Page 42 of Below the Barrel

“Are you going to try and outrun me?” Koa’s voice is low, teasing, and it sends a shiver down my spine. His footsteps quicken, and in a rush of panic, I turn and sprint, trying to get away, even though a part of me knows I don’t really want to.

I dart between the trees, my breath coming faster as I hear him closing in behind me. My heart pounds as I push myself harder, my legs burning with the effort. But it’s no use. Koa is faster and I feel his hand wrap around my arm, pulling me back towards him.

“Gotcha,” he growls playfully, spinning me around to face him.

I gasp, but not from fear. There’s something dark and heated in his gaze as he towers over me, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. He presses me back against a tree, his body close—too close. The rough bark digs into my skin, but all I can focus on is the way Koa’s eyes are practically smouldering as they roam over me.

“You’ve been teasing me all week,” he murmurs, his voice husky as his hands slide to either side of me, pinning me in place. “What are you going to do about it?”

My breath hitches. The space between us feels electric, every inch of my body hyper-aware of his closeness, of the heat radiating off him. I try to speak, but the words catch in my throat.

“Koa—” I manage, my voice barely a whisper.

He leans in, his mouth hovering near my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “What do you want, Maliah?” His voice is low, intimate, making my stomach tighten.

For a second, I can’t think straight. My heart is racing, my skin tingling everywhere he’s touched me. I should push him away, but instead I find myself wanting to close the gap, wanting to feel him pressed even closer.

“I…”

Before I can say anything else, he pulls back slightly, just enough to look me in the eyes, and the intensity of his gaze nearly melts me on the spot. “Tell me,” he demands softly, his thumb brushing over my jaw. “What do you want?”

I swallow hard, my pulse thudding in my ears. My resolve crumbles under the weight of his gaze. The truth is, I don’t even know what I want anymore—except him.

I bite my lip, my voice trembling as I finally whisper, “You.”

A satisfied grin spreads across his face as he leans in again, his lips brushing just below my ear. “That’s all you had to say,” he murmurs before his mouth captures mine in a kiss that’s deep and consuming. His hands slide down to my waist, gripping me firmly as his body presses me back against the tree.

Every thought, every ounce of tension from the day melts away as I give in to the moment. It’s just us, lost in the darkness, wrapped up in each other. Koa’s kiss isn’t gentle. It’s hungry, demanding, like he’s been waiting for this as long as I have.

Although my mind is spinning, my body knows exactly what it wants. I melt into him, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt, my fingers curling into the fabric as I pull him closer. His grip tightens on my waist, strong and possessive, and the way he holds me makes my heart ricochet around my chest. His body is so warm, so solid against mine, andeveryinch of him is pressing into me, making it impossible to think about anything other than how much I want him.

His tongue teases mine, and the low, rumbling sound he makes in the back of his throat sends shivers down my spine. The rough bark of the tree digs into my back, but the slight discomfort only makes the heat between us more intense. Koa’s hands move lower, slipping under the hem of my shirt, his fingers grazing the bare skin of my waist, and a gasp escapes me. It’s like every nerve in my body is suddenly on fire, my skin tingling everywhere he touches me.

I can feel his heart pounding just as fast as mine, his breathing uneven, and it turns me on even more knowing I’m affecting him just as much. I arch into him, feeling theheat pooling low in my stomach, the ache between my thighs becoming impossible to ignore.

He pulls back slightly, just enough for me to catch my breath, but he doesn’t give me any space. His forehead rests against mine, our noses brushing as his breath fans across my lips. His eyes, dark and full of desire, lock onto mine, and my heart stutters in my chest.

“You feel that?” His voice low, rough with need as he presses his hardness against me. “That’s what you do to me, Princess.”

I can’t respond, not with the way my body is trembling from the intensity of it all. My chest is heaving, and all I can do is nod because the truth is, I’m feeling it too. It’s like every inch of me is attuned to him, to the way his body fits against mine, the way his touch sends sparks through my veins.

He doesn’t wait for an answer. His lips crash into mine again, harder this time, more desperate, and I lose myself in him. His hand slips up my side, fingers brushing the curve of my breast, and my breath hitches. I can’t help the soft moan that escapes me as my body reacts instinctively, pressing closer to him, needing more.

His other hand tangles in my hair, pulling just enough to tip my head back, giving him full access to my neck. His mouth moves from my lips, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of my throat, and I swear my knees almost give out. Every touch, every kiss, is like gasoline being poured on a fire that’s already raging inside me.

“Koa…” I whisper, my voice trembling, but I’m not sure if it’s a plea for him to stop or a plea for him toneverstop. His teeth graze my skin, and another shiver runs down my spine.

I can feel him against me, hard and unyielding, his body pressed so tightly to mine that it’s impossible not to notice how much this is affecting him too. It makes the heat between us evenmore unbearable, the want twisting into something raw and desperate.

He pulls back again, just enough to look at me, his breath coming in ragged bursts. His eyes are dark, intense, and the way he looks at me sends another rush of heat straight through me. His hand starts to move with an intentional slowness, trailing down my waist. Anticipation rushes through me as his fingers deftly navigate the soft fabric of my pants, sliding beneath the waistband, teasingly brushing against my skin.

He lowers his hand further, sending a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, until he’s cupping me. His fingers glide along my slick entrance and he gently pushes two inside of me, claiming me, and I can’t help but arch into him, as he works them in and out of me.

“You drive me crazy, you know that?” he murmurs, his thumb circling over my clit as he continues to work his fingers in and out, bringing me closer and closer to release.

I can barely speak, my body buzzing from his touch, but I manage a breathless, “I know.”

He smirks before bringing his lips back to my neck, finding my sensitive spot and slowly licking in a circular motion as he edges me along with his fingers. I can feel my pussy starting to flutter, as my eyes close on their own and breathy moans escape from my lips.

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