Split(88)

“So much.” I need more. “I love it when you touch me.”

His eyes flare and he steps back enough that cool air slides between us. “Lie down.”

Without breaking eye contact, we kneel together; then Lucas pulls off his sweatshirt and spreads it out behind me. He nods and I drop back on my elbows, only to have him follow as his body chases mine. Lowering me down to the ground, my head hits the cradle of his palm. Our mouths mold together at a leisurely pace that scrambles my head and ignites my blood.

The skin on my belly is painted in goose bumps as he drags his fingers up my ribs to my breast. He pulls back and gazes up and down the length of my body, watching me writhe under his attention. The sweet torture of his barely-there touch and his open appreciation for my reaction is a heady combination.

Slowly his eyes make their way back to mine and he tilts to deliver a soft kiss against my lips that sends lightning down my belly. “You’re so pretty. I can’t believe you’re letting me touch you.”

“I want more, Lucas.” I arch my back, searching for the friction of my jeans, something to cool the heat between my legs.

He slides his leg over my thighs, stilling me, and stares. Oh, if his gaze were a touch, I’d explode from the sensation. Those burning gray eyes, full kiss-swollen lips, and his apprehension works like an aphrodisiac. The solid length of his hard-on digs into my hip and I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.

“I’ve never done this before.” His eyes search mine. “Show me what you like.”

I nod and slide my hand down to pop the button of my jeans. He watches and his hand quakes against my breast. He lets me lift my hips just enough to slide down the denim and silk panties.

“Oh—” He bites his lip as he stares openly between my legs.

“Give me your hand.”

He rips his gaze from my body and meets me with wide eyes before pulling his hand from my shirt. He doesn’t break eye contact as I bring him, so warm in my grip, to where I need him most.

His eyebrows drop low as I cup his hand to me, allowing him to get used to the feeling of my body.

“Okay?” I whisper.

“Yes,” he whispers.

His hand centered, I press his middle finger deeper and drag his hand up and down. His lips part and his expression morphs from nervous to awestruck. After a few passes, he bends his fingers, delving between my legs. I gasp at the sensation, and he flexes into my hip.

“I want that, Lucas.”

He groans and drops his forehead to my chest while I continue to teach him how to pleasure me. My heart pounds behind my ribs, my insides throb to be filled, and Lucas is a barely contained animal at my side.

“What else? Show me more.” His voice is like warm molasses, dripping with promise.

I pull up my sweater to expose the breast he had his hand on and arch my back, offering it to him. His eyes slide to mine and he dips his head and sucks my nipple into his mouth.

I cry out. The hand guiding him between my legs loses purchase and I grip the earth at my side. Thankfully he continues to explore and seconds later sinks one long finger deep into my body. The silken moisture of his tongue circles my breast in delicious ways as he learns how everything he does affects me. I’m on the edge, barely held together. My legs strain to fall open but are imprisoned by my jeans. Greedy, I roll my hips with every thrust of his fingers, reaching to fall over the edge. His teeth rake against my nipple and I’m gone.

Stars burst behind my eyes and my body convulses around him. He moans, a vibration so deep against my delicate skin it extends my orgasm in euphoric waves that endlessly crash over me. He doesn’t let up until I’m squirming and oversensitized.

Stunned, he pulls back, his eyes on mine before a brilliant smile curls his lips. “You really liked that.”

I giggle and nod, slightly embarrassed before I remember that with Lucas nothing is hidden between us. Every new experience we share is cherished.

His eyebrows pinch together and he frowns.

I cup his jaw. “What is it?”

“No Gage.”

My thumb absently runs along his lower lip. “Nope. No Gage.”

“Why?”

I shrug. “I think he’s finally come to trust me.”

Lucas grins, but I only catch a glimpse before he kisses me so deeply and reverentially it makes missing the grin worth it.

Besides, I plan on many opportunities to make him smile again.





LUCAS


I can’t believe she’s here, sprawled out before me and showing me how she likes to be touched.

By me.

Not Gage, but me.

I search my mind for him, seeking out the fog of black that hangs at the edges of consciousness, but there’s nothing. He gave me this moment with Shyann, and if what she said is true and he really does trust her, then . . . we can be together.

The thought sends a thrill down my spine and my chest expands with a joy I’ve never felt before. I sort through it, trying to figure out what it is and all I can come up with is hope.

Hope for a future. A normal life.

A town I can stay in for longer than a few months, surrounded by people who know about me and want me anyway. A job I can excel at, and . . . a girlfriend.

It’s almost too much to hope for. More than I deserve, but still . . . God, how I want that.

Shyann wiggles beneath my leg as she tries to pull her jeans back up.