by Susan Cliff
His gaze wasn’t on the view, however. It was on her flushed face, her damp hair and bare shoulders. He examined the length of her legs, taking the scenic route. His expression was taut with desire, his fists clenched. Male attention had often made her self-conscious, even afraid. Cam’s gaze made her feel powerful and deliciously sexy. She wasn’t afraid he’d hurt her. Anticipation sizzled across her skin.
He seemed eager to get started, but he didn’t pounce on her. “Do you want me to shave?” he asked, touching his beard.
“No. I like you the way you are.”
With a slow nod, he brushed by her and disappeared in the bathroom. She applied vanilla-scented moisturizer to her arms and legs while he showered. Then she sat down by the heating vent to comb her hair. He finished his shower and came out wearing only the sweatpants she’d borrowed. She’d left them in the bathroom for him. His hair was tousled and wet. He had a towel draped around his neck.
Her eyes traveled from his handsome face to his well-muscled torso. Last night, his sweatpants had molded to his male parts in a vaguely revealing manner. Tonight, she could see he wasn’t wearing a stitch underneath them. His waistband rode low on his flat abdomen. He toweled his hair while she finished combing hers.
“Leave it down,” he said, watching her.
She set aside the comb and put her toiletries away. Her heart was racing, her stomach fluttering with excitement. She was already aroused and he hadn’t even touched her yet.
He moved to the edge of the bed and sat down. Letting her come to him. She went. She kept her towel clutched in a death grip, but she went. She stood before him, trembling. He rested one hand on the outside of her thigh, just above the knee. His palm was warm and strong.
“We don’t have to do this,” he said.
“I know.”
“We could cuddle instead.”
She was too nervous to laugh. He didn’t want to cuddle, judging by his arousal. His sweatpants strained at the front.
“I have a condom in my pocket. Good?”
“Good.”
“Maybe we should establish some signals.”
“For what?”
“If you want me to go slower, you can tap my shoulder.”
She touched his shoulder with two fingertips. “Slower.”
He nodded. “What about stop?”
She placed her palm on his chest, as if preparing to push him back.
“Got it.”
She slid her hand to his biceps and squeezed.
“What’s that?”
“Keep going.”
His lips curved into a smile. She gave his arm another squeeze. He took the hint and stopped talking. She liked his idea, but she didn’t think she’d need the first two signals.
She twined her arms around his neck as he lifted his mouth to hers. He kissed her languidly, not rushing. She parted her lips for his tongue. He tasted like mint, clean and hot. Every stroke of his tongue seemed designed to melt her from the inside out. Her nipples pebbled against the damp towel and heat pulsed between her legs. She twisted her fingers in his hair, moaning. His hands moved under her towel, to her hips, and urged her closer. She straddled his waist eagerly. He reclined on his back with a low groan. His erection surged against her.
They kept kissing, and her towel fell away. She didn’t feel embarrassed, even when he paused to look at her. She felt desired on a deeper level. He saw more than a sex object, and that made her want to show him everything. She arched her spine, putting her breasts on full display. He moistened his lips at the sight.
“I fantasized about this last night,” he said, his breaths ragged. “I imagined you naked on top of me.” His big hands skimmed her sides, settling on her rib cage and framing her breasts. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Touch me.”
He cupped her soft flesh, pushing her breasts together to create a deep V between them. She groaned as he stroked his thumbs over her nipples. He replaced his hands with his mouth, sucking the taut nubs. She squeezed his arm, because it was so good. Her hips moved back and forth, seeking the same friction they’d generated last night.
“Do you ever touch yourself?” he asked.
“Yes,” she breathed, shuddering.
“Show me.”
He rested his weight on his elbows, giving her space. She moved her hands to her breasts. She used a softer touch than he did, circling her wet nipples with her fingertips. Then she pinched them lightly.
His erection throbbed against her, and his jaw clenched with arousal. He lifted her off his lap abruptly, tossing her on her back. His gaze settled between her legs. Her first instinct was to close them, but he didn’t let her. He braced his hands on her inner thighs, spreading her wider. “More.”
She blinked at the command. He wanted her to continue the show. Maybe she did need those first two signals. They flashed in her mind like a safety net, available if she chose to use them. There was comfort in knowing she could stop him anytime she wished. But she didn’t want to stop. His eyes blazed with spectacular intensity. She longed to please him, and herself. She slid her hands down her belly. Her fingertips skimmed her sensitive flesh. Shivering, she slipped one finger inside.
“That’s it,” he said.
She added another finger, pumping in and out. She was very slippery and warm. He watched her movements as if mesmerized. When she removed her fingers from her body, he grasped her wrist and brought them to his mouth. He sucked one, then the other. Her stomach quivered at the erotic sight.
He didn’t tell her to keep going, but she did. He didn’t have to hold her legs open, either. She circled her clitoris, thighs parted wide.
“That’s pretty,” he said, his throat working. “That’s so pretty. I’m going to come, just looking at you.”
She moaned, stroking faster.
“Can I taste you?”
He already had, and she hadn’t objected. She nodded her permission. A few minutes ago, she might have been too shy to ask for this, or even allow it. Now she was panting for it. When he settled his mouth between her legs, she clutched his hair and held him there. He smiled at her boldness, murmuring his approval. Then he touched his tongue to her. He sucked and licked her clitoris as tenderly as he’d kissed her mouth. He savored her as if she were a delicious treat. She’d never felt anything so heavenly. Pleasure rushed over her in endless waves. They rippled beneath the surface, gaining speed. She watched his tongue, warm and wet and precisely placed. He eased off the pressure, letting her teeter on the edge of orgasm.
She needed another signal, for Finish Me, please!
Animal sounds emerged from her throat and her head thrashed against the blankets. She fisted his hair desperately. He sucked her harder, and that was all it took. The wave broke in a brilliant surge of energy, crashing through her. She sobbed and shuddered and bucked against his mouth in helpless ecstasy. The immense power of it overwhelmed her. She’d never come like that on her own.
When she opened her eyes, he was watching her. She released his hair, murmuring a vague apology. Languid satisfaction drizzled through her bones. She couldn’t move. He seemed amused by her stupefied state. He wiped his smug mouth with one hand and rolled off the bed, heading to the bathroom. He filled a cup at the sink and drank. Then he brought the water to her. She sipped it.
He rejoined her on the bed. Instead of climbing on top of her, he stretched out on his back, tucking his hands behind his head. His erection jutted against the front of his sweatpants, proof of his desire. And yet, he waited patiently for her to recover.
He’d given her the best orgasm of her life, and he wasn’t in a hurry to get his. The level of caring and generosity overwhelmed her.
Tears sprang to her eyes and her throat closed up. “I’ve never...”
He grasped her hand and held it. “I know.”
He brought her
knuckles toward his lips for a kiss. Tender emotions swelled inside her. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but she was afraid to ruin the moment. She didn’t think he was ready for that level of emotion. So she showed how she felt instead.
She climbed on top of him and pressed her lips to his. His tongue penetrated her mouth in bold strokes, hinting at pleasures to come. She moaned at the thought. His erection felt huge and hot against her stomach. With another man, she might have been wary of his size. With Cam, she was excited. She needed him inside her, filling her to the hilt.
She broke the kiss and trailed her mouth down his chest. She touched her lips to his collarbone, his sternum, and lower. He threaded his fingers through her hair, caressing the long strands. She kissed his taut belly. He’d wanted this last night, and he wanted it tonight. His eyes blazed with hunger. But when she tugged at his waistband to release his erection, he groaned and stopped her.
“Next time,” he said. “I won’t last a second in your mouth.”
“I don’t care if you last.”
“I do.”
She reclined on the bed, acquiescent. He removed the condom from his pocket and took off his sweatpants. His arousal bobbed straight up against his belly. She moistened her lips in anticipation. He was long and thick, swollen with veins. It looked painful, and she longed to soothe that taut skin with her tongue.
He rolled the condom over his shaft. She parted her thighs in invitation. His nostrils flared at the sight. He stretched out on top of her, taking her mouth again. She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. His latex-covered length slid along her swollen cleft, sending sparks of sensation all through her body.
He didn’t rush to enter her. He feasted on her neck and breasts, flicking his tongue over her stiff nipples. She slid her hand between them and gripped his shaft. He inhaled a sharp breath, his gaze locked on hers. She guided him to her opening. With a low groan, he gave her what she wanted.
Although she was slippery from her orgasm, and eager to accept him, it had been months since she’d accommodated a penis. Never one this large. He pushed inside carefully, inch by inch. His arm muscles trembled from the effort of holding himself in check. When he was about halfway in, he had to thrust forward. She gasped at the intrusion, bracing her palms on his chest. He withdrew immediately.
It took her a moment to realize that she’d given the stop signal. He was breathing heavily, his stomach quivering.
Tears sprang into her eyes again and she kissed him, laughing a little. If she hadn’t been sure of her feelings before, she was sure now. She loved him. She squeezed his arm and wrapped her legs around his waist. He seemed hesitant, so she whispered in his ear.
“I want you inside me.”
He reentered her slowly, but he didn’t need to. The twinge of discomfort she’d felt after his initial penetration was gone. She used her heels to urge him forward. He drove into her slick heat, making them both groan with satisfaction. She kissed him with an open mouth, squeezing his arms and neck and everything she could reach.
He buried himself in her, again and again. They kissed and touched and thrust together, limbs entangled. His mouth had been amazing, but this was even better.
This was pure ecstasy.
He reached between them to stroke her clitoris at regular intervals. His caresses seemed designed to keep her in a pre-orgasmic state. Tension built to an unbearable point inside her. She begged for release, sobbing his name. He licked his fingertips and made her come. She fisted her hands in his hair, screaming and shuddering.
He soothed her with a thorough kiss, still moving on top of her. Seconds later, he reached his own climax. His hips jerked forward in heavy thrusts. He let out a hoarse cry and drove deep inside her.
They collapsed together, totally spent. He didn’t withdraw. She didn’t want him to. She stroked his damp back for several moments. Finally, he pulled out, holding the condom in place, and went to dispose of it in the bathroom. When he returned, they crawled under the blankets. She cuddled up against him, drowsily satiated. She felt happy and safe and well-loved. Even if it was just physical for him, it wasn’t for her.
She fell asleep and dreamed of a better future.
Chapter 16
December 14
70N
-17 degrees
The sun didn’t rise until midmorning.
For the first time in years, Cam slept late. He’d stayed up half the night with Tala, reaching for her over and over again. Every time he touched her, she responded with enthusiasm. So he kept doing it. He’d probably overdone it, but he hadn’t heard any complaints from her side of the bed. Her soft cries of pleasure had urged him on.
He finally got up, spurred by hunger and a niggling feeling of unease. He had no idea what to expect from Tala. They’d discussed the danger she was in and considered their options. He’d offered to take her to Seattle, but she hadn’t accepted. He didn’t know if they’d get stopped on the way. She was right to be concerned about state police.
He studied her nude form as he pulled on his sweatpants. She was curled up on one side, facing away from him. Her dark hair spilled across the white pillows, black as ink. Her vibrant skin made a pretty contrast with the pale bedding. Every inch of her was smooth and supple. The sheets were tangled low on her hips, exposing her elegant back and the upper half of her buttocks. His blood heated with arousal, despite the marathon of sex they’d engaged in. He entertained the idea of climbing back into bed with her. Kissing his way up her spine, taking her from behind.
A notification from his phone interrupted that fantasy. He retrieved it from his duffel with a frown. He hadn’t realized there was cell service in this frigid wasteland.
Deadfoot was a dead zone, unsurprisingly. Prudhoe Bay was more of an industrial hub, so it made sense that they had cell towers. He’d never spent the night here, and he wasn’t big on staying connected, anyway.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes and glanced at the screen. Mason. Of course.
Tension gripped him. Feeling guilty on several different levels, he ducked into the bathroom to check his messages. Mason had sent him a series of cryptic texts. When Cam tried to return his call, Mason didn’t pick up. Cam silenced his phone and set it aside. He’d try again later. He realized that he hadn’t told Tala about his brother or the background check last night. He winced at the thought of having that conversation this morning.
He studied his reflection in the mirror, contemplative. He looked tired but satisfied. Every moment with her was worth it.
Cam used the toilet and washed his hands quickly. Then he opened the door. Tala was still in bed, in the same position he’d left her. Her eyes were closed, her face serene. The heating unit next to her rattled and hummed with constant white noise. His movements hadn’t woken her. Relieved, he tucked his phone away and climbed back into bed with her. He’d tell her about Mason...later. She made a sleepy sound when he touched his lips to her bare shoulder. When he slid his hands beneath the blankets to capture her hips, she murmured a faint protest.
“It’s getting late,” he said.
“You didn’t let me sleep last night.”
He pushed her hair aside and kissed the nape of her neck. “Mmm.”
“Are you trying to keep me in bed or wake me up?”
“Lady’s choice.”
She groaned and pulled away from him, declining his offer. Which was probably for the best, since they were out of condoms, and he needed to get on the road as soon as possible. He also needed to call Mason.
She rose from the bed, stark naked. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. He hadn’t seen her in the daylight before. White rays filtered in between the layers of curtains, illuminating her lovely curves. She was all dark hair and soft skin. Angelic, otherworldly...and achingly beautiful.
“Jesus,” he said in a hushed voice.
She
covered herself with her hands, self-conscious.
His gaze rose to her face. “I can’t get enough of you.”
She moistened her lips. Her eyes were troubled, as if she had something important to say. But she ducked into the bathroom before he could ask. His stomach growled, reminding him that they’d skipped dinner last night. He rose from the bed and pulled on his clothes. He didn’t want to leave the hotel yet. He wanted to stay in this room, with her, forever.
She emerged from the bathroom in a towel, with her hair caught up in a messy bun. He watched her rifle through her backpack, his chest aching. She started getting dressed. Her brow furrowed with discomfort as she tugged on her leggings.
“Are you okay?” Cam asked.
She seemed startled by the question. “I’m fine.”
“If I hurt you, I want to know.”
“You didn’t hurt me.”
“You’re sore?”
“A little.”
Guilt flooded him. He shouldn’t have reached for her so many times. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“I went overboard.”
“And I loved it.”
He groaned, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He pressed his lips to her head. “When you’re ready, I’ll kiss it better.”
She squeezed his forearm. “You’re insatiable.”
“Only with you,” he said, and meant it. He’d shared some special nights with Jenny, but they hadn’t been like this. He’d been so young and green. He’d learned how to be a good lover with her, not before her.
Looking back, he hadn’t been a perfect husband. He hadn’t focused on her needs as much as he should have. He hadn’t spoiled her with thoughtful gifts. He hadn’t known their time together would be so short.
With Tala, he knew. He wasn’t the same person he’d been before. In some ways, he was less giving. Less accessible. He was colder and harder to reach. But he was also more aware of the casual cruelty of life, and better able to appreciate its shining moments.
