Gia threw aside her knitting. Or attempted knitting was probably more accurate.

It was more complicated than it looked and she kept getting it wrong. Elijah had told her she needed to build up muscle memory, but she wasn’t particularly patient today. Nope, she was restless. And seeing Elijah bent over his leatherwork, hands deft and sure, was not helping.

She wanted those clever, work-roughened hands on her. Against her skin.

He could ease the ache that had been building in her since she’d arrived. And now they were alone, trapped in this house by the storm outside, it was about time she did something about it.

She stretched out on the bed. “What are you working on?” she asked.

Elijah’s gaze shifted from his leatherwork, to her face, to her legs, bared when her sweater had slid up, then back to her face. His eyes darkened, and a thrill of satisfaction ran through her.

“They’re for you,” he said simply, and Gia was immediately distracted from her mission.

“For me?” She sat up, eyes darting to the leather in his hands. From the way he held it, she couldn’t quite see what it was. She hadn’t paid any attention before.

“Yes,” he said. That bashful blush was back on his cheeks. Her heart flipped. This mattered to him.

Slowly, he held it out to her. Gia took it—no, them. Shoes. He’d made her boots. Beautifully made, even her inexperienced eye could tell the care he’d put into them. They were decorated, and hand sewn through holes he’d punched. The upper leather was so soft beneath her fingers, while the base was made with a much sturdier material Gia couldn’t identify.

“I know they’re not your style,” Elijah said, sounding nervous.

She tore her gaze away from the shoes to see him waiting anxiously for her reply.

“They’re beautiful,” she whispered.

His blush deepened even as he smiled. “More comfortable for when you’re outside in the garden, or making soap.” He cleared his throat and glanced away. “Better for the hike down the mountain, too.”

Gia’s breath caught in her throat at his words and her heart protested in denial. No, don’t send me away. I want to stay. Ask me to stay.

But he didn’t. Instead, he stood and moved into the kitchen. It was late, and the only light came from the fire beside her. Wind buffeted the cabin outside. But all she could see was Elijah’s strong back as he stared into the sink.

Did he want her to go? To stay?

Even if he did want her to leave him to his solitude, did that mean they couldn’t share something in the meantime?

She stood and placed the boots on the bed. “Thank you,” she told him. “It’s such a generous gift.”

He shrugged. “It was nothing. I…never mind.”

“You what?” she asked, placing a hand on his back. His muscles tightened beneath her touch. She could only see his profile, but even then, his tension and uncertainty were clear.

“I wanted to give you something to remember this place by.” His voice was low and rough, and Gia knew there was a hidden meaning to his words.

“Remember you?”

His eyes squeezed shut. “I know it’s ridiculous. You didn’t want to be here, and now you’re stranded out here with me. I know I’m strict about food and make soap out of lard and you’ll be relieved when you can go back to the city.”

“Elijah…”

He shook his head, silencing her. “I don’t know if you’ll remember me fondly, but I wanted to make you something nice.”

Gia’s heart expanded. “You know, Ray used to buy me all kinds of the most expensive gifts he could find. Shoes. Handbags. You name it.”

Elijah glanced at her. “I can’t compete with that,” he said.

“No, you misunderstand. None of those gifts mean even half as much as those boots.”

Elijah froze, then slowly turned towards her. “You mean that?”

“I do. I didn’t even like most of the things he got me. He didn’t think if I wanted or needed them, he just bought them because they cost a lot. But you made me something with your own two hands. Something I needed and wanted. That’s incredibly thoughtful.”

Was it more than a gift? Was he trying to tell her something with actions instead of words?

“You didn’t have to give me anything at all,” she murmured.

“I wanted to,” he said again, firmer this time.

He slid his hand along the bench until it stopped an inch from hers. Gia didn’t move away, just stared at the juxtaposition of his large hand beside her small one. Her breath caught in her throat, and she teetered on the precipice of something momentous.

Elijah closed the gap. Instead of taking her hand in his, as she expected, he curled his fingers and stroked the back of them lightly over her hand.

Time stilled. All her focus riveted on his soft touch. He’d never touched her this way before, so tender, and her heart swelled. She couldn’t remember anyone touching her like this.

His hesitant touch inched higher, his finger dipping under the sleeve of her sweater. Her whole body heated from the small touch. Slowly, he skimmed his hooked finger up her arm, dragging the rough sweater up with it.

“Elijah,” she murmured, her voice coming out needy and raw.

As if he was broken from a trance, he snatched his hand away and stepped back. Gia whimpered in protest.

“Sorry,” Elijah said.

“Why?”

“Because…” He paused, hesitating. “You want this? Me?”

Her heart broke at the confusion in his voice. “Yes.” She locked her hands around his wrists and pulled him closer. She directed his hands over her breasts until his palms pressed against her hard nipples through the wool of her sweater. “Can’t you tell?”

He shook his head. But when she released her grip on his wrists, he didn’t move his hands away. Tentatively, he cupped them through the fabric. A low rumble of pleasure came from him. Heat rocketed through her, as much from the sound as from his touch.

She stepped closer until the length of her body was pressed against him. His hard, thick erection pressed into her stomach and Gia’s core dampened at the thought of that length inside her.

Her skin tightened in anticipation of his touch, and she reveled in the heady intimacy of the moment.

But Elijah didn’t do any of the things she expected. He didn’t bend down to kiss her, or lift her up to him. He didn’t squeeze her breast, or place her on the counter, or move his hands lower. He simply stood there, frozen, staring down at her with wide eyes.

A thought struck her. “Elijah…have you done this before?”

He made a tortured noise and stepped away, shaking his head. His hands dropped to his sides.

“Never?”

He scoffed. “When would I have had the chance?” he gritted out bitterly, and Gia’s heart broke a little for him. “I was fifteen when I came out here. Some of my friends lost their virginities, but I was never good with girls, even then.”

His shoulders tensed, and his gaze focused on the wall as if he could see through it to the wild weather beyond.

“And no one since?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t see anyone up here, let alone beautiful women.” He slanted her a wry look. “Until you.”

“You think I’m beautiful?” she asked, voice small. Ray had called her that sometimes, but he’d never meant it. Not in a way that made her feel truly desired.

Elijah’s brows lowered. “Of course I do.”

Gia drew in a deep breath and came to a decision. “Then why did you stop touching me?”

His gaze instantly grew dark and hungry. “You want me to touch you?” His voice hadn’t been that low and gravelly since the first day they’d talked. Her core clenched at the sound.

“Everywhere,” she told him. “Please, touch me everywhere.”

 

 

It was like a dream.

Gia stood before him, asking—almost begging—him to touch her. He hesitated for a moment while he accepted this was reality. Then, he was still frozen as he decided where to start.

Maybe she knew he wouldn’t want to be rushed, since she didn’t come closer or touch him first, instead waiting for him to make his move.

Finally, his brain kicked into gear. It didn’t matter where he touched her as long as he did. His hands already felt empty without her in them. And now that he had permission to do all the things he’d been fantasizing about, he didn’t want to waste any time.

He moved closer, and took up where he’d left off, hands settling over hers. He slid them up over the coarse fabric of his sweater to land her shoulders. He paused there, thumbs brushing over the vulnerable pulse points at her neck while he gazed into her eyes. His own desire was echoed there, hot and sweet. It fed his own need for her, knowing she wanted this—wanted him—too.

He pressed his thumbs to her jaw, tilting her face up, cradling the back of her head with his fingers. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips and his cock hardened further. He’d never been so aroused and he’d barely touched her. But, then, his desire had always previously been an ephemeral thing, not directed at anyone or anything in particular. Now, with Gia before him seizing his attention, his arousal was as sharp as a knife’s edge.

He bent down and pressed his lips against hers.

Soft. For a long moment, that was the only impression he had. Then, other sensations crowded in. Her slight moan, her hands digging into his hips and dragging him closer, her familiar scent.

His erection throbbed where it pressed between them, desperate to be inside her. But he ignored it. He hadn’t touched her everywhere yet.

He started with the inside of her mouth. He used his thumbs on her jaw to open her to him, then darted his tongue inside. It met hers hungrily; testing, tasting. One of her hands left his hips to card through his hair, pulling him closer to her.

The kiss went on and on. Hot and wet and everything he could have dreamed of. Gia met him tongue for tongue, subtly directing him how she liked to be kissed.

Which Elijah found unbearably hot.

Soon, kissing her was no longer enough. He needed to explore the rest of her.

He backed her up against the counter without taking his lips from hers. Then, he gripped her hips and lifted her onto the bench. She pulled back and grinned at him, her eyes heavy-lidded with desire and her lips swollen from his kisses.

His heart lurched at the sight.

“I don’t think I’ve ever kissed a man with a beard before,” she told him, light and teasing.

“And how was it?” he asked, watching her carefully for an answer.

“I think I’d like to do it some more,” she said. She fisted his shirt and pulled him in for another kiss. She wrapped her legs around him, cradling him between her thighs. His cock rested against her core, and he couldn’t stop himself from thrusting gently against her. He groaned at the sensation.

She gasped, breaking the kiss. He did it again, but then had to stop. He didn’t want this to be over so soon.

He straightened. Then, holding her gaze, he reached back to circle his fingers around her ankles and unlocked her legs from around his waist. He stepped back until he was leg-distance away from her and rested her feet against his chest. Her eyes were sultry and heavy-lidded as she watched him.

“You’ve got pretty feet,” he murmured, glancing down at her dainty toes with chipped red polish on them.

“I need a pedicure,” she said with a slightly embarrassed huff.

“Only if you want one.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I admit to liking my pedicures,” she said, as he ran his hands over the top of her feet. “Maybe I could make some beauty products for that, like with the soap.” A spark of inspiration lit her eyes, which filled Elijah with a kind of anticipation and tenderness he couldn’t name.

But he was too distracted by the sight of her to understand the feelings, so he didn’t try. Instead, he ran his palms up her calves until he reached the back of her knees. She flinched then, slightly, and Elijah glanced up in bemusement.

“Ticklish,” she explained apologetically.

He smiled as if he’d discovered something secret and intimate about her. And maybe he had.

He traced his index fingers from the back of her knees to her kneecaps, and circled them, before palming her shins and running his hands back down to her ankles.

Her skin was a marvel. So much softer than his. He repeated his path a few more times, alternatively touching and avoiding Gia’s ticklish spots until she laughed at him.

“Meanie,” she teased. He grinned at her, unrepentant.

Other parts of her tempted him too much to ignore, so he abandoned her lower legs to palm her thighs. Her breath hitched in anticipation as he drew them higher, then squirmed as he came back down.

“Elijah,” she breathed. His name coming from her mouth in that breathy moan was almost enough to undo him then and there.

His need for her ratcheted up a few notches, but he wasn’t done yet. He stepped forward and Gia bent her knees. He placed his palm between her thighs and pushed them open, exposing her panties to his gaze. His mouth watered. He’d fantasized about her wearing those impractical scraps of fabric and now it was reality. Even more tempting than he’d imagined.

Maybe next time he’d explore all of her with his tongue instead of his hands.

He glided his palms up the inside of her thighs, then thumbed the edge of her panties. Gia’s head tilted back in anticipation, her breath quickening.

“Touch me,” she begged, and he couldn’t ignore the plea. He ran his thumb over her panties, pausing when she gasped. He did it again, focusing on the spot at the top that made her hips tilt towards him.

“More,” Gia groaned.

Elijah agreed, so he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties. She lifted herself up so he could pull them off and discard them. He didn’t even notice where they’d dropped, he was too focused on what he’d revealed.

Perfect, pink, and glistening.

Elijah lifted Gia to perch on the edge of the counter, then spread her wide to his gaze. He ran an experimental thumb over her and she moaned in delight.

His cock was so hard Elijah was afraid he’d come then and there without any friction at all, so he counted his vegetable rows in the hopes of making this last a little longer. When he was under a modicum of control, he ran a knuckle over her clit. Gia bucked in pleasure, so he did it again until she writhed.

He eased a thumb into her tight heat and his head swam at the image of him slipping his cock inside there.

Gia’s hands came up to play with her breasts through his sweater. That’s where he wanted to be, too, but he didn’t have enough hands. Later, he promised himself.

He pulled his damp thumb out from her channel. He ran it up her slit until he reached her clit again and circled the nub.

“Yes,” Gia whispered in encouragement. Elijah inserted the index finger of his other hand into her while still circling her clit. He pumped his finger, slightly, hesitantly mimicking what he did with his cock and hand when he was alone.

“Yes,” Gia hissed through gritted teeth, and pride swelled within him. “I’m close,” she told him.

He sped up his movements and Gia twisted against the bench, nearly dislodging his hand, but he held on steady. Christ, he wanted to be inside her, but he knew he’d never last. Her pleasure, first. Always.

Her back bowed and her channel clenched around his finger. She cried out, the sound arrowing to his cock. He didn’t stop, kept up his movements until she’d slumped back against the wall. Then, he retracted his finger and Gia gave him a lazily satisfied smile that made his heart kick.

“That was amazing,” she murmured.

“Yes,” he agreed. “But I’m not done.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm?”

“I haven’t touched all of you yet.”

Her eyes widened at his words and he grinned. He stepped into the cradle of Gia’s thighs and locked her ankles around his waist. His head spun as his cock encountered her wet heat through the fabric of his pants, but he ignored it.

He slid his hands up her thighs and kept going when he encountered her oversized sweater. He pushed it up as he went, revealing skin glistening with sweat. Her breasts were next, and Elijah couldn’t help bending down to give one a taste. Gia arched her back, pushing her nipple further into his mouth, so he sucked hard. Her core clenched against his dick and he grinned in pure male satisfaction at the sensation.

He squeezed her other breast, tugging lightly on her nipple and she squirmed against him, seeking friction. Her breasts must be incredibly sensitive. He’d have to remember that.

Gia flexed her hips, rubbing herself against him. He resisted the urge to fist himself and ease the ache building there. He stayed locked on Gia’s breasts, re-stoking her desire while she sought her pleasure against his cock. He was so hard he was afraid it would tear through his pants. He hadn’t even known it was possible to be so aroused, so desperate. His hands shook with the effort to keep himself under control, but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last.

But he wasn’t done.

He abandoned her breasts and she let out a mew of disappointment. He couldn’t think of that now. Instead, he tore her sweater over her head so she was completely bare to his gaze. She leaned back so her head rested again the wall, presenting herself to him. He paused for a moment, staring down at the creamy expanse of skin.

“So beautiful,” he murmured as he trailed a finger from her collarbone to her navel.

Her skin flushed at the compliment. Or maybe it was his touch. Elijah watched the play of color over her chest in fascination. He traced it with his finger, over her chest, collarbone, and throat. Gia followed the movements with hooded eyes until he cupped her face again.

Her eyes fluttered shut and he kissed her tenderly. “Thank you,” he whispered, beard and breath shifting over her skin.

“For what?” she asked, eyes wide.

“For everything,” he muttered. Then, his cheeks heated, so he ducked his head and focused on her beneath him.

“I want to see you,” she told him. His gaze snapped up to hers, and she stared boldly back at him.

He straightened, then whipped off his shirt and sweater in one movement. She eyed his chest hungrily for a long moment and licked her lips.

“Chopping wood is excellent exercise,” she said, running a finger over one of his pecs.

Elijah’s gut tightened at the sight of all that desire aimed straight at him. He’d imagined it, of course. On his lonely nights he’d picture a shadowy woman with him, but she was always unclear as if seen through mountain mist. He’d never even been able to imagine her expression.

Now Elijah had seen true desire on Gia’s face, he knew nothing else could ever compare. It was heady, and wonderful, and terrifying. What if he didn’t measure up? She’d had other lovers to compare him to. What if he didn’t please her?

But determination filled him. He’d do anything to bring her pleasure, no matter what it cost him or how long it took.

Nothing else would suffice.

“Pants, too,” she told him, but he shook his head.

“If they come off it’s all over.”

He skimmed his hands up her sides, then down her back. As he traced her spine, he pulled her up until she sat, pressed against his chest, skin to skin.

“I imagined this,” he told her.

“Me too,” she whispered, right before he kissed her again. She clutched his shoulders as their tongues tangled, desperate and fierce now.

Elijah had lost track of everywhere he’d touched her. Regardless, he knew it wasn’t enough. Would never be enough. He could touch every inch of her a thousand times over and it wouldn’t even be close.

He slipped his hand under her and squeezed her ass cheek before pulling her closer, grinding her against him.

She gasped and tightened her grip on him, her fingers almost painful as they dug into his skin. He reveled in the sensation.

“Please,” she begged.

He could no longer deny her. He unbuttoned his pants and let them fall to the ground. Gia glanced down and her eyes widened.

“Oh, yes,” she whispered.

And Elijah’s cock grew impossibly harder.

“I can’t wait any longer,” he told her apologetically. “I need to be in you.”

“Yes,” she said again.

It was all the invitation Elijah needed. He gripped her hips and thrust into her with one smooth stroke. Gia moaned, arching back. Elijah was too overcome to make even a single sound. Her, wrapped around him, was like nothing he’d ever felt before. Soft and hot and wet. Unlike his hand, which would forever be a disappointment after this moment.

His orgasm was already building at the base of his spine, so he squeezed his eyes shut and counted potatoes and carrots and tomatoes in a desperate attempt to stop himself from coming too quickly. He wanted to enjoy this for more than half a second.

When he’d wrenched himself under control, he opened his eyes to find Gia staring at him.

“You feel so good,” she told him.

And that undid all his good work and he was back on the brink of orgasm. “Don’t say things like that,” he gritted out and she simply laughed in delight.

Well, if he wouldn’t last, he’d at least pleasure her before he came. He tightened his grip on her hips and withdrew, and then slammed back into her. All traces of laughter left Gia’s face, replaced by desire.

He did it again, making sure to grind against her clit as he did so.

Jesus, she felt so good, so right.

Again, Elijah didn’t have enough hands, but she did. “Play with your breasts,” he ordered harshly, unable to phrase it as a request when his control slipped through his grasp.

She did so immediately, pulling and tugging at her nipples and plumping her breasts like a feast being presented for his eyes only.

He was so close.

He quickened his pace and moved his thumb over her clit, hoping it would be enough pleasure to send her over the edge, too.

For a long moment he didn’t think he’d make her come first as his orgasm barreled down on him like a charging bear. But then she cried out and her channel clamped around him and he was coming and coming and coming for an endless moment.

Gia twisted and moaned beneath him the entire time as she, too, found her release. He fell over her, careful to brace his elbows against the counter so he wouldn’t squash her with his weight. With the last of his energy, he planted a tender kiss against each of her closed eyelids, and then her mouth.

Then, he stayed there until they’d both caught their breath. He didn’t pull out of her until his cock softened. Even that was enough to stir his interest again, but his legs were too weak to hold himself up. He stumbled to lean back against the counter while Gia lay sprawled next to him.

“That was…” she started, and trailed off.

“Mind-blowing?” he suggested, since he felt like his head had just exploded and was slowly piecing itself back together.

“Yeah,” she breathed, and then gave a soft laugh.

Elijah couldn’t resist her laugh, so he stood and scooped her up into his arms. She squealed, laughing hard, but didn’t fight him, so he carried her over to the bed. The sensation of her naked skin pressed against his made his cock stir all over again.

This time, when he put her on his bed, he got to lie beside her and pull her into his arms.

And he didn’t think he’d ever want her to be anywhere else.