After Dark (Between the Veils Series, Book One) (9 page)

“As long as I’m
your
ass…”

She smiled, pressing her lips against his, giving in to the rush of need that spiked through her veins. Her stomach rolled as emotions took hold, dimming the world until only the feel of his mouth on hers remained. He didn’t rush her, seemingly content to taste and tease, nipping at her lips then plunging his tongue deep.

She moaned, wrapping her arms around him as he pulled her close, anchoring her to him. His hand landed in her hair, gathering it together as he dipped her head back, deepening the kiss. She moved with him, desire hot in her core. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had moved her the way Avery did. Hell, she wasn’t sure any man ever had. His scent, his touch, his taste. It was all she could do to keep the world from spinning when he finally eased back, resting his forehead on hers.

“Fuck, darling. I’ve never wanted anyone as desperately as I need you.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Now, wasn’t I ripping these off?”

Temperance held her breath as Avery reached for her top, fisting the hem as he lifted it over her stomach. Fear rattled through her, and she grabbed his hands, stopping him with her shirt poised just beneath her breasts.

Avery gave her a gentle smile as he brushed his thumb over her exposed skin. “Something on your mind?”

She swallowed thickly, hoping she didn’t sound crazy. “It’s just…” She sighed. “I’m not like the other women you’ve been with.”

“No, you’re not. You’re smart and daring, not to mention stunningly beautiful.” He narrowed his gaze. “I’ve never worried about being good enough…before you.”

His words soothed some of the rawness grating on her nerves, and she held his stare as she released his hands, praying she wouldn’t be the one who wasn’t good enough. Avery waited one agonizing heartbeat before lifting her shirt over her head and tossing it behind him on the floor. His expression never wavered as he moved his hands to her back, flicking open the clasp of her bra. The breath she’d been holding hissed through her teeth as he dragged the straps down her arms, baring her breasts as he added her bra to the growing pile of clothes.

A low growl escaped his lips as he studied her, the intensity in his gaze hardening her nipples into tight buds. She inhaled sharply, drawing another rasp from his throat.

“Damn, Temperance. You have the most beautiful breasts I’ve ever seen.”

He trailed his fingers along her ribcage, smiling when she giggled, before cupping her breasts in his hands. Her head fell back as he teased her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs, pinching them to the point of pain, but not past. Swirls of colored light filled the darkness as she squeezed her eyes shut, a throaty moan rumbling free.

“Simply exquisite, darling. Firm yet soft, the perfect size to fit in my hand. I love them.”

Temperance gasped when warm, wet lips engulfed her flesh, his tongue teasing her sensitive bud. Fire erupted low in her groin, spiraling outward, following the slow progression of his mouth as he suckled each breast in turn, laving her nipples until she heard herself begging for more.

Avery chuckled against her skin, planting a cherished kiss on each bud before drawing back, his eyes heavy lidded, his mouth curled into a sexy half smile. “Damn, I hope you’ll beg me as desperately when it’s your clit beneath my tongue.”

“God, Avery.”

“I’m not quite a god, darling, but I won’t argue the fact with you.” His hands fell to the waist of her jeans. “These have definitely got to go.”

Temperance watched his face as he flicked the button open and lowered the zipper, the harsh sound of the metal teeth parting making his smile widen. He tapped the side of her ass, urging her to lift her hips as he tugged the denim down, pulling it out from under her.

His groan of appreciation lit the air. “Fuck. I thought for sure you’d have panties.”

“I find them cumbersome.”

“And I applaud your decision.” He brushed his hands up her calves, stopping at the soft spot behind her knees. “Your skin is so bloody soft. I swear I might scratch it with only my tongue.” He settled his hands on the inside. “Open for me, Temperance. Let me see how truly beautiful you are.”

Temperance closed her eyes, not sure she wanted to see his reaction, but he tsked her.

“Oh, no. I want you to watch me, darling. I need this too badly for it to be only my pleasure.”

She forced her lids open, captivated by the sheer desire raging in his eyes. He looked more dangerous than the demon had.

“That’s better. Now show me what’s tickling my senses with the most alluring scent.”

She took a deep breath, allowing Avery to ease her thighs apart, baring her sex to his gaze. Just seeing his reaction—how his pupils dilated further or how his breathing hitched, then sped—made her feel sexy and powerful, and she tensed her groin, making her clit flutter.

His breath hissed through his teeth. “Dangerous. Teasing me like that won’t get you any closer to your release.” His gaze swung up to hers. “And you do want me to give you your release, don’t you?”

She arched one eyebrow. “As much as you want to give it to me. I’m not the only one who’s hungry, baby.” She nodded at his groin. “If your cock gets any harder, that zipper is going to break.”

“Touché. But I’m not the one soaking the sheet.”

“And I thought you said something about my clit beneath your tongue.”

“Yes, I did. I suggest you hold on to something. The ride’s about to get bumpy.”

Chapter Six

Avery stared at Temperance, her body flushed, her eyes barely open. She looked hot and sexy, and more beautiful than any woman he’d laid eyes on. He’d fully expected her to push him away…to need more proof of his sincerity. But she’d surprised him, offering a part of herself he knew she didn’t share lightly.

He watched as his words of warning sent a delightful flush across her chest and up her neck, coloring her skin a warm pink. She glanced around the bed, no doubt looking for something to clasp in her hands, before smiling at him and sinking her fingers through his hair.

He chuckled. He hadn’t meant for her to anchor herself to him, but he had to admit, he liked her way of thinking. Her small fingers scratched his scalp, the sensation pulling his balls tight and making his cock impossibly harder. Fuck, she was right. If he didn’t free it soon, he just might ruin his favorite pair of jeans.

Temperance hummed, relaxing against the headboard. “I could help you with that. Rid you of those painted-on jeans and give you some relief.” She licked her lips. “I bet you’ll taste like pure sin.”

He choked on his own saliva, her words accentuated by the images in her head—her lips wrapped around his shaft, her cheeks hollowed, as she took him deep to the back of her throat. He had no doubt she’d be every fantasy, and more.

Temperance shook her head, tugging on his hair slightly. “Are you inside my head again?”

He flashed her a wicked grin. “Guilty as charged, darling. But it’s not my fault. You’re practically screaming your thoughts at me.”

“Then you know I’m serious. I can wait, but you…” She sighed, the sound clearly stating her ability to control her reactions. She could wait, while he…he needed release.

“Can wait, as well. Trust me, you’ll get far more than you bargained for, but first…” He slid his hands along her inner thighs, teasing her mound with a brush of his finger through her slit. “If I wait any longer, you might come from your naughty thoughts, alone.”

Temperance pushed forward, no doubt to chastise him, when he slipped his finger inside her crease, drawing it along the length of her cleft. Her moan was nothing more than a husky whisper, but it peaked his cock just the same, making him wish he’d taken her up on her offer. But as he drew his hand back, holding her gaze as he licked her essence off his finger, he knew his pleasure was just beginning.

She tasted sweet and earthy, like wild strawberries, and he dipped his head forward, using his tongue this time. Honeyed spice creamed his tongue, and he couldn’t stop the moan in his chest from rumbling free.

The slight vibration arched her hips closer to him as she tugged on his hair, urging him to press harder, deeper. He shook his head, mumbling that he wouldn’t be rushed as he licked her again, careful to stay clear of the tightly knotted bud at the top.

“Avery. God, don’t make me beg you.”

He eased back, watching as his finger glided through her juices, disappearing into her sex. “I’m not asking you to beg, Temperance. I’m merely taking my time. I never thought I’d truly get you into my bed, so I’m not about to rush my good fortune.”

“You can have me as many times as you want, just please…”

Her words morphed into a throaty rasp as he plunged his finger inside her, pressing through her wet folds until his hand cupped her mound. He shifted his position, rubbing her clit with the heel of his palm.

“Harder. God, yes…”

He glanced up at her, loving how her head fell back, exposing the sleek line of her neck. He longed to mark her, leave some primitive show that she was his, branded by his love. Testament to any other man that he’d staked his claim, and had absolutely no intentions of letting go.

The thought should have scared him, but he was too lost in the soft press of her channel as he eased his finger out, circling the rim before sinking back in. She screamed this time, her voice shattering the sounds of his panting breath as her hips arched higher, her thighs spreading wider.

“God damn, darling. You’re so fucking beautiful when you’re desperate to come.” He peppered kisses along her thighs until he reached her mound again. “Scream my name, and I’ll let you climax.”

He thought she cursed him first, but as he pushed in two fingers, his tongue flicking across her clit, his name was the only word that resonated off the walls. He smiled, victoriously, and attacked her cleft, licking and sucking as he pumped her sex, feeling her walls quiver with her impending release. He didn’t stop, ignoring the nearly painful pull of his hair in her hands as her body tensed beneath him, her breath stalled in her chest. He gave her one last plunge of his fingers and she broke, shouting his name again as her cream coated his tongue. He lapped at her, humming in pleasure until she rolled her hips away, her thighs falling to the edge of the bed in completion.

He moved back, still keeping his body wedged between her legs, but enough he could see her face. A satisfied smile graced her pretty mouth, as her eyes drifted back open.

“I love the way you scream my name when you come.” He pushed to his feet, yanking his shirt over his head before practically tearing his pants off. “I want to hear you scream it again.”

She welcomed him into her embrace as he launched himself forward, taking them both to the bed. Her legs snugged around his hips, her ankles locking behind his back. He cursed, hissing out a hard breath as she tilted her pelvis, sinking his crown inside her.

“God, Temperance. You’re so fucking hot and wet. Now I know why that demon picked you. You’re even hotter than it is.”

She nipped at his ear, levering herself up, sinking another inch inside her. “I promise not to burn you, baby. Not as long as you don’t tease me.”

He chuckled, then sobered. “Damn. I forgot the fucking condom.”

She held him tight when he tried to push to his hands. “No, Avery, please.” Her voice wavered and she looked away, her mouth pulled into a tight line.

He furrowed his brow, drawing her face back to his with a single finger. “Temperance?”

She sighed, the gentle movement clenching her pussy around his cock. “I know you probably don’t make exceptions, but…I haven’t been with a man for over a year and never without protection. I’ve been on the pill since I was sixteen for medical reasons and I…”

Her gaze shifted again, as if she’d suddenly found something interesting about his chin. He tried to ignore the hot wash of juice along his cock as every movement sank him deeper inside her, focusing instead on how her eyes looked almost sad.

He kissed her nose, finally drawing her gaze back to his. “I’ve never had sex without protection, either. And it’s been several months for me.” He leaned in closer, brushing his lips over hers. “But this isn’t just sex, and there’s nothing I’d like more than to feel every inch of your skin against mine. If you trust me.”

Her smile made the room dim. “I trust you.”

“Then let’s make love.”

Tears pooled behind her blue eyes, but he knew she wasn’t sad. She leaned into him, claiming his mouth in a kiss that bound him to her as surely as the demon had marked her skin. He surrendered willingly, granting her access as he slowly thrust forward, taking her channel in a slow, steady tilt of his hips.

He released her mouth, tipping his head back as her warmth engulfed him, making his heart clench tighter in his chest. Her mouth descended on his neck, her teeth nipping the corded muscle in the way he longed to bite her. The pressure felt good, felt right, mirroring the snug grasp of her walls around his shaft, threatening to unhinge him with only a single stroke.

“God, Temperance. I’ve never felt anything as good as you.”

She bit his shoulder this time, her teeth scraping against his skin. “More, Avery. I need more of you.”