Hidden Impact (Safeguard #1)(29)

The level of control it was requiring might kill him.

Letting them both up for air, he tried for words. Communication was good. Important. “I agreed to help you. Don’t do this if you think it’s some kind of payment.”

He didn’t want her lowering herself to that.

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “No. I just... I don’t want to think anymore. And every time you’re near, there’s you. Just you. And the questions go quiet and I want that. Please. I want to do this in the moment. With you.”

Couldn’t argue with his own words. Damn if he couldn’t remember a single reason for why this would be a bad idea. “Do you still want to go to the bedroom?”

To hell with simple. Especially after he’d been laid out with a bullet hole in his back, he was all about living.

She pressed her face into his chest, her breath hot through his T-shirt. He needed to get rid of it. The shirt. He wanted her lips on his skin as he moved inside her. When she placed her hands on his torso and fisted the fabric of his shirt in her hands, he groaned. She tugged, stepping back toward the bedroom, and the message was enough for him.

Bending his knees, he wrapped his arms around her thighs and straightened, hoisting her slight form up against him. When she squeaked, he laughed and a part of him came undone. This woman. Having her in his arms fit perfect and unlocked so much want. He couldn’t wait much longer.

In a few ground-eating strides he reached the bedroom, slowing and stooping carefully to make sure her head cleared the doorway. She clutched his shoulders and he took the opportunity to nuzzle her. Her fingers dug in and he took it as encouragement. The towel was coming loose and he couldn’t wait to taste his prize.

“Lights,” she gasped. “Turn out the lights.”

He wanted to see her, but paused and freed a hand to swipe at the switch on the wall anyway. The daylight behind the curtains gave him enough to see by and if she was more comfortable with the room lights out, he’d make it happen.

Her small hands framed his face and a few damp strands of hair fell around him as she leaned to fit her mouth against his.

“Thank you.” Her lips brushed over his with her whisper.

He buried his face in her chest and inhaled. She smelled of fresh soap and rosemary and mint. God, even her shampoo must be infused with herbs and he wanted to eat up every part of her. He planned on it.

When he laid her out on the bed, she gazed up at him with anticipation. Her hands were folded over her chest, clutching the towel. He eased back to give her time if she needed it, even though every part of him wanted to pounce on her. “You can say stop. Anytime. I won’t get mad.”

Tension flowed out of her and she smiled. Then her expression turned to mischief as she bit her lip and parted the towel, leaving herself exposed. His mouth watered. He was a freaking beast. But the sight of all her smooth skin, her perky breasts and flat belly, and oh sweet Jesus she was smooth down below.

He bent over her, reverently kissing her navel first. It was like a feast and he was about to partake. The only question was what to taste next. And for that, he waited as Maylin arched under his mouth and sighed. When her fingers ran through his hair, he moved higher and ran his own hand up her side to cover one breast. Placing kisses along the underside of her other breast, he reveled in the softness of her skin. Then he teased her already taut nipple with the tip of his tongue. She gasped and he chuckled. Absolute perfection.

Her curves just filled the palms of his hands and he paid attention to the way she reacted to every touch and lick. Her fingers tightened on his scalp as he started torturing her in the best of ways, enjoying her needy whimpers interspersed with gasps and sighs as he alternated suckling her breasts.

She clutched at his shoulders, pulling at the fabric of his T-shirt. “Off.”

Yes, ma’am.

Straightening, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it. Maylin sat up with him, her nimble fingers undoing his pants. He looked up at the ceiling and reached for control as she freed his cock. Gentle fingertips wandered over the length of him and he almost lost it right there.

That wouldn’t do. Her first.

He pressed her back down on the bed, pausing to give each of her breasts a fun squeeze and teasing suckle before kissing his way down her belly. Her hands fisted the sheets on either side of her as he coaxed her legs apart. Once he had her exposed, he blew a hot puff of air on her most delicate flesh. She twitched in response and he gripped her thighs just firm enough to hold her without hurting her. Listening, he waited for her to breathe once, twice, then he leaned forward and tasted her.

She cried out and he chuckled again, enjoying every minute. Taking his time, he explored every fold of her. Alternating between quick, darting touches with the tip of his tongue and long, lazy licks, he learned what drove her crazy. And when she seemed at the very edge, he pressed the tip of his finger into her entrance.

Tight. Her hips bucked and he covered her clit with his mouth and sucked as he carefully continued to tease her entrance with his finger.

“Gabe.” The sound of his name almost broke his control. “I can’t...can’t...”

Raising his head, he looked up the length of her beautiful body and pressed his finger further inside her. She writhed. Her head was tilted back, her mouth parted as she panted. He whispered against her skin, “You can, sweetheart. You absolutely can.”

Then he locked his mouth over her clit and sucked, pumping his finger inside her in time with his suction. Her hips lifted off the mattress, every muscle in her taut for a half second before she crested into orgasm. He kissed and licked her through it, using his finger inside her to stroke and lengthen the experience for her.