“Darn,” Jace said, shaking his head. “How else am I supposed to get you to like me?”
Ella giggled and bumped her shoulder into his. It still amazed her how comfortable she felt around him. “You didn't even need a single one.”
“Which of my amazing charms impressed you most?” Jace asked, carefully pouring them each a small glass of white wine.
Ella spun the glass, smelling the sweet scent of the wine before tasting it for the first time. “I think it was your laugh.”
“My laugh?” Jace's eyebrows went up. The answer obviously wasn't what he was expecting.
Ella nodded. “You have a great laugh. You throw your head back and your whole body shakes with it. It's hard not to like you after that.”
“My laugh, huh?” Jace smiled slowly, his eyes on his wine as he considered her words. He held up his glass. “Cheers to that, then.”
She clinked her glass against his.
“What about me?” she asked quietly. She wondered if it was her hair or her eyes. Maybe the way she walked. “Which of my amazing charms impressed you most?”
Jace set down his wineglass and took her face in his hand. “That you rescued me. Some strange man in your barn, and you helped him.”
“Well, he was a cute strange man,” she corrected, but still her heart was melting like butter. “And he did help me with my chores.”
Jace laughed, drawing her face closer to his. “Plus, you called me a stallion.”
“That's true, I did...” Ella grinned. “Want to prove me right?”
In just a moment, he leaned in and kissed her. It was an incandescent kiss that seared straight to her core and lit her spine on fire. It wasn't just her desire that hit fever pitch with the kiss, but his as well. His body pressed into hers until she found herself up against the wall. He was so strong he could hold her there and she'd never escape. Not that she wanted to. He could keep her pinned against that wall for all eternity as long as he kept kissing her like this.
His erection throbbed against her thigh, the heat of him coursing through the thin skirt separating them. His need mirrored her own, as she buried her nose into the curve of his shoulder. He smelled so good, the slight cedar scent that was uniquely his filled her brain.
She reached for his shirt, needing to feel his skin against hers. They were wearing far too many clothes. He let go of her hips long enough to help her pull the shirt off. She loved the way his arm muscles flexed, showing off his perfect shoulders and ripped pectoral muscles. Underneath the simple shirt, he was all hot muscle that made her insides heat.
His kisses skimmed her throat, where he paused to nip at her pulse point before trailing down the delicate flesh of her jaw. The sensation was so erotic and with just enough hint of danger that goosebumps ran up and down her arms.
A low moan escaped her throat as he felt for her through her dress. His hands were rough, but not painful as he massaged her breasts through the dress. For a moment she wondered if he was thinking about the lacy bra he'd purchased for her, but the thought was quickly lost as he whispered her name.
“Ella...” Primal desire, urgent need, and barely controlled lust echoed through the simple syllables that she shivered. Deep inside, her belly tightened. She had never felt so wanted, so hot, so beautiful, or so turned on before.
His hands found the hem of her dress, pulling up and over her head. The soft fabric whispered past before falling to the floor. He stared at her for a full moment, his eyes dilating and constricting as if he'd never seen anything quite as amazing as her.
“You're so beautiful,” he whispered. His hands went to her waist and then moved reverently up to cup each breast in his big palms. She felt beautiful under his gaze. He leaned forward and kissed the tops of each breast peeking out of her lacy bra. She couldn't stop the little whimper at his kiss.
One of his hands went behind her back to undo the pretty bra from her body. Except, this was a new bra and not easily removed. He fumbled for a moment, his brows coming together. She wondered if he would just rip it off her, and while the thought was exciting, she didn't want the pretty thing to be damaged. She reached behind her, twisting slightly to undo the stubborn clasp
He grunted with satisfaction as the lace fell to the floor. Her nipples pebbled at the sound, and his mouth quickly found them. Heat and pleasure rushed through her. He didn't hesitate to use his teeth and tongue to make her whimper for more, arching her back to give herself to him as he felt her with both hands and mouth.
His thigh was strong and hard between her legs, and she rocked herself against him, desperate to have the extra sensation where she needed it. Her mouth found purchase on his shoulder, tasting his hot and salty skin. He was all muscle and deliciousness as she gently bit down. She licked her bite spot, loving the groan that came from deep within his chest.
His hands moved slowly from her breasts to her hips, caressing the curve as only a lover could. His hand dipped to the front of her very pretty, very revealing underwear.
“You're so wet,” he whispered, his voice catching with desire. “That's so incredibly hot.”
She smiled, but it quickly turned into an open mouth moan as he pressed his fingers against the dampness. His leg had been easing her desperate need to have him inside of her, but his fingers were so much better.
His mouth went back to her breast, carefully lavishing attention on her sensitive flesh while his hand slid under the lacy fabric of her panties. Her muscles tightened as he touched her, flexing and begging for more. He swirled his fingers, working magic against the center nub of her arousal.
She closed her eyes, seeing the world slow into perfection. His fingers dipped inside of her, filling her with himself and she lost her grip on reality. She wanted so much more than just his fingers there, but for this moment, it was enough.
Her brain went dizzy as heat coursed up and down her spine in liquid waves. Her legs forgot how to work and she would have fallen if he'd not been there to hold her up. The only thing that didn't fade as her mind lost itself to pleasure was Jace. He remained constant always.