But it was okay. Would have to be. Because she still had hours before the sun came up and she intended to enjoy every second to the fullest.
She turned her head to the side and relished the large, hard hands that rubbed the soreness from her shoulders and back in a delicious massage. A moan spilled from her lips, and she melted into the mattress. He muttered something dirty as he moved lower, kneading her breasts, down her ribs and to the flare of her hips. With each slow decline, she grew wetter, her pussy throbbing for contact. She wiggled a bit to put pressure on her clit, but he surprised her with a slap on her ass.
"Hey!"
"Don't think I know what you're trying to do. I refuse to let you climax without my help."
"Fine. Keep it moving, then."
A sharp nip on her spine, and a long slide of tongue ending at the curve of her rear shut her up real quick. She was trapped in a sensual spell, both misty and sharp, until nothing mattered except his voice and touch and commands. She'd never had that with any of her previous partners. She'd enjoyed sex, loved David enough to give herself over until he began to hurt her more with every sexual encounter. But with Wolfe? She was completely possessed by him. A twinge of fear shot through her. She had an instinct that if she spent more intimate time with him, he'd end up owning her completely.
The rest of her thoughts scattered as his fingers traced the outline of her tat, gently stroking the sensitive skin. "So beautiful." She imagined the scarlet rose petals, the curve of the stem stopping right above her buttocks, and the drops of blood dripping down each wickedly sharp thorn. "Blood. No baby's breath." He paused but his fingers never stopped caressing her. "Why?"
"Pain with pleasure. Hurt with love. Betrayal with trust. I'm learning it's not about one thing but a mix. And I never want to forget it again."
She heard his sharply indrawn breath, but his fingers remained so gentle on her skin. "I wish you never had to know that," he murmured.
Gen gripped the pillowcase and spoke fiercely. "I'm glad I know. Don't wish for me to be sheltered or protected from things that are real. I'm strong enough to face them, survive, thrive. Just like you."
This time, he dug into her skin, but she relished the brief pain, even arching into him. "What am I going to do with you?" he whispered. "I've known you for years, yet tonight I feel like I'm meeting you for the first time. It's too much. It's too--"
"I know." The hunger hit hard again and she was helpless to fight. Hell, she didn't even want to. Her body shook with a crazed need. "It's too fierce, too good, but I don't care. I want to burn in it for a little while. Take me again, Wolfe." Her voice broke. "I can't seem to stop the wanting."
He bit her hard, and she relished the pain, crying out in sheer pleasure. Wanting his mark on her, she pushed back in for more, and his rough hands grabbed her ass, kneading, stroking, pleasuring, slipping between her legs to gather the wetness there and spread it over her clit. He worked his fingers in and out while his tongue stabbed inside, and she rubbed her nipples against the covers and wept for him, modesty and shame and civility long gone in the heat of the darkness of night.
He pulled her legs apart, dragged her upward so she braced herself on the bed, and took her hard. The scrape of his piercing massaged her clit, making her wild, and she grabbed the bedposts to have something to cling to as she built toward another earth-shattering orgasm. His cock pulsed, taking up every inch of her body until there was nothing left but him. Her muscles screamed in protest, her belly clenched, and his fingers took her higher, roughly, his cock working her and their wet bodies slapping against each other in carnal bliss until she came so hard tears streaked down her face. Light shimmered within and shoved her into a tunnel of such sharp pleasure it mingled with pain, providing a stimulation she never thought existed. Her muscles gave way and she fell back into the pillows, even as Wolfe held her hips, bruising, welcoming, and came inside her with a guttural moan that touched her soul and beyond.
She knew then it was too late. Had always been too late.
She was madly, irrevocably, soul-deep in love with her best friend.
"THIRSTY."
He chuckled and the bed moved. She tried to lift her head but it was stuck to the pillow in exhaustion. When she realized she'd miss him naked though, she managed to lift herself halfway with a grunt.
Oh yeah. Definitely worth the pain of moving. His ass should be bronzed. All tight muscle and a yummy line separating the lighter skin from his olive tan. His thighs bunched as he walked, disappearing briefly and returning with a large glass of water. The ice tinkled but her gaze locked on the heavy weight of his cock and the intriguing barbell piercing near the tip. Like before, she licked her lips and watched him grow hard, but this time she intended to take advantage.
"You're doing it again," he warned, handing her the glass.
She drank with greed, water running down her chin and onto her breasts. He leaned down and licked it off. "Doing what?" she gasped.
"Looking like you want to devour me." He sucked on her nipple and watched the tip elongate. Was it possible to die of orgasms? How could her body be ready again to take him? The scent of musk and arousal clung to the sheets and their skin, drifting in the air like a perfume. "Keep it up and I'll give you something to devour."
Oh, the dare was too much. She managed a scowl, flicking a stray curl out of her eyes and handing him the glass. He sipped, looking so confident and at ease with his sizzling sexuality Gen decided to make him pay. When he turned to put the glass down, she stopped him by grasping his wrist.
"Hold the glass, Wolfe."
He looked at her in surprise, then seemed to gauge her intent. Sucking in his breath, he watched as she climbed off the bed with careful motions and knelt on the floor in front of him. A heady power and need gripped her, making her so wet she wondered if she could orgasm right there just looking at him. Slowly, ever so slowly, she ran her hands up his calves, over his thighs, and cupped his hard cock.
He hissed, and his fingers clenched around the glass. "What are you doing?"
"If you're wondering, then I'm not doing my job." She leaned over and blew her hot breath over his erection. He jerked, every muscle straining with tension. His cock grew bigger, throbbing with demand in front of her. Her tongue slid over her lower lip as she learned each hard ridge and valley by touch. The crisp nest of hair, the hot skin, the gorgeous metal barbell piercing his flesh. As he grew, she stroked more boldly, flicking the ends of the metal until he jerked again and let out a groan. Oh yeah, that was sensitive.
"Not sure I can take it, sweetheart. Maybe you should come up here before I lose it."
"Maybe you've been a big bully and it's time to pay the piper." He went to reach for her, but she pulled back and wagged her finger. "Stay put. And don't spill any water. This may take a while."
"Gen--"
She opened her mouth, grasped his cock, and took him deep.
He tasted so good. Salty. Musky. Male. She didn't worry about doing it right, or using technique like she had with David. Her instincts to pleasure him, to explore every last inch of his gorgeous body and make him weep for her in pure need, drove her forward, her tongue flicking his piercing, her mouth sucking hard, while her hands fisted and stroked up and down the base, squeezing his balls lightly until her name broke from his lips in a litany of music. David had forced her to do things in the name of love she hadn't enjoyed. Tonight, with Wolfe, she needed him on such a basic level there were no barriers or rules or holding back.
"I'm going to--"
She sucked harder, dragging her tongue across the slit, and took him to the back of her throat.
He came, shuddering and cursing, and she swallowed every drop without thought. Her knees ached, her mouth was swollen, but her spirit soared so high and so fast even God couldn't catch her. Kissing him, caressing gently, she rose back up and took the glass back, resting it on the side table. His face was carved out in blissful lines, the gorgeous scruff of his beard bracketing full lips, th
e piercing sapphire heat of his eyes, the relaxed muscles of his cheeks and jaw.
His voice was a husky growl. "I didn't spill."
Gen laughed, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight. They held each other for a long while, caught in time, as the sun chased the dark and dawn grew close.
WOLFE RAN THE DAMP washcloth over her sweat-beaded brow, slowly cleaning her with gentle strokes. When he pressed the cloth between her legs, over her inner thighs, Gen whimpered in pleasure and relaxed her thighs. Open. Vulnerable. Loving.
His throat tightened, and suddenly his chest felt funny. Emotions surged in a rocking mess until he didn't know which were the safe ones to separate from the pack. He continued tending to her, looking at her various bruises and feeling like shit that he was glad he'd marked her.
At least, for a little while.
He'd need to deal with their actions in the morning. Talk. Decide what was best to salvage the most important relationship he'd ever had. And he would, but right now he wanted to enjoy being her lover, tend to her, care, fuck, bruise, own, until every inch of her skin was forever claimed as his.
Yeah, he was screwed up.
"Why a serpent?"
Her beautiful blue eyes probed his, asking for something he'd never given her before. An answer to the mysteries of his past. A glimmer of who he'd been and was. He couldn't deny her anything now, but he was surprised how easily he responded.
"It embodies everything I want to express," he said simply. He paused, trying to make sense and explain fighting through the horror to get to the other side. He'd never tell the whole truth. Couldn't, not even to her. But she deserved to hear more and understand why he was too broken to ever be involved in a healthy relationship. "The serpent is a symbol of light and dark. I was fighting for my sanity back then. I stumbled on an old library book someone had thrown in a Dumpster that detailed the history of snakes and various legends. Fascinating. Snakes shed their skin and become new. They're also full of deceit, marked by a forked tongue that mingles truth with lies. It represents fury such as poison and vengefulness when it strikes, never warning the victims beforehand." The past battled to breach the wall he'd carefully built, but most of his defenses held tight. He continued talking in an academic tone. "The serpent is also a symbol of guardianship. Even when threatened, it holds its ground and defends. When I found myself in the tattoo parlor, I didn't think twice. I wanted to remember every time I looked at my body."
She studied him in silence, both assessing and delving deeper than any woman before. Why did he suddenly crave to spill his guts? His belly clenched. No. Some secrets were meant to be buried in the ground forever.
As usual, she surprised him by both her acceptance of his speech and her question.
"What is it whispering to you?"
His hand rubbed the side of his neck where the forked tongue stopped, curling around his ear. The skin beneath his leather wristbands itched and burned. How did she know? Wolfe swallowed and kept his voice steady. "Live."
She never jerked back or reached for him. Her gaze flicked to his covered wrists as if she knew that was the key to his secrets but then she just nodded. That quiet understanding and acceptance of his one-word answer soothed him in a way nothing ever had. His body lit, and the hungry need to bury himself back in her sweetness shook him to the core. Without hesitation, she reached for him again, welcoming and opening her thighs.
He barely choked out the words. "No. You're too sore."
"Don't care." Her smile lit up her face with light and joy, transfixing him. "I feel alive when you're inside me."
Wolfe groaned, humbled by her generosity and ability to love so well. And because he was selfish, he took what she offered, fitting himself with a condom and pushing her slowly back into the mattress. Her wetness welcomed him as much as her arms wrapped around his neck, urging him on. With one slow slide he buried himself, shaking at the tightness and slick heat that gripped him mercilessly.
"Easy this time," he whispered. "Tell me if I'm hurting you."
Her hips bowed, and he began rocking himself in and out of her in tiny increments, easing himself into the ride. He pulled completely out to make sure the end of the barbell hit her clit, and she shuddered and groaned beneath him, surrendering.
Fierce possession streaked through him. There wasn't a part of her that didn't belong to him; every inch of her skin was marked by his tongue or teeth or hands, and his name broke on her lips like a prayer, a litany, a melody. He pushed her higher, climbing along, not wanting the moment to ever end. Memorizing every pant, drop of sweat, and cry, he angled his hips and hit her G-spot, diving so deep and slow they became one. Her fingers clenched and her body opened fully, allowing him to do anything. With a low growl, he bit her neck and surged forward one last time, feeling her break around him in spasms that shook him to the core.
His own orgasm threatened sanity, clutching every muscle with a pleasure that scorched, and as his seed spilled inside her, Wolfe knew it was already too late for him, and he'd never be the same man again.
Instead of crying, he buried his face in her hair and let go.
twenty-one
SHE HATED MORNINGS.
Genevieve rolled over and stared at the sun streaming through the windows. The scent of sex and man hit her hard, but the bed was empty. The impression of his head on the pillow and her sore body was the only evidence he'd left behind. She listened to the quiet. Probably snuck off at dawn when she was in a coma. Simpler that way. Time to recover, gain distance, and approach a rational conversation about a completely irrational, sex-driven night.
Crap.
Sadness hovered but she pushed it away. No. She'd promised herself not to mope over something he couldn't give. Last night had shown her the depths of the man she'd always loved as a friend. Not his fault she now loved him in all ways. He believed he wasn't enough for a full relationship, and she could take up the sacrifice and beat herself bloody by trying to convince him, but it wouldn't work. Not in the end. After all, she'd learned love was also a choice.
Wolfe didn't want to choose her. He was safer with his scars and his past buried, giving her a true friendship and everything he could possibly offer. But not his full heart. The quicker she understood the facts, accepted them, and tried to move on, the better.
But it wouldn't be easy.
She rolled out of bed, wincing at the use of muscles rarely worked, but a deep satisfaction and pride coursed through her. He'd shown her what it was like to be wanted on a bone-deep level, wanted so badly nothing else mattered. It was a priceless gift and she wouldn't forget it. She'd never accept anything less.
The shower felt like heaven, the hot spray loosening the tightness and washing away his scent. When she looked in the mirror, she gasped. Discolored marks on her neck. Bruises on her hips and thighs. Her nipples were sore, and every time she walked the spot between her legs ached. She'd been well used and loved. Damn, how cool.
Gen dressed in yoga pants and a white T-shirt, and twisted her hair up to dry naturally. Thank goodness it was Sunday. She'd recover, think, and lie low. She'd been hoping to meet with Izzy today, but didn't feel up to it now. Izzy had seemed to soften since her wedding disaster, but still kept her distance. No, she'd reschedule when she felt a bit stronger and ready to fight to get back a relationship with her twin. Right now, she was too damn tired.
Gen reached the kitchen and began setting up the coffeepot.
The door opened.
She twisted around in surprise and met his gaze. He held two paper bags and juggled a cup holder. Wearing faded Levi's and a black linen button-down, he looked fresh and comfortable. Only the lines around his eyes hinted at a lack of sleep. He hadn't shaved. Stubble hugged his lips and jaw, giving him that sexy morning-after look that made her body wake up and beg for more play. Rich chocolate curls fell in disarray over his brow.
Oh, this was bad. Real bad. Because now she knew how soft his lips were. The delicious bite of his strong, white
teeth. The intoxicating taste of his tongue against hers. A thousand memories of last night flashed before her, and her nipples tightened painfully while her thighs squeezed together in an effort to relieve the pressure.
He kicked the door closed. Dropped the bags onto the counter. Stared.
The same memories were in those piercing baby blues, growing darker with desire as he kept studying her, his gaze lingering on all the sensitive parts he had touched and bit and licked. She tried to talk, failed, and tried again.
"Thought you had left." She cleared her throat and forced out more words. "Thought you went home."
His brows lowered. "You think I'd just take off after the night we had?"
She swallowed and tried not to cling to the wild hope they could make this work. Whatever this was. "Didn't know."
He set the large coffee in front of her. "Now you do. I may be a jerk sometimes, but I'd never hurt you like that."
Gen stiffened her spine. "If you stayed just because you're afraid I'll freak out, don't worry. I'm fine. You can take off your armor."
His lips tipped in a smile. "You are always cranky before your coffee. Drink up." She glared but managed a few sips, closing her eyes in ecstasy at the first hit of caffeine. "I brought pastry, too. Apple turnover. Just out of the oven."
She slid onto the stool while he opened the bag, removed the wrapping, and put it on a plate. The sticky phyllo dough combined with fresh apples sent a sugar rush into her blood. "So good," she moaned. "Thanks."
She glanced up and froze.
His gaze devoured her alive, heavy with need and a hint of primitive maleness that made her want to strip off her clothes and tempt the beast. The image hit her hard. Knees spread, his mouth on her pussy, writhing and moaning her pleasure while he brought her to orgasm. The pastry dropped from her fingers.
He seemed to fight his decision to close the distance between them. Take her in his arms and kiss her. But then he turned away, and the spell was broken. Gen sipped more coffee, her appetite suddenly gone.
Screw this. She'd never been afraid to speak her mind with him before. Sex wasn't about to take away her honesty.