Page 5 of Against the Odds

Flipping over so Ian is facing my back, I roll my eyes at myself. I’ve known this man only hours and am taking advice from some weird reality show he saw on television. I know it was a weird reality show because I saw the episode. I’ve seen them all. A guilty pleasure only Rachel is privy to.

Heat from his body so close to mine warms my back as he wraps an arm around my waist. “Wow. You really are good at this. If you need a little extra cash for the holidays you could totally sell your cuddles.”

His laughter rumbles against my back and that libido I mentioned earlier fires up again. I relax into Ian’s arms as we continue on with our exchange of secrets. Our voices are hushed as the dark room requires. After my admission that lead us to this big spoon/little spoon scenario, we’ve kept it surface. He told me about his grumpy neighbor and how he pays the man back for calling his HOA about trash cans not far enough from the curb by moving his newspaper to the end of the driveway in the morning.

My eyes are heavy, and a series of yawns signal the exhaustion I feel. Ian’s hand rests on my lower abdomen and twitches when he catches a series of his own yawns. Neither of us speak and it isn’t long before I allow sleep to pull me under.

* * *

Ian’s right. He is a superior cuddler. Five stars. Would recommend. Also, his body produces more heat than my electric blanket and flannel sheets combined. Although I can feel my top sticking to my back and there is no doubt half my hair is curling and frizzing, I can’t seem to move. I’m enjoying this feeling too much.

It’s been so long since I’ve spent time with someone in such an intimate setting and it only reminds me how much I have truly missed this feeling. When I agreed to this trip it never occurred to me that I would meet someone like Ian. Sure, he’s handsome but it’s the way he’s put me at ease and without intention, I think I’ve developed a bit of a crush.

“Is everything okay?”

His voice is gravelly and laced with sleep. Damn, that’s sexy as hell. His hip shifts and he stiffens as I feel his arousal. My breath catches and his stops all together. This could be awkward. Or it could be...

I twist my hip so that my ass brushes his crotch. Ian hisses and here, in the darkness, I feel bold. We’ve shared secrets in this room and this moment feels like an extension of that.

“Katy.” My name is a warning on his tongue.

It would be possible to believe he is opposed to what may happen but I feel his lips on my neck. It’s a whisper of a feeling but it’s there. My eyes close and I allow my body to relax into his embrace.

Ian’s fingers tighten around my waist and I move my hand to rest on top of his. My heart races with nerves but I push forward by gently moving his hand up my body. He takes my cue and tightens his hold while gently laying small kisses to my neck. I close my eyes and allow myself to feel everything all at once.

The way his breath feels on my skin. How hot his touch is as he glides his hand to settle just below my breasts. His thumb is millimeters from touching one, feeling how full it is while the nipple pebbles at the possibilities. I extend my neck, granting him further access but then I feel... nothing. No lips. No kisses.

I flip over, propping myself up on my elbows and see Ian standing beside the bed. My chest heaves at the sight of him. In the seconds since he’s been off the bed, he’s discarded his shirt and is standing with only his slacks on, the top button open. A trail of hair from his navel to below the waistband sends a jolt of awareness through me.

“Katy, I don’t know—”

Taking a play from Rachel’s single ladies’ playbook, I rise to my knees and slowly lift my blouse over my head. I thank my lucky stars I opted for the lacy light pink bra and panty set tonight instead of the plain satin set I had as the alternative. From the way he’s shifting watching me, Ian seems to appreciate my choice.

“Ian, we’re adults. You’ve already said you were attracted to me. Unless that has changed, I say we throw caution to the wind and have one night.”

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?” he asks, humor lacing each word.

“What happens in The King’s Suite, stays in the suite.”

He smirks. “Something like that.”

Slowly, he moves to the bed, mirroring my stance. His hands grip my waist, pulling me to him and forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck. His hands, warm on my skin, move up my back. It’s slow. Painfully so, but there is still something about taking our time. Savoring the moment so not to forget.

“You are beautiful, Katy. I promise to make tonight a memory you never forget.”

Ian doesn’t allow me to respond. He drops his lips to mine and I melt into him on the first touch. Feelings swirl in my gut, emotions boil to the surface. It’s a kiss with a man I barely know, and yet it feels like everything all at once. New and hopeful. Passionate and intense.

When his tongue slides between my lips, I meet him stroke by stroke. Slowly, he guides me to the mattress, my head resting on the pillows as he hovers above me. Ian doesn’t move, his eyes searching mine. Although we’ve only known one another a few hours, he seems to know how out of character this is for me.

I could end this now. Enjoy the kisses and kind words. Or I can let my mind rest for the night and enjoy every minute with this man. Decision made; I slowly move my hands up his arms until my fingers are tangled in his hair. Smiling, I tug his head down and rise to meet his lips halfway. Initiating this kiss is the permission he needs.

Ian takes his time with the kiss and me. Touching and feeling every inch of my body. He worships me like he was born for the job. We explore one another with our hands and mouths. His tongue laps at my nipples as my legs wrap around his waist, the heels of my feet digging into his perfect ass.

My body is vibrating with need as he moves down my body, tasting the most private part of me. His tongue brings me to orgasm and his fingers draw out the euphoria. When he returns his mouth to mine, I moan at the sweetness he’s sharing with me. Our lips separate and I stare at his face and wish for a brief moment there was more time with him. More secrets in the dark.

As he enters me, I pulse around him, the next climax building quickly. He rolls his hips and I lift my pelvis. We move together like a well-choreographed dance. My hips lift to meet each thrust, the friction hitting my clit. Each movement feels like a stroke of a match, the heat building inside me. Pleading words fall from my lips as he moves faster, pulling my leg up to rest in the crook of his arm. The shift in position hits every hot point in my body and, like a tidal wave, I come with an intensity I’ve not experienced before. Ian soon follows and places a kiss to my lips.

I welcome the heaviness of his body on mine. The intimacy we’ve shared blanketing us. Linking us.

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