Page 99 of Branded Hearts

His hand travels further up my stomach, but stops before he can reach my breast. “Can I touch you?”

“Yes, please,” I say in a breathy moan, my heart racing.

In quick movements, he’s on me, fondling my breasts through my shirt, before sliding a rough palm underneath to touch one directly. “Oh, my,” I manage to gasp out. I’m not wearing a bra, and my eyes widen at the feeling of that first contact. Realisation finally hits me; I am actually very inexperienced. I have no idea what I’m doing. What I’msupposedto be doing. Should I be touching him back? Insecurity roots itself in my stomach, and my breathing hitches. He brushes a strand of hair from my face and pauses, locking eyes with me.

“Hey,” he says gently, withdrawing his hand. “We can stop. I didn’t come here for this. I just... want you to know that.”

“No, no,” I blurt out, flustered. “God, no. Don’t stop, please. It’s just…” My words trail off, my breath hitching in my throat.

“Just what?”

“I don’t really know what to do,” I admit, feeling so vulnerable. The last thing I want is for Bradley to be turned off because I’m a twenty-four-year-oldvirginwho has never fondled with a guy before. His lips curve into a gentle smile.

“That’s okay,” he says softly. “Just relax and feel. Follow my lead.”I nod nervously, my heart racing. As he leans in again, his lips meet mine in a slow, deliberate kiss. It’s different from before—less urgent, more exploratory. His tongue brushes against mine, and I tentatively respond, trying to match his rhythm.

God, he can kiss.

And his tongue... wow. Hereallyknows how to use his tongue.

The thought of him using it elsewhere ignites the already roaring fire inside me. My skin feels like it’s on fire. I’m ready to burst out of it any second, but I’m too lost in the moment to care. I squirm a little, squeezing my thighs together against his, which rests in between. His hands move back under my shirt, and he pauses, his eyes meeting mine. “Is this okay?”

“Yes,” I breathe, my heart pounding in anticipation. “I trust you.”

He continues to explore, his touch sending little tingles through me. “Tell me what you like, Amelia. I want to make you feel good.”

I bite my lip, blushing a little. “I like everything you’re doing.”

“Good,” he murmurs, his hands moving lower to grab hold of my thighs, placing them behind his back, so he’s nestled in between me. My thighs grip him tightly as I urge him closer, my lips finding his. His hand slips back under my shirt and he pinches my nipple between his forefinger and thumb. A wet rush floods between my legs.

“Brad,” I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders. “Oh, God…” I can feel his hard erection pressing into my stomach.

“You like that, Amelia?” he asks, his voice thick with lust. “You like me pinching your nipples?”

I flush at his crude question, but I nod quickly. “Yes.”

I close my eyes, relishing in the feeling of being touched. Touched by a man. ByBradley.

In an instant, his warm breath hovers tantalisingly close over my left breast, and a soft gasp escapes my lips as he captures my nipple between his lips. His tongue swirls around the sensitive bud, sending a jolt of pleasure straight through me. My hips instinctively buck toward him, seeking more of that electrifying feeling.

“Oh… that feels… so good,” I murmur breathlessly. Each flick of his tongue, each gentle suckle, builds a delicious tension that coils tighter within me.

A soft whimper escapes as Bradley moves to my other nipple, mirroring his actions with delicate precision—squeezing, swirling, and sucking. I can’t help but squirm in his embrace, feeling overwhelmed by the sensation. With apop, he releases my nipple, and I feel his lips trailing down my chest with slow, open-mouthed kisses.

My breath hitches as his tongue touches my navel, and a surge of nervous excitement floods through me as I realise where his kisses are leading—to the heated space between my thighs.

He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. “Have you—” he hesitates. “Have you orgasmed before?”

I shift uncomfortably, feeling my cheeks heat. “Uh, a few times, I think. Well, I’ve tried, but I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to feel like.”

His gaze softens, and he reaches out to touch my cheek gently. “Hey, no pressure,” he reassures me, his voice calming. “We’ll takeit slow and figure out what feels good for you.” Oh, God.Orgasm?In front of Bradley. What has my life come to?

“Can I pull these down?”

I swallow the nervous bubble in my throat. “Yes.”

Bradley hooks his fingers into the waistband of my pants, and I hold my breath as he eases them down, exposing the delicate lace of my underwear to the cool air. It’s not the chill that makes me shiver, but the intensity of his hungry gaze. With another gentle tug, he slides my underwear down, leaving me completely bare before him. His closeness is intoxicating as he leans in, placing soft, teasing kisses along the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. I tremble at his touch, anticipation coiling tight in my belly.

“Relax, sunshine,” he murmurs, his voice husky with desire. “I’m going to make you feel so good.”

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