White Wedding for a Southern Belle

She found heaven. A warm paradise. A place of security. Her tongue joined his in a dance that made her center throb. She grazed the back of his neck with her nails as he lowered her to the sofa. With his lips never leaving hers, he shifted to cover her body.

When he touched her hurt arm she flinched. He paused. She shushed him and pulled him back to her. Her whole body quaked with desire. She wanted him. Now.

Kiefer’s mouth skimmed her cheek. She moaned. He breathed, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t care.” Ashley directed his mouth back to hers, pouring all her passion into the kiss. She flexed her hips against him.

He broke away. Kissed her temple. “If you keep that up, this might be the fastest lovemaking session ever.”

“I want you.”

He rose up enough that he could look down at her. “In this you aren’t in charge. We’re partners.”

She met his gaze. “Whatever you say.”

“That’s more like it. First off, and I can’t believe I’m asking this, is this what you want? I’ll accept no regrets in the morning.”

Ashley nodded agreement as she fumbled with a button on his shirt and slid a finger through the opening to touch his skin. “Very sure.”

“Are you feeling up to this? I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.”

She lifted up so that she could kiss the side of his mouth. “Why, Dr. Bradford, are you trying to talk me into or out of bed?”

“I’ve been thinking about this for days and don’t want to mess it up.”

How like him to be concerned for her. “Then why don’t you shut up and kiss me?”

He cupped each side of her face, sliding his fingers into her hair, and brought his mouth to hers. The kiss was powerful, going straight to her soul. Kiefer had some type of power over her. This was more like it. She sighed. Her hand kneaded his shoulder while the fingers of the hand in the sling brushed along his ribs.

His mouth moved over her lips, begging and giving at the same time. He shifted and pressed against her arm. She squeaked with pain.

He was off her in a flash. Oaths were said low and sharp.

She stood and took his hand. “I’m fine. Let’s find somewhere more comfortable.”

Ashley tugged him toward her bedroom. She paused halfway there, turned to give him a kiss. To her pleasure he groaned. She flicked her tongue over his lips. Without warning, he took control, turning it hot and wet. A growl rolled from deep within his throat as he wrapped his arms around her. Her feet came off the floor. Kiefer carried her into the bedroom. At the bed, he let her slide down his body. “I’m going to do what I wanted to do the other night. Undress you.”

He slowly removed the sling from her arm then brushed a kiss over her lips. His hands came to her shoulders and skimmed her flimsy dress straps down her arms. He placed a kiss on the ridge of her shoulder. Briefly he fingered her necklace.

Ashley shivered. Could she stand this much attention until he was done?

“Turn around.” His hands went to her waist and gently guided her so her back was to him. His lips flicked over the skin just below her neck. She shook.

“Like that, did you?” He didn’t wait for an answer as he stroked his fingers at the top of her dress where the zipper started. Slowly, almost painfully so, he opened the closure until her dress hung by the straps at her elbows. His large, warm hands traveled along her rib cage until his fingers cupped her breasts still secure in her strapless bra.

“Perfect,” he murmured in her ear, before he placed a kiss below her earlobe.

His hands began to work magic, making her breasts tingle and her nipples harden. Stepping closer, Kiefer pressed his ridged manhood against the small of her back. As one of his hands continued to lift and test her breasts, the other skimmed along her body, pushing her dress over her hips until it fell to the floor. One of his palms settled over her belly and pulled her back against him. She moaned.

Kiefer’s hand left her and seconds later her bra fell away. Ashley shivered as the cool air of the room touched her sensitive breasts. That same hand returned to twirl a nipple between two fingers, making her womb contract. She leaned her head back against his chest, her breathing turning to short gasps.

Teeth nibbled at the top of her shoulder before his lips journeyed up her neck. “Sweet. So sweet,” he murmured, as he took her earlobe between his teeth. “I’m hungry for you.”

His hand at her breasts captured her other one, his fingers circling that nipple. Kiefer’s other hand moved farther along her skin until he found the top of her panties. His fingers traced the distance of the lace at the top then back again before they slipped beneath.

Ashley sucked in a breath. Held it. Waited. Wanted.

His fingers tormented her breast. Warm, wet kisses found the spot behind her ear. The tip of his tongue flicked out to taste her skin. Kiefer’s hand moved lower, brushing curls. “Share with me.”

She widened her stance. He sucked gently on the curve of her neck as his hand cupped her heat. A finger found her core. Slipped in. Exited, to return.

Her panting was the only sound in the room. Blood roared in her ears. Kiefer’s hand left her center and his thumb hooked in her panties, pulling them down. They rolled along her thighs and he shoved them to her knees. From there they fell and she stepped out of them. His hand glided up her leg, across her thigh to cup her again.

Kiefer’s finger entered and left her core as his other hand rhythmically massaged her breasts in turn while his mouth kissed and nipped over her skin. She was on fire, the throbbing becoming a drumming. Urgency tightened in her, twisting and swirling, squeezing until she squirmed against him. Ridged with tension, she was being driven to begging, gasping for release. Yet Kiefer continued his assault.

Another thrust of his finger and she closed her eyes, pushed against him and keened her pleasure before becoming weak in his arms. Her knees buckled. Kiefer’s soft, satisfied chuckle brushed her ear as he held her close.

Turning her around, he pulled her tightly against him and gave her an openmouthed kiss that only made her desire more of his attention. She’d never imagined foreplay could be so powerful. Or perfect.

* * *

“This time I want to watch you.” Kiefer breathed as he looked into Ashley’s flushed face. She was so beautiful. He lifted her to the bed.

“Unfair. You have your clothes on,” she teased.

“That’s easily remedied.” His eyes locked with hers as he jerked his shirt over his head. She watched him unbuckle his belt and release it. He pulled a packet from his wallet before pushing his pants and underwear over his hips. They fell to the floor. He stepped out of them. With perverse pride he watched as Ashley’s eyes widened as she gazed at his manhood. When her lips curved into a small smile, his heart beat hard against his ribs. She liked what she saw. His chest swelled. With her he wasn’t lacking, like he had been with Brittney. Ashley had a way of making him feel like a man among men. Kiefer was tempted to thump his chest.

“Come here,” Ashley all but purred, as she pushed back on the bed.

Maybe where lovemaking was concerned, having a self-confident woman in bed could have its advantages. He opened the foil package and covered himself.

“I don’t have to be asked twice.” Kiefer came down between her legs and moved over her to place his hands on either side of her head. His mouth found hers. She wa

s waiting, warm and wet, to welcome him. Ashley wrapped her good arm around his waist. He was careful not to apply any pressure to her other one. Shifting, his length nudged her opening.

His arms trembled with the effort not to slam into her. He wanted her so badly. But she deserved care, tenderness. Ashley broke the kiss and looked at him. Pushing forward, he found her opening and stopped. Her gaze still held his. She lifted her hips in invitation. With a thrust he filled her. She smiled and pulled his lips down for a kiss.

Mouths locked, Kiefer pulled back and moved forward, setting a rhythm that Ashley joined. Had he found heaven? He thrust again and Ashley’s eyes widened. Her mouth formed an O before she tensed and pushed her hips upward. He watched as a look of wonder filled her eyes, a brush of amazement eased her features and she came apart before him.

With one more shove of his hips Kiefer joined her in the joy of suspended satisfaction.

CHAPTER SEVEN

ASHLEY WOKE CURLED against Kiefer’s side, with her injured arm resting on his chest. It felt right, safe, being there. Her lips found skin.

In a raspy, low voice he murmured, “Mmm.”

She’d had the best night of her life. Too good. It made her want more. But was that possible?

Kiefer’s hand followed the curve of her hip and returned to cup a breast. “Good mornin’.”

He sounded so sexy. So much so that she wanted to hang on to him forever. But that wasn’t the way things worked in Southriver. He was a transient person and would be gone when his time was done. But until he left she planned to enjoy the time she had. Make the most of having him around. Was it selfish? Yes. But for once she was going to do something for herself. She’d deal with the fallout when the time came.

She kissed his chest again.

“I’d stop that unless you plan to back it up with something more.”

“Oh, I have every intention of backing it up. Can you handle it?”

“You just take your best shot.”

Ashley rolled, came up on her knees and straddled him. His manhood was already standing at full attention. She leaned forward with the intention of claiming his mouth.