The Edge of Forever

When she opened her eyes and looked into his face, the fierce look of desire reflected back at her increased her pulse. Very gently, she curled her fingers into the hard yet pliant flesh at his chest.

“You make me feel good, Blake. I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to give up everything that has grown between us.” She moved an inch closer until her chest pressed against his. “Will you help me heal?” She asked him for so much, she knew that, but a part of her knew only Blake could be the one to help her. She rested her forehead on his chest and closed her eyes, just inhaling the strong, masculine scent that was all Blake. The aroma reminded her of peace and energy and… home.

His big, strong arms wrapped around her and tightened. Poppy tilted her head back. Thank God he saw how much she needed this and brought his mouth to hers. The kiss started slow and passionate, filled with so much yearning from both of them that she thought she would die from sensory overload. With her hands still on his chest, she couldn’t hold him like she wanted to, but he had other ideas.

The feel of his hands coasting down her back and cupping the mounds of her ass sent a thrill of wet arousal through her. Panties slick with her lust, Poppy deepened the kiss and moved her tongue faster and harder against his. His answering groan came from deep within his chest and sent vibrations throughout her body.

Her mind and body screamed for more, yet she didn’t feel like she could get close enough to him. The tightening of his hands on her ass was the only indication of what he was about to do. With a strength that rivaled the wilderness surrounding them, Blake lifted her so she was forced to wrap her legs around his waist to keep stable. The hard length of his erection prodded between her legs, and she wished they didn’t have the material of their pajamas obstructing what she really wanted.

With their mouths still fused and her wrapped around Blake like a pretzel, he started to move. A door shut behind him, and she felt the cool, soft sheets of a bed greet her back. Blake broke the kiss and leaned back. A smokiness covered his expression, a hidden temptation that called to her.

“Poppy, love.” The endearment sent a spike of liquid heat through her. She reached for him, but he stopped her with a gentle hand to the center of her chest. She rested against the mattress again and watched him. Blake lifted his hands and smoothed them down her arms. She cursed the long-sleeved tee she wore, because she wanted to feel his bare flesh touching hers.

When his hands skimmed the hem of her shirt, he flicked his eyes to hers, as if silently asking for permission. She licked her lips and nodded.

The sound of him swallowing filled the too quiet room. For a suspended moment, he did nothing but stare at where his hands rested on her lower belly. A tightening started within her that she recognized as excitement.

“Please,” she whispered into the darkness. Too slowly for her liking, Blake pushed her top up, exposing her belly and ugly scar. Up until that one moment, she hadn’t even remembered the nasty raised flesh that marred her. How could you forget? Humiliation slammed into her at the knowledge that he saw the physical product of the accident. She tried to cover herself, but Blake was fast and held her hands down. Tears formed in her eyes, but she refused to let them spill.

“Look at me, Poppy.” His voice was soft, but there was a distinct note of command laced in the words. She hadn’t realized she closed her eyes until she opened them and stared into his face. The shadows cast harsh lines across his face. For several long seconds, he didn’t speak, just stared at her and continued to keep a firm yet gentle hold on her wrists.

Slowly, he removed his hands from her, but she didn’t try to cover herself again, not when he watched her so intently. With her heart in her throat, Poppy stared with wide eyes when Blake gripped her shirt again and lifted it. He stopped right below her breasts, but her embarrassment was the area of her body his attention was now on. Face feeling like it was on fire, she was frozen in place.

His warm breath teased the skin of her belly, and she took in a stuttering breath. The first touch of his lips on her scar had her mouth parting and her pulse racing. Over and over, he kissed and ran his tongue along the proof of everything she tried to forget.