Page 32 of Heartbeat Harmony (Hearts in Hawthorne #2)

Chapter

Eighteen

A utumn couldn’t believe she had just invited Eli to shower with her. It was so totally out of character for her.

But it sounded like it could be fun.

Her gaze held his. “What do you say?” she flirted, seeing the heat sizzle in his eyes.

A slow smile formed. “I say I’m all in.”

Before she could say anything else, he swept her off her feet as if she weighed nothing.

Autumn wrapped her arms about his neck, feeling the beating of his heart quickening as he carried her toward his bedroom.

Her own heart began beating in harmony, anticipating what was to come.

She knew he was inexperienced, but the sparks between them would see them through.

He stopped once he reached the bedroom and kissed her.

Autumn’s fingers tangled in his hair as they devoured one another hungrily.

Eli gently set her down, the kiss still electric, his hands roaming her back, cupping her buttocks, bringing her flush against him.

Between kisses, they slowly began undressing one another.

He unbuttoned her shirt, kissing the flesh revealed each time, causing heat to flood her.

He pushed the shirt from her shoulders, grazing one with his teeth, sending a delicious chill up her spine.

She returned the favor, lifting his T-shirt and kissing his rock-hard abs, seeing him quiver beneath her touch.

He jerked the shirt over his head and tossed it aside, kissing her again, hard and long.

Her breasts began to swell, aching for his touch.

She slipped her hands behind her back and undid the clasp of her bra, allowing him to pull it away, the barrier now gone.

His hands cupped her breasts, his thumb stroking back and forth, teasing her swollen nipples.

“Can I kiss you here?” he asked hoarsely.

“You can kiss me anywhere,” she said breathlessly, anticipating the feel of his mouth.

He was tentative at first, his lips grazing her breasts. Knowing he needed a little push, she told him to use his tongue and teeth.

“You don’t mind?” he asked.

“I want you to.”

When he did, it rocked her to her core. He kneaded one breast as he sucked on the other, licking, nipping, and sucking again. She felt the tightness in her core and whimpered, knowing she was about to come.

She moaned low, and he stopped, looking at her worriedly. “Are you all right?”

“Better than all right,” she managed to get out. “Don’t. Stop. Doing. That.”

He grinned sheepishly. “Okay.”

When he slipped his mouth around her breast again, the pressure within her began building. His teeth toyed with her nipple, causing her to whimper loudly.

And then she exploded.

The orgasm came hard and fast, causing her to cry out loudly. She clung to him, and he kept doing what he was doing, making it go on and on until she was spent and weak.

He kissed his way back to her mouth and asked, “Was that a good thing?”

“That was a fantastic thing,” she corrected, her hands framing his face, pulling him down to her.

The kiss was wild and delicious and the absolute best of her life. A humming raced through her body unlike ever before.

She broke the kiss. “I’ve never come that way,” she panted. “It’s because of you. You are … incredible, Eli.”

“And we’re still half-dressed,” he quipped. “I suppose it gets better?”

Autumn smiled at him. “Let’s keep going and find out.”

He unbuttoned the button on her denim shorts and slowly pulled down the zipper, working the shorts over her hips. She stepped out of them and allowed him to pull her panties down. She shed those and turned, hurrying to the bathroom.

Looking over her shoulder, she said, “Come on!”

As she opened the shower door and turned the nozzles on full blast, she knew he was ridding himself of the cargo shorts he’d worn. She closed the shower door and looked through the open doorway, seeing him standing in boxer-briefs, his long legs muscular and tanned from his years of running.

Their gazes met and he hesitated a moment before lowering his underwear and throwing it to the side. With deliberation, their gazes still connected, Eli came toward her, both admiration and hunger in his eyes.

For her …

Before he even touched her, she had never felt so desired. She realized sex with Flint had been just that. Sex. Perfunctory. Quick. No cuddling after. Already, Eli had made her feel cherished. Wanted.

And loved.

Autumn ignored the fact that it was too soon. That she shouldn’t be feeling such strong emotions for a man she’d only known for such a short time. All she knew was that a good man was looking at her with love in his eyes—and she wanted to make love with him.

Holding out her hand, Eli stepped forward, taking it. She turned, opening the door to the shower again, feeling the cascade of water and quickly adjusting the temperature. Then she stepped inside, leading Eli with her.

And the magic began.

It helped that his shower was large and had four nozzles, plus a rain shower head above them.

Everywhere they went, they were embraced by the warm water.

They clung to one another, kissing, their mouths hungry for the taste of the other.

She didn’t think. She just moved. Did. Accepted.

Took. Gave. Her married sex life had revolved around what made Flint happy.

She had been an afterthought. But Eli put her first in every way.

And she reveled in it.

Their bodies slick with water, their hands glided easily, as did their tongues, as they explored one another, marveling in what they found.

He pinned her to the wall with his larger body, then kissed his way up and down her.

She gently guided him, using both her hands and voice, showing him what felt good to her. Learning the same about him.

They lathered one another’s bodies, and she found joy in touching his sleek muscles, seeing them quiver under her fingers. He worked shampoo into her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp lovingly. All her tension washed away beneath the tenderness of his touch.

The water began to grow cool, and she said, “Let’s finish this in bed.”

She caught the mischievous glint in his eyes as they quickly rinsed away any remaining soap. He turned off the faucet. As Eli retrieved two towels, she squeezed the excess water from her hair.

He toweled off quickly, wrapping it around his waist, and then opened the second towel for her.

She stepped into it. Into his arms. He enveloped her in it, kissing her neck, that delightful shiver rushing through her again.

Then he got down to work, drying her limbs and torso and rubbing the towel against her hair before wrapping it around her and bringing her next to him.

“I wanted to make love to you in the shower,” he said huskily. “I’m sorry we ran out of time.”

She kissed him lightly. “We can try again later. I think our first time together in bed will be nice.”

He dropped a kiss upon her brow. “Thank you for guiding me along.”

“You’re a fast learner,” she purred.

“Then let me go learn a little more.”

Sweeping her off her feet again, he carried her to the bed and gently placed her on her feet, tossing aside throw pillows and pulling back the comforter she had purchased for him. Autumn discarded the towel, allowing his eyes to roam her body.

“You are so beautiful,” he said softly, moving to her and wrapping her in an embrace. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

“Ditto,” she said, knowing he wouldn’t have seen Ghost and known how Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore used the phrase. It could be one of many things they did together in the future she saw for them.

Boldly, she slipped her fingers beneath the towel he wore, peeling it away and dropping it on the floor. Autumn wrapped her arms around his waist and began kissing his chest, something he had enjoyed in the shower. She flicked her tongue against his nipple, hearing his groan.

“I can feel your smile,” he said, sounding very satisfied as his arms came about her.

They fell onto the mattress, and the need which had been building within her pushed her to kiss him wildly.

She had never lost control of her body or feelings, but this man caused a maelstrom to stir inside her.

His kisses became deeper, his hands stroking her body until she felt afire.

She took hold of his cock firmly, her thumb rubbing the smooth head seductively. He sighed into her mouth.

“That feels so good,” he murmured. “I want to make you feel the same. Tell me how.”

“Just like in the shower,” she said, releasing him and taking his hand, guiding him. “Use your middle finger. Ease it into me.”

He did as she said, stroking her deeply.

“Oh, yes,” she said, leaning into him.

“Deeper?”

“Yes.”

He caressed her, and she felt herself trembling. She had him add a second finger, guiding his hand until he found the perfect spot. It was empowering. Fulfilling. And openly sharing such intimate things together would strengthen their already strong bond.

She whimpered, and he said, “I’m recognizing that’s a good sound when you make it.”

By now, she was meeting his hand, ready to orgasm at any moment. She could only nod, speech impossible. Then it consumed her, and she rode his hand, calling his name, clinging to him as it went on and on.

When the orgasm ended, she forced her eyelids open and smiled up at him. “That was amazing. I’ve never felt like that.” Tenderly, she reached up and caressed his cheek. “You know how to take care of me. You want to take care of me. That means everything, Eli. But now let me return the favor.”

She thought it would be easiest to introduce him to the missionary position because it would give him control as he learned.

Quietly, she explained to him what they would do together, and he began kissing her, his hands stroking her body.

The curve of her hip. She took him in her hand, gripping him firmly, moving and encouraging, feeling him swell.