Page 47 of Burn Protocol

I press Maya back into the cushions and straddle her lap, placing myself above her. Her hands immediately run over my shoulders to my neck and into my hair. With her tongue still exploring my mouth, her hand tugs my hair tie loose. I feel my curls cascade down like a curtain, sheltering us from the rest of the world. And that’s exactly how I want it, how I want her. To be mine and mine alone. Does she want that? I nip softly at her bottom lip, before breaking the kiss. I don’t lean back, but press my forehead against hers. Panting.

“Maya,” my voice is a low rasp now. “Are you sure this is what you want? I… I’m not soft or gentle.”

Her breath is warm against my cheek and her fingers play with the curls at the base of my neck. The sigh she releases is soft, but feels like something she held onto for weeks.

“I don’t want you to be soft or gentle,” she says softly.

She pulls her head back slightly to look at me. Her blue eyes boring into mine, as if she can imprint what she is about to say into my soul.

“I just want you to be yourself. Always.”

Something in me snaps and I find her mouth again—this time with all the fire of my need and lust for her. Maya meets me there with the same urgency. Is this really happening? I slide my hands down her sides, until I find the hem of her shirt. She shudders when I slip under it, caressing the soft skin with my trembling fingertips. The way she arches into me instinctively, unleashes something new in me. The feral need to take her and make her completely mine. Not to possess her, but to worship her in the way she deserves.

When I withdraw my hands, Maya whimpers in protest. I chuckle, the sound disappearing inside her mouth. I grab the hem of her shirt and break the kiss, so that I can lift it over her head. As soon as she realizes what I am doing, she lifts her arms and arches up so that I can pull it off. Her milky skin looks so smooth that I want to nip it with my teeth. The curve of her breasts in the black lacy bra almost taunts me. As if it’s screaming, not yet.

I let out an approving grunt, before disposing of my own shirt. Maya’s already dark eyes darken even more as her gaze travels over my torso. They follow the curve of my neck, to my collarbone, the swell of my breasts and the muscles moving under the skin of my belly. She looks up at me again, as if she is in awe—speechless. I grin and bend forward to kiss her again.

There is no hesitation when she lets her hands glide over my sides and back. I move my mouth to the corner of her lip, down her jaw and her neck, to her pulse point. Her heartbeat is rapid under my lips, and her breathing is shallow above me. I run my tongue over her skin. She tastes sweet, with a hint of salt. It’s already my favorite taste. At least for now.

I smirk against her neck as I softly let my teeth sink in. Maya gasps under me and presses her fingernails into my shoulders, only spurring me on to bite a little harder. The guttural moan it pulls from her lips, ripples through my body, filling it with the only fire I don’t want to put out. It dips low into my stomach, shooting straight to my core. And when Maya drags those nails down my back, I feel myself getting soaked instantly. Look at what she is doing to you.

“Elena,” her voice breaks on my name. A plea wrapped in a breath.

I release her flesh and press my hot lips against the already bruising skin, before I claim her mouth again. Her chest heaves under me, her breathing ragged. My hands trail to her back, unclasping her bra with a smooth motion. She gasps and then giggles, but I kiss the sounds right out of her mouth. I pull her bra away and lean back to admire her. The soft swell of her breasts, her pink nipples already hard and inviting, the curve of her side. It makes me lick my lips.

I move forward and press soft kisses against her collarbone and sternum, before I run my tongue around her left nipple and roll the right one between my fingers. Maya moans and arches her back, inviting me to take her nipple inside my mouth and suck on it.

I flick it with my tongue and I feel her fingers dig into my hips. The pain flares up and I wince, but keep my mouth on her. I shift my weight, naturally moving her hand away from the injury, and grind down on her as I graze my teeth along her nipple.

“Elena…”

She moans my name like a prayer and the last bit of resistance falls away from me. I trail my mouth lower, nipping her right under her breast, and run my tongue over the soft skin on her abdomen. Her hands are in my hair now, her nails digging into my scalp. I let myself slide off the couch and onto the floor, right in front of her, and kiss her hipbones right above her waistband.

When I raise my eyes to look at her, I witness the most beautiful thing in the world. Maya’s lips are kiss-swollen and are slightly parted, her eyes glassy with desire and need, and right there on her neck—my mark. I pull my mouth away just far enough to whisper to her.

“You wanted this,” my breath hot against her skin.

She nods eagerly in agreement, too dazed to speak.

“Oh Maya,” I murmur, “you’re mine now.” And I am yours, completely.

Her eyes darken even more and her mouth opens in a silent gasp. Her rapid breathing betraying how she feels. My fingers slowly unbutton her pants, and when no objection comes, I hook my fingers under her waistband and panties, and remove them in one smooth motion. My own heart hammers against my ribs as I stare at her naked form. Her body must be a godsend.

Once again, I lick my lips, hungry for her, and I run my hands over the insides of her thighs.

“Elena, please,” Maya begs, her need reflecting my own.

It is enough to break my self-restraint. Hungrily, I press hot kisses against her inner thighs. Slowly working my way up, being able to smell her desire. Slightly musky and something that reminds me of stones that have been baking in the summer sun for days. Earthy and salty. Everything inside me screams to touch her, to taste her, but instead I taunt us both by delaying it just a little longer. Her nails dig deeper into my scalp, and her hips buck up toward me. I press her down and look up at her from between her legs.

“Sit still, or you’ll just have to wait longer.”

Her mouth drops open in despair and for a moment the need to protest flashes behind her eyes. But she only gasps and nods in surrender.

“Good girl,” I grin, and then run my tongue over her core, no longer able to deny myself the taste of her.

Elena doesn’t give me any time to catch my breath. Her name is still on my lips and I am still quivering, when she moves up to kiss me. Tasting myself on her lips makes me a little dizzy, and I smile.

I feel her returning the smile against my mouth, before she slides one arm behind my back and the other under my knees. She lifts me in one smooth motion, startling me. My arms fly around her neck and I pull my head back in a loud gasp. Elena chuckles and walks toward the hall.