Page 67 of Love By a Landslide

He gave himself a tiny shake. Hewouldconvince her to stay. Because there was no way he could touch her, taste her, know her, and ever want anyone or anything else.

She was it for him.

“Oh, look what I found. A little valley. I’m curious to see what wonders lie right . . . down . . . here . . .”

Lucy let out an unabashed whine as Jonathan found and licked through the damp fabric of the panties she still wore. Pausing only to slide them off, he settled between her legs and returned to his mission. Alternating between broad strokes and gentle twirling circles—first one direction then the other—he slowly slid his fingers into her.So sweet.He could never imagine a world where he tired of lavishing attention on any part of her body. Jonathan glanced up again. Her greedy whispers and pants filled his ears, seducing him into witnessing her as she watched his hungry ministrations. Knowing she watched him do what hepleased ratcheted up his arousal. She was nearing the brink; in turn, he increased his speed and pressure. Throbbing, he ached to be inside of her.

Lifting his head briefly, he said, “Tell me just before so I can join you.”

She spoke through erratic gasps. “So close. Please.”

With lightning speed, Jonathan snatched one of the little foil packets, ripped it open and rolled the condom into place.

Lifting one of her legs to rest on his shoulder, he steadied himself over her and took in the beauty beneath him. He pressed his head against her heat, sliding along her slit until he began to settle in. Despite being primed for him—dripping from his earlier touches—the fit was tight around his cock. With an agonizingly slow shift, he eased into her until he bottomed out.

Fuck.

He could’ve died right then. Happily walked through the pearly gates or flames of hell, because for the first time in his life, he’d found religion. It wasn’t just the sex, rather the bliss he felt simultaneously finding and losing himself in her. He’d confided that he only ever felt complete while he was out in nature. But this was different. More profound.

Lucy was home.

She reached up and gripped the back of Jonathan’s head and neck, pulling him down to her lips. He obeyed and kissed her deeply while gliding back and forth. Faster, harder. Jonathan followed Lucy up the pinnacle, reluctant to loosen his hold on her, and dove off the edge into blinding rapture.

Ripples of pleasure reverberated throughout his body as she pulsed tightly around him. His breath came in short bursts, and he struggled to keep from collapsing against her. Unparallelled euphoria engulfed him, ebbing and flowing with each throb inside of her, each palpitation of his heart.

As his feet returned to earth and his heartbeat steadied, there was no plague of worry. He and Lucy would get back to town that night even if he had to plow straight through a mountain to make it happen. Then, he would do everything in his power to ensure Lucy had a wonderfully happy life . . . with him.

Chapter thirty-four

Lucy

“Ok, now wereallyneed to get moving.” Jonathan laughed as Lucy attempted to settle in against his chest again.

“Just a little catnap?” Lucy batted her eyelashes sweetly while holding her index finger and thumb a half-inch apart. The lure of snuggling in Jonathan’s strong arms was impossible to resist.

“Like I said before, we could just say to hell with civilization and stay here ’til winter. It’s your call.” He gently pulled from the tangle of her limbs and rose to his feet then extended a hand out to help her up.

“No, you’re right,” she conceded half-heartedly. “We should get going. Our families are probably panicked by now.” Lucy sat up and accepted his hand. Noodley legs wobbled beneath her as she attempted to stand but was instead thrown off balance into Jonathan’s bracing arms. With the midday sun shining down on his dark golden hair and sweat-slicked muscles, he resembled an angelic rogue. Over the last hour and a half, they’d definitely been to heaven and back. Twice. Her cheeks flushed as she replayed the memory. Desperate for more time with him, Lucy almost didn’t want to go back to town. What if this was the last time they were alone together? Was it realistic to think that there was more to this than survival instinct and lust?

Jonathan pulled Lucy in for a deep, passionate kiss—retrieving her from her wondering and worries—rooting her firmly in the present. He hummed against her lips. “Mmm. Has anyone ever told you that you taste like pineapple?”

Lucy laughed. “That makes no sense; the toothpaste we’ve been using is minty.”

He cocked an eyebrow. Raising his hand, he swept a thumb across her lower lip. “I’m not talking about here.” Those fiery amber eyes of his flicked downward then back up to meet her gaze.

Realization dawned, and, if possible, she blushed even more. Having such a demure reaction when she had just been so bold and uninhibited minutes before was unnecessary. Yet letting go and giving in to the carnality was new for her. Under the bright light of the sun, he could see every dimple and lump and flaw. The realization flitted through her mind, but it didn’t linger. Jonathan made her feel like a beautiful, alluring goddess, and it was utterly intoxicating. Their encounter left her feeling deliciously spent but also full of radiant energy. She planned to continue riding the high of those blissful waves from their morning of passion all the way back to town.

His smooth voice disrupted her thoughts. “Come on, sunshine. I hate saying this, but let’s get dressed.”

Lucy reluctantly followed the trail of clothes to the edge of the lake, collecting and dusting off each strewn article as she went. Peeking over her shoulder, she watched Jonathan retrieve his neatly folded stack. She bit her lip to keep a giggle at bay. Never had there been a more cautious and deliberate person in her life. And while his intentionality was evident in their lovemaking, he’d dropped his inhibitions and went on pure instinct. He listened, observed, and adapted to her body’s responses. It was a definite first for her. Not that she hadn’t ever had an orgasm with a guy—there’d been plenty—but she’d never felt so . . .caredfor during sex. She’d had a taste and was now an addict.Plain and simple.

A deep throat clearing snapped Lucy back to her task. Jonathan waved his hand in a circular motion as if to say,let’s get a move on,but his face read nothing but warmth.

“Don’t rush me,” Lucy dismissed but proceeded to dress anyway.

After tying her boots, she walked over to where Jonathan was sitting in the grass, map splayed out in front of him. She settled in beside him and took the jerky and water he offered. “We are here, as you know.” He tapped the blue spot on the map.

“Lucy Lake.”

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