CHAPTER 26
N ikki’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to please Gaetan the way he’d pleasured her, showing him how much she cared, but he’d backed away, fear etched in the creases around his eyes. He stood at the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed.
“No,” he growled.
She slid off the bed and brushed her hands down his arms. “Gaetan, what is it?”
His leg. He doesn’t want me to see his leg.
The truth reflected in his gaze.
She clasped her hand around his and brought them to eye level. “Look at me, medicine man. I care about you.” She wanted to tell him she loved him, but she wasn’t sure he was ready to hear those words. By the remorseful shadow darkening his eyes, he still harbored needless guilt. Besides, she wasn’t sure he could kick his addiction, and long term, she couldn’t deal with that.
He shook his head, the furrow between his brows deepening. “I don’t deserve—”
She placed her finger over his lips, just as he’d done to her. “Shh… You care so much for others, let me do this for you.”
Pain reflected in the tension lines etched in his cheeks, but he didn’t look away.
She took that as a sign to proceed, so she tugged at his shirt, pulling the material free from his waistband. With a quick jerk, he drew the bit of clothing over his head and it landed next to hers with a soft swish.
She stroked his firm biceps, slowing for a moment to enjoy the strength under the taut skin. Over his shoulders and down his chest, she brushed her fingers until she reached his ribbed abs. She paused and teased the strip of hair that travelled from his navel beneath his waistband.
The muscles in his abdomen tightened beneath her touch. Pleased with his reaction, a thrilling shiver raced through her. She smiled at him then slipped her finger under his waistband. The sensitive nerves on her fingertip brushed against the tip of his erection.
He sucked in a quick breath and gripped her arms. “You tease me.”
She widened her grin. “Tit for tat, my medicine man.”
A brief flash of gold flickered in his eyes. “Be careful, my sweet Nicole…”
She pressed her hand beneath his waistband and slid her palm down his shaft. Oh, heavens, he was long, firm, and so, so smooth. She grasped him between her fingers and gave him a gentle but firm squeeze.
A growl, low and predatory, rushed from his lips, and his grip on her arms tightened.
Careful not to cause pain, she rubbed him, slow and steady, working him as best she could given the constraints. She wanted to get him frustrated enough to the point he’d take off his pants and let her see his damaged leg.
A tic started in his jaw. Hot, fast breaths eased from his lips.
She stroked him, squeezed him, teased him, and a wave of desire and need crested over her, sending a rush of wetness to the juncture between her legs. The musky scent of her arousal filled the air.
Gaetan’s nostril’s flared. “I can’t take this anymore.”
As he pulled away, panic flared in her gut. Had she gone too far in order to get him to reveal his injury? Would he reject her? Walk away from her and leave her stranded?
Gold flecks swirled in his beautiful aquamarine eyes, and his mouth drew into a thin line, determination tightening his features. He toed off his boots. As each hit the floor, the thump resounded throughout the room.
He gripped his waistband, unzipped his pants, and without breaking eye contact with her, let his slacks fall to the floor. With a quick flick of his foot, he tossed his trousers aside. Free from its confinement, his member jutted straight from him, proud and hard. His heavy, full balls hung below. Oh, holy hell, he was magnificent.
Her gaze swept downward, coming to rest at his misshapen leg. Twisted and gnarled, his knee bowed. Scar tissue marred the skin from mid-thigh to mid-calf. The sword had caused horrific damage.
She blinked back tears and raised her eyes to his.
His unflinching gaze bore into her. He raised his chin.
Her heart swelled even as it ached for him, for his loss, his guilt, his personal torment. He didn’t deserve any of it.
Silence filled the room and it took half a second for her to realize he held his breath.
She drew her attention to his eyes.
He studied her, and tension radiated in his taut features.
Hot tears threatened to spill over her lashes. “You are so beautiful.”
He swallowed and drew in a large breath.
“May I touch you?”
His shaft jerked at her words, as if eager for the attention.
Unable to help herself, she smiled. “I want to touch you there, too, but that’s not what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” His voice was low, controlled.
Would he let her? Fear twisted her insides into a ball.
She wouldn’t rush him. Instead, she reached up and toyed with the small shock of gray hair at his temple. She trailed her finger down the side of his face and kissed him, slow and gentle.
When she broke the kiss, he whispered, “I am yours, now and forever. There is nothing off limits to you.”
His faith in her, belief that she wouldn’t reject him, warmed her soul. She nodded and knelt at his feet. Brushing her fingers down his thigh, she took a moment to plant a light kiss at the end of his shaft.
“Craya!” he hissed and wrapped his fingers in her hair.
She brushed her fingertips along the scar tissue. Although bumpy and mottled, his skin was remarkably soft. She circled the blemish, but didn’t dwell on it, then turned her attention to his shaft.
Firm and long, his erection swayed with each of his breaths. A bead of moisture glistened at the tip. The sudden urge to lick the end zipped along her nerves. She clasped him, her fingers barely able to circumvent his size. With a quick flick of her tongue, she circled his crown, licking the droplet from the end.
His low and deep groan rumbled in his chest. He tightened his fingers in her hair, and he drew her closer. She eased him into her mouth, letting him slide along her tongue.
“Nicole, I can’t take this. I want to be inside you.” After releasing his grip, he grasped her arm and tugged her into his embrace. His warm lips met hers, and he devoured her in a bruising kiss, one that burned all the way to her soul.
She cared for him, loved him, and always would, even though she’d have no choice but leave him if he couldn’t conquer his addiction. After what she’d endured from her father, she wouldn’t survive another heartbreak.
His erection pulsed long and hard against her hip. “Nicole, I want you, need you.”
She drew back, gripped his arm, encouraging him to lie on the bed.
His jaw tightened. “Not that way.”
Faster than she thought possible, he flipped her around. With a gentleness that was branded into her soul, he gripped her hips and eased her onto the bed. Knees bent, hands on the comforter, she spread her legs for him.
He swept loving kisses across her shoulder while he stroked a few stray strands of hair away from her cheek. His compassionate touch only endeared him to her all the more.
Wiggling her bottom, she pressed against him, teasing him. He groaned and rubbed his erection along her pliant folds, taunting her in return. The sensitive nerves sent tendrils of excitement through her body. She writhed under his attention and placed her cheek against the soft pillow.
“Gaetan, please.”
At long last, he entered her from behind, filling her with his engorged shaft. She stretched to accommodate his size, and when she relaxed against him, he moved with a slow grace. Blissful shudders rocked her. She met him stroke for stroke, and the bed squeaked in rhythm to their movements.
His pace increased, and a bead of sweat dripped from his brow onto her back. Ever so slightly, his erection hardened all the more. In response, a rush of wetness coated her passage and another orgasm rippled through her, sending sparks of light through her vision.
A deep, feral cry escaped from his lips. He stilled, holding her close as his release filled her with everything that was Gaetan. At his last shudder, he rolled them both to the bed.
She turned to glance at him. A slow, sexy smile tugged at his mouth. She traced over the corner then peered into his eyes.
Warmth reflected in their depths, but the sadness, the unending guilt still remained. How she longed to wipe away his pain, make him realize he wasn’t to blame for others’ choices, but that was something he had to discover on his own.
“Come here, my sweet Nicole.” He tugged her against him, back to front. With long, smooth strokes, he brushed his fingers through her hair. The soothing sensation relaxed her, and she snuggled deeper into his embrace. She was both elated and somber. Her doubts about them overshadowed her strong feelings of affection for him. Unable to stay awake any longer, sleep finally claimed her.