This Man (This Man 1)

‘A few hundred?’ he asks doubtfully. ‘You’re like a voodoo doll. There, I think I got them all. ’ He takes the grips from my hand and puts them on the bedside table before sliding his hands over my shoulders and pulling me back so I’m against his chest, the outside of my bent legs resting against the insides of his.

He’s so comfortable, and my eyes are incredibly heavy. I’ve had a stupidly busy day, and I’ve just finished it off on a marathon of sex with this captivating man that I’m propped up against. Maybe I should go now. It will eradicate the risk of the morning awkwardness that’s guaranteed to descend on us come dawn. But then I feel him wrap his forearms around my upper chest and my head automatically rolls back against his shoulder. I’m so comfortable and so sleepy, I‘m not going anywhere. With him breathing steadily in my ear and planting random kisses every now and then in my hair, it’s not long before I’m hypnotised by the sound of his steady breaths and my eyelids are heavy. I reach down and start stroking the outside of his legs.

‘How old are you?’ I mumble, feeling myself drifting off.

His chest jolts a little, indicating his quiet laugh. ‘Twenty three. ’

I sleepily snort my disbelief, but I don’t have the energy to challenge him. I’m a slave to sleep and I’m gone.

Chapter 12

I wake up in the exact same position that I fell asleep in, except the duvet has been pulled up over my waist. Jesse’s arms are still wrapped around my upper chest, my hands resting on his forearms. The pungent scent of sex is in the air.

I need a wee.

I scan the room, looking for a clock. What time is it? I hear Jesse’s soft, level breathing in my ear. I’m reluctant to move and wake him, but I really need the loo. And I could leave before he wakes up and kicks me out.

I set about gently peeling his arms away from my sticky body. He moans a few times in his sleep, and I smile to myself. I’m surprised at my lack of regret. I’ve woken with no feelings of remorse or mortification, whatsoever. This man is dangerous to my hearts health, I realise that, but there’s something about him. I should be repulsed by his persistence, but I’m not. I’ve no regrets, at all. But I also have no desire to outstay my welcome. Oh no, I’m definitely keeping the upper hand here.

Just when I think I’ve made good progress, I feel his arms clamp around me like a vice, effectively immobilising me.

‘Don’t even think about it, lady. ’ he growls, his voice raspy with sleep.

I grip his forearms with my hands, trying to loosen his grip of me. ‘I need to use the bathroom. ’

‘Tough. Hold onto it. I’m comfy. ’

‘I can’t. ’

‘I’m not letting go of you. ’ He states it as a fact, nudging my hand away with a flick of his forearm while maintaining his hold on me.

I flop my head back against his shoulder in exasperation. His lips turn into my cheek, kissing it sweetly, his overnight stubble grazing me. It feels good, but it wasn’t the morning reaction I was expecting.

Once I feel he’s relaxed his grip slightly and is busy nuzzling my cheek, I make my move, but no sooner have I tensed my muscles to make my escape, I’m flipped onto my back, my thighs parted and my wrists pinned on either side of my head. He looks down at me, his eyes bright and skipping with enjoyment. Oh yes, he’s deeply satisfied with himself, and he looks bloody glorious, with his disheveled hair and dark blonde stubble.

His morning erection is prodding at my willing opening, seeking entrance. I’m defenseless. My body responds to him without me even thinking, and the pain in my bladder is soon replaced by a distressed ache in my groin, my heart somewhere between my breast bone and my throat. His daybreak smell is a mixture of clean sweat and that heady fresh water scent I love so much. I’m high on it and not ignorant to the fact that I’m breathless. He must think I’m so easy.

Well, I am. . . with him.

He rubs his nose over mine. ‘Sleep well?’

He wants a chat now? Sparks are flying off all over the place down below and he wants to chat? ‘Very. ’ I roll my hips suggestively.

His eyebrows rise, his lips twitch. ‘Me too,’

I wait, uncomplaining, for him to lower his face to mine. He wants to do this slowly, and that’s fine by me. If he would just hurry up!

He watches me closely as he slowly drops his face to mine, and when his lush lips finally brush over mine, I moan, opening my mouth invitingly. I involuntarily tremble when he skims his tongue gently across mine, taking his time, slowly seducing my mouth and pulling back every so often to kiss my lips gently before he resumes exploring. Oh, I like gentle Jesse very much. This is a million miles away from the dominant sex Lord I was faced with yesterday.

When he’s happy he’s got me enthralled, he releases my wrists and leisurely strokes down the side of my body with the tip of his index finger. It’s enough to have me convulsing and rolling my hips as the pressure in my tummy spirals down to my core.

His touch is addictive, he is addictive. I’m totally addicted.

I reach around to seize his rock-solid arse in my palms, and apply a little pressure, deliberately pressing his hips into mine. We both whimper in harmony against each other’s mouths.

‘I completely lose myself in you, lady. ’ he mumbles against my lips. He pulls away, watching my face as he sinks slowly and purposely into me, inch by perfect inch, sending my hands flying to his back and my eyes squeezing shut. I’m full to the hilt.

He remains motionless, letting me adjust around him, his back tense, his breathing shallow. I know it must be taking everything out of him to be so still.