I’m not a man who begs, but if that’s what it takes, I will. I’ll do anything to make her see that there’s more to this attraction than lust. That there’s a real connection between us. One that I yearn to discover.

Slowly, she nods, and the air I’ve been keeping inside runs through my lips. Quickly, afraid that she’s going to change her mind, I grab her hand and pull her behind me. As the rain pelts down, we pick up speed and end up running to the stables, only slowing down a little as we come to the end and stop at the door up to my flat. With shaky hands, I open it and lock it behind us before we walk upstairs.

I reach out to turn on the light, but stop when Laura squeezes my hand.

“Please keep the lights off. Please?”

I frown, puzzled and unhappy at her request—I want to really see her when she’s in my arms—but I guess tomorrow is soon enough.

“Okay.”

I wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkness cloaking us in its warmth before I release her hand.

“Still with me?” I ask as I take off my jacket, my hands shaking as if this is my first time with a woman. I can’t fucking believe it.

With puffing breaths, she reaches down and pulls off her wellies, saying in not so many words what I long to hear. As she straightens up, she nods.

“Yes. I’m still here, God help me.”

It’s impossible to miss the tremble in her voice.

I toe off my shoes and step closer to her. My cock strains against my jeans, but I ignore my own need. It’s time to show her I can be what she needs instead.

“Good. Because I don’t think I can stop now that you’re finally here.

* * *

I gasp at the exposed desire in Kristian’s voice as he stands in front of me. His wet hair is pulled back from his face, making him look even more lickable than usual.

“What is it about you that I can’t walk away from?” I whisper. A shiver runs through me as he takes another step towards me and frames my face in his hands. His touch is so gentle, so reverent, and it makes me feel as if I’m already precious to him.

“I don’t know. I just know that I’m glad you can’t.”

My breath hitches at the pressure of his thumb against my lips. I feel safe in the darkness—but also safe in his arms—as he teases me. I open my mouth and nip it softly, unable to suppress a satisfied smile when I hear his low groan.

“Are you getting a bit brave, sweetheart?” he asks, and I nod, because it’s true. I don’t know where this confidence is coming from, but I’m holding on to it for dear life.

If I don’t, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from bolting.

“I haven’t been with a man in two years,” I blurt out, then immediately cover my face. Embarrassment washes through me as I mumble, “Oh, gosh, I can’t believe I just said that.”

I feel Kristian’s hands wrap around my wrists and he chuckles as he gently pulls them away, my embarrassment on full display.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” he rumbles.

I glance at him as I feel the blush creeping up my neck.

“In fact,” he continues as he releases my hands, “I like that. It’s good for my ego.”

The last thing I expected was to giggle like a silly school girl, but that’s exactly what I do.

“In that case, I’m glad to be of assistance.”

My laughter dies down as he begins to unbutton my cardigan, and my breathing picks up again. Tingles break out on my skin as his knuckles brush the swell of my breasts, and my nipples harden.

“Please go slow,” I whisper.

He stops and bends his head, running his nose against mine. The tenderness in the gesture makes my heart squeeze. I didn’t expect to see such a caring side to him.

I didn’t think he even had that hiding away underneath all his male confidence.

“I promise I’ll go as slow or as fast as you want to,” he whispers and places a soft kiss on the sensitive skin underneath my ear. I arch my back and hum, purring like a cat. Oh, gosh, this man…his words alone take me to the edge. Desire coils in my tummy, and I lock my knees in place so I don’t melt into a puddle on the floor.

His vow rings true. I know he won’t hurt me, and yet, I’m scared.

“Don’t be scared of me,” he whispers as he drags the wet cardigan over my shoulders.

“I didn’t say I was,” I hedge.

“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face—your body trembles, your breathing is erratic—so it’s not hard to miss. Please trust me when I tell you that I’ll never hurt you.”

The cardigan falls to the floor with a soft plop, and anticipation courses through me.

“Just so we’re clear,” he starts, before he grips the hem of his shirt and pulls it over his head, “I’m done with the friend zone thing, Laura. That ends tonight.”

I nod, spellbound, my fingers itching to touch his toned body.

His eyes flash with hunger and when he bends and hoists me up in his arms, I let out a muffled shriek of surprise and take a firm grip on his shoulders. In three, quick strides, we’re at his bed, and as he places me down to lie on my back, all my reservations vaporise into the thin air. I wet my lips, moaning like a wanton creature as he lies down on top of me, eager to feel the hard planes of his chest against my softness. I glide my hands up his chest and a sigh escapes my lips when my fingers touch something metallic on his left nipple.

The soft groan that falls from his lips as I tug at it sends my head spinning.

“So that’s one of the piercings you mentioned,” I whisper as he leans down, his arms resting on either side of my head.

“Hush.”

Achingly slowly, he takes my mouth, teasing my lips open. Eager to feel his full weight on me, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. I widen my legs as he settles, pleased to finally feel him against my aching core. His hips press me down into the mattress, and I sigh into his mouth and bend my knees. Pushing into him, I revel in the low throbbing, enjoying the friction of his jeans on my overheated pussy.

I have to come up for air. As if he feels the same, his lips leave mine, only to trail down my neck. I turn my head, giving him more room, and sigh in pleasure at his warm lips. I close my eyes and focus entirely on his touch—his whispered words—and as his hand closes around my right breast on top of my nightgown, squeezing it gently, my breath hitches.

“You like it?”

His voice has grown so deep I think I could come from the mere sound of him talking.

“Mmm-hmm,” I sigh.

“I want to worship you all night,” he continues as he places small, open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone. I can’t keep the moan from my lips, but I don’t care anymore.

“I want you to feel things you’ve never felt before,” he continues. When his thumb and index finger pinch my nipple lightly, I jump, and I try, in vain, to grab on to something as the exquisite pain shoots down my body and settles heavily between my legs.

“I think I already am,” I sigh.

“Look at me.”

At the sound of his soft command, my eyes flutter open and I try to adjust to the darkness around us again. Maybe keeping the light turned off wasn’t the best idea, after all.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“Take off your nightgown,” he asks. “Let me see you.”

I lose his weight as he stands up, and I sit up on my knees. I can feel his eyes burning every inch of my body as I do as he says. I push some loose strands of hair away from my face once my nightgown is off, and I watch in silence as Kristian’s belt clangs. The moon shining through the small windows lights up the bed, and I feel a little more exposed as I sit here, holding up my nightgown to cover my breasts.

“Where’s your confidence disappeared to?” Kristian asks. He takes off his jeans and boxers in one swift move, and I swallow as I see his cock, fully erect before me.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. My eyes shoot up to my hairline as I discover the piercing, and a thrill courses through me when I take in what it means.

He looks magnificent. Utterly magnificent. Toned muscles, lean arms, all his tattoos…like a living, breathing work of art.

As Kristian comes closer, I try to mask my panting breaths by clearing my throat.

“That thing must have hurt,” I mumble nervously, my eyes flickering over his defined abs, and honing in on the cock piercing.

“It did,” he says calmly as he climbs on top of the bed and mirrors my position by kneeling in front of me, and I marvel at his confidence. He seems so at ease in his own skin—not like me. He still feels so much bigger than me, but I actually like that about him.

“Hmm,” I pretend to muse as my fingers flex against the fabric still covering my naked breasts. “Why did you get it done?”

“Because.”

I frown at the non-answer and finally look straight into his eyes. The amused smile grazing his lips confuses me.

“That’s not an answer,” I grumble.

“I know. And if you still want the full story tomorrow, I’ll be happy to tell you. But right now, I need to know if you’re still with me?”

I inhale deeply, trying, and failing, to unclench my fingers. I truly want this. I want to relax enough to simply let go, but it’s not easy. The only saving grace is that it’s still so dark, despite the moonlight, that he won’t be able to see all my scars.

Let go, Laura, a soft whisper—so faint I might have imagined it—sounds around us. Just let go.

I square my shoulders and sit up straighter, trying to be brave. Quickly, I drop my nightgown and I shuffle closer when Kristian’s eyes grow heated again. Slowly, I raise my arms and wrap them around his neck.

“Touch me,” I whisper and brush my mouth over his. “Please make me feel alive again. Turn my body into flames with your touch.”

He groans as I bite his lower lip and I smile against his mouth when I feel his hands on my hips, digging into my soft flesh. I tease the ends of his hair with my fingertips as he deepens our kiss—gosh, his tongue is sinful. His arms close around my waist, and as he pulls me closer, I sigh with pleasure. My nipples grow harder against his smooth chest, and the throbbing in my pussy flares up with need. The soft moan in his voice as he leans back, shuffling until I sit firmly on his lap, sends a mad cacophony of fluttering through my belly. As I straddle him, I shudder as his cock—his piercing—teases my clit achingly slowly. He never ceases kissing me so reverently that it makes me forget the entire world around us. It’s as if he really doesn’t want to rush anything. As if he spoke the truth when he said he would go as slow or as fast as I want him to.

He does what I asked.

He makes my body erupt in white-hot flames.

I moan as one of his hands glides down to rest on my arse, squeezing it. Possessing me. Claiming me. A sense of urgency hits me as his cock continues to rub my clit, and warmth settles in my core. I want to move, but at the same time, I want this to last forever.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Kristian whispers against my lips. His breathing is heavy, warm, and comforting. “I need to touch you.”

I shiver as his hand leaves my arse and trails its way up my hips, down my inner thigh, and stops at the strip of hair near my entrance.

“Please,” I beg on a broken whisper, unable to take it slow any longer.

Still holding me firmly in his arm—as if he has super strength—he tightens his hold on me.

“Open your eyes,” he groans as his thumb rubs my clit.

Immediately, my eyes fly open, and when I stare down at him, he curses under his breath.

“Like it, sweetheart? Want more?”

I nod as I wet my lips, unable to speak. I’m captured by his eyes, watching him as he watches me, while his thumb on my clit grows more impatient.

Biting my lip, I roll my hips against his hand, revelling in the power I seem to have over him at this very moment. He doesn’t hide from me, keeping our gazes locked, and it is the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced with a man.

We’re both exposed—vulnerable—completely open.

It scares me to death, but it also thrills me.

“I need a taste,” Kristian growls, the sound wreaking havoc with my insides. He doesn’t wait for me to respond. His fingers leave my wetness, and in a long, deep, wet kiss, he pushes me gently down on my back again, covering me with his body.

This is a new kind of kiss—it’s raw, urgent, hungry. My tongue meets his and I try to tell him how ready I am for him with my kiss. That I’m utterly consumed, a willing participant to his needs.

“I’m going to devour you whole,” he murmurs as he wrenches his mouth free. “Finding out what you like has been on my mind for so long,” he continues as he places one kiss after the other down my body. When he sucks my nipple inside his warm mouth, I gasp in pleasure. I writhe on the bed as he takes an awfully long time playing with first one nipple, then the other.

“Oh, God, I can’t…I need...Kristian!” I shout as he bites me lightly, and warmth shoots down my spine.

“What, Laura? What do you need?”

The playfulness in his voice is maddening—it’s torturous on my overheated skin. He takes a firm grip on my hips, groaning low and hard as his cock circles my clit again. I mewl at his relentless teasing.

“Tell me,” he demands, before his mouth starts to wander down my torso over my soft belly. I tense for a moment as his tongue trails my belly button, but relax when he hums, satisfied with my body’s response.

“I want your mouth on my pussy,” I moan.

I force my eyes open when he chuckles darkly. The gleam in his eyes makes me feel more desired than I ever have before.

“Fucking yes,” he whispers before he settles between my legs, lying down on his stomach. His eyes never waver, holding me captive, as he pushes my legs wider before placing them on his shoulders. The way he licks his lips as he breathes me in—smelling my arousal—makes me whimper. I’m desperate.

Still watching me, he lowers his head, and I pant, waiting to feel his tongue. When he flicks it over my clit, his piercing egging me on, I’m done for.

“More,” I beg as I grip on to the sheets on his bed. I need to hold on to something. If I don’t, it feels as if I’m falling down, deeper, and I have no safety net.

He breathes deeply and then does as he promised me—he devours me, body and soul. His tongue flat, he takes his time pleasuring me, and when he pushes it deep inside me, I tense all over. Tingles shoot down my spine and I can’t hold back anymore. I grind my pussy against his face. He picks up the pace, growling against my heated flesh, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold off coming.

“More, more, more,” I chant.

When I feel his fingers inside me, his tongue flicking furiously against my clit, I cry out his name as I come. Riding his fingers, I moan as I try to draw out the pleasure for as long as I can, and I close my eyes, clamping my thighs around his head. Slowly, he withdraws his fingers as he wipes his lips on my inner thigh. I smile, sated, relishing in the afterglow of my orgasm, but the touch of his hands as he runs them up my ribcage makes it absolutely clear that I won’t fall asleep. It burns while it also soothes me.

“Fucking beautiful,” he repeats on a long huff.

For once, I feel like I am. That this man—this gorgeous, mysterious, caring man—actually doesn’t see my scars. That he isn’t repelled by them.

I hear a drawer open and shut, and the muffled crinkling of something else, before I open my eyes. The moon still lights up the bed, and I have to catch my breath when I look straight up into Kristian’s eyes as he kneels between my legs. The desire in his gaze scorches me, and I break out in goose bumps at the determination I also find there. In quick, practiced moves, he hurries to roll on the condom, and I lick my lips at the sight of the sweat glistening on his chest.

“I’ll go slow,” he whispers as he takes a firm hold on my hips, lifting me up until his cock is at my entrance.

“Maybe I don’t want slow anymore,” I whisper back. I don’t recognise my voice—the broken hoarseness and the unveiled need, don’t sound like me.

He bites his lips as he closes his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything. He eases inside of me—fuck, he’s big—and I breathe deeply as he fills me, inch by inch, staggeringly slowly. When he’s pushed to the hilt, I clench around him. That earns me a soft curse as he opens his eyes.

“You’re so tight, fuck…,” he rasps as he starts to move. “I want to stay inside you forever, fuck!” Again, I grip the sheets as I push against him, silently urging him to move faster.

“Beautiful. Perfect.”

His words, and the way he feels inside me make me shiver, and wetness rushes through my core at the sight of him on top of me. As if unable to keep himself in check anymore, he picks up the pace, and I moan with pleasure as the piercing in his cock hits my sweet spot. I gasp as he changes the angle a bit, his thrusts more persistent now.

“Touch your breasts. Let me watch you,” he growls, and again, I do as he says. Pinching my nipples, I meet his cock, and when he mutters something I can’t make out, the building storm inside of me intensifies until I see stars.

“I want to devour you, body and soul,” he grinds through his teeth, sending more wetness through my core. Holding his feral gaze, I whimper as I feel the orgasm tear through me, even more intense than the first one. I’m falling and flying at the same time, but it doesn’t scare me. I’m consumed with lust.

“Soar for me, sweetheart!” he shouts, his cock pumping inside me one…two…three times before he groans, long and hard, as he comes. Panting, I wrap my arms around his neck when he leans down to take my lips in a wild, sweet, deep kiss. I can’t get close enough to him.

“Perfect,” he whispers against my lips, still inside me, his body trembling hard. He settles his head on my chest, and I breathe deeply as I adjust to his weight. We don’t speak as our hands leave soft caresses on every part of each other’s bodies we can reach. We simply hold on to each other, letting our heartbeats settle down. I want to lie with him like this forever. Slowly, though, he places a soft, featherlike kiss on my collarbone and he pulls out of me.

“I’ll be right back,” he whispers, his eyes hooded.

My heart skips a beat at the gorgeousness before me.

In silence, I watch as he leaves the bed and moves to the bathroom to our right. The warm afterglow leaves me, and as soon as the cold trickles into my body, I start thinking again. A panicky feeling settles in my head as I cover my face with my hands.

Crap. What have I done?