Page 44 of Stick Handled

“You,” I manage to say, my voice shaky.

His eyes darken even further, and he leans in, his lips hovering just above mine.

“You’ve proved what a brave girl you are tonight,” he murmurs, his breath fanning over my mouth. “Brave girls use their words. Tell me exactly what you want.”

“I want you to touch me,” I repeat more confidently this time, my hands reaching up to tangle in his hair.

He groans a deep, primal sound that vibrates through my entire body. His hands move with renewed passion. He yanks the bra away from me and tosses it onto the floor. Feeling more than exposed, I drop my hands from his hair and try to cover myself. His right hand comes down and grips both of my wrists tight before he pulls my hands over my head, pinning them down.

“Don’t hide from me,” he growls, his eyes locked with mine. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. You could ruin me just by looking at me. Don’t you get it? You’re fucking breathtaking. Don’t hide your body from me; do you understand?”

I nod, his praise making me feel more confident than I’ve ever felt. Finally, he takes his eyes off mine and looks down at my exposed breasts. He sucks in a sharp breath and, with a muttered curse, leans down to take one of my nipples in his hot mouth. A moan escapes my mouth, the sensation unlike anything I’ve felt before. I feel his tongue swirling around the hard peak right before his teeth close around it and tug gently.

“Damien.” His name slips out before I can stop it. He tugs on my nipple one last time before letting it go.

“I’m going to devour you,” he states, low and dark. “If I let go of your hands, will you cover yourself again?”

I shake my head, unable to speak, and he slowly nods, seemingly pleased. He releases my hands and slides his down my body. I arch into his touch, needing more of it. His fingers slip under the band of my shorts, pushing them down over my hips. I lift myself off the couch to help him, kicking them away impatiently.

“Eager little thing.” He chuckles. His eyes never leave mine, burning with intensity, as he takes in the sight of me, almost completely exposed to his gaze.

“Fuck,” he breathes, his voice strained with desire. “Look at you. How am I supposed to control myself?”

I blush at his words, my cheeks heating, but I don’t look away. Instead, I watch him as he stands, shrugging out of his own shirt with an effortless grace. His tattoos and abs come into view, defined and taut, and I can’t help but reach out, my fingers tracing the lines of muscle and ink, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch.

He lets out a soft groan, his head tilting back as my hands roam lower, exploring the ridges of his chest and the smooth expanse of his abdomen. His hands come down to grip my wrists, pinning them above my head again, his eyes locking onto mine once more.

“I have to take it slow with you tonight,” he warns, his voice thick with warning.

I shake my head, biting my lip nervously, but my desire outweighs my caution. “Don’t,” I plead, my voice barely a whisper.

He stares at me for a long moment, his gaze searching, before a slow, predatory smile curves his lips.

“As you wish,” he says simply before leaning down to capture my lips in a kiss that is anything but slow. It’s fierce and demanding, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, claiming me with a hunger that leaves me breathless.

My hands wrench free of his grip, wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer. His muscles tense, and I can feel the tension coiling within him, waiting to be unleashed. His hands slide down my sides, dipping lower until he reaches the waistband of my panties. He slides his fingers down to the fabric covering my entrance. He pauses there, his fingers teasing the edge, making me tremble with anticipation.

“Christ. You’re so wet for me, baby,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

I bite my lip, unable to form the words, my body aching for his next move. He gives me one last lingering kiss, his tongue stroking mine, before he pulls back, his eyes intense. I’m not ashamed of my nakedness anymore. The way he looks at me, eating me alive with his eyes, makes me want to show him more; it makes me want to put on a show for him and watch his control slipping.

“Tell me what you want again,” he commands, his voice rough, his fingers still teasing the edge of my panties.

I swallow hard, my throat dry, but I force the words out.

“I want you to touch me,” I say, trembling.

He growls, a sound of pure possession, and without another word, he hooks his fingers into the sides of my panties, peeling them down and off in one swift motion. I’m done hiding. I’m done feeling insecure. I want to be what Damien said I am. Brave. I kick them away, my legs parting wider, giving him unrestricted access to my most vulnerable parts.

Damien isn’t looking, though. Instead, he’s looking into my eyes as if holding himself back from looking down. Finally, he does. His eyes roll back as he closes them, letting out a quiet growl, his hands tightening their hold on my hips.

The sight of him trying to keep it together makes me feel bolder than ever before. I reach down and slide my hand down his torso, making him snap his eyes open. I take my bottom lip between my teeth as I curl my fingers behind his belt and tug. I can’t help the smile on my face as I see the surprise in his eyes. Surprise morphs back into feral desire as he leans down with a smirk.

“Eager to see what I have for you in there?” he murmurs, his right hand sliding down my naked body. “You want my belt, little liar?” He cocks his head to the side, fire blazing in his eyes, as he reaches down.

I hear him unbuckling his belt before he slips it free, holding it up.

“You can have it then,” he says through gritted teeth before wrapping the belt around my wrists and pulling my hands above my head. I gasp, my eyes widening as I lay beneath him, fully naked, with my hands tied above my head.

---