Page 20 of Desperate Temptations

H e levered himself up on his elbows. His hands cupped her head, holding her in place. He took her mouth with burning intensity, branding her. What he wouldn’t give to be able to have her, and his body throbbed with the need for release, but he knew it was too soon.

Slowly, so he didn’t startle her, he ran one hand down over her hair, to her neck, and finally found what he searched for.

He cradled her breast in his hand. He pinched her nipple, earning a needy moan from her.

Cain molded her breast in the cup of his hand.

At the same time, devouring her mouth and pressing his knee rhythmically against her center.

Her breathing became labored, her body tensed, telling him without words how close she was. He pressed tighter against her, pinching her nipple harder and deepening the kiss, pushing her over the edge.

Her body tightened, then let go. When the vast wave of her orgasm hit her, she screamed. Her body shook, and her cries turned hoarse.

Cain continued to stroke her to completion, giving her as much pleasure as he could, as his kisses softened. Jesus, what he wouldn’t give to be able to listen to the sounds she made for the rest of his life.

She heard him crooning to her but didn’t understand what he was saying. She came down slowly. Finally able to catch her breath, she forced her heavy eyes open.

The look of bewilderment made him chuckle. He kissed her lips and rained gentle kisses over her face. He moaned as he shifted his body off her and to the side. He pulled her tighter against him.

“What about you?” she whispered, bewildered several minutes later.

He tilted his head to hear her better.

“What?” Cain asked as he struggled to regain his composure. His body screamed for him to take her. His male instinct was to make her his in the fiercest, most basic way. Letting her know without words that she belonged to him.

She tucked her head into his chest, embarrassed.

“You didn’t ... come.”

He grimaced, then smiled. “No, I didn’t, but I’m old enough to know I won’t come every time I’m with you. The fact that I brought you pleasure is all I need. For now.”

She peeked up at him and scowled at his smug smile.

“But that’s not fair. Let me touch you. I want to feel you, to make you feel as good as you made me feel.”

He grabbed her hand when she moved it slowly down his stomach, knowing where she was headed.

“Baby, no. The first time I come, I’ll be inside you, and you’ll be ready for me in every way.”

Jessa’s eyes dilated, and her breathing was silent for a moment.

“W-we could make love. I’m on the pill.”

Cain bent, pressed his lips against hers, and lightly bit her bottom lip.

“We’re not quite there yet. But know this, when I’m in you, I’m planning on staying there for a long time. Frankly, you are going to need more sleep and food to be able to take me on.”

“What has to happen before you think I’m ready?” she asked.

“What I mean by you being ready for me in every way is when you give yourself to me, it will be forever. Most importantly, we won’t have Drew’s ghost between us.”

Jessa lay there frozen, which confirmed to him that she wasn’t prepared for the next step. He kissed her one more time and hoisted himself up and off her.

“I’m going to take a shower; stay here and get more much-needed rest. I’ll make breakfast when I’m done.” He put up a hand when she moved to get up. “Don’t argue.” He leaned over, placed his hands on either side of her, and kissed her hard on her lips. “Let me take care of you right now.”

At the doorway to the hallway, he turned and smiled. She was adorable, peeking over the back of the sofa, looking confused, sleepy, and flushed from the pleasure he’d given her as she stared at him.

The moment he turned away from her, Cain’s smile slipped.

He didn’t like the conflicted look stealing into her expression.

He’d known he would have to deal with her guilt about letting him touch her.

Maybe he’d pushed too fast that morning, using the fact she was tired, trying to strengthen their bond.

Her soft, luscious curves had molded to the hard, muscled planes of his body, making it nearly impossible not to want her under him, using intimacy to bind her to him and closer to thinking about a future with him.

Even though he would love and miss Drew for the rest of his life, he hoped Drew would finally be put to rest, and they could move on with their lives together.