“Then let me live that lie.”
His lips brushed mine and a surge of adrenaline coursed through me. I lifted onto my toes, searching for that connection again, when his hands took hold of me.
“As you wish,” he murmured, his lips against my ear.
The heat from his kisses seared across my neck. I leaned against him, his chest heated and soothing to my cool skin. Itipped my head back, gasps escaping my parted lips as he kissed me in ways I never knew were possible. His hand braced the small of my back, the other roaming endlessly across the thin material of the gown. He pulled away, the soft material rising around me as I lifted my arms, allowing it to slip over my head.
Eyes closed, I was keenly aware of my exposed flesh as he lowered me down. The settee braced me enough to peek from beneath my lashes. Above me, the flames licked Blake’s rigid torso, his hair tousled even more, and his eyes—they were like molten steel being pulled from the forge, the glow of the fire making the illusion all too real. They raked across my body, devouring as he went. His hand moved up my thigh, his fingertips leaving trails of disaster upon my skin. The delicate strap of my undergarment slipped down my hip, followed by the warmth of his hand as it moved down my body.
Our gaze met; it was as if he’d paralyzed me. Every line, every shadow, every strand of hair, the way he wet his lips—I couldn’t look away. I’d never been so enamored by the mere sight of someone. He could’ve told me he was a god and I wouldn’t have questioned it.
He rose, shedding his pants, the only clothing he had on.
Everything was trembling as I took in the man before me. Something deep within was drawing him to me, screaming for him to create negative space. He touched my knee, caressing my skin before guiding my legs apart. My chest constricted as I held my breath. He was so near, his body so close. He closed around me, my legs locking around his hips as he took me in his arms. His chest rose and fell against mine, his breath on my lips.
Everything was as it should be. This was where he belonged. His lips on my flesh tore through what I thought pleasure was. This was more than pleasure—it was ecstasy. I tried to contain myself but sounds I’d never made before broke free. Mostly against his lips when he kissed me. I felt him against me now,hard, thick, and ready. My blood pulsated through me as his mouth claimed mine. I clung to him, feeling the burn that rose from my core.
“Blake,” I begged.
He kissed me again before his lips trailed my jaw to my ear.
“Are you sure?” he whispered.
I tried to say yes but it came out more like a cry of desperation.
He was so close, so ready to give me what I craved.
“I’m sure,” I breathed.
A small smirk touched his lips as he touched his forehead to mine.
“You are a dream,” he whispered.
The pressure was significant. I shifted my hips, desperately wanting him inside of me, drawing a soft moan from him.
“Careful,” he said. “I am trying to maintain at least a modicum of control.”
I pressed my lips to his, kissing him without restraint, drawing my tongue across his lips.
“I don’t want your control,” I said against his lips.
A deep hum reverberated against my mouth.
“Anna,” he said. “I have never felt a woman so unbroken. I will not hurt you.”
I drew him closer. “I’m fine.”
I shifted again, feeling more of him enter me. It sent waves of burning bliss up my core and I captured his mouth again. He moaned into my mouth and his body shifted atop me. I tightened my thighs around him, begging him to come to me.
He deepened the kiss, biting my lip as his composure slipped. I thrust my hips against him, eliciting a growl as he pulled away from my mouth. He withdrew so he was upright again, looking at me with hooded eyes. He hooked his arms under my thighs, spreading my legs further, and thrust.
The pleasure and the pain threaded through my muscles like a needle. I felt everything. He was inside of me, changing me, stretching me, taking me, claiming me. I couldn’t breathe and darkness spread across my vision.
His lips on mine, my body was completely at his mercy. He was against me, every stroke unlocking some piece of myself I didn’t know was there. Pleasure screamed in the darkest corners of my mind. His mouth consumed mine as I struggled to breathe, his crushing weight making it hard for my lungs to work, but it didn’t matter—it was like I didn’t need to breathe.
I just needed him.
My body started moving on its own. Desperate to feel his return, to unlock the final piece, the one that would bring the light. He had me entirely under his control, taking my body as I needed him to, with no rational thought whatsoever. The pleasure was twisting, tightening, burning. I couldn’t spread my knees any further. Each thrust he took was deep, further coiling the connection between us so tightly. I was sure the end of this would be death.
