Page 27 of Claimed Gem

Stephanie tried to keep her own body from reacting but it was like trying to hold back the wind. She allowed him to draw her toward him close enough she could see the tiny lines in his gorgeous eyes.

He started to push himself up off the mattress, his eyes locked on her own as he rolled toward her on his good shoulder. Stephanie met him halfway, afraid he would inadvertently hurt himself.

“You’re going to hurt yourself,” she whispered to him, placing her palm against his chest and pressing him back slowly.

Ries held her hand as he lowered himself back to bed. Stephanie found herself leaning over him, slightly off balance. She shifted her hips, using her free hand to help brace her upper torso and placing it within inches of his face.

“Ries?”

The chemistry between them was palpable and Stephanie locked her eyes on his lips, wondering what kind of a kisser Ries was. She didn’t have to wait for long when he closed the distance between their lips.

The instant their skin touched, it was as if someone had held a lit match to a pile of dry kindling. The tension surrounding them burst into flames and Stephanie wanted more.

She broke their kiss to move her body around him. Ries rolled toward her and slipped his arm around her back so that they were touching everywhere.

Words became unnecessary as they explored one another. When Ries tugged at her clothing, Stephanie quickly took every stitch of clothing she was wearing. Ries held up the sheet for her, inviting her to join him underneath, and she no longer had to wonder about his boxers.

The emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface all afternoon were given free rein as Stephanie and Ries worshipped one another, reveling in the fact that they were alive and had been given another chance.

Stephanie didn’t care that getting in Ries’ bed was most likely temporary for him. She couldn’t ignore the way he made her feel, the way her heart skipped a beat when he was near or the fact that she’d never felt so much emotion in such a short time.

For the first time in her life, Stephanie let go and enjoyed the moment.

As the sun set outside, they lost themselves in one another. At first, Stephanie was careful but after long moments of kissing and touching, Ries took the reins and pulled her atop him.

He was only using one hand and as she sat astride his body, rocking against him they both sought the ultimate pleasure.

She knew that when he was feeling better and able to use both of his hands, he was going to completely obliterate her senses.

As soon asRies woke up, he became aware of several things at once. It was getting light outside, his shoulder was aching, and there was a warm body pressed up against his uninjured side.

He blinked his eyes open and glanced down, seeing the top of Stephanie’s head as it rested on the pillow next to him. Her arm was lying across his chest, and one leg was hooked over his own.

He gingerly skimmed the hand of his hurt arm over her shoulder, watching as she slowly came awake. Images from the night before came back to him.

Stephanie and he hadn’t just had sex. It had been so much more. They’d made love.

He watched her eyelids flutter and eased up on his side, letting his hand trail across her cheek, down her neck, and across her collar bone.

“Good morning,” he murmured as she came awake.

He watched awareness enter her eyes, relieved when a sexy grin appeared.

“Good morning.” He leaned down and kissed her, letting his lips and tongue explore her mouth and then trailing kisses along her jawline and up to her temple. “I could get used to this.”

“What?” she asked, tipping her head to the side as his lips skimmed behind her ear and down to the spot where her shoulder and neck met. When goose bumps covered her skin, Ries smiled using his mouth to keep her on edge.

“You taste as good as you smell,” he placed little biting kisses across her skin. He lifted his head and met her eyes, “Last night was amazing.”

Stephanie nodded, letting her hands run up and down his back, pausing when her fingertips grazed his bandaged shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“Happy.”

Stephanie smiled and then sobered, “No, how is your shoulder this morning? We didn’t injure it more, did we?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’ve got a mind for a repeat performance,” Ries told her, sliding her hand over his body until she was covering his rapidly hardening groin.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to do most of the work again but I promise you soon enough that will not be the case. I’m going to devour you and give you so much pleasure you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”