Strike (Sphere of Irony 2)

I’m not the kindest bloke. In fact, I’m a miserable, selfish asshole who wants nothing more than to pound her into the mattress. But surprisingly, if it were possible in this moment, I’d take every bit of Kate’s pain on as my own.

Kate

Dax fully dressed is gorgeous, stunningly so. Naked, I want to drop to my knees and worship at his feet. I’ve seen him shirtless before, so I know how cut and muscular he is, I just didn’t know how big he’d be in other places.

When Dax enters my body, tearing away the final shred of my virginity, I can’t help but cry out at the pain. It hurts. A lot. Then, before he can say anything to mollify me, the sharp agony turns to pleasure—a deep, burning, twisting pleasure that begins to build upon itself, growing more intense with each thrust of Dax’s narrow hips.

“More.”

Dax responds to my whispered plea immediately, roaring up and releasing my bound wrists so he has room to move. And holy hell does he move. Balanced on his hands above me, Dax pounds away at an impossible pace. I have to brace my hands on his shoulders so we don’t slide across the sheets with each powerful thrust. With the rapid pistoning of his hips and the intense pleasure vibrating through me, it’s nearly impossible to keep my eyes focused on his. Somehow I manage to stay locked on those dark, shimmering pools.

“Kate, I…” His face contorts with ecstasy, and I realize that I’m doing that to him. Me. Boring Kate Campbell is sending the cold and unapproachable Dax Davies flying into unrestrained bliss.

My entire body starts to shudder, waves of pleasure rippling out from the place where our bodies join together. I can’t breathe as it crashes over me, drawing my muscles tight in ecstasy then leaving me boneless as the incredible feeling recedes. I’m floating, and Dax is right there with me.

He lets out a string of unintelligible curses (Gaelic maybe?) and thrusts one final time before collapsing in a heavy, comforting heap on my chest.

Somehow, I manage to move my hands, running them up and down Dax’s sweaty back, feeling every dip and ridge beneath my fingers, trying to get my fill of touching everything he denied me earlier. After a few minutes, Dax shifts, causing me to wince when he pulls free of my body. It doesn’t detract from the moment though. Everything is perfect. My eyelids grow heavy and I’m vaguely aware of Dax moving around the room. Then I’m wrapped up in his arms, my back pressed against his large, warm chest.

I’m drifting off to sleep, on the edge of reality and dreams when I hear a soft whisper. “M’aingeal.”

CHAPTER 8

Kate

“This is the last one.” Dax drops a box on the floor of the bedroom in my new flat.

“We’re taking off, Kate!” Gavin calls out from the lounge.

“You guys are so great to help me move. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without you.” I tell them as I walk down the tiny hall to say goodbye.

“No worries, love. Happy to do it,” Adam says. I wrap him up in a big hug.

I buss his cheek before I pull back to give Adam a quick once over. He looks much better than he did a few months ago when Ellie was in town. Not great, but better. He was completely devastated when I told him what he said to Ellie at that stupid party. He was so plastered he didn’t even remember seeing her. Having to tell him what happened with her was one of the worst moments of my life.

“Gotta split, Kate. Give me some love.” Hawke leans in to give me one of his bone-crushing hugs. He’s so open with me and the other guys, but around everyone else, he’s quiet and withdrawn.

“You know I live to be smashed to pieces in your arms, Hawke,” I laugh when he lets me go.

“I count on it.” He winks at me and disappears out the front door.

“Ugh! This is the last of my stuff too.” Abby staggers in, throwing a pile of clothes onto the second-hand sofa her parents gave us. “I’m beat!” She flops on top of the clothing, sweaty and exhausted.

“Coming with?” Adam turns to Dax.

“Nah. I’ll find my way back later.” He throws an arm around my neck, pulling me back against his chest. “I’ll stay here with my woman for a little bit.”

I roll my eyes, which makes Adam laugh, something he doesn’t do enough of these days. “Right. Cheers mate.”

The door shuts, leaving the flat blessedly quiet.

“Oh shit! Is that the time?” Abby jumps up from the sofa. “I have to be at work in thirty minutes,” she calls out from her room. Less than five minutes later, she’s saying goodbye and is out the door for her summer job working at a camp for low-income city kids.

I giggle, leaning back against Dax so I can rub my ass across the front of his athletic shorts.

“Naughty,” he laughs, gently spanking me. Dax whispers in my ear, his hot breath giving me goose bumps. “No more Lila.”

“No more Lila,” I agree. “And, I have my own bedroom now.”