her knees to keep them open, and he leaned down to nuzzle and kiss her mons.
Rose let out a strangled cry, barely registering Mason’s chuckle as he spread her with his hands. He kissed his way down to her clit, licking and sucking it gently. Rose cried out again, her hips bucking. He’d barely started, and she was nearly done. She tried to slow down the moment, but Mason’s tongue swirled and dipped while his fingers teased her entrance.
He slid a finger inside her, beckoning as he laved her clit. Her channel felt warm and full and almost heavy, and Rose rode Mason’s teasing finger as his tongue pushed against her. In a few short moments, she exploded with sensation. Everything went black for a beat, her eyes rolling and muscles clenching against the onslaught of his attentions. He slowed but didn’t stop until she finally went still, the aftershocks shuddering through her body.
Mason withdrew his hand and stood, looking down at her and running his hands along her sides. Rose gave him a sated smile, noting that his erection was as hard and proud as ever. At her interest, Mason raised a brow and reached down to stroke himself as he had before. This time, though, he stepped forward and rubbed the head of his cock against her thigh. Teasing. Testing.
Rose sat up and reached for him, slipping her arms around his neck to pull him closer. She felt his hardness slide against her intimately, and sighed. Still, Mason seemed to be waiting. He ran the head of his cock over her too-sensitive clit, even pressed it against her aching entrance, but didn’t give Rose what she wanted.
Tilting her face up, Rose pressed her mouth to Mason’s in a series of tiny, shallow kisses.
“Mason, please. Please?” she asked, her voice little more than a breath.
Mason gave her a hard look, licking his lips. He pressed the head of his cock against her entrance again, and Rose sucked in a breath. She pressed forward against him, wanting. Mason groaned and pushed inside the barest inch.
Rose gripped his shoulders, desperate to pull him closer. He moved again, slowly stretching her sheath as he went. Rose kept her face carefully calm, knowing that if she flinched Mason would withdraw. He eased out a little bit, spreading her wetness as he pressed in again. A tiny sound of pain bubbled up in her throat, and when it escaped Rose expected Mason to pull away.
Instead, he stopped and raised a hand to cup her jaw. Catching her mouth, he kissed her deeply. His mouth tasted sweet, and Rose flushed to realize that she was enjoying the taste of her own arousal on his tongue. When he broke the kiss, Mason looked nearly sorrowful. Not knowing if he was sad because he was going to stop making love to her or if he simply disliked the pain he was going to cause her, Rose decided to encourage him.
“Please,” she said, rolling her hips and trying to take him deeper. “Do it, Mason.”
His hands dropped to her hips, his eyes burning into her own. Suddenly Mason pumped into her, pressing deep this time. Rose stifled her cry, and kissed him. It was done now.
Pulling back, Mason began to work in and out with shallow thrusts. After a few moments of pain, Rose felt her muscles relax as he moved. A sweet warmth blossomed anew, and soon she began to rock along with him.
“Fuck, Rose. You’re so tight. When you move like that…” Mason whispered, letting out a growl.
Rose stilled, not wanting to do something wrong.
“No, don’t stop. Don’t fucking stop,” Mason said, gripping her hips and rocking them in time with his thrusts. Emboldened, Rose began to meet his thrusts with more enthusiasm. Mason filled her with every stroke, the sensation of stretching sweet and wanton now.
Rose trailed her nails down Mason’s back, caressing his taut ass and learning his body as he moved within her. Mason adjusted her body, moving her hips just so as if seeking the perfect spot. After a few tries, he leaned her back at just the right angle and suddenly the tip of his cock struck a spot that sent shudders of pleasure outward from her center. The waves of sensation rippled up her spine, and Rose became deeply aware of the brush of her nipples against Mason’s chest. Everything in her body became more alert, more sensitive.
Rose leaned her head back and released a deep sound that spoke her pleasure. Mason made an appreciative sound in return, and continued to thrust in just the right spot. Without knowing what she did, Rose raised her legs and wrapped them around his body to pull him closer. Cries spilled unheeded from her throat, and she sank entirely into the moment.
> “Mason!” she whispered, a desperate feeling overtaking her.
“That’s it, beauty,” he said, pounding her relentlessly. Rose called his name again, the ripples of sensation building and building until she slowly began to spill over in a tidal wave of sweet heat. Her body clenched suddenly around him, spasming wildly as stars spilled through her mind.
“Fuck, Rose. I can’t wait,” Mason was groaning, his careful movements falling aside as he began to thrust wildly. Her inner muscles continued to clench and release, her pleasure seeming unending. Suddenly Mason jerked back, withdrawing and pressing against her belly. Wet heat spread against her as he pumped his seed onto her with a roar.
Mason cupped her face and pressed his mouth to hers, their harsh breathing sounding loudly in the cavern. Mason let out one last little growl as he ground against her, spent but not wanting to withdraw.
Rose clung to him, her lips moving desperately as if she could repay him in kisses for the pleasure he’d given her. Mason held her just as tightly, fighting to regain his breath.
After a time, Mason pulled away and looked down at her pensively.
“Come here,” he said, stepping back and pulling her into the warm water. Rose came willingly, letting him hold her up as he ran his hands all over her pleasure-limp body. He rinsed her belly of his seed, ran his hand down to her entrance to remove the evidence of her lost virginity. His tenderness amazed her, and tears sprang to her eyes.
Embarrassed, Rose wiped at her face as he continued to caress her hips, her breasts, her buttocks.
“Hey,” he said, using a finger to tilt her face up to his.
“It’s… it wasn’t what I thought,” Rose said, unable to explain.
“No?” Mason said, his brow furrowing. His expression turned apologetic.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “It was more.”
Reaching up on her tiptoes she kissed him deeply.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
