“Not yet,” he repeated, his voice hoarse. “I’m close enough already.” As he spoke, his free hand reached between her legs. “And so are you.”
It was crude. It was rushed. It wasn’t the seduction Callan’s father had taught her to expect, but the hurried desperation of two people who’d been teased to the brink of bursting. Gasping, Athena shifted her hips forward, thrusting her wet core against his fingers, even as he used his hold on her to bring her breast closer to his mouth.
What was that about being close enough already?
She moaned as he teased first one finger, then a second, inside her, his tongue circling her nipple in an erotic mimicry. And then—St. Columbine help me!—Cash flicked his thumb across her clitoris, and Athena jerked in need.
“Please, Cash!” she panted. “Please!”
He didn’t need any further urging apparently. They both knew this wasn’t a seduction, but a culmination of something they’d both needed for so long. He rolled her onto her back, positioning himself between her legs, and took his long length in his hand. Her hands cupped her breasts, trying to recreate the sensations his tongue had caused.
With one hand braced beside her shoulder, he met her eyes. “Are you sure, Athena?”
In response, she reached up and draped her arms around his neck. “Now, Cash. Please!”
And then he slid home.
They both moaned at the perfection of the sensation, and she felt him exhale in harmony with her. They were still for a moment, and Athena basked in the feeling of being filled by such a remarkable man. It had been so long, and she couldn’t recall the act ever feeling so perfect before.
And then he began to move.
Had she thought it incredible before? Each time he slid out—not quite free, but enough to make her miss him—he’d thrust back into her, and her inner muscles contracted around him in the most glorious way.
She planted her heels against the counterpane and allowed her knees to fall open. From this position, she was able tomeet his thrusts, to undulate with him, and judging by his grunts, she knew he appreciated this new position as well.
In fact, it wasn’t long before his breathing became harsher, and she knew he was close. She closed her eyes, willing him to find the pleasure he needed with her body, but he shifted above her, bracing himself on one arm again, even as he continued to thrust. Before she could open her eyes, she felt his hand between their joined bodies, felt his thumb against her clitoris once more. And when he teased it, her muscles contracted, and her orgasm burst over her in a surprising rush of delight.
She heard the moan emerge from her own lips, heard his echo, then felt him withdraw, leaving her empty and still pulsating. She didn’t have time to mourn him, however, because he grasped himself in one fist, his knuckles brushing against her and providing the pressure she still craved, as he spilled his seed into the curls at the junction of her thighs.
Then he collapsed half-beside her, his legs still entwined with hers, the sticky results of their lovemaking binding their skin together. Athena’s body was singing, humming, and she knew she neededmore. More of this, more ofhim.
Luckily, they had all afternoon.
Cash couldn’t ever remember feeling so…sated. He hadn’t even eaten luncheon, by God, and he didn’t care. Hedidrather care he’d gone after Athena with no more control or care than a randy lad, but she’d been willing to match him thrust-for-thrust.
Still, it hadn’t been well-done, and he vowed, as soon as he had the energy, he’d make love to her slowly and perfectly, building up her anticipation until she cried out his name.
He grinned lazily against her skin, imagining that.
“I ken I should thank ye.”
Her comment, coming out of the blue like that, surprised him enough to lift his head. “What?”
She was resting against the pillows, looking as boneless as he felt. Languidly, she gestured down her body. “For no’—ye ken.Inme.”
He blinked in surprise, glancing down at her curls—a deep red he hadn’t takennearlyenough time to admire earlier—and seeing the evidence of his pleasure. It was a reminder.
As he rolled to the side of the bed and stood, he shrugged. “I know you already had one child out of wedlock and likely don’t need another,” he said as he reached the basin of warm water. He was wringing out a cloth and turning back to her when he saw a flicker of a grimace cross her face. “What?”
She sighed as he joined her on the bed once more, but didn’t object when he began to clean her. He liked how unabashed she was with her body.
It was why he’d suggested this liaison, and why he had further plans.
“I would never trade Callan, ye understand,” she finally said quietly.
It was thesadnessin her tone which jerked Cash’s attention away from his lewd thoughts about future liaisons. Hetossed the cloth toward the washstand and crawled up the bed until he could stretch out beside her.
“He’s a fine lad, Athena.”
