Elz stood in front of the open fridge, setting sandwich fixings out on one of two large islands. I watched her every move. She was so innocent and had no idea how insane my need for her was at the moment.

“You’re beautiful, Elz. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

She eased the door of the fridge closed. “Has it always been that way, Devon? Have you never been able to take your eyes off of me?”

Her cheeky look called to mind her recent confession. She knew exactly when I watched her, how often I watched her, and what I did while I watched her. She’d always heard me speaking to her, and I’d spoken some very educating fantasies.

One brow eased higher as I considered her expression, which to my surprise no longer had an embarrassing effect on me, but an inflammatory one. I unexpectedly found I liked that she knew my most secret desires—desires I’d imagined the two of us doing to and for one another. She might have been physically innocent, but her mind, no doubt, was right there with mine.

“Yes. My eyes have always been on you. From the first moment I saw you I’ve been able to do little else when I’m home.” I gave her a subtle look that warned of my carnal thoughts. “But you know that already, isn’t that right, cara? Since I can’t help but to say certain things that are on my mind.” I wet my lip and sucked it into my mouth. The action drew her gaze, and she inhaled slowly.

Yes, cara, this mouth will be on you tonight.

“And to think, all the times I watched you bathe, I believed that blush of yours was caused by the heat of the water. But I must confess, I find it more tantalizing to know it was I who induced such a beautiful reaction.”

She was quiet for a moment.

“Yes, amante, it was always you. And I’ll confess I find it more tantalizing to know you’re not just a ghost who only whispers carnal things in my ears, but you’re a flesh-and-blood man who can follow through with those things that are on your mind.”

I growled beneath the invisible tug pulling me toward her, like a lion following the scent of a lioness in heat, and closed the space between us.

“You mustn’t give me such an invitation, cara. My resistance is weak.”

One sweep of my hand had her hair brushed aside, and my face was buried against her neck. “Yes, cara, I am a flesh-and-blood man who wants badly to make love to his wife—to you.” I scraped my teeth against her flesh and pressed my lips to her neck, kissing it between sentences. “And I am a man whose flesh aches to feel you pressed against him with your hands exploring that flesh.” Kiss. “A man whose blood surges violently through his veins like hot metal settling in his loins, turning him to hardened steel.” Kiss. “And I am a man who’s been driven mad to be sheathed deep inside you, as you open your hungry limbs and welcome me to do so.” Kiss. “No, there is no ghost here.” Bite – Kiss. “Only a man who burns for you alone, Elz.” Suck…

She grew weak and I held her to me, giving one last bite before kissing away the pain. “I want you, cara—to the point of agony.” My mouth covered hers. God, I needed her love…needed her affections…needed her hands on me…needed her.

I tugged the backs of her thighs and lifted her onto the edge of the counter. Her legs went around me, and I pressed in between them. I groaned as the heat there penetrated the material over my throbbing flesh, the confines of my clothing too tight against it. The small bit of resistance I’d managed to sustain broke as I once again lost control, just as I had earlier at Ryder’s Club.

I thrust my arms around her waist and buried my face in the side of her neck, breathing deeply. Heaven help me. Unable to resist the compelling urge, I drove forward, my thighs flexing, working in unison with the muscles of my arse as I stroked her panties with the crotch of my jeans, grinding against her, growing more daring, more dangerous.

A groan ripped through my throat—one caused by unquenched desire and six years of unsatisfied want, need, and hunger for her. “Please help me,” I said lifting my head, our gazes locking. “Elz?” I looked to her for salvation and saw the answer to my unspoken plea. We both had an inferno of passion burning in our eyes, and I knew it was a dangerous, risky fire.

She moaned sweetly, oh, so sweetly. The sound was all the invitation I needed, and like a ravenous bird of prey, my mouth again descended upon hers, eating, devouring, as hunger racked my body. Again she followed me as we flew further from reality, and further into six tormented years of unquenched love, want, need, and desire.

“Oh God…” The words coughed out, as I hauled her the remaining inches to the lip of the counter and tugged her short dress over her arse, balancing her there. “Put your hands on the counter and brace yourself, cara. I need the use of my fingers.”

Anticipation bloomed in her expression, and she followed my instruction.

Oh, yes, I will pleasure you. “You’re so beautiful.”

I jerked my belt and jeans open and turned my hand to slide her panties aside, but forced myself to slow down as I felt the banks of her warm, soft flesh. My gut drew tight. I hadn’t gone so far yet—I’d stayed outside her panties in the car on the way home since Jarrett and Jaymi were right in the front seat.

I watched her face. That inexperienced look told me that no matter how nonvirgin her ears might be, she was still a virgin, and I was the first to truly breach these waters…the first to make her feel what she was feeling.

Her breath caught.

“Let go,” I whispered, mesmerized by her look of innocence. “Let me pleasure you.”

She let herself enjoy my touch, and only a moment passed before she entered orgasm. Her head fell back in a beautiful breathy moan, her plump lips whimpering my name, as her flesh tightened around my fingers.

“Devon…” Her eyes rolled to a close.

Fuck! I nearly came. That wouldn’t be very expert of me now, would it?

I fought the urge to yank my hand away and fill her with my starved cock. But determined to hold back for her sake, I leashed my hunger, and didn’t bring my caresses to an end until she grabbed my wrist.

She gave a shivery laugh. “You honestly are very wicked, aren’t you, Devon? But I like it. You make a good bad boy.”

Regardless that my heart was hammering the hell out of my chest from want and need, I indulged her playful attitude. “Shhh, don’t tell. I already have your parents and brothers fooled.”

“If you hadn’t given me clear insight into your wicked ways through six years of spoken fantasies, I would be shocked to find myself in this kitchen in a situation so risky with a man of your time.”

“Man of my time? Why would you say that? Do you presume men of my time are boring lovers?”

“Ah!” she gasped as I slip my fingers free of her, intentionally sliding up across her sensitive crux. Her lovely brows climbed high, and she smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t say boring, per se. Maybe reserved would be a more accurate assumption. Definitely not so naughty.”

“With you, cara,” I said tightly, trying to hold back the flaming need for release still licking my groin, “I can be anything but reserved.” I breathed a whisper into her ear. “Now I’m about to get a great deal naughtier. So, take firm hold of the counter, my love.” I pulled her arse cheeks off the island, and she took hold of the counter. “Yes, just like that, Elz.”

I looked into her innocent eyes, and my sanity flooded back like a crashing wave. I thought of her teasing accusation that I was naughty, and thought also of my reply. I stared into her inexperienced face and mentally conceded that I was out of my mind with crazed need, and had intentionally guided her toward penetration. Guilt rushed through me.

What am I thinking?

No doubt the thought of her knowing my fantasies had consumed my mind to the point that I was acting them out and not treating her as I should, like the virgin I was in love with who needed my gentle affection.

How could I have been so damn selfish?

It was a struggle not to think of the throbbing ache at the core of my tortured body, but I thought only of my love for her.

“I shouldn’t have done this,” I whispered. “We need to wait.” I hoped she heard the sincerity in my voice. “This is our first time to make love together, and you are a virgin. I’ll not allow you to regret the time and place. I want you to have something much more beautiful, much more dignified than this. We haven’t even taken the time to undress—Oh, Elz, stop shaking your head. You need to tell me to stop.”

“No!” Her eyes burned with need. “I appreciate your selfless love, I really do, but I will never regret this. The love between us is a gift, and there is nothing more beautiful to me than this unbridled passion and need to please one another.” Her look screamed of love and sureness as she fairly pleaded with me. “Honestly, Devon, unbridled passion doesn’t give a flying fig about being dignified. If it did, it wouldn’t be known as being un-bridled. No, I don’t want to wait.”

“You surely don’t mean that.”

“I surely do mean it.”

“You’re only saying it for my sake, Elz.”

“No…I’m not.”

“I swear to you, I can wait.”

She scowled a warning. “And I swear to you I can’t wait. I want us to be as close as two lovers can be. Please, Devon, don’t stop. Don’t cheat me out of the satisfaction of pleasuring you as you just pleasured me.” She looked at me with such loyalty and devotion that my heart nearly burst through my chest, love and desire defeating me.

“Don’t say that,” I whispered. “I would never deprive you of anything, Elz. I didn’t look at it that way. You’re sure this is what you want?”

Her flushed face softened into a smile, adoration emanating there.

“The only thing I’ve ever wanted more is you in my arms, and this will give me both.”

I exhaled my defeat. If she wasn’t going to stop me, I surely couldn’t stop myself.

“What man could fight this? As long as you’re being honest, and you are truly pleased with the time and place, that’s all I care about.”

“Then feel assured that I’m pleased—more than pleased.”

A sudden harsh image flashed through my mind of watching Elz through the glass, crying out at Hollister’s violent theft of her virginity the night he raped her, in fact, this very night. I remembered how he’d crushed her mouth with his hand to further muffle her cries when he committed that brutal act, an act I was at the moment preventing. My heart twisted tight and I pressed my forehead to hers, squeezing my eyes shut to push the memory from my mind. I knew that even though she was giving her innocence freely to me, it would surely hurt her. She still might cry out. My eyes opened and bore into hers. Thank God I saw a very different woman than the one I’d watched being raped by Hollister. There was no sign of that woman before me.

“You know I don’t want to hurt you,” I whispered.

“Yes, I know that,” she said, attempting to be brave. And besides, I’ve heard the pain, if any, lasts only a couple of seconds.”

I took comfort that Elz never suffered the pain Hollister poured into her. She didn’t, and wouldn’t ever remember what I remembered since I was saving her. I shoved Hollister and the rape far from my mind, and began easing into her.

“I love you, Elz. I always have.”

Her expression perked up at the pressure of me opening her.

“I always will,” I added.

“I love…you too, Devon.”

There was a slight resistance and then a release—her hymen tearing as I eased forward.

She sucked a breath and held it.

“Ahh-ahh—” I couldn’t contain the soft cry as I slid a bit deeper. Three inches. Four. God, yes…

I breathed through it as I stretched her to her limit. Her eyes widened and the innocent yet willing look stirred me in ways I hadn’t expected. I’d only been with practiced women, and never had the faintest desire to encounter an innocent…until Elz.

“You’re tight,” I whispered. “Try to relax. I’ve got you.” Shit, I’m only halfway in you.

She drew a slow breath and released it just as slowly while relaxing her thighs. I held her with ease.

She nodded, encouraging me to go deeper.

With her approval, I whispered against her lips, “Kiss me, Elz. Hold your mouth to mine so that if you cry out when I fully take you, you’ll cry out to me. I’m here for you.”

She did and, with a smooth motion, I pulled out to my tip and quickly thrust back in.

Sweet fuck!

“Gaahhh—” Her cry filled the hollow mouth, and I folded her into my embrace. Tension racked my body as I worked my shielding kiss softly against her lips. Trembling with need, I bridled the urge to pump into her, determined to wait until she was ready. I knew I could never redo this deed, and I intended to prove to her that I loved her more than myself.

 

 

 

Oh my God! I now knew the meaning of ‘hurts so good’. My toes curled from the sensation, and I felt faint yet alive beneath the rigid look on Devon’s face and the tremors shuddering his body.

Realizing his love ran so deep unleashed a swarm of fireflies lighting up every cell in my body. It was like nothing I’d ever felt. Armed with such potent knowledge, I knew I’d never use it against him—it was a treasure to be shared and safeguarded. Forevermore, I would be the keeper of his heart, and by God, I would guard it with my life.

At the moment, all I wanted was to make love with my husband.

My husband.

The gleaming sweat beads running down his temples revealed he was waiting for me.

Devon…

I no longer felt pain, but instead felt blissfully full. I put a leash on my nerves and tantalized him. “Do I have your go-ahead to move against you?”

He swallowed. “Yes…I beg you, please, yes.” The way he looked at me sent a zing right to the place I suspected he intended. “In fact, allow me,” he said, then took the lead. I felt every perfect movement as he worked us, one thrust at a time, into a faster pace, and I couldn’t believe I was already at orgasm.

Am I supposed to be this turned on?

Yes, Elz. It’s sex with Devon. You’re supposed to be this turned on.

“Wrap your arms around my neck and hold tight.”

I did, burying my face in his throat. He pushed his jeans to his thighs and turned his back to the counter, inching us up to sit on the cold stone, and I heard his boot heels hit the cabinet below. He leaned on his elbows, with me straddling him.

“This is the first time I’ve done the deed in my boots. I’ve never been afflicted with such urgency.” His voice hummed with restraint.

My mind flooded with a volley of questions. I studied his eyes.

“So you’ve been with many women?”

His expression changed, and he looked distressed, angry—with himself, I think.

“I’ve been with a few, but none since the moment I saw you. Forgive me for making such a thoughtless comment.”

“It’s all right.” I offered him an honest smile. “I’m not naïve.”

“No, I wouldn’t assume as much.” He frowned apologetically.

“It’s okay, really. I’ve never been under the illusion you were a virgin; your fantasies were too educated for that.”

“Still, I shouldn’t have been so thoughtless as to bring it up here, while making love with you. I wanted to do this right. I wanted our first time to be perfect. My only intention was to impart that you’ve driven me quite mad with need. So much so that I haven’t even removed my boots. I assure you, my mind was on you alone, and the effect you have on me.”

“It is perfect. I wouldn’t change a single thing. And I know you had a life before me.”

He reached across the counter for a nearby knife and cast me a wicked grin. “I think these need to go. Now hold still.” He was clearly uncomfortable with the conversation and was attempting to change the subject.

In disbelief, I sputtered out a laugh as he reached around to my tush and slipped the knife under the top strap of my lace underwear. Once the thin pieces of elastic were cut, he tossed the knife aside and dangled my ruined panties in the air. “Going.” His voice dripped with mischief. “Going.” He dropped them to the floor. “Gone.”

“Ha—I can’t believe you just did that. I like those panties.”

“I like them too, right where they are and not between us. Now, you have my go-ahead to move against me. No, wait—” He reached for two folded kitchen towels that I had pulled from the drawer earlier and placed one under each of my bare knees.

Oh, much better.

“Okay, I am at your mercy, My Lady, and hoping you will be the one to put it in.”

Put it in? Me?

His blunt request reminded me that I was a novice. My nerves did a break dance in my stomach. But eager to please him, I let my mind sift through six years of his verbal teachings, and I wrapped my fingers around him and stroked, fascinated by his tense look. I ran my thumb over the velvety tip and around the ridge, remembering to give attention to the twins below with my other hand. I bit back on my pride because now his look was really tense.

A breath parted his lips. “Lord, woman. You’re going to end this far too soon if you’re not careful.”

Gaining confidence, I lifted higher on my knees and guided him inside me, then sank low, letting him fill me.

“Ah—” He bit off a soft cry, then gripped the back of my neck and pulled me to him in an urgent maneuver. He kissed me hard, evoking a cry from me, too. After a long, very sexy taste, he seemed eager to see what would come next and gave my swollen lips one last suck-and-nibble. He let me go and returned to his elbows. It left my head spinning.

Seeing the eagerness in his eyes, I did what came naturally and rocked slowly. I was amazed at the effect it had on him since I had zero experience and assumed he’d been with very qualified women. I knew only what I’d seen in movies, read in books, and of course heard from Devon’s spoken fantasies. Regardless, his subtle expressions as he watched between us showed there was no denying my every move was pure satisfaction to him.

“Is this how it’s supposed to feel?” I asked.

His serious gaze shot up to mine. “God, no. This is better than it’s supposed to feel.”

My lips parted. I didn’t expect that.

As I rode him, he gently rocked beneath me, watching my expression.

“Elz—” My name wrenched from his throat, and a flame engulfed me.

I hadn’t realized he was nearing climax, but knew well I was already there.

“Oh, Devon!”

Every ounce of emotion exploded within me, and I felt the severe rush of orgasm, even to my toes. My body trembled, and I squeezed my thighs against his sides.

This has to be heaven.

He leaned back and took hold of my hips, pumping into me in a fast repetition of unbroken tempo. “Oh, yes… yes, Elz—”

We both jerked at the discordant sound of my cell phone vibrating on the counter. Devon froze. “Not now!” The words emerged through clenched teeth.

I groped within my delirium for lucidity. I considered ignoring the jarring interruption, but a bad feeling, one that warned me to answer the call, pricked me. I gave an apologetic frown and grabbed my phone.

Oh crap!

“It’s a text from Jaymi!” My voice shook. “Reed’s on his way here!”

“What?” Devon pulled out.

He slid us both off the counter and shoved my dress back down over my hips. Tugging his jeans up, he raced to tuck himself away and fasten his fly without causing permanent damage.

He hurdled over the island to put a good distance between us, and it made my stomach flutter to see how graceful those powerful movements were executed, especially considering the state he was in.

Tearing a couple of paper towels from a loose roll, he wiped the sweat from his face and tossed the roll to me. In a flash, I grabbed a handful, wiping away any evidence from my body. The proof of my virginity stopped Devon in his tracks as we both stared at the white cloth stained red. I blushed when our eyes met, but Devon’s look was pure love. I quickly tossed the used towels into the waste bin.

Back to our task, Devon looked down and saw my ruined panties on the floor. “Elz, this way.” He slipped the toe of his boot underneath and sent them sailing straight into my hand where they, too, were promptly trashed.

Already anticipating Devon’s line of thinking, I opened a drawer and pulled out two long body aprons with front pockets.

“Good God. Your brother can’t see me like this.” He said the last word just as the apron left my fingers. He caught it with a grin.

From the moment we’d received Jaymi’s text, it was as though we were of one mind, a perfect team, completely in tune with one another’s thoughts.

I laughed. “Put it on, quick. I don’t know how much good it will do you, but maybe Reed will think you have a rolling pin in your pocket.”

He laughed, and we pulled the aprons over our heads and tied them around our waists just as Reed pushed through the swinging door.

Noticing the distance between Devon and me, my brother’s anxious look eased, and he gave us a slight smile.

“Hey, what’s up, you two?” His unwitting greeting came without him noticing the guilty grins Devon and I shared at the truth within the question—his eyes were on the food I’d previously set on the island.

“You seem to be having a good time, but where are the sandwiches? I see all the fixings, but nothings fixed.” He gave a lighthearted chuckle. “No, in all seriousness, I came in here because it seems I owe this guy my thanks for defending my sister.” He hit me with a dangerous glare. “Who I must say, unwisely keeps things from her brothers.”

Jaymi!

At my remorseful look, I saw he felt a small sense of appeasement. His gaze returned to Devon, and he extended his hand. “Thanks, man. Jaymi told me what you did for Elz. I’m glad you were there.”

Devon, looking a bit reluctant, finally leaned across the counter and griped Reed’s hand with a firm shake.

Thinking about what Devon and I just did, and where his hand had been, I felt my face catch fire.

Devon nodded, pulling away quickly. “Thank you, Reed. It is my honor to defend your sister. She deserves much more respect than she was receiving from Hollister.” I saw a faint look of shame sweep Devon’s face, but mercifully it was gone just as fast. I didn’t want him to feel to blame for what we’d done, though he was probably feeling guilty that he’d lost control twice already in one night, and in the worst of places. I hoped he remembered that I, too, had lost it, and encouraged it both times…even insisted upon it.

“Elz?” Devon said, and I snapped back to the conversation.

“Uh, yeah?”

“Would you be kind enough to show me the location of the loo?”

“Sure.”

Slipping away from Reed, Devon and I quickly washed our hands and certain other body parts before going back to the kitchen to delve into our original task. Reed stayed and helped us make the sandwiches.

We hauled the heavily laden trays of food to the billiards room, where we ate, played some more pool, and enjoyed a laid-back rest of the evening before everyone turned in. Although, I hadn’t thought Devon felt very laid-back if his grave expression had been any indication.