Page 48

MARA

I n one fluid motion, Wes swept me off my feet.

And before I could take in a single breath, I was on my back, cradled by the luscious fabrics of his bed.

Wes’s strong frame came over me, his lips crashing down once more, demanding that I open for him.

And the sensation of Wes taking over, taking command, had me turning into a puddle of want and need.

I obliged, and then I relished him exploring—seeking, searching—and he could have all of me.

I wanted him to.

Because Wes Calvernon had proven his love multiple times over. Sacrificed his life—his soul —for me. How the hell could I not offer him everything?

A moan escaped me, and I felt as Wes’s hands gripped me harder in response.

His lips traveled over my chin, down the length of my neck, and to my exposed collarbone, leaving a delicate trail of moisture that sent a shiver down my body as the cool night air touched it.

His hand wandered, clutching the flesh of my thigh and then over the curves of my body.

My shirt had ridden up, exposing the soft skin of my belly.

And when I felt the rough texture of his fingers gliding over my waistline, flattening over my stomach, and then dipping underneath the hem of my shirt, I lost it.

My whole body shivered, breaking out in tiny pricks of gooseflesh as my back arched.

A growing, pulsating throb blossomed deep within me, settling low as his thumb skirted the edge of my breast. He laughed at my reaction.

Emboldened, his lips and tongue followed the emblazoned trail his hand had left behind, traveling from my exposed hip, over my belly, around my navel, and down to the side of my rib cage.

The desire to be touched was fierce, causing my hand to fist his shirt at his shoulder while my other hand dug into his hair.

And when his lips reached the hem of my shirt, only a scant inch away from the swells of my chest, he paused.

His eyes flickered up to mine, begging— wanting —but waiting.

I nodded, and before I could utter a sound, the shirt glided upwards and came off, revealing me.

The cool night air tickled my skin as I took in a deep breath and held it.

Time suspended as Wes pulled back away from me, rising, and then stared. His eyes danced over my body, voice thick and guttural as he said, “You are so beautiful.”

My chest heaved, my lungs begging for air as his words fluttered through my mind.

And then he lowered himself back onto me, bringing his mouth to mine with a slow, gentle kiss.

One that caused me to finally exhale, parting my lips.

He took my breath, consuming the very air from my lungs as his tongue slipped past to gently caress my own.

Then he started over, sweeping his lips back down over my chin, skimming the length of my neck once more, and traveling down my chest. Slowly, his mouth trailed the rising curves, lingering on my most sensitive flesh.

My hands flattened on his back, and then I was tugging, pulling on the fabric.

He lifted, pulled the white t-shirt over his head, and I was left gazing at his exposed chest—smooth skin pulled taut over ripples of abs and pectoral muscles.

My hands brushed the shimmery skin of scars, remembering the days where I had almost lost him .

He slowly came back down over me, supporting some of his weight as his mouth met mine once more. I nibbled on his lip, loving the shudder I felt ripple through his body. “Mara,” he breathed out, his voice husky and strained. “Maybe we should wait—”

“What?” Not this again. I frowned. “Is it…is it me? Do you not want me?”

Confusion swept his face. “Why would you think that?”

I grimaced. “I don’t know. It just seems like every time we’re here, you pull away. Is it…is it my scars?” My voice cracked. I didn’t realize just how much this one thing hurt to even vocalize. “Are you… repulsed by them?”

Pain. Hurt and pain washed across his face. “Is that what you think?” He stroked my hair, brows drawn forward in the most beautiful look of anguish I’d ever seen.

I couldn’t answer him. Not with words at least. All I could do was give a weak nod.

Amber glowed in his eyes as he stroked my hair again and then cupped my cheek. “I’m going to say this to you once, and then I want you to never question what I think about you again. Do you hear me?”

I nodded once more.

“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. And you are my world, Mara. My galaxy. My universe . Everything I’ve done has been for you.

” My breath hitched. I couldn’t breathe.

“And I will spend the rest of my life loving each and every scar on your body. Because each one is proof that you are the strongest creature in this world.” He dipped his face closer, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine. “Stronger than me.”

Tears flooded my vision, and the sting in my throat made it difficult to speak, but I managed to whisper, “Then why don’t you want me?”

His voice was a pained whisper, laced with longing and sorrow. “Mara, I’ve wanted you since the beginning. I’ve wanted you since the first day I gazed into your brown eyes.” He shook his head gently. “I just never want you to regret anything with me.”

My heart melted. I was gone…lost in a sea of beautiful love.

Cupping his cheek, I guided his eyes to mine.

The amber hue shimmered, swirling with flecks of green and gold that reminded me of sunlight dancing on the blades of spring grass.

And with a deep shuddering breath, I told him what I knew to be true.

What had always been true, back from the very beginning.

“I love you, Wes. I am yours . Please don’t leave me now. ”

His eyes glistened with what I could only describe as raw joy and want that swept across the features of his beautiful face. And before the moment could be lost, I drew his lips back to mine.

And that kiss…that kiss was filled with so much emotion, so much love, so much deep-seated adoration, that I broke.

I shattered into a thousand pieces, so overwhelmed by the depth of his love.

Tears fell gently from my eyes, and the corner of my lips turned upward into a soft grin when his lips kissed away my tears.

And I kept smiling as all clothing was lost and I was bathed in the warmth of his skin across my own.

I smiled even as he stole my breath once more with kisses that came faster and with hands that wandered and explored.

I only ever stopped smiling when I felt him between the perfect V of my bent legs, firm and strong. He paused, his chest heaving, pressing against me as he whispered, “Are you sure?” His lips caressed my cheeks as I swallowed.

I turned my head, my nose bumping his as I nuzzled him. “Yes.” It came out as a weak whisper, and I watched as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, his entire body shuddering once again. I kissed him, letting him know that there was no hesitation from me, no questioning, no uncertainty.

He dipped his chin, his forehead resting against mine for a moment as he held his breath, still hesitant and unsure.

“Wes,” I whispered, knowing exactly what he needed to hear from me.

“Stay with me.” He stiffened, and I felt his heart skip a beat in his chest as his eyes flickered to mine.

I met his gaze and whispered once more, “Stay with me.”

Wes’s eyes spoke a thousand words, but his lips only spoke one. “Always.”

His mouth came back to mine, firm and hungry for what I had to offer him.

My hips moved against his, causing a groan that sounded more like a growl to escape him.

I felt his hands travel the length of my body once more and then clasping my hips, holding me still.

He shifted as he pressed himself against me.

And then there was fullness, and I closed my eyes, my lips pressed firmly together as my body received him.

He paused, his lips slowly caressing the corners of my mouth, kissing my nose, and then my cheeks. He waited, and I swallowed, exhaling slowly as I tried shifting slightly, trying to adapt to the pressure. His cheek rested against mine as he whispered, “Ready?”

I replied with bated breath, “Yes.”

His hand glided under my hip to support me as his lips brushed my cheeks again and then swept to my lips once more. In one fluid motion, he rocked forward.

I inhaled sharply, and his lips took in my whimper as my fingers curled against his skin. He paused, waiting again. “I know,” he whispered, kissing my lips gingerly. “I’m sorry.” He brushed my nose with his as my eyes fluttered. “I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

“It’s okay,” I breathed out.

His forehead rested against mine once more. “I wish it wasn’t like this.”

“That makes two of us,” I quipped.

He smiled then, and I felt the gentle touch of his lips kissing my cheeks again, then my eyes, and jaw, until he nuzzled me once more.

And the gestures were so intimate, so deeply rooted in love and adoration, that I melted.

And I couldn’t help but look upon him in complete awe.

Because the amount of restraint he had over himself, how gentle and sweet and totally amazing he could be… it just…it took my breath away.

He kissed me softly again, just a brush of his lips against my own. “Ready?” he asked again in a soft whisper.

“I think so.”

He pressed his lips against mine, kissing me fully, and then he was moving.

It was still uncomfortable, and from time to time, he would pause and give me a moment to adjust, to get used to the sensations.

And it got better. Slowly , but it got better.

And as the pain began to subside, something else gently took over.

My breath quickened as my heart began to gallop in my chest, and I felt as his breaths came in fast and heavy.

And when guttural groans emitted from deep within, causing his chest to rumble against mine, my body responded with movements that pushed against him and deepened every sensation that was building within me.

My entire body coiled tight, anticipation and a burn that pulsed deep and low, causing my chest to swell with breath until I couldn’t possibly take in any more air.

And when I thought I just couldn’t take any more of it…

When the sensations grew too strong, and I felt as though my body was a live wire, ready to electrify me…

Wes slipped his hand underneath my waist and pushed me up against him.

And I felt everything .

All of my senses heightened until I exploded in a cascade of sensations that caused me to cry out.

His lips came over mine, taking my cries, holding me to him as I shuddered and trembled, not understanding what was happening to me but loving it all the same.

He cradled me, my body wrapped in the sanctity of his embrace as we slowly rode out the waves, one after the other, slower and less intense with each lap, until my body went limp from exhaustion, and all that was left was love.