Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(84)

But he tugged her across his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he deepened the kiss. His tongue stroked hers. She answered, opening her mouth for more. He delved deeper, want and need building until they blotted out the pain he’d been carrying for more than a week. All he wanted was Ellie. He wanted to steep himself in her until nothing else existed, and he wanted it badly enough to ignore the limits of their relationship. Just for now. One afternoon. That’s all he was asking.

He slipped a hand under her sweater to caress the smooth skin of her waist. Her soft groan spurred him to move higher until he cupped her breast through the cotton of her bra. Her fingers clenched in his T-shirt, and the scrape of her nails against his skin made his erection pound. His hips lifted off the bed, seeking her body. She sat up, peeled her sweater over her head, and tossed it on the floor.

“Are you sure?”

Instead of answering, she flicked the front closure of her bra and freed her breasts. Small and round, they were in perfect proportion to her slim body. Grant cupped one in the palm of his hand. His thumb flicked over the nipple. Ellie arched back, the pleasure on her face transforming her wholesome looks into an erotic dream.

Needing more direct contact, he levered his torso up on the bed and whipped off his shirt. He slid his jeans off his legs, reached into his pocket for his wallet, and took out a condom.

Ellie stood and stripped. When she rejoined him on the bed, he rolled until she was beneath him. Skin on skin, heat on heat. This was what his body demanded. Her hand slid down his abs until she stroked his erection. Anxious to get started, it pulsed in her palm.

He gripped her wrist. “Let’s slow this down a little.”

“Says the man who isn’t used to having kids around.” Ellie reached down and cupped his balls. His hips surged toward her. “Our time is limited. I can guarantee you’ll be summoned just when things are getting good.”

The truth in her statement rang in his heart. “Things are already pretty good, but indulge me, just for a few minutes.” He wanted, needed to savor her so he could remember these moments in the lonely hours when he returned to Afghanistan.

He slid down her body. The salty, sweet tang of her skin drove all thoughts save her from his mind. Moving down her belly, he licked and tasted. The pitch of her moans guided him to her sweet spot. Her body arced. Her hands reached for his head. A primitive and shameless groan made his erection throb. Her fingers tightened on his scalp. He wanted this moment to last for as long as possible, but she was right. Their time was limited.

With a heavy feeling that almost felt like regret, he opened the condom and sheathed himself. He moved up the bed. One hand slid between her legs, testing.

“Grant.” Ellie wrapped her legs around his waist. Her whisper was breathless and urgent in his ear. “Now. Please. I’m more than ready for you.”

He nudged inside her, intending to be gentle. But pleasure flooded him, and his body surged into her without input from his brain. She bowed backward.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why did you stop?” She arched, her heels digging into his ass, pulling him even deeper.

“I thought I’d hurt you.” He panted, his muscles shaking with the effort of holding still.

“Obviously not.” Her hips moved beneath him. “Now stop thinking. That’s an order.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled back and surged forward again. Her body tightened around him as if it couldn’t get enough.

Her eyes widened. Her pupils dilated. “Grant.” His name was a moan from her lips. “More.”

Levering his torso on his hands, he swung his hips forward. Her body bent backward. Her nails dug into his shoulders. His body, his need, took over, increasing the speed and urgency of his motions. She kept pace, her hips thrusting to meet him, their bodies locked into a natural rhythm.

Ellie’s limbs tensed. Her eyes closed, and a guttural sound emanated from her lips. She clamped around him, and he let go. Pleasure shot through his spine as he surged into her one final time. Ellie wrapped her body around him, riding out the pulsing wave of their joint pleasure.

Grant’s arms gave out, and he collapsed on top of her. She eased her legs from around his waist. He planted a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “Thank you.”

“I think I should be thanking you.” Her words were light, but her eyes were worried. “Next time you say you need room to maneuver, I’ll be more than happy to comply.”

Knowing there likely wouldn’t be a next time turned the moment bittersweet, but Grant refused to let go of this small happiness. She’d just given him a gift. Soul-cleansing freedom from the grief that had been strangling his heart for days. Ellie’s warm body was better than any therapy, but their afternoon was fleeting. As she’d said before, their time was limited. “I remember the first time I saw you.”

“The barbecue.”

“Yes. You were wearing a yellow sundress. Your legs were tan. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. If I hadn’t been shipping out . . .”

Ellie cupped his jaw. Her eyes were moist. She pulled his head down and kissed him tenderly on the lips. Grant’s heart swelled until it threatened to burst from his chest. It was too much, too fast, and the timing was all wrong. But he could be happy with nothing more than Ellie in his life.

“I’ll be right back.” He eased off her body and went into the bathroom. He’d dispose of the condom quickly and return to her bed. But when he walked back into the bedroom, ready to flop down on the mattress and enjoy her naked body, she was sitting up. His cell phone was in her hand.