Page 28 of Smoky Mountain K-9

She shivered as his voice washed over her. “Absolutely.” Standing on her toes, she fused their mouths together again, toppling them onto the bed as she hooked her arms around his neck and pulled.

His soft chuckle rumbled through his chest into hers. She smiled against his lips, then moaned as his hands tunneled beneath her shirt and seared her bare flesh. In moments, her shirt and bra were gone, having disappeared over the side of the bed. She didn’t mind. Not when he wrapped those large palms around her breasts and kneaded her sensitive flesh.

What she did mind, though, was that he still hadn’t shed an ounce of clothing. Mara tugged on the hem of his long-sleeved t-shirt. Carter sat back and whisked the garment over his head.

She didn’t waste any time. Eager to feel him without the cotton barrier, she reached out and ran her hands over his sculpted chest. Warm, silky skin over steely—but supple—muscles met her fingers. He was like one of those marble sculptures come to life. Mara traced the swells and valleys, raising goosebumps in her wake. She was happy to see she wasn’t the only one affected by the other’s touch.

With a growl, Carter took her hands in his and raised them over her head, holding them there while he bent his head to suck the tip of one breast into his mouth. Mara’s lips parted on a gasp. She tugged on her wrists, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Carter.” She tugged again.

He raised his head. “Nope. Your hands are torture devices. If you touch the wrong spot, this is over before it starts.”

She giggled. “I’m sure I could make it start again.”

A grin slashed his face. “I’m sure you could too.” His expression turned wicked. “But I’m having fun right now and don’t want to take a break.” He dipped his head again and took her other breast into his mouth.

Mara moaned again. Moisture flooded her core.Dear God in Heaven.If he was that talented with his tongue, she could only imagine what he could do with other parts.

Carter worked her into a frenzy. Sweat pricked her skin and waves of pleasure rolled through her, building into a tsunami that rose ever higher. Just when she thought she’d break, he sat up.

She huffed, making him chuckle.

“Patience isn’t your forte, is it?”

Mara tugged on her hands again. “No. I want to touch you.” Turnabout was fair play, after all.

He hummed. “Soon.” His free hand drifted down her abdomen to the fastening on her khakis.

A whimper escaped her as his fingers brushed the skin beneath as he worked the button free. The zipper rasped, loud in the quiet room, as he drew it down. Then his hand was under the fabric, burrowing deep to find her center. Her hips bucked when he slid his fingers along her seam, discovering just how ready she was for him. She knew he could take her in one hard thrust and glide right in.

He seemed to know that, because his low groan filled the room as he slid a finger into her channel. Suddenly, her hands were free, and he was tugging her pants and underwear down her legs. Mara helped him, kicking her feet to free herself. As soon as they disappeared the way of her shirt and bra, she sat up and attacked the button on his jeans. Carter pushed her hands away and hopped off the bed, shucking the rest of his clothes.

Mara bit her lip. Those Roman sculptures had nothing on the man before her. She doubted any of them would look like him fully erect. She scrambled onto her hands and knees, crawling to the edge of the bed as he leaned over to fetch a condom from his nightstand. Mara took full advantage of his distraction. She wrapped a hand around him, stroking his silky steel shaft.

He jerked and let out a moan. “Mara.”

She squeezed, eliciting another moan. Wanting to taste him, she leaned forward and took him into her mouth.

His hands landed in her hair, clutching the strands almost to the point of pain. He let go, groaning, when she bobbed.

Suddenly, she found herself on her back. Her body bounced as the mattress gave beneath her. Then he was above her, his handsome face contorted as he held onto his control with a fine thread. The condom wrapper crinkled as he tore it open. He had himself sheathed before she could do more than think about doing it for him. Her body wept as he nudged her knees apart and positioned himself between them.

“No going back, Mara. Stop me now. Otherwise, you’re mine. This”—he tipped his hips forward, the end of his shaft bumping her entrance—“belongs to me. I don’t share.”

Her belly clenched. A deep, visceral need filled her. She never thought she’d be the type to respond to such an alpha statement, but holy hell if that didn’t make her want to shoot off like a rocket. She raised her knees, making him press a fraction deeper. She swallowed, finding some moisture so she could speak. “It’s all yours. Make it—make me—yours.”

His mouth landed on hers. He thrust his tongue between her lips at the same moment he thrust his hips forward, impaling her. She let out a squeak of pleasure that got lost in their kiss.

Carter pumped into her, the exquisite friction doing things to her body she’d never imagined possible. Bit by bit, she unraveled until she could feel every separate cell. When he broke their kiss and gently nipped the end of her breast, the shockwave was enough to slam them back together and launch her into space. She let out a shout and dug her nails into his back, trying not to fly apart as wave after wave of euphoria ripped through her. Through her haze, she heard his guttural moan and felt his muscles harden until he felt like marble. Together, they collapsed, sinking into the bed as they fought for air.

The enormity of what they’d done hit her. His words from before echoed through her mind. No going back. He was right. There was no going back. The book on her previous life was officially closed.

Melancholy flooded her heart, but a sense of excitement quickly replaced it. If she had any doubt she was ready to move on, that feeling erased it. No matter what the future held with Carter, she was ready to face it. A part of her would always miss Blake, but she wasn’t trapped in her grief anymore. She’d healed and was ready to see where life took her.

Carter rolled, bringing her with him. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his brows quirking as he saw her smile. “What’s that look?”

Mara raised a hand to touch his jaw. “Nothing. Just me realizing how right this feels.”