Savannah tried to move, tried to find her own footing, but her hands were tied to Tom’s chest, as though they belonged there. She couldn’t move, even if she wanted to. He was strong enough for the both of them, keeping them both anchored there in the water, holding her as if he would never let her go.
Tom held Savannah tight, his body ready for her almost at once. He’d been waiting for this, had been needing this, for days but now that it was finally happening, he wanted the world to slow down so that he could take in every single sensation. He knew his kisses were strong and intense, but Savannah wasn’t backing down or shying away. Instead, her tongue was tangling with his, her whole body trembling as she anchored herself to him. The feel of her naked body pushed up against his was making all sorts of explosions go on in his head, while his heart squeezed with some kind of happiness, a happiness he couldn’t quite explain.
Savannah felt her body begin to tighten like a coiled spring as Tom kissed her. His skin was smooth and soft, but Savannah could feel the rock hard muscles beneath, flexing tight as he held her. Finally able to move her hands, she ran them down over his chest, splaying one hand over his heart. She could feel it beating there, strong and fast. Breaking the kiss, Savannah looked deeply into Tom’s eyes, hearing her own quick breathing. Managing to find her feet, she stepped back a little, forcing him to pull his arm from her waist. Finding it with her free hand, she lifted his own hand to her chest, settling it over her heart. Together, they stood, listening and feeling their heartbeats slowly merge together as one.
“Savannah,” Tom whispered. “I want to tell you something.”
“Tell me anything,” she replied, softly. She wanted to know everything about him. All the things he kept hidden from everyone else, she wanted to know. He was the only one who made her feel this way, the only one who had made his way into her heart.
Tom swallowed, and Savannah felt his heartbeat quicken. “I – I think I’m starting to fall in love with you,” he said, slowly, as if he hadn’t quite come to terms with it himself. “I mean, I’m not sure if it’s love, but I know I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
She sighed, as tears flooded her eyes. Leaning forward, she rested her cheek against the hard plane of his chest, with her free hand curling up around his neck. "I feel the same way," she whispered. In so many ways, she and Tom were at the same place on this road they'd started together. Neither of them had loved before, and neither of them were quite sure what it was supposed to feel like. In that way, it took the fear away, knowing that he felt the same.
Breathing hard, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting the line of his strong jaw and the soft lips above it. Running her lips along the edge of his jaw, she heard him inhale sharply. “I know you want me, Tom,” she said, skimming her teeth down the side of his neck. “I can smell it from you.” It was true. The water didn’t quite manage to hide the rush of pheromones that came from him the moment they’d started kissing.
Tom growled low in his throat, his chest rattling under her hands. Her desire filled his lungs, making his whole body ache for her. The touch of her lips on his heated skin was making his bear begin to growl in earnest, wanting him to take her.
Forcing himself to go slowly, and to savor every moment with Savannah, Tom threw his head back and let Savannah nip and lick her way down his neck and shoulders. Her hands were moving down his chest until they dipped into the water. There was a cautiousness about her that made him almost frustrated in his desire for her to touch him, but he stood still and waited, hardly daring to breathe.
The moment her fingers brushed him, he couldn’t help the soft groan that came from deep in his throat. Savannah looked up at once, as if she wanted to check she was doing it right, but he couldn’t even form words. Instead, he closed his eyes and groaned again when she reached for him, finally growing a little bolder.
Savannah bit the edge of her lip as Tom groaned louder, her own desire beginning to rise up inside. She hadn’t been sure about what she was doing, but Tom seemed to like it. He’d tensed and relaxed, tensed and relaxed as she began to caress him, growing surer with each stroke.
Tom opened his eyes, and dragged one finger to her mouth, releasing it from her teeth and looking deeply into her eyes. His eyes were full of emotion, bright in the moonlight as they looked into hers. Savannah's breath caught in her chest at the emotion she saw there, her heart shattering into a million pieces. Her hand stilled.
“Savannah,” Tom whispered, dragging her close to him again. His mouth met hers again, but this time with a tender gentleness. His hands moved over her slowly, over her shoulders and down her back, as though he wanted to explore every last bit of her. He was taking his time and Savannah felt like some kind of treasured possession, something precious and valuable. She’d never felt like that before.
“Please,” she whispered, as Tom began to feather kisses along the side of her jaw. “Please, Tom.” She didn’t even know what it was she was asking for, just that she wanted more. More of Tom. More of him. All of him.
Without warning, Tom grabbed her hips, forcing her legs up and around. With two strides, he had Savannah pressed against the bank, his mouth in line with her breasts. Setting her back on the slightly submerged bank, he let her rest there, seeing the way she was completely open to him. Thinking that he'd never seen anything as beautiful as Savannah, he let his hands trail up over her hips until they cupped her breasts, one in each hand. His mouth was drawn to their soft, pink tips. When Savannah let out a soft moan, Tom couldn't have stopped for the world. His hands moved lower, touching and stroking. He wanted to memorize her every curve, wanted to remember what she tasted like, felt like, smelled like.
Savannah didn't have time to be embarrassed over the sounds that came from her mouth, as Tom's strong gentleness caressed her body. His hands, his lips, and his tongue roved over her, in a slow sweetness. When his fingers found her core, she couldn't help but arch her back, pressing herself against him as best she could. Her bottom was sitting on the small bank that was just under the water, while the rest of her sat exposed, but suddenly Savannah wanted him to see all of her.
Wrenching herself away, she pushed herself backward up onto the bank, glad that the soft grass only tickled at her skin. Water ran from her body, but she turned to face Tom without shame. She wanted him to see her, and for her to see him.
“What are you doing?”
“Come here,” she said, crooking a finger. “I want to see you.” He didn’t need any more encouragement. Pulling himself from the water in one smooth movement, he stayed an arm’s length away as she ran her eyes over him. He was tall and strong and lean, his body lit with moonlight. Soft butterflies began to beat in her stomach as his jaw pulled back in a slightly feral smile, his own gaze sweeping over her. Anticipation began to run high as she saw the desire written on his face. "I need you, Tom," she whispered, before moving to lie across the grass.
His body was on top of hers in a moment, a quiet snarl tugging from his throat. He was ready for her, and Savannah let out a long shuddering breath as he pressed into her folds. After the first thrust, he froze. He had to let her get used to him but if he kept moving, if he gave himself up to her tightness and heat, he would explode. Tom didn't want that. Not yet. Watching Savannah, he clenched his jaw, watching as her eyes closed tightly for a moment, waiting for her tense body to become used to him.
“You’re so beautiful, Savannah,” he muttered, his mouth pressing against the side of her throat. From the expression on her face, he could tell that she was slowly becoming used to the feeling of him inside her, and so he began to move slowly. She let out another long breath, the heat rushing down over his chest. Trying to stay gentle, he kept his body in check, one hand moving up to caress and shape her breasts while the other slammed into the ground beside her head, steadying himself.
Breathing hard, Savannah heard Tom whisper to her and found herself believing what he said. She felt beautiful when she was with him. She felt sure of herself, knowing exactly who she was. There was no fear with him, no battling for respect. There was only love.
The moment Tom began to move, Savannah arched her back in response. She couldn’t help it. He’d been waiting for her body to adjust to him, she could tell and now, he was still holding himself back.
“I’m ready,” she breathed, her eyes closing in ecstasy. “Don’t stop, Tom.”
“I can’t promise to be gentle, Savannah,” Tom bit out, his bear roaring inside him. It wanted him to take her hard and fast, to complete their joining. The bear wanted his mate to be satisfied. “I’ve been waiting for this for a while.” His mouth was back on her throat, nipping at her skin. His hands gripped her and a growl tore from his throat. Savannah could almost see his lust, rolling herself against him as his eyes darkened even more. Her hands ran around to tug at his buttocks, pulling him into her even deeper.
Tom’s hips were moving faster and faster, his hands gripping her harder with each stroke. His lip was pulled back, his teeth bared, as he sank into her again and again. He was waiting, waiting for her to reach the precipice before taking a step over.
“Tom,” Savannah panted, arching her back again. Her body coiled, tighter and tighter, her hands grabbing his neck and holding him still as her body finally pulsed around him. Her entire being exploded with sensations, sparks floating in her vision as she clung to him.
Gritting his teeth, Tom waited as Savannah found her release. As she slowly began to relax he thrust again, once, twice, before his hips jerked and he found his own. His eyes slammed closed and a roar left his lips as warmth shot out from him, his body finally releasing everything it had been holding onto.
“I love you, Savannah,” he said, his breath ragged as he held onto her. “I love you.”
His words covered her like a balm. “I love you too,” she whispered, pulling him down into her arms and holding him tightly. There was no more Northern Wind pack, no more Lucas. In their place was Tom and the new life he had offered her. He had her heart and she had his. There was nothing else she wanted.