Page 61 of Absolution

Chapter Nineteen

Creed

Scarlet’s fiery hair is only second to her matching attitude. She’s tenacious and sexy as hell. She gets under my skin like no one I’ve ever met. I get lost in her scent every time she’s around.

“Why would you kiss her?” I mumble while cleaning up our mess. I mean, why wouldn’t I, though? Her perfectly supple lips beg to be taken and bent to form mine.

“Did you say something?” My eyes flicker to where she stands, the light behind her plays in her hair. Ruby colored flecks bounce off her flaming mane, leaving her lips the shade of wine.

For the first time, in a long time, the thrum I’m hearing isn’t from a headache, but the sound of my heart. Her face flushes pink as I drink in her beauty, beguiled by it.

I take an uneasy step toward her, fear gripping me. “I know you asked to be friends, and with my many issues, I understand why, but Scarlet, I want you. I can’t explain my need for you, but from the minute you walked into that room, I’ve thought of nothing but you and making you mine.”

“Creed…” her hair falls around her face as she drops her head. My heart’s in my throat as I wait for her to say what’s in hers. “there’s still so much we need to learn about each other. What if this is nothing more than infatuation?”

I move closer to her but giving her space. “What if we never try?”

“And all of the unknowns, what do we do with them when they show up?” She bites the corner of her lip. Although meant to appease her worry, it ignites my craving for her.

“We face them together.” My final step brings me close enough that my hunger for her overwhelms me, burning through my body and leaving me uncontrollable. Before she can protest, my hands are on her. Tangled in her hair, and gripping her hip.

I drag her to me, sliding my hand around to the small of her back and press her body to mine. Her lips part on a gasp, giving me the chance I need. When our eyes lock, I find myself in them.

“Are you sure?” I murmur as her intoxicating scent makes it hard to think clearly. She has invaded my soul, as hope springs and I dare dream of loving her forever.

She shakes her head. “No, but I’m tired of living with regrets and what ifs.”

“All I know Scarlet is that I’m tired of living without you, I need to give you all that I am or what’s left of me.” Our gaze locks with the synchronizing of our hearts.

“As much as I like to say no, my heart has betrayed me and now my body wants you just as much.” She fists my shirt, pulling me in.

Our mouths collide like two sides at war, fighting to become one and staking our claim. I lift her up, and her legs wrap around my waist without hesitation. We stumble through the hall, past Emmie’s room to Scarlet’s bedroom.

She pushes the door closed with her hand when I pause to kick it shut myself. I amble over to the bed, letting Scarlet slide along my body until her toes touch the floor.

We work hard on not losing our connection as we make quick work of our clothes. My chest tightens as I think of making love to her for the first time. Not that there’s an urgent reason to sleep together, but my need for her is.

We fall on her bed, a tangled mass of arms, legs, and lust. It’s as though our bodies are old friends and new lovers. We move as one, as I slide deep into her, groaning every inch of the way.

“Ahh, yes.” She moans with every sway of my hips. “So good.”

The motion of our bodies meeting, pushing, and pulling on one another, drives us closer to the edge. Scarlet’s thighs tighten, hitched on my hips as I plunge deeper, thrusting as I mark her forever.

Scarlet clutches my shoulders, bucking from the bed as I flick her harden nipple with the tip of my tongue. I trace her breast with it, kissing my way up between them.

Her back arches once again, elongating her neck and revealing it to me. I nip it, sinking my teeth in just enough to send shock waves over her skin and leaving her trembling beneath me.

Once again, our mouths smash together and send us into overdrive. With a final meeting of our bodies, we find our release and each other. As we catch our breaths, I roll to the side, bringing her with me.

“I-I feel like we’ve done this before.” I murmur into her hair. She lifts her head from my chest, placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

“I feel the same way, Creed.” Her eyes swim with emotion, as she searches mine for meaning.

I’m speechless, so I show her what my heart wants to say. I flip her onto her back, taking her once again. Making love to Scarlet feels easy and effortless, she gives as much as she takes.

She never leaves me wanting or needing more from her. Scarlet fills me up and gives me hope for the future. One that may or may not include who I once was but takes me as I am.

Night turns into dawn, as Scarlet sleeps in my arms. We’ve dozed on and off, making love as if we’re teenagers and insatiable. I have to admit, watching her now, I know I’ll never get my fill of her.