Part 14 (1/2)
Her trembling increased, her body arching from the mattress. He caught her sensitized flesh carefully between his teeth, holding her captive for his hot tongue, intent on her climax now, devastating her, enjoying her, driving her closer with each and every movement he made. She called his name, softly, over and over. He slid his hands against her, abruptly pus.h.i.+ng two fingers deep inside her.
Wild, shattering sensations swept through her body, and Tyler could feel her contractions against his mouth and tongue, pressing closer, relis.h.i.+ng every second of her pleasure. It seemed to go on and on, and he pushed her for more.
When Carlie finally went limp, Tyler raised himself, scooting up to lie upon her. ”You're beautiful.” Her hair was tangled about her head and a fine sheen of moisture glistened on her skin. He kissed her slack mouth, then stood, quickly removing his pants.
Carlie opened her eyes, but she didn't smile. She seemed dazed, her gaze intent on his body. Tyler leaned forward, naked, to brush his fingers through the curls between her thighs. She sucked in a startled breath, her hips pressing into the mattress.
His touch eased, barely skimming her, and she trembled. ”Too sensitive?” He watched her nod, seeing the confusion in her bright eyes. He palmed her, his hand still and warm.
Sitting on the bed beside her, he looked over her body. Her legs were still sprawled, her knees bent so her calves hung over the bed. Her arms were limp, lying palm up beside her head. She was watching him closely.
He looked at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, still heaving slightly, and leaned down to gently take a nipple between his teeth. She groaned, her body clenching once again. ”Tyler, please.”
”Just a minute, sweetheart. I have to protect you.”
It took him only a moment, but she was frantic with need, and Tyler closed his eyes in antic.i.p.ation. He felt her thighs open wider, accommodating him, and with only the subtlest of movement, he was ready to enter her.
Poised on his forearms, he watched every nuance of her expression as he slowly, inexorably, sank into her, giving her his length, stretching her with his hardness.
She moved anxiously against him, and forced him past his control. Thrusting smoothly and deeply, he wound his hands in Carlie's hair, anchoring her head so he could kiss her, swallowing her gasping breaths and soft, broken moans.
When he felt her tightening again, this time around his arousal, squeezing him, giving him unbelievable pleasure, he found his own explosive o.r.g.a.s.m. Closing his arms around her, he held her tight until the spasms had faded.
It was several minutes before Tyler found the strength to move away from her warm body. He rolled to his side, but immediately pulled her close. He felt oddly disturbed, and frankly disloyal. He'd never known anything like what he'd just experienced with Carlie-except for that one night in the pool house. He hadn't wanted those memories to interfere. They no longer mattered; he no longer cared.
But thoughts of that night, images and heated memories, had danced through his mind even as his senses filled with Carlie. His Carlie. He squeezed her closer, trying to chase away the images, but they didn't budge. Carlie leaned up to look at him.
”Tyler? What's wrong?”
She sounded anxious, and he rushed to rea.s.sure her. ”What could possibly be wrong? Other than the fact I think you may have killed me with pleasure. I'm certain I no longer have legs. At least, if I do, they're totally useless right now.” He cupped her cheek. ”You're incredible, do you know that?”
She cuddled back down to his chest, her hands stroking through the dark curls there. ”No. It was you. You were wonderful, Tyler.”
He froze. The masked lady had said virtually the same thing on the phone. It unnerved him. Especially since the two women were so different. The woman at the party had been reserved, nearly frightened and so timid about each move he made, but Carlie had partic.i.p.ated wholeheartedly. She was everything a man could want or hope to have in a mate.
He felt as though he'd somehow tainted the otherwise exquisite experience by envisioning another woman. No matter that the thought had come out of the blue. How could another woman, any woman, have intruded when he was with his Carlie? And she was his now. Savage possessiveness gripped him; he would never let her go.
Thinking that, he lowered his head to press a kiss to her temple. ”You can't ever close me out again, Carlie. I won't let you.”
Her reaction was immediate, and again, unexpected. She went perfectly still, almost stunned. He ran his hand over her shoulder. ”You're mine, Carlie. I need you.”
She looked at him from beneath her lashes. ”Tyler, there's something you need to know.”
He didn't like the sound of that. She was already trying to escape him, but he wouldn't let her. He kissed her again, then rose from the bed. ”Now, we need that shower.”
Her eyes widened. ”I can't...!”
”Of course you can. Come on, I'll wash your back. And anything else that needs my attention.”
He could sense her thinking, plotting. She twisted her hands in the sheets. ”I'm too tired. You've exhausted me. Please, just come back to bed.”
It hit him like a lightning bolt. She didn't want him to see her, really see her, without her clothing hiding her figure, making her look frumpy. He frowned thoughtfully, uncertain how to proceed. If she had a scar or some other reason to be embarra.s.sed...but he'd touched every inch of her; certainly he would have noticed if anything was wrong. Still, her anxiety was very real, almost tangible, and he couldn't push her. Not after all she'd already given him, not after sharing herself so completely. He touched her cheek. ”I'll be right back.” He walked out of the room unconcerned with his own nudity, returning only moments later with a damp cloth. He left the lights off and seated himself beside her, content with the way she followed his progress. ”Your eyes are so wide, you must think I'm intending some kind of mayhem.” Carlie s.h.i.+fted fretfully. ”What are you intending?”
”Only to wash you. Now lie still and behave.” With a rapid peddling motion of her long legs, she scooted backward until she was pressed against the headboard. ”Tyler, no! Good grief, I'm perfectly capable of tending myself.”
He caught her foot, stroking the damp cloth up her calf and behind her knee. ”But I want to do it. Now relax and stop fighting me.”
She remained stiff, but she didn't struggle against him. ”You're outrageous, Tyler.”
”Don't sound so sulky. Before long, you'll learn to enjoy my outrageousness, I promise.”
Tyler was thorough, using the cool cloth to stroke slowly over her body, removing all traces of their lovemaking. Carlie finally gave up her inhibitions, relaxing and enjoying his ministrations. Tyler chuckled when she moaned softly, then he bent to kiss a soft pink nipple.
”Sleep, Carlie. We need sleep.” She frowned at him, and he stroked her one last time. ”I'll be right back.”
Tyler showered in a hurry, not wanting to take the chance Carlie would recover and send him home. He wanted to hold her in his arms all night.
He wanted to wake in the morning and look at her in the full light of day. And make love to her again.
She was an enigma, but he was slowly coming to understand her, completely and without doubts. She was trustworthy, the only trustworthy woman he'd ever known.
With his hair still damp, a towel wrapped loosely around his hips, he reentered the bedroom. He could see Carlie's huge golden eyes s.h.i.+ning at him in the darkness. He hesitated, waiting only a heartbeat, and she leaned forward, throwing back the blankets, silently inviting him into her bed.
He dropped the towel over a chair and slid in beside her. She immediately curled against him, settling her hand on his chest. In the smallest voice he'd ever heard from Carlie, she whispered, ”Thank you, Tyler.”
”Thank you? That's an unusual sentiment from a woman who just gave herself to a man.”
”I didn't. Give myself to you, that is. You gave yourself to me. And you did it perfectly. It was wonderful, you were wonderful, and I thank you.”
His chuckle nearly jarred her from her position against his shoulder. ”You're very welcome...and by far the most appreciative woman I've ever made love to.”
Her hand moved slowly over his chest, kneading the swell of muscle, teasing her fingers through the fine, dark hair. ”We'll talk in the morning, okay?”
She sounded wary, unsure of herself. Tyler kissed the top of her head, then yawned hugely. ”We'll talk, but only after I've gotten a chance to enjoy waking up with you.”
Carlie was silent, her face turned into his skin, and he felt the sweet, very brief touch of her lips. He wasn't certain what to make of this new mood of hers, but then, it didn't matter. She was his, and nothing was going to change that. He wouldn't let it.
It was the sunlight streaming in that first stirred Tyler. His eyes opened slowly. Remembrance came in a rush of contentment, and he looked down to see Carlie still close to him, but now turned so that her bottom was nestled securely against his groin. His palm rested on her breast. Her skin was warm and silky and smooth.
She was peaceful in her sleep, her body lax, one hand curled beneath her cheek giving the illusion of childlike innocence. But she was no child.
Very quietly, Tyler raised himself onto one elbow, gazing down at her, a strange, stirring mix of emotions swamping him. He wanted to wake her and make love to her; he wanted to lie down and hold her forever.
He forced himself to be considerate and do neither. She was exhausted, and she needed her sleep. She didn't move so much as an eyelash when he carefully slid out of the bed.