Chapter 7

Claimed

We get to his apartment in record time.

At least, I think it’s his apartment. He hasn’t told me. Actually, he hasn’t spoken much and neither have I. I’m too nervous to speak. I haven’t had sex in a while, after all, and I’ve only experienced it twice before. What if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up?

My excitement is stronger than my fear, though, and my heart races as I run across the lobby of the building with him, rushing toward the elevator.

The doors close and all heaven breaks loose.

He kisses me fiercely as he wraps his arms around me, pushing me against the wall as I lose my balance. Just like that, my nerves and fears disappear. I’m not afraid of being in an elevator; the amazing feel of his mouth on mine drowns every other sensation.

When the doors open again, we stumble out. Lips locked and arms around each other, we manage to get to his apartment. Somehow, he finds his keys and opens the door, closing it once we’re on the other side by pushing me against it, his hands on the hem of my sweater.

He pulls it over my head then kisses me again as he works on the buttons of my dress. I gasp as his hand brushes against my breast.

When he’s popped the last button, I slide off the sleeves, letting my dress droop to my waist. He’s unfastening my bra now, my breasts bouncing free, nipples growing stiff as they come in contact with the cool air.

I toss aside my bra and step out of my dress, pausing when I realize he’s staring at me through half-lidded eyes. Staring at my breasts, to be precise.

I make a half-hearted attempt to cover them with my arms but he grabs my wrist and pulls them away. His gaze lingers on my breasts for a few moments more before drifting down past the curve of my belly to the only piece of clothing I have left on.

That small piece of cotton that’s now soaking wet.

“Are you just going to stare at me all evening?”

He grins. “I’m just savoring my meal before I dig in.”

“Well, this meal will get cold if you keep it waiting too long.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure I can warm it right back up.”

He carries me to the bed in his strong arms, setting me down on it.

For a moment, his gaze holds mine then he descends on me like a bird of prey. He bites the lobe of my ear lightly then pecks my neck. I moan. He kisses the valley between my breasts then my breasts, first showering them with reverent kisses and then sucking on them, taking my pebbly nipples between his lips. I shudder.

He moves lower and just in anticipation of his wicked mouth, my sex tingles beneath the drenched cotton, weeping even more when he plants a kiss right on top of it. That’s all he does there, though, moving on to giving me tickling kisses along the insides of my thighs all the way to my ankles.

It’s good but it’s not enough.

“More,” I demand hoarsely.

“Are you sure?” he asks, tugging a pert nipple between his teeth.

I gasp. “Yes.”

Nathan pulls down my underwear, leaving me completely naked. Again, he stares and, for the first time, I become aware of the fact that maybe I should have shaved, something I’ve never done.

He doesn’t seem to mind, though, burying his head between my legs as he utters a single word.

“Mine.”

The next thing I know, his mouth is there, his tongue delivering caresses that make me tremble before it slips in.

Shit.

I throw my head back, burying my fingers in his soft brown hair.

His tongue slips in and out, exploring, stroking, tasting more and more of me. His fingers join in as well, rubbing my engorged clit.

Together, they deliver a well-orchestrated assault, driving me to the edge of madness and ecstasy. I grip the strands in my hand tighter, pulling, wanting more, wanting release.

When it comes, my whole body shatters into pieces, my mind blown away.

I lie still, breathless and eyes sealed shut.

When I open them again, Nathan is standing over me, peeling his clothes off.

Just like that, the haze fades. I sit up, staring at him.

It’s my turn to savor him.

And I do, my gaze burning into every inch of skin revealed.

His broad shoulders.

His sculpted chest.

The dips and curves of his chiseled stomach.

And the eight inches curving up from between his legs.

The thickest, longest and hardest erection I have ever seen.

Shit.

My eyes grow wide.

If only I had a camera right now to capture that perfect body, though something tells me I don’t need a camera to remember it.

It’s embedded in my memory.

Magnificent.

At the same time, though, I feel a pang of worry.

Can my body take it?

Nathan touches my cheek. “Shh. It will be fine. You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”

I want to tell him that I’ve never had anyone this big before. Not even close. There have only been a few, after all.

But I just nod. “Yes.”

“Just open up to me. You want me, don’t you, Sam?”

In answer, I reach out to him, placing one hand behind his neck and wrapping the fingers of the other around his cock.

It quivers, sending a ripple through me.

“Sam, if you do that—”

He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t have to. I know what he’s trying to say.

Reluctantly, I let my captive go, gripping his shoulders as he kisses me.

While his mouth keeps mine busy, his finger slips inside me.

I squeeze it, wanting it deeper.

He pushes in.

I gasp.

He pulls away, grinning. “Now, I’ve got you wrapped around my finger.”

I can’t bring myself to laugh at the pun, my mind turning to mush along with my body.

He slips another finger in, and I lose all control.

I fist the sheets, writhing in delight as his fingers — those wicked fingers — plunge in and out of my core, making me wetter.

Hotter.

“Nathan.” His name escapes my lips as a hoarse whisper.

Like a command, it spurs him into action. His fingers leave me, reaching for the rubber on the nightstand and hastily rolling it on before biting into my thighs.

He lifts them, the tip of his cock nudging the hole he has prepared.

“Let me in, Sam.”

And he pushes in slowly.

I gasp. I cry. I cling to him.

He begins to move. Even through the rubber barrier, I can feel his heat and his thrusts.

My heart races.

The pleasure climbs.

“Shit.”

The curse is the only word I can manage, my mind growing blank as he moves faster.

Deeper.

Harder.

I come, my lips parting to let out a silent scream, my nails and heels digging into his back as my body arches beneath his and trembles around him, shattering into even smaller fragments than before.

Vaguely, I feel him still moving but suddenly, he stops, burying himself deep inside me as he lets out a groan.

And just like that, the pieces of me that are being put back together scatter again, his orgasm causing me to have one more, like an earthquake causing another.

After, I lie still, gasping for air, waiting for my body to feel again, for my mind to start thinking again.

By then, Nathan already has his pants on. He has his back turned to me, and I frown as I see the scars from my nails on either side of his tattoo.

I summon enough energy to get out of bed so I can kiss them.

“Sorry,” I murmur.

“The squirrel has claws,” he says.

I run my fingers over the black ink. “What’s this?”

“Just a souvenir from my time in the Army.”

I blink. “You were in the Army?”

“Just for a year. My dad was in the Army, and I wanted to experience it for myself. But it’s not for me.”

“Where is he now?” I ask bravely.

Blame the courage on the afterglow.

“He died when I was still a teenager,” Nathan answers. “My mom’s gone now, too. She died before she could see me become successful.”

“I’m sorry to hear it.”

I suddenly remember my own parents. Will we ever be okay again?

“What’s wrong?” he asks, turning around.

“Nothing,” I lie. “Just tired.”

“Go to sleep.” The words sound more like an order than a request. “I still have some things to do.”

I want to ask him what, but I yawn instead.

Being tired isn’t a lie, after all. All the exhaustion from the arguing, crying and the sex are sinking in, and I suddenly feel exhausted.

I crawl back into bed, pulling the blanket up to my shoulders. “Good night.”

“Night.”