My greedy hands are eager for a turn to reciprocate. I scrabble at the hem of his shirt and he releases me so I can pull it over his head. My eyes go straight to what I assume is a large birthmark under his left peck, except the mark is…green? My curiosity is piqued when I realize it’s a tattoo. Grabbing his hand, I pull him toward the faint light coming in through the open curtains. My heart squeezes and my body goes all gooey for a different reason than it did just moments before. The tattoo is a cartoon T-Rex holding a red love heart with ‘Rex’ scrawled in the center.
“That might be the cutest freaking thing I’ve ever seen,” I murmur. Liam laughs under his breath. It’s hard to tell in the semi-darkness, but I think his cheeks have flushed with color. I change my mind:thatmight be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“It was Thea’s idea,” he says, running his hands up and down my bare arms. Goosebumps prickle along my skin, making me suddenly remember I’m naked from the waist up, and that until approximately two minutes ago I was heading toward an orgasm.
“After our mom died, Thea wanted us to get matching tattoos,” he continues. “At first I thought she meant to honor our mom, but she said it was to commemorate surviving our childhood. Rex was three or four at the time and he saw us looking at tattoo designs online. He pointed out this one, and it hit Thea and me at the same time that it was what we should get. My mom and I had a better relationship toward the end, but my childhood was messed up. Thea and I always promised we’d do better for Rex, so she said this would be a reminder.”
“That’s so sweet.” My voice wavers. This is quite possibly one of the strangest moments of my life. I’d finally made up my mind to let my inhibitions go in order to spend the night with Liam, and now we’re standing here half naked with the moment slipping away. Self-consciousness creeps in, and I move to cover my breasts. I pause when Liam’s hands slide up to my shoulders, massaging the tension away. The heat coursing through my body had reduced to a low simmer, but it ramps back up now as his fingers graze lightly over my collarbones.
My own fingers move to his tattoo, running over the smooth skin. My surprise has faded and the warm fuzzies are being replaced with an entirely different kind of heat. My eyes roam over his broad chest and continue down to where a trail of dark hair disappears into his jeans. Moving my fingers over his torso, I lean in to trace the same path with my lips.
Liam lets out a low growl when my fingers reach the button on his jeans. The fire in his eyes nearly takes my breath away. He grips the back of my neck and pulls me up to crush his mouth to mine. Our frantic pace from earlier returns as he steers me toward the bed, working at the clasp of my jeans with his free hand. My pants come off, followed quickly by my lacy blue panties. Another growl emanates from Liam’s throat as his eyes sweep over my naked body, lingering on my bare breasts and the triangle of dark hair between my legs.
It’s been a long time since I was completely naked in front of anyone, even Alan. Our intimate moments were rare during the last year of our marriage—probably because he was finding satisfaction elsewhere—and when we did have sex, it was quick and perfunctory with neither of us managing to get all our clothes off before it was over.
I clench my eyes closed briefly, shaking the thoughts away. This isnotthe time to be thinking of Alan, his infidelity, or our failed marriage. He may have left me feeling insecure and unwanted, but Liam’s searing kisses and wandering hands remind me what it’s like to be the focus of someone’s desire.
“You okay?” Liam asks.
My gaze flies to his. Those beautiful dark eyes have turned into even darker pools of lust. Yes, this mandefinitelywants me. And I want him. No more second-guessing or wasting time thinking of things that are better left in the past.
“I’m great.” My smile is a bit shaky, and Liam returns it with a slow one of his own. “Your turn,” I say, freeing the button on his jeans before backing up until I hit the bed. I sit and scoot back, arranging myself on the pillows. His smile turns wicked as he watches me, his gaze like a physical weight moving over the most intimate parts of my body. He stands beside the bed and peels off his socks before hooking his fingers into the bands of his jeans and underwear and pushing them both down.
I bite my lip as he straightens and I get my first look at him—long, thick, and fully erect. My mouth goes dry and then begins to water as he grips the base and gives himself a slow stroke from root to tip, eyes never leaving mine.
“C-condoms are in the drawer there,” I stammer, unable to rip my gaze away from where his hand still moves. He obviously doesn’t suffer from the same self-consciousness I do. I wave a hand toward the bedside table, and he opens the drawer with his free hand.
The last thing I expect is the soft chuckle he gives. I shift impatiently, wishing he’d hurry up and join me already so I could get my hands on him.
He lifts the giant box of condoms from the drawer and holds it up. “Someone came prepared.”
I let out an embarrassed squeak and cover my face with both hands, laughing into my palms. His quiet laughter has me peering through my fingers and watching him open the box to free a foil packet. “Those were a ‘gift’ from Natalie, the friend I was telling you about.”
“Well, if I ever meet her, I’ll be sure to thank her for these and for planting the idea of post-divorce sex in your brain,” he says.
The laughter dies in my throat and words fail me as he climbs onto the bed and moves toward me. I reach for him, locking my arms around his shoulders and shifting until I’m on my back, bringing him with me. He situates himself between my legs, groaning when my wet center presses against him.
His mouth meets mine as our hands begin exploring each other’s bodies. His touches are soft and almost reverent at first, and it feels like his warm, rough hands cover nearly every inch of my body. Every time I reach between us, he gently bats my hand away before it meets its desired target, and then distracts me with his mouth on my neck or breasts.
His fingers slide teasingly over my lower belly, making my stomach muscles quiver uncontrollably. My breath comes in short bursts as I arch up, digging the nails of one hand into his back and clutching the sheets with the other to prevent myself from grabbing his hand and forcing it between my legs.
“Liam,” I gasp. “Quit torturing me and just touch me already.”
I can feel the rumble of his laughter through my chest. This time when I arch up, his hand slips between my legs, making me all but sob in relief. Everything is a blur of sensation from that moment on. Liam’s skilled fingers work me until I’m riding the wave of a mind-numbing orgasm. The only orgasms I’ve had in the last few years have been ones I’ve given myself, so I can’t believe how quickly and deftly Liam managed it.
As I bask in the post-climax rush of pleasure, I’m vaguely aware of Liam opening the foil packet and rolling the condom on. He showers my chest and neck with kisses before doing the same to my face.
His hooded gaze meets mine after a long, thorough kiss. “Are you sure about this?”
My heart clenches. Between the squeezing in my chest and the sensations coursing through my body, it’s almost too much to handle. I press my lips together and nod emphatically, unable to speak and yet wanting him to know I have no doubts about this. He hovers over me as his penetrating gaze remains on my face. This time when I reach between us, he doesn’t divert my hand. His eyes go wide and then slip closed as my fingers close around his hard length.
“Josslyn.” His voice is a hoarse whisper as I begin to stroke him. Hearing my full name from his lips makes me falter for a second. He bucks into my hand, eyes shut tight. This foreplay has been the sweetest kind of torture—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and better than even my wildest fantasies—but I’m ready for the main event, and I know he is too.
A muscle works in his jaw as he slowly pushes into me. He stops every few seconds, giving me a chance to adjust, his eyes meeting mine until I give a little nod. He’s bigger than I’m used to and, although there’s some discomfort, it doesn’t take long before pleasure takes over. I lift my hips and rock against him, letting out a soft cry. That seems to be the unspoken signal he needs because soon our bodies are moving together and the sounds of our lovemaking fill the room.
My mind snags on that thought:lovemaking. I barely know Liam and yet this is definitely more than just sex. The way he kisses me, the way his eyes seek mine, the way his body responds to my cries and murmurs by picking up the pace and making sure it’s good for me. I should have known he’d be an attentive lover since that’s the type of man he is, but he’s exceeding my expectations in every way.
My body feels like a live wire as we move together. Liam’s hot, wet mouth sucks at my neck and rains kisses over my face. All of my senses are on high alert; it’s almost too much and yet not enough. I can’t remember the last time I felt so many different things at once. Not just physical sensation, but this closeness with somebody, this level of intimacy where all my self-consciousness has been peeled away. Liam’s eyes lock with mine and I feel like he truly sees me.
