Once Upon a Time in Bliss

by Lexi Blake

  She let her hands wander. He was a deliciously masculine playground. He had muscle after muscle, each one encased in smooth, perfect flesh. She explored his shoulders, so broad and straight. His arms curved, flowing from hard biceps into perfectly curved forearms. His chest was a marvel. He was a mystery, and she so wanted to solve him. She allowed her fingertips to brush his perfectly tight abs.

  “Lower, Nell. Touch me.” Henry’s voice sounded slightly strangled. He took off his glasses and tossed them to the side.

  He wanted her to touch his penis. She’d sort of kind of touched one before. Well, she’d felt one with undies between them, but she didn’t hesitate. Her hand knew exactly where it wanted to go. She stroked down his stomach to his penis.

  “Touch my cock, Nell.”

  His cock. He wasn’t polite. He didn’t sit there and hope she did what he wanted. There was a sort of joy in that. She knew exactly what he wanted. She looked down between their bodies. His penis—his cock—was standing at attention, practically begging for a pet. Yes, she could please him. She could be enough for him. She let her palm enclose that big cock of his. So hard and yet so soft. Like the man.

  “Fuck, that’s it. That feels good. Yeah. Stroke me.”

  The deep timbre of his voice spurred her on. She liked this whole “talking during affection” thing. Before it had been awkward. She hadn’t known where to kiss or touch and she’d pretty much lain back and hoped for the best, but Henry told her what he wanted. He kind of demanded it, and she was happy to comply.

  He’d spanked her and ordered her to undress, and he’d fought for her.

  She knew it was wrong, but it felt right.

  She stroked his cock, her fingers fumbling. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  His face was a mask of arousal. “You won’t hurt me. A cock is solidly built. Stroke me hard. Be rough. I’ll like it. I’m going to be a little rough with you. Not tonight, but later. Later, I’m going to play hard, but I promise I’ll make you like it. I’ll make you fucking crave it.”

  She already craved him, and she hadn’t truly had him yet. She gripped his cock harder, but even flexing her hand, she barely managed to close her palm around him.

  He hissed slightly. “That’s it. Stroke me. Get me hard and ready to fuck.”

  He already seemed hard. She wasn’t sure how much harder he could get, but she was game to try. She let her hand run the full, long length of his cock. She had zero real experience, but he was so lovely. She stared at the cock in her hand, studying it with eager eyes. Numerous anatomy classes hadn’t prepared her for how pretty it was. A long purple vein throbbed under her palm. He was neatly trimmed, with a hint of hair that led down to his balls. Perfect round globes that sat tight against his body. He was beautiful in every way.

  “Lie back on the bed and spread your legs for me.” His voice had taken on that sweet, bossy tone she’d come to associate with his sexual arousal. And his protectiveness. They seemed to go hand in hand.

  She let go of his cock. When he got that tone of voice, he meant business. It was the mistake she’d made at her cabin. She hadn’t handled him properly. She could see that now. Henry needed to be in charge of certain things, and when he wasn’t allowed to be, he struggled. He’d wanted to protect her, and she’d chosen to defer to the men she knew. At the time, it had seemed like the right thing to do, but Rye Harper had never picked her up and carried her down a hall. He’d never tossed her on a bed and demanded she undress.

  She owed something to her lover, no matter how long she’d known him.

  It took every ounce of bravery she had, but she spread her legs and let him see her.

  His hands found her ankles, brushing restlessly against them. His chest let loose a long, happy sigh as he stared right at that part of her that seemed to start so many political debates.

  “Damn, you’re lovely.” He pressed on her ankles, pushing them up so her knees fell apart and she was fully on display. “I don’t understand how you could possibly be a virgin. How can no man have claimed this?”

  “I didn’t want anyone until you.” She wouldn’t hide from him.

  “I’m glad, baby.” His hands started a long, slow crawl up her legs, warming her skin everywhere he touched. “Tell me what you’ve done. You’ve kissed, right?”

  Not like he kissed her, but she had done something that could be called kissing. “Yes.”

  His hands were on her knees, moving to her thighs. “Had you ever touched a cock before? Ever taken one in your mouth?”

  Henry liked to talk a lot. He hadn’t seemed that way earlier. When they were in the car, he’d allowed her to talk the whole time. At dinner, he’d interjected a comment here or there, but for the most part, he’d kept her talking. Now he seemed to really want to talk. “No. I mean, I touched one through clothes, but I certainly didn’t do the mouth thing.”

  “I went too far, didn’t I? I went straight from kissing to oral sex. How about second base?”

  She shook her head. “Oh, I didn’t play softball. I wasn’t big into sports.”

  A laugh came out of his mouth, and she finally got to see a brilliant smile on his face. It made him younger, lighter, so much more dangerous. His hands came out, and his fingertips lightly brushed her nipples. “I was talking about your breasts. Have you had a man play with your breasts?”

  She felt a grimace cross her face. “Just some groping in college, and I didn’t like it. He pinched me.”

  He moved on the bed, shifting and getting behind her. “Lie back between my legs.”

  Nell felt awkward, but she did as he asked, allowing him to get behind her so his back was to the headboard. She scooted toward him, not quite sure what he was planning. His arms came out, drawing her toward him so her back was cradled against his chest, his legs surrounding hers. She was suddenly completely wrapped in strong arms and legs, the intimacy piercing in its sweetness. He’d meant what he’d said. He was going to take care of her. She’d spread herself open for him, given him every indication that she was ready for sex, but he hadn’t jumped on top of her. He was giving her real intimacy. He was making the moment special.

  He pushed her hair to the side and kissed the nape of her neck, causing her to shiver. “I want to play with your breasts. I want to show you how much I like them, how important they are.”

  “I don’t think they’re very sensitive.”

  “Let me be the judge of that.” His big hands came up and cupped her. “Your breasts are like all the other parts of your gorgeous body. They need attention.”

  His palms moved across her breasts, not groping or grasping but touching and stimulating. She couldn’t help the gasp that came from her chest. His fingers played on her nipples, little touches that made her squirm and then long, gentle squeezes. All the while, his lips played at her neck, kissing and licking. She could feel his erection against the small of her back. He was so hard, but he kept playing with her, making her hot. His ankles caught hers, spreading her legs.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking.” He breathed the words against her throat.

  “I’m not thinking.” It was true. She wasn’t thinking at all. She wasn’t formulating arguments in her head or going through all the things she needed to do. She was simply feeling.

  “That’s what I want to hear.” His fingers twisted her nipples.

  Nell gasped. Pain flared but it quickly turned to heat that coursed through her veins and made a direct line to her pussy. Her legs moved restlessly against his.

  “I think you’re beginning to understand,” he murmured. “This is supposed to be good for you. I can make this very good for you.”

  It felt good. It felt spectacular. “Yes, Henry.”

  “Trust me. Put yourself in my hands. Let me take care of you.” He pinched her nipples again, his lips on her ear. “Submit to me. Just here in the bedroom. Submit. Tell me I’m the Master here.”

  He really was the master. “Yes, Henry.”

  He hissed, his bod
y going hard behind her. “I want you. I’m going to take you.”

  She found herself flat on her back. One minute she was in front of him, and the next he had flipped himself over and covered her. His weight pressed her down into the bed. Heat from his body poured into hers. She loved the way his chest brushed hers and how they fit together. She felt drugged as he kissed her. His lips caressed hers and then went lower, nuzzling her neck.

  “No one’s ever sucked your nipples.” He sounded like he was talking more to himself than her. As though memorizing an inventory of everything he was taking.

  His tongue came out, curling around her nipple. She shivered and then let her hands find his hair as he licked her. He played with her, laving and sucking and then biting down with a sweet sharpness. He switched to the other nipple, giving it the same attention.

  “No one’s loved your belly.” He moved down, his tongue delving into her belly button. He was running his tongue over her, his hands moving her to suit his needs. She didn’t have to do anything, just let him adore her.

  “And no man’s ever gotten a taste of this sugar.” His mouth was right over her pussy. Her heart rate tripled. She could feel his heat as his lips hovered. “Tell me no one’s ever put his mouth on this pussy and eaten you until you screamed.”

  Her voice came out in a low huff. “No. No one’s ever done that.”

  And suddenly she really, really wanted someone to do that. Oh, yes. His breath played over her flesh. Anticipation made her body go taut.

  “You’re going to remain very still, Nell. I want you to reach above your head and grasp the slats on the headboard. You’re going to hold on to them, and they will help you to not move while I play with you. You’re mine right now. You’re going to obey me.”

  She should be arguing with him, but, no, her hands didn’t seem at all interested in protesting what was an obvious male grab for power. Nope. Her arms drifted up, and her suddenly submissive fingers found the headboard and curled around it. Obedience wasn’t necessarily a bad word. She obeyed things like traffic laws and karmic laws and the rules of recycling. She was just obeying the rules of sex, and Henry seemed to be an expert. Yes, she could justify it that way.

  And then she wasn’t thinking at all as Henry’s tongue came out, and he licked a long line along her pussy.

  She gasped, her hips shifting.

  Henry’s head came up, his handsome face frowning. “Be still. I’ll stop and spank you if you can’t obey.”

  She didn’t want him to stop. Maybe this whole sex thing didn’t have to be a pure partnership. Or maybe she should rethink her idea of a partnership. It didn’t always have to be fifty-fifty every minute of the day. Maybe it could be a sweet symphony where each partner did what they did best in order to please the other. What did Henry need? He needed to be in control here. He was telling her exactly what he needed and not prevaricating about it. It was a great thing when she thought about it.

  “I’ll be still. But it’s hard because it feels so nice, Henry. You’re very good at that.”

  He stared for a minute, his jaw dropping slightly. “Thank you. I’ve never actually been told that. Not in a verbal fashion.”

  He needed praise. “You are very, very good. I love the way it feels. I’ve never felt anything so good.”

  A slow smile crossed his face. “Oh, I can be even better, love, but I appreciate the praise. You taste so good. You taste incredible. Pure and…fair. You taste fair and right.”

  She couldn’t help but giggle. He was trying. It was actually sweet of him. “I’m so glad. Please won’t you kiss me again? I promise I’ll be still. I’ll try to.”

  His face, so hard before, softened. “I can handle your enthusiasm. We’ll work on it, baby, but for now, I want to eat you up.”

  His head lowered again, and he made good on his promise. His tongue licked and loved and his lips sucked. His tongue was everywhere, spreading affection. Nell had to concentrate, forcing her legs to stay still. It felt perfect. He ate her like a dessert and for the first time in her life, she felt adored.

  Over and over he ran his tongue along her flesh, and his hands left her thighs as though he knew she would stay still. She looked down her body, Henry’s dark head at her core. He glanced up, tilting his head slightly. His eyes met hers and he sucked one petal of her labia into his mouth.

  She felt the connection flow between them. This was why she’d waited all this time. She’d waited for a man she had a real connection to. He’d annoyed her and tempted her, but she’d felt something electric between them the minute she’d seen him. She might never find this again.

  “Tell me how this feels, love.” He teased a finger against her pussy.

  “So good.” She whimpered. It was so hard to stay still, but she’d promised.

  “Do you want more?”

  She needed more. She needed more than that finger. It dipped in and out of her pussy, teasing inside. “Yes.”

  “I can give you so much more.” The words were warm on her skin. “But you have to give me something first. I want your orgasm. I want to hear you come.”

  His finger dove deep, and he settled his mouth over her again. He sucked her clitoris into his mouth, and she nearly screamed. Pleasure raced across her skin, heat filling her.

  She was bigger than she’d been the moment before. She cried out, calling his name. She was less alone, happier.

  Every cell in her body came alive, and she knew she’d found something important.

  She settled down. Henry’s head came up. “Please make love to me. Please, Henry.”

  She was ready.

  Chapter Six

  Please make love to me. Please, Henry.

  The words rang in his head. Bishop didn’t make love. Bishop fucked. He picked his partners for their willingness to fuck and often preferred to pay for the privilege. He’d fucked prostitutes and sometimes he’d fucked for information. Not a single one of those women had looked up at him with clear brown eyes and politely asked him to make love to her.

  Not one of them had praised him for the simple belief that they thought he should be praised for his skills. Nell Finn wasn’t trying to manipulate him. She wasn’t trying to maneuver him into a position where she had the power. She was being her sweet self.

  And she wanted him to make love to her, to take her virginity, to be her first man.

  John Bishop didn’t make love, but maybe Henry Flanders did.

  “I’ll take care of you.” He was shocked to discover he meant every word. He would take care of this woman for as long as he could. She was foreign to him, utterly alien, but so beautiful, and her beauty came from inside. He’d known many more gorgeous women than Nell Finn, but none had challenged him the way she did. Oh, a couple had tried to kill him, but not a single one had made him think the way she did. Her ideas were naïve, but she believed them and maybe, just maybe, she was right. Maybe it took a woman like Nell to change the world, even in the smallest way.

  Bishop had spent most of his life fighting in a bloody war to keep the status quo.

  Her lips curved up, her hands finding his hair. “I know.”

  “Nell, I…” He felt a need to reiterate the truth to her. He didn’t want to lie. He didn’t want to set false expectations. He wanted her more than he’d wanted anything in his life, but he couldn’t steal this from her.

  Her dark eyes softened, her fingers smoothing his hair back. “I know.”

  She knew he would leave. She knew he would walk away from her, and she was still offering herself up. She was telling him it was okay to leave her, that she would only take what he had to offer.

  What the hell did he have to offer her?

  It didn’t matter because he was going to be a selfish bastard and take her anyway. He was going to take her because she was payment for everything he’d done. She was his prize. This tiny time with her would carry him through all the rest of the crap he had to do. For the rest of his career, he would know that what he was really pro
tecting was Nell Finn. They would be a million miles from each other, but he would be fighting for her.

  He dragged his body up, the taste of her still on his tongue. She’d tasted so good. He normally never ate pussy. His exchanges weren’t so intimate, but he wanted Nell to experience everything. He had an overwhelming desire to be her first—her first real dirty kiss, her first intimacy, her first oral, her first sex of every kind. He was craving her. He had days to teach her everything.

  But this first time, he was going to teach her how good it could be.

  He let his body cover hers. She was small underneath him. He loved how silky smooth her skin was, how she contrasted to him. He suddenly had a deep desire to be the man she needed, a man she would admire.

  He wanted to spread her and take her, his cock dominating. He’d never wanted to dominate a woman the way he wanted power over this one, but it wouldn’t serve her. He kissed her long and slow, the argument playing out in his head. His cock and his brain were at war. His cock wanted to fuck her until she screamed, but his head wanted to serve her properly, to bind her to him in a way he’d never been bound before.

  He kissed her nose, his brain taking control. He wasn’t going to be selfish, not tonight. There would be plenty of time to play his games later, but he was going to give her tenderness tonight. She was warm and wet and willing, but he wanted this to last.

  “Tell me you want me.” He breathed the words against her cheek, adoring the way her arms had wound around him. He was surrounded by Nell, her skin touching his, the smell and taste of her filling his senses. He needed to hear the words. He couldn’t take this from her. She had to give it.

  “I want you.” She smiled up at him. “It’s going to be okay. You’re going to do great. I know it. Has it been a while for you?”

  He felt a grin cross his face. She surprised him at every turn. “It’s been a while, but I think I can handle it.”