Chapter Nine
Ben kissed her withan aching tenderness.It surprised Sarah, because she’d thought with his commanding, take-no-prisoners manner, he might be fierce and a little rough.
Oh, she’d known the kiss was coming.Their faux knife fight was too physical, too elemental, involved too much touching.From moment one, Ben had made it clear he found her attractive.Was she ready for this?She wasn’t sure.
Sarah had seen that particular look in men’s eyes before.He desired her and made no apology for it.Now, his hard-on pressed to her midsection and shouted his need.Yet with gentle insistence, he caressed the small of her back, eased her closer.
His head bending to hers, there was no other way to put it, he made love to her mouth with his own.As though he had all the time in the world, he pecked small kisses at the corners of her mouth, placed his lips gently on her cupid’s bow.Nibbling on her lower lip, he seemed in no rush, like he wanted—no needed—to experience this moment to the fullest, to make it last and last.
He raised his free hand to cup her cheek, then smooth it softly all the way down her braid, only to repeat the caress.
The careful sweetness in his manner mesmerized her, kept her still.If the barn roof had fallen in, she couldn’t have moved an inch.
His hold of her hand above her head wasn’t forceful, and she got the idea that if she’d struggled even a little, he would ease his grip.While he held her against the wall and to himself, she didn’t feel a prisoner.She felt ...like he was reveling in everything about her.That was different and new.
She’d never beenreveled inbefore.The notion was touching, addicting.
At last, Ben’s tongue explored her mouth, and with a sigh, she allowed him this deeper access.It had been a long time since she’d let a man hold her.Too many of them wanted bragging rights, wanted the conquest of sleeping with a famous model.Too many only wanted to take her, use her, and give nothing in return.She’d never wanted to be used.
Giving her wrist a small wriggle, as she expected, he relaxed his fingers.Still holding the marker and t-shirt, she let them drop to the ground and placed her palms flat on his broad chest.Beneath her fingers, his bare torso felt wonderfully masculine.As he kissed her, she caressed his skin.He was warm.Alive.Allman.
He lifted his head to look down at her and make a short groan.“Sarah.”He murmured her name reverently.
Kissing her again, he wrapped both arms around her, but didn’t crush her, or even squeeze.He held her as though she required great care and consideration.With his every touch, he conveyed his intention to treat her gently.
She melted into him, desire puckering her nipples, flowing damply to her sex.He’s seducing me, she thought in wonder and a strangely delicious helplessness.For the life of her, she couldn’t come up with a single reason why she should stop him.His touch was magnetic, and it just felt so damn good.
Still kissing her, Ben lowered his hand to cup her breast, and through her clothing, rub the pad of his thumb over her nipple.It sent a bolt of desire straight to her womanhood and she grew more than just damp.She became wet.
Unable to stop herself, she moaned in pleasure.Her knees went wobbly, her neck spineless.
Ben responded by lowering his head to her nipple, and through her clothing, his lips surrounded her.
God, that felt good.Ben’s tongue dampened her shirt and she didn’t care.She cared about nothing except his touch.
Raising his mouth to her neck, he rained kisses along her throat.Then he placed both hands beneath her buttocks and lifted her to him, spreading her legs.He rubbed his thick penis against her clitoris, covered only by her yoga pants.The friction nearly drove her insane.
Lost in desire, Sarah panted, moaned again.If she didn’t get him inside hernow, she’d go mad.
At last, he gazed into her eyes.Their faces mere inches apart, she couldn’t look away.His captivated expression was too compelling.Reflected in his eyes, she saw the best of herself, her beauty, her good character.
She saw none of the fear that had gripped her of late, none of the agonizing grief in which for months she’d wallowed.
None of her awful guilt.
With an insistent rhythm, he rubbed himself against her most intimate parts, and those parts responded, grew full, and so, so wet.
An errant thought flickered across her mind.What am I doing?
Ben didn’t stop and her thought vanished into the ether.Her mind quit and her body took over as Ben drove her toward climax.Again, he cupped her breast, lightly squeezed her nipple through her thin top and suddenly the world crashed down upon her.
The orgasm took her by force, an unstoppable mountain landslide hurtling to earth.Her entire body shook, trembled, shuddered in pleasure.A fine perspiration bloomed on her brow, her upper lip, her back.It had been so long, so long since she’d allowed anyone to touch her this way.
She collapsed against him.Her eyelids drooped.Her limbs went limp.Burying her nose into his neck, she enjoyed his scent.He smelled good, like mountain breezes and pine needles.Floating above the ground, she felt a small smile curve her mouth.She felt amazing.
Ben took her hand and raised it.He turned it over to press his lips on her palm, then kissed each finger.“Oh, Sarah,” he said, smiling.“Super Sarah.”
A bucket of icy snow-melted water dumped over her head couldn’t have brought on a faster freeze.The cold ran a shock up her spine, chilled her body, awakened her mind.What was she thinking?She’d only just met this man.He was a virtual stranger and here she wasthatclose to full blown sex!
