“You’re so wet for me, Red. I love it.”
He slid on a condom and hovered over me. There was a glint in his dark gaze, a hesitation I didn’t expect. I lifted my face to his and kissed him. “Please.”
He stared at me, the most profound expression on his face. He was a study in contrasts. His mouth curled into a wicked smile, his facial expression filled with desire, but his eyes were unsure, almost vulnerable. An odd thought flashed through my mind.
This man has been hurt. Badly.
A wave of tenderness ran through me.
“Please,” I whispered again. “I want you so much.”
He sank inside me, his gaze never wavering. His eyes lost that vulnerable look, becoming darker, sexier as he slid in inch by inch until we were flush. He dropped his forehead to mine.
“Jesus,” he moaned.
“God needs to wait,” I begged. “Move, Reynolds. Take me.”
And he did.
He drove into me powerfully, the feeling of him immense and satisfying. He braced one hand on the headboard, the other on my hip, gripping me tightly. The bed creaked under his aggression, the headboard slamming against the wall repeatedly. I came almost immediately, and he hissed in pleasure as I gripped him, my muscles fluttering in pleasure.
“Yes, choke my cock, baby. Take it. There’s going to be more—I promise.”
His dirty words only made me hotter. He captured my mouth, kissing me deeply, his tongue thrusting in time with his hips. He sat up, lifting my hips, pulling me tight as he continued to pound into me. I gripped the sheets, trying to find purchase before he drove me right into the headboard.
He pulled out, and I whimpered, then gasped as he flipped me as easily as if he were lifting a feather. He dragged me up to my knees and sank back inside me. I groaned at the sensation of being claimed. Possessed. He was buried so deep inside me, I was stretched full. Still, he moved, groaning and powerful. He bent over my back, his body hard and pressing, but welcome. He cupped my breasts, stroking my stomach, whispering in my ear. Dirty words, sweet endearments, pleading gasps, all fell from his mouth.
“You are so beautiful.”
“I love how you strangle my cock.”
“Jesus, you feel as if you were made for me.”
He kissed my neck, licked my ear, bit gently at the juncture of my shoulder, then slipped his fingers down and stroked my clit.
“Come for me again, Red. Let me hear you.” He pressed harder. “Let me feel you.”
I cried out, my body exploding in ecstasy. I gripped the pillow under me, screaming into it, pushing back against him. He thrust again, then stilled, sitting back and taking me with him as he moaned and cursed. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me tight to his chest, burying his face in my shoulder. Weakly, I lifted my arm, wrapping it around his head, stroking the sweat-soaked skin on his neck.
Moments passed with him holding me, not speaking. He turned his face, kissing my neck, his voice low in the room.
“Are you all right, Red?”
I drew in a shaky breath. “I’m good.”
“I lost myself with you. Was I too rough?”
I shook my head. He had been forceful and in control, but I never felt threatened or hurt. Even when he was at the height of his passion, his touches had been controlled, even gentle at times. “No,” I replied. “You were perfect.”
His arms tightened, and I felt his smile against my skin. “You were the perfect one.”
Carefully, he laid me down, and we separated. I rolled onto my side, and after discarding the condom, he did the same, facing me. He pulled me close, then laid his heavy arm over my waist, holding me. I liked the feeling. He made me feel…protected.
I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t have any experience to draw on. I’d never met someone and had sex with them the same night. A giggle burst from my lips, and Reynolds frowned.
“What?”
I decided to be honest. “I’ve never done this before—ever. I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen next.”
His chuckle made me smile. “I’m your first pickup, Red? I’m honored.”
I slapped his chest, and he caught my hand and kissed it. “This isn’t my usual style either, but—” he sighed and pushed back my hair “—I don’t think you’re a usual sort of woman. At least, not mine.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Yes.”
I wanted to ask him about the pain in his eyes. But somehow, I knew he’d shut down.
“So, ah, what happens next?”
He rolled, keeping me close and bending his other arm under his head as he stared at the ceiling. “You can tell me to leave. You can ask me to stay. It’s up to you.”
I knew what I wanted. I hoped he wanted the same thing. I traced my finger down his chest, stroking it across his flat, hard nipples, then descending lower to his stomach. I teased the muscles, slowly drifting lower. “If you stayed, then what?”