Page 29 of Cheshire

“You’re beautiful,” he said simply. “More than you know.”

My heart swelled at his words. I reached up to touch his cheek, then traced the lines of his tattoos that peeked out from under his shirt sleeve. There was so much I wanted to explore, to discover about this man who had so swiftly captured my heart.

He caught my hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against my knuckles. “Eliza,” he murmured against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

“Cheshire…” My voice was barely a whisper.

“You can call me Charlie,” he said.

Slowly, carefully, Cheshire undressed us both. Each piece of clothing that fell to the floor felt like another barrier removed between us. When we were both left bare, he studied me with an intensity that made my heart race and my body flush with heat. I nearly covered myself, my cheeks flushing. No one had seen me naked like this before. Was I doing the right thing? Should we stop and take a step back?

“You sure about this?” His voice was gruff with desire, but there was a vulnerability in his gaze that tugged at my heartstrings. Hearing those words, and realizing he’d meant it when he said I could stop whenever I wanted, gave me the courage to keep going.

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life,” I admitted.

He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Then let’s see what trouble we can get into, doll.”

The heat between us intensified as we gazed into each other’s eyes. He pulled me closer, our bodies flush against one another. His hands traced down my spine, sending shivers of anticipation through me. I couldn’t help but moan at the feel of his rough palms on my skin.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered hoarsely in my ear.

He kissed his way down my neck, sucking and nipping gently as he went. My breath hitched in my throat as he reached the valley between my breasts. His fingers brushed against my hardened nipples, causing me to arch my back involuntarily.

“Please,” I whimpered, needing more of his touch. I’d never realized something could feel so incredible.

He chuckled darkly against my skin, his gaze possessive as he stared down at me. “Now you’re mine.”

Cheshire grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head. I felt a brief moment of panic, but reminded myself this man wouldn’t hurt me. He’d saved me.

He leaned down and captured one of my nipples between his teeth, eliciting a moan of pure pleasure from deep within me.

“Oh, God…” I groaned as he started to suck harder, rolling the sensitive bud between his teeth.

His free hand traced slowly down my stomach, over the curve of my hip, and into the wetness between my legs. He teased me with two fingers for a moment before sliding them inside me with ease. I threw my head back with a cry of pleasure as he began to thrust his fingers in and out rhythmically.

I’d thought it would hurt, had expected pain, but all I felt was pure bliss.

“Yes… More…” I panted out between moans and gasps for air as he took me to heights of ecstasy I’d never experienced before.

He made me come multiple times before settling over me. The weight of his body pressed against me, and I parted my thighs wider.

He groaned and pressed his forehead to my shoulder. “Shit. I don’t have condoms, Eliza. Haven’t been with anyone in over a year so I haven’t needed them.”

I licked my lips, wondering what the odds were I’d end up pregnant my first time having sex. “Do we have to use one?”

He arched an eyebrow. “You realize how risky that is, right?”

“But it’s not likely I’ll get pregnant, right?”

“It’s like playing Russian roulette, Eliza, and let me tell you right now… if I get you pregnant, then you’re mine. Not just for right now, but for always. Do you understand?”

“You mean, you’d want to marry me?” I asked. I’d never considered getting married. With the life I’d had with my dad, I’d always thought I’d die before I got the chance to start a family of my own.

“Yeah. I’d marry you.” He smoothed my hair back. “Is that something you’d want?”

“Maybe.” I worried at my bottom lip for a moment. “I never thought I’d have the chance to be with anyone like this, much less get married and have kids.”

He kissed me, slow and deep. “Then let’s stop here for now. I don’t want to force you into something you don’t want. This is your first taste of freedom, Eliza.”

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