Chapter 8

Raven tried to swallow and couldn't. It was one thing to be pressed against all that hard muscle and another to have it displayed before her eyes.

Wide shoulders and defined biceps made her salivate, with veins that protruded as he flexed his fingers around the handcuffs. He had a light dusting of blond hair on his chest that thinned over rippled abs. A six pack that was more of a full case. His hips were narrow, his thighs muscular. And his erection-was a beautiful thing. Thick and long, he was above average but not so large he'd cause pain when inside of her. The tip jutted up, brushing his navel.

The years melted away and her need ramped. She wanted him more than she could remember wanting anything. And he had been there all along, waiting until they could crash together. So much time wasted.

With only the light filtering in from the living room, the navy colored walls appeared darker. Night all around them. He had a large bedroom, open square floor plan. Plush, white carpet squished under her socks. A large flat screen was mounted to a wall above the fireplace and caught their reflection. Modern, sleek furniture and one helluva view. And not just the mountains.

He stroked himself and she almost swallowed her tongue. "I'll concede the cuffs and position, baby, but you need to understand this isn't in my nature. Give me some measure of control."

Baby. Was it crazy she loved hearing him say the endearment in his rough timbre? "What do you need?" Right about now she'd give him anything. Moisture pooled between her legs. Desire cut her breath short, heating in her belly and spreading.

He sat on the edge of the bed and scooted back, hands on his chest as he leaned against the headboard. "Take off your clothes so I can look at you."

All nervousness fled as she walked to the footboard. Seduction, nothing but sex, she could do. His gaze tracked her every step. Slowly, she reached down and slid one sock off, then the other. Straightening, she dipped her fingers under the hem of her sweater and lifted it over her head, leaving her top half bared to him in nothing but a blue satin bra.

He sucked in a breath and groaned. "More."

His voice alone had her throbbing. Unbuttoning her jeans, she shimmied out of them and tossed them on top of her sweater. His gaze raked over her body, creating a trail of heat in its wake.

"Now what?" She kind of liked this game, liked the effect she was having on him. He was still restrained, but calling all the shots. A bit of a win-win for both sides.

His breathing grew ragged, his eyes narrowing. "Off. All of it off."

Smiling, she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, letting it slide down her arms and to the floor. Not very well endowed, she watched his response to check for disappointment and found none. His gaze trained on her nipples, erect under his scrutiny. When she hooked her thumbs in the waist of her panties, she swore he stopped breathing.

"Come over here." His voice was tight. Her body clenched in response. As if knowing what she needed, he scooted down so he reclined at an angle instead of sitting.

It wasn't the prone position she was used to, but she felt no hesitation in crawling across the bed to him. She gripped his ankles and ran her hands up his calves to his thighs, loving that the hard muscles tensed. He watched her face, jaw tight. Bypassing his good parts, she let her fingers brush his abdomen. His stomach caved at the touch as he emitted a feral groan.

He made a move to sit, but caught himself and lay back, cuffed hands behind his head. "I want to touch you." As if to punctuate the statement, his biceps bulged, fighting the restraint. "Straddle me. Please."

The primal need in his voice empowered her. This was hard for him, to shove aside his instincts so they could be together. She wanted it to be good for him, too. The blaze in his eyes was unlike the way anyone else had ever looked at her before.

Bringing her leg over, she straddled him and caged his hips with her thighs. Leaning forward, she braced her hands on his chest, her hair a curtain just for them. Cinnamon and spice hit her nose, the scent of him making her want to lick every inch of his skin. "Now what would you like me to do?"

His jaw clenched. "Kiss me."

A smile threatened to tug her mouth when she closed the distance and brought her lips to his. The charge was potent. His firm lips met hers and parted, tongue sweeping inside and claiming. Sliding her hands up his chest, she cupped his jaw.

He tensed and reared, but never removed his hands from behind his head. Tearing his mouth from hers, he closed his eyes and pressed his face into her neck. His tongue licked her pulse, hitting her nerve endings. He bucked his hips, sliding his shaft between her drenched folds and rubbing her clit.

She threw her head back and moaned, the sensation too good. "Noah."

He growled and bucked harder. "You're so wet for me."

"Yes," she breathed, ready to come apart at the seams. Knots bunched along her spine, tensing. "Tell me what's next."

"Pill?"

"What?"

"Are you on the pill? I'm safe." He groaned, rumbling her breasts with the vibration from his chest. "Need inside you now."

Her gaze met his. "I'm safe, too." Without breaking eye contact, she rose up and fisted the base of his shaft, aligning him to her opening. Slowly, she came down around him, the glide tight and hot and hard. Completely full, she leaned back and took him even deeper.

With his eyes shut tight, he slammed his head into the pillow. "Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me. Never done this without a condom." He panted, his eyes scrunching tighter. His abs clenched beneath her fingers.

Raking her nails lightly down his body, she stopped where their bodies joined. "Me either."

He sucked in a ragged breath. "Raven."

"I think I got it from here."

She rose until just the tip of him remained inside, and then came back down. The pressure was delicious. She quivered around his shaft, taking him again. "Noah."

He thrust up when she crashed down, setting a natural rhythm. Their bodies slapped together as she rode him hard, fast, because there was no stopping this insane need. Heat coiled in her core, pulsing, throbbing. Again and again he hit her deep, nailing her spot and stealing her breath. Over and over she chanted his name, each time it pulled a guttural groan from him and he thrust harder. Sweat beaded between them, creating a slick sheen.

"Fuck, Raven. So tight. You feel so goddamn good."

"Yes," she breathed as a spasm ripped through her center, striking out until she had nothing to ground her. She screamed his name, milking him.

He roared, driving twice more before stilling. Jerking. His release shot hot inside her as she collapsed on his chest.

They remained like that, breathing soughed, until she was confident they were on earth and she considered getting off him to clean up.

"Can I move my arms?" His voice had lost all tension, but the raspy lull was just as sexy.

She considered her answer, taking stock of her body, and nodded against his chest.

The handcuffs clinked as he pulled them from behind his head. He pushed the mechanism on the underside to release both clasps and tossed the cuffs to the floor.

"You knew how to get out of them?"

"I have a similar pair."

She touched the reddened areas around his wrists where the metal had rubbed his skin raw. He had fought the restraints harder than she thought. "They left marks."

He shrugged under her cheek. "It'll go away. It was worth it." His hands settled low on her back, tentative at first. When she didn't protest, he splayed his fingers and ran his hands up to thread them in her hair, forcing her to lift her head and look at him.

He studied her face before clearing his throat. "We need to talk."

Dread churned in her stomach, but she returned her cheek to his chest to avoid him seeing all the emotions she couldn't get a grip on. "It was a letdown from what you imagined, wasn't it? I didn't know how to tell you my preferences before now. I thought-"

His hands skimmed up and down her spine, warming her cooling skin. "Thought what, baby?"

She closed her eyes, butterflies dancing in her belly for the pet name. "I thought maybe with you I could handle normal. But panic tightened my chest and I just couldn't. I'm sorry."

He was silent for a beat. "I'm not sorry, and it wasn't a letdown. Look at me."

Resisting the urge to hide, she lifted her head and looked into his turquoise eyes. Kind, often mischievous, and always intense eyes.

"There are so many things I want to do with you. You built up this wall to protect yourself, and no one can fault you for that. But this is me, and you don't need to protect yourself from me." His gaze dropped to her mouth, over her hair and back to her eyes. "When we walk away from this after a month, don't you want it to be with everything I can give you?"

Her heart started to pound, in fear, but also excitement. Wondering if she was capable of doing more, she bit her lip.

His thumb traced over the spot, releasing her teeth from the hold. Lifting his head, he gave her a brief kiss. "I would never hurt you."

"I know that." She did, with every fiber of her pathetic being, she knew. Frustrated, she sighed, wishing she could understand why she was this way in the first place. "I want those things, too, Noah. I just don't know if I can."

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course." She cupped his jaw, no doubt whatsoever.

He nodded, even though he seemed doubtful. "Then let's do this, Raven. We'll go slow. But you need to meet me halfway and relinquish some control. Not all. This isn't a power play. It's me giving you pleasure."

She shivered, wanting that more than anything. If what they just shared was an indicator for what he had in store, she'd agree to anything. Plus, he promised to go slow. With anyone else, there was no chance she'd even try. With him, possibilities opened. God, she just wanted to be normal.

Her throat closed, but she forced words past the tightness. "Okay."

His grin was slow-coming, but it hit full watt in no time. "Good. First order of business is your living arrangements. You need to temporarily move in here with me."