Page 38 of Love at First Flight

Selah turned, seeing the same hungry want in him. Before debating it any further, she launched herself and he caught her easily, his arms wrapping fully around her as she straddled his lap, finding his lips with her own, cradling his face between her palms. His hands did a long slide along her spine, before gripping and clasping her shoulders, pulling her to him, as though trying to ease her into his soul. The kiss was a little feral, a little messy, a little out of control, but that happened when something was denied for this length of time. The longing and emotion couldn’t help but burst from them.

“You are magnificent,” Dex said between kisses.

“Not too short, then? No danger of spinal misalignment.”

“No. I guess we just had to figure it out.” He smiled against her lips, and she returned the expression as she kissed him again, loving how his tongue slid rhythmically against hers.

Every part of him touching her felt so good and, after everything, Selah needed to feel good right now. She wanted it all. Messy or not, she didn’t care. She needed to feel him. When one of his hands slipped across the side of her rib cage, a thumb sweeping over one of her breasts, she didn’t stop the small moan she made against his mouth. She was about to melt off his lap and let him do whatever he wanted with her.

“I can’t resist your stern park ranger voice,” she said.

He released a small, “Hmm,” the sound vibrating deliciously against her skin. Dex’s teeth scraped against her neck, before he sucked a spot and said, “Ma’am, are you going to come to my bed or am I going to have to throw you over my shoulder?”

She gave him a coy look, pushing one finger into his chest. “You call me ‘ma’am’ one more time and I’m going to do some bad things to you.”

The tips of his mouth kicked up mischievously. “Ma’am.”

“Take me to your goddamn bedroom right now.”

He tried to stand with her clinging to the front of his body like a horny koala, but they nearly tumbled to the ground, her giggles filling the air. It was safer if they both walked there on their own two feet, but there were many pit stops on the way, such as when he peeled off her shirt, then his own, before pressing her into a hallway wall to kiss the breath from her lungs. His park uniforms didn’t do him any favors, as they hid much of what was underneath, making this moment feel like a mirage. Dex was lean and, yes, on the lanky side, but the leanness was firm, and he clearly had muscles. Having them pressed into her body, she could feel his strength, and it excited her as she dragged her fingernails along each ridge.

She was never more grateful when the destination of his bedroom was reached. This room was less dated than the rest of the house, with white walls instead of wood paneling. There was a simple modern bed butted under a window with basic gray bedding, the rest of the room was uncluttered. Not that any of this mattered. At this moment, he could have sex with her on a beanbag for all she cared.

When her legs hit the bed, she fell onto it, dragging herself backwards across the comforter’s surface in order to secure a more optimal spot. He crawled after her, his mouth finding hers easily, as if tonight a homing beacon had been established between them. His hand slid across her thigh, reaching the top of her pants as he undid them.

“Dex,” she said his name between light breaths.

“You want me to stop?” He was panting as well, his eyes dark and wild. She liked being the one to evoke this kind of reaction from him.

“No. It seems a little silly to be bringing this up now, but I just want to make sure you have a condom.”

He gave her a funny look. “Why would that be silly? My whole job is trying to make sure people stay safe. You’re allowed to feel safe.” Dex reached to his nightstand, rummaging through the contents of a drawer before removing several squared packets.

Well, okay then. Apparently, she was about to get the perks of being a rebound several times over. She wasn’t about to complain, biting into her lower lip to prevent even the chance.

He pressed his finger against her mouth, running along the entirety of it as though to test the plushness of it. “God. These lips of yours are going to be the death of me.” His words made her melt a little more as she pressed a slow kiss on the end of his finger.

Returning to his task, Dex pulled off her pants, tossing them on the floor behind him. His movements and touches were sure, like he’d spent a long time planning his seduction of her and could execute it blindfolded. He faltered, though, when she unzipped his pants, slipping her hand past the elastic band of his boxer briefs to stroke him. His breath came sharply before morphing into a groan, and he sunk his face into the nook in her neck. “Fuck,” came his muffled response. “I want to be gentle, but I don’t know if I can.”

She laughed because she didn’t think rebound relationships were supposed to be soft and gentle. “It’s okay. I know you think I’m this short little thing, but I’m tougher than I look. I can handle it.” Besides,gentlesounded slow and she’d been waiting long enough.

He rose on his forearms, pinning her with a serious expression. “I definitely do not think that you’re a short little thing, and I know you’re tough. But also, you don’t have to be that way with me if you don’t want to.”

“Okay.” She could have said a lot more, but Selah didn’t trust herself. The sentiment of his words struck her, and if she thought about it too long, she’d probably cry again and she didn’t want tears at this moment. She preferred instead to keep things simple so he’d keep touching, kissing, and showing her all the physical affection she craved from him.

As much as he stated he didn’t know if he could be gentle, Dex seemed to find inner strength as he encouraged her to lift so he could reach behind her and undo the clasp of her bra, slowly sliding it away. He shifted downward, pressing his face into her chest as he trailed hot open-mouth kisses across her breasts, and slipping his hand into her underwear as he slowly stroked her there. Selah arched into his touches, her skin tingling hot as she moaned with pleasure, weaving her fingers through the soft strands of his hair.

“I know you’re going to feel good,” he said. “You already feel good.”

“Yes,” she sighed.

“Do you want me?”

She nodded her head, having a difficult time attempting to find words.

“I need more than that, honey.”

“Yes, Dex. I want you.”

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