Page 26 of Tinsel & Timber
We’re laying naked in her bed, covered in sweat after what I swear was the absolute best sex of my life. Blindfolded and tethered with her hands above her head, Mara wasn’t afraid to let me completely own her body. The way she came apart for me makes me yearn for her even more.
I huff a laugh. “That’s a loaded question right now.”
Her lips twitch. “Lunch, Graham. Actual food.”
Right. Lunch. A normal, reasonable thing. I clear my throat and drag a hand through my hair, trying to find the version of myself who knows how to speak like a person and not a man who just spent the better part ofthe morning showing this woman some of the most intimate parts of me.
“I don’t have a whole lot here, but I could make some sandwiches.” She starts to move away, presumably to get dressed.
Instead I pull her back toward me and kiss her. “Five more minutes,” I groan like a surly teenager who doesn’t want to get up for school.
Mara rolls her eyes and smiles. “Fine.” Her fingers explore my chest, trailing down over my abs and stopping on the scar I have on my left side. “Will you tell me what happened?”
I wince. The crazy thing is, she’s the only woman I’ve ever been with that seems to care enough to ask. “Battle scar. From my Army days.”
“Oh.” Her features soften. “I didn’t realize…”
“Officially retired last year. Moved back here and took over the Preservation Society.”
“Hm. Interesting. But you don’t live in the historical district?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Unfortunately, no.”
She gasps but I can see the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “You meanthat’snot against the rules?”
“Very funny,” I mutter. “No. That wasn’t a requirement for the job. Honestly, I thought preserving the town’s history would be easy. A nice break after traveling the world and fighting enemies.”
“Is it not?”
“Not when eager newbies move in and want to start tearing walls down,” I tease.
Mara pokes my side. “I didnotwant to tear walls down, Graham! You’re so dramatic.”
Needing to be inside her again, I flip us both over so that I’m on top of her. “I’ll show you dramatic.”
When I roll my hips, letting my hard length rub against her, she moans and arches her back.
“You know, I think I like your dominant side,” she sighs contently as I reach between us and run my cock against her pussy, coating myself in her wetness before I slide inside her waiting heat.
“Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet,” I reply, leaning down and sucking one of her nipples into my mouth. I bite down just enough to make her swarm and feel her pussy clench.
“I’m looking forward to learning all about what drives you crazy.” Her voice comes out breathy.
“I can’t wait to see how far you’ll let me go.” I thrust my hips harder.
I wanted to take my time this go ‘round but I can’t. The urge to claim her consumes me. I desperately want to own her body and make her forget about anyone else that’s come before me.
“Graham.” She puts her hands on my chest. “Red.”
The minute we made it to her bedroom, I made it abundantly clear what the rules were. And gave her alist of safe words until she could think of one of her own.
Hearing the wordredroll off her tongue makes me immediately stop and pull out. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Fear and anxiety ripples through me.
“Condom.”
My head drops and I blow out a breath. “Shit.You’re right. I’m so sorry.”
