Page 46 of Verses Of Us

A kiss was coming. It tingled in her bones, like when a rainstorm was about to hit. Whatever was about to happen, she was certain would demolish her. It was an impossibly horrible idea, and she had to stop it from happening.

Only she didn’t.

Their mouths crashed together, her breath rushing from her lungs. Ciarán’s hands pressed into her lower back, pulling her up and against his body, like he’d done all those years before on stage. And like then, the kiss awoke something primal inside. Something she kept bound tight. Something that reminded her of hope.

Overwhelmed by the sound of them kissing, nothing else mattered. It was intense, laden with fear and years of heartache. She worried her taste for his lips stemmed only from a need for comfort and reassurance, and hoped it meant more for him, too. She didn’t want this to be a knee-jerk reaction to the attack, an attempt to distract himself from the emotions it stirred up.

But she answered to instinct, not logic.

The way his hands drifted over her stomach, the way she moaned as his tongue danced with hers, told her they were sharing a moment that had been brewing since that afternoon. Then, he picked her up and pinned her against the wall.

Stirred by that same instinct, she released her desires onto this man she’d silently cried out for over the years. She’d never ceased caring for Ciarán. Her feelings for him had only hidden inside the hollows of her heartbreak, yearning for release.

As one fluid being, they drifted through the room to the sofa. Ciarán carefully laid her down, lowering himself between her legs, the weight of his body stifling, but also wanted. His hooded blue eyes locked with hers and in them she saw certainty. She saw destiny at work.

He moved down, scattering kisses over her clothes, over her breasts, then reached the spot where her shirt had lifted, revealing the now hyper-sensitive skin of her stomach. Ciarán’s soft lips pressed against it. Euphoria ruptured through her body, so much so that she’d been blind to him tugging her leggings down.

Confused by the gentle kisses he laid on the insides of her thighs, on her knees and calves, she jerked and he halted, his eyes downcast, fixated on her legs, but he didn’t budge. She wanted this, but she also couldn’t shake the worry that something deeper motivated his actions. Was it possible that he felt how she did, or as was the case years ago, would this end with hurt?

She blinked a few times, then ran her fingers through his hair and tugged for him to look up at her. He tracked the line of her body, his gaze landing on hers.

“I need this, Lex.”

While his expression was serious, his indigo eyes conveyed a deep need to lose himself in her—to forget all the other stuff and submit to her. His vulnerability reached out and gripped her heart, making her want to weep.

“I know, but…” Could she explain what she wanted when she wasn’t sure herself? Lost in the vastness of longing and unhealed wounds, conflicting emotions bombarded her. “Last time…”

Ciarán released a long sigh, then slid up and found her mouth, kissing her tenderly. He rubbed his nose against hers, which made her smile. “This won’t be like last time.”

A dry laugh fell from her lips. “You don’t know that.”

“No, I don’t. But I know that this, you and me, is what I want.” He pushed his hips against her aching core, and she moaned. “And I think you want it, too.”

She studied his face and worried her lip. “I do, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“No, it probably isn’t,” he replied, the corner of his mouth lifting. “I know I’m asking a lot.” Again, he showered kisses against her skin as he sank down. “Let me taste you.”

When he settled his mouth over her mound, his warm breath inviting, she lost all sense of time and rational thought. This was stupid, and dangerous, and yet she wanted nothing else. It was unhealthy for him—he’d need to deal with his attack at some point—but she selfishly needed to provide him with distraction.

Against her better judgement, and ignoring the consequences that would come later, she gave into her desperate need. He glanced up, waiting for her approval, his lips hovering so close to her panties, damp with her arousal. With a nod, she shut her eyes and let go, giving into the heated sensation of his face between her legs.

The softness of his cheek tickled the insides of her thighs, as his hand ran up and down the middle of her sex. When he slid two fingers beneath the seam of her underwear, the rough touch of his slightly calloused fingertips and the way he kissed her clit, breathing fire through the fabric, caused her to buckle and jerk. He shifted, pressing her legs down with his wide shoulders, keeping her still.

Goosebumps erupted across her skin, a sheen of sweat building on the base of her neck. In the same way he played a guitar, Ciarán worked her with his talented fingers, until she thought she couldn’t take anymore—until she fell into the empty abyss of pleasure he delivered. His touch released something. Whether it was rage or fear, or a mix of both, she wasn’t sure, but she let it happen, and let it bring her to a much-needed release.

This was nothing like her previous lovers. She and Ciarán shared an intense connection and chemistry. The intimacy, the knowledge of one another, no matter how limited, brought out an orgasm unlike any she’d ever experienced.

She didn’t doubt Ciarán’s skill, but knew it couldn’t be the only trigger. As if liberated from the disappointment of what they never did, she came undone in a single cathartic moment of carnal bliss.

Ciarán watched her come, burning flames lighting up his blue eyes. Her moans gave way to screams of sheer joy and laughter as her body hummed beneath his.

Panting, elated, she welcomed his kiss, holding his face between her hands as he drew himself up. He ran his lips along her chin, to her neck and came to rest his head on her chest, her heart pounding against his cheek. She couldn’t catch her breath.

“Thank you,” Ciarán whispered, trailing his fingers across her belly.

Somewhat embarrassed, she giggled. “You’re welcome?”

He laughed with her. The sound was pure and genuine, with subtle timidity. Vaguely aware of his many relationships over the years, something about the carefree sound of his laugh made Alexis think maybe this time was as unique for him as it was for her.

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