Page 89 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars

She lifts her head, looks into my eyes, and nods. I slide my thumb over her soft skin, down into the heart of her, thrilled to find her swollen and moist.

“Ah, baby,” I say, collecting some of the moisture and returning my thumb to her clit. I circle it over the small button, and her eyes flutter closed. I’m relieved that she’s turned on, and that she’s not afraid to let me touch her.

She kisses me again, and I arouse her until her hips are moving to meet my touch. Her kisses are turning more passionate, hungry, and when I cup her breast with my other hand and tug her nipple, she lifts her head and stops moving, her ribcage rising and falling fast.

She moistens her lips with the tip of her tongue. Then she turns and reaches for my wallet and passes it to me.

Wordlessly, I retrieve a condom from inside.

“You want me to strip?” I ask.

She tilts her head to the side. “No. You look hot in those chinos.”

Grinning, I undo the button and slide down the zipper. My erection leaps out, ready for action, straining against the black cotton of my boxer-briefs.

She inhales, eyes widening.

“Just think of yourself like a lion tamer,” I tell her as I tear off the wrapper, and she gives a short laugh.

I stop on the verge of pushing down the boxers and look up into her eyes. “You want to stop?”

She shakes her head.

“You sure, baby? Or would you like me inside you?”

Her lips part. “I want you inside me,” she whispers.

“Okay. We’ll go slow.” I push down the boxers and roll the condom on. Then I kiss her again, holding her tightly against me. I don’t want her to be scared, because then she’ll tense and make it harder. I don’t want her to think of what happened to her before at all. But the physical act is the same. The intrusion, the invasion. Sex doesn’t have to involve penetration, but she wants to create new memories to wipe away the old, and so I need to go through with it. How can I make sure she enjoys this?

Chapter Nineteen

Elora

Linc studies me for a moment. His eyes look dark green tonight, the pupils huge in the semi-darkness. He’s been so gentle and tender with me, kissing me for ages, skimming his large hands over my skin until I’m aching deep inside. I knew he’d be like this, but somehow it’s still a surprise; I’d wondered whether, once he was turned on, he might abandon his gentleness through no fault of his own, his body taking over any good intentions. But he’s stayed in control, putting me first, and for that I love him more than anything.

As if he’s come to a decision, he leans back and stretches his arms out on the back of the sofa. “You do it,” he says.

My eyebrows lift. “What?”

“You’re in charge. You take me inside you. Slow as you like.”

My lips part. I can’t do that. Can I? I glance down at him, at his erection that’s large and hard, straining toward me as if begging to be ridden. My heart bangs on my ribs. He wants me to lead the action. To do it at my own pace. He thinks it’ll help me.

Carefully, I move closer to him, lifting so he’s beneath me. He remains still, watching me, his dark eyes sending a shiver down my back. I slip a hand underneath and slide the tip of his erection until it’s just pressing into me. His eyelids lower to half-mast, but he doesn’t say anything.

I put both arms around his neck and wait for a moment. Bending my head, I touch my nose to his. Maori call it a hongi, which involves the exchange of ha—or the sharing of the breath of life. His breath mingles with mine, sweet, intimate.

Slowly, I lower my hips and take him inside me.

His eyes close.

I pause, feeling him just inside, stretching my entrance. My heart is racing, but I stay calm. I know I’ll tighten if I panic, and I don’t want that to happen. This is nothing like before. I’m with Linc, the one man I trust more than anyone, the guy I’ve been in love with since I was ten years old. I know that now. From a kid’s childish crush to a young girl’s deeper friendship to a woman’s desire, I’ve been in love with this guy almost all my life. I want to share myself with him. To show him how much he means to me.

Even though he’s breathing fast, he doesn’t move, letting me go at my own pace. I’m sure he’s worried that I’m going to ask him to stop, and I’ll be unable to go through with it.

I bend my head and press my lips to his in a kiss. “Open your eyes,” I whisper.

He opens them and looks up at me.

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