Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Hunger burns brightly from his dark eyes as he stares at me like I’m the only thing he’s cognizant of. Like he plans on swallowing me whole in one tasty bite. It’s doubtful anyone has ever looked at me with so much pent-up intensity.

Longing.

Desire.

It’s a heady sensation.

An addictive one.

Everywhere his gaze caresses tingles with newfound awareness as electricity pulses in the air around us. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the room burst into flames and I combusted with it.

He cocks his head. “Are you ready for me, sunshine?”

Anticipation dances down my spine. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more ready for anything in my life than this man.

For this precise moment in time.

I didn’t realize it until now.

“Yes.”

His lips lift into a ghost of a smile as he shoves away from the door. Once he’s on the move, there’s no more holding back. I feel it in the shift of the atmosphere.

I’ve given my consent.

I’m here.

This is happening.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

His large hands drift over my cheeks until he’s able to cup the sides of my head. He angles my face upward so his mouth can crash onto mine. When his tongue sweeps across the seam of my lips, I open and allow him entrance. It never occurs to me not to. The second they part, he’s delving inside and dragging me beneath the surface of the ocean where breathing becomes impossible.

Unnecessary.

“So fucking sweet,” he whispers before diving back in for more.

Even though his mouth grows demanding, his lips remain just as soft as I imagined when I caught sight of him on the ice. It’s weird to think that it was only hours ago. It seems more like days or weeks.

His palms fall away, dropping to the zipper of my jacket.

“This needs to go,” he mutters.

As soon as the words are released, the sound of metal grinding against metal fills the room and then the black jacket is shoved away from my shoulders before it falls to the carpet beneath my feet.

His mahogany-colored eyes turn stormy as he stares at my jersey. Before I realize what’s happening, it’s yanked up my body and over my head. He glares at the scratchy white and blue material wadded in his hands before flicking a hard stare in my direction.

“After I’m finished with you tonight, you’ll never look twice at that jersey again,” he grits between clenched teeth before tossing it away like garbage.

I can’t imagine what would happen if he discovered that I’m not the puck bunny he assumes, but River Thompson’s sister instead.

Would he stare at me with the same kind of hatred he reserves for my twin?

That thought is enough to send a shudder of unease skittering through me. My nipples tighten into hard little points beneath the light-blue cami stretched across my breasts. His attention zeros in on the gentle swells and his previous desire returns full force.

“You’re like a beautifully wrapped gift on Christmas morning. I just want to tear the paper away until I can see what’s waiting beneath for me to play with.”

Arousal pools at the bottom of my belly as I lift my chin and say something I never thought I would. “Then what are you waiting for?”

Anticipation floods my system until there’s a good chance I’ll drown in it.

A growl vibrates from deep within his chest as his fingers grip the hem of the cami and drag it up my torso. Seconds later, it meets the same fate as both the jersey and jacket. A lacy pale-pink bra covers my breasts. The gorgeous material is sheer and reveals far more than it conceals. Unlike Holland, I’m not overly generous in the cleavage department. When you don’t need a lot of support, it’s easy to wear pretty little undergarments.

By the appreciative expression on his face, he’s in full agreement with that decision.

“Fuck. I seriously hope you’re wearing matching panties.”

“There’s only one way to find out.” The comment that shoots out of my mouth takes me by surprise.

I have no idea who the brazen girl standing in front of this stranger is, but I like her.

A lot.

That’s the only incentive he needs to get to the bottom of the mystery. The button of my jeans is popped and the zipper lowered. He wraps his hands around the waistband and shoves the thick denim down until it puddles around my ankles and I’m able to kick my way free.

He drags a hand down his face as his heated gaze roves over every inch of me, as if committing the image to memory.

“Way better than any Christmas present I’ve ever received.”

Laughter bubbles up in my throat. I’ve never felt so sexy in my life.

The way Maverick stares at me makes me feel daring.

Better than that, he makes me feel alive.

For tonight, I want to forget about my reality and live in the moment, where nothing but the feelings Maverick McKinnon has managed to rouse within me matter.

His hand snakes out to nab my fingers before he tows me toward him until my mouth can once again collide with his. His fingers strum along my spine as they dip lower to palm my nearly naked ass. He squeezes the firm flesh before dragging me even closer. With barely any effort at all, he hoists me up so my legs can tangle around his trim waist.

With our mouths fused, I’m barely aware that he’s swung us around and has walked us toward the queen-sized bed until I’m lowered to the mattress. He severs the connection before straightening to his full height and staring down at me. The longer his gaze roams over my bare skin, the more heat sparks from his eyes.

“You look good in my bed, sunshine. I might just have to keep you there indefinitely.”

If only that were possible.

Unfortunately, much like Cinderella, once this interlude is over, I need to vanish into thin air.

Never to be heard from again.

I shove that thought from my head and squirm beneath the intensity of his stare, only wanting to feel his mouth and hands on me again as he drags his thick Wildcats sweatshirt over his head. The navy T-shirt beneath soon follows, leaving him bare chested. My mouth turns cottony as my gaze roves over perfectly chiseled pecs and washboard abdominals.

The man is ridiculously beautiful.

Strong and solid.

That’s all it takes for my panties to flood with heat.

Not that there have been many guys in my past, but Maverick puts them all to shame. Next to him, they seem more like adolescent boys than grown men.

He flicks the button of his jeans and tugs the zipper before shoving the denim down powerfully built legs until he’s standing before me in black boxer briefs that hug his thighs. The mattress sinks beneath his heavy weight as he kneels on the bed and crawls up my body until he’s able to hover over me. His muscles bunch and flex as he cages me in with his strength.

“Still good with this?” he asks from between clenched teeth.

I nod. “Yes.”

I would be devastated if this didn’t happen. We haven’t even done anything yet and already it’s turning out to be the hottest night of my life.

His lips lift into a relieved smile before slanting over mine. The velvety softness of his tongue licks at me. Just when I think he’ll lose all control and delve in for more, his teeth scrape along my jaw before he nips at the point of my chin.

Only wanting more of the dizzying sensation, I bare my throat. That’s all the sign he needs to lick and kiss his way down to my collarbone. The slide of his bigger, harder body against my softer one is nothing short of delicious.

It’s enough to make my eyes cross as a hum escapes from my lips.

Those thoughts scatter in a million directions when he makes his way to my breasts and his teeth scrape over one stiffened peak as he draws it into his mouth and sucks it through the delicate lace garment. My spine arches off the mattress in response as I press closer. Every tug of his lips sends a flood of pleasure rushing through me. Just when I think I’ll come undone, he releases the tip before giving the same ardent attention to the other one. My arms rise, twining around his head so my fingers can tunnel through the thick strands of his hair.

Once the nipple has popped free from his mouth, he straightens to kneel above me. His hands settle on the slender band that encircles my ribcage. A second later, he unhooks the clasp and the stretchy material springs free. The straps slide down my shoulders as he plucks the bra away.

His gaze roves over my naked breasts.

They’re still tingling from his previous attention.

“They look even better than they taste.”

Lowering himself down again, he sucks one bare tip into his mouth. Sensation spirals through me, rushing through my veins until it feels like too much for the confines of my skin. Any second, I’ll splinter apart. A gasp escapes from me when he nips the stiff little point with sharp teeth before kissing and licking it.

He works his way down my body, adoring every inch, until he reaches the elastic band of my panties. I inhale a sharp breath when he buries his nose against my slit and inhales a lungful of air.

There’s no way he doesn’t feel the dampness of the material.

“This must be what heaven smells like,” he growls.

The low scrape of his words sends another round of arousal detonating at the bottom of my belly.

His fingers slip beneath the waistband before dragging the thin fabric down my hips and thighs until I’m completely bared to his sight.

When I shift, only wanting to close my legs, he flattens his palms against my inner thighs and presses them farther apart.

His gaze never deviates from my exposed core.

My heart pounds a steady tattoo beneath the intensity of his sharp gaze.

The look of appreciation that settles on his face is the only reason I don’t fight the hold.

“So fucking gorgeous.” One hand trails along my center, his thumb caressing the delicate flesh. Sensation ripples throughout my being before echoing in my fingertips and toes.

When he strums me for a second time, the pleasure is nearly enough to make my eyes roll back in my head.

I’ve had boyfriends before, but they never teased out these kinds of exquisite sensations. They never made me want to give myself over to them or come undone.

He’s barely touched me and I’m ready to burst out of my skin.

With my legs spread wide, he shoulders his way between my thighs. His gaze holds mine captive as he lowers his face and swipes at me with his tongue.

A whimper works its way loose from my throat.

“Tell me, sunshine… Do you enjoy having your pussy licked?”

The dirty question has heat rushing to my cheeks and leaves me squirming. His grip tightens around my thighs to hold me in place as he leisurely strokes one thick finger along my slit.

Another low moan escapes from me, breaking the silence of the room.

I couldn’t rein it in if I tried.

Maverick leans forward and traces the same path his finger traveled seconds ago with his tongue.

Pure bliss.

I want to die with the pleasure that rushes in and bombards my senses. Or maybe what I really want to do is spread my thighs impossibly wide in order to feel more of the velvety softness stroking over me and darting inside.

He grazes the top of my slit rather than probing deeper with his tongue. My fingers thread through his inky black hair as he presses butterfly-like kisses against my damp flesh. All I want is for him to bury his face between my legs and ravage me instead of giving me chaste pecks.

It’s pure torture.

“Please. I need more.”

Instead of giving me what I want, he takes another long lap that has my core clenching.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

When I remain silent, he nibbles at my clit.

The sound that leaves my lips is garbled and unintelligible.

He chuckles, and his warm breath ghosts over me. That’s all it takes for goose bumps to break out across my body.

His eyes stay pinned to mine from between my legs. “You must really hate it if you can’t even bother to respond.” He stabs his tongue deep inside my body. “I should stop.”

If that happens, I’ll probably die. Nothing in all my life has ever felt this amazing.

“No!” I blurt.

It feels like my body is burning up from the inside out.

His gaze sears into mine as he licks from the bottom of my slit to the top of my clit, another deep laugh rumbling up from him. The throaty sound of it dances across my flesh as he holds me in place.

“Then answer the question.”

“I like it,” I admit. “A lot.”

Way more than that.

He continues to caress me with his tongue. “What exactly do you like?”

He presses a kiss against my inner thigh before dragging his teeth against it. As good as it feels, it’s not where I want his mouth. The gleam that fills his eyes tells me he knows exactly what I’m so desperate for.

“What you’re doing?” I ask on a tortured groan.

“Come on, sunshine. You can do better than that.” His teeth sink into the flesh he’d been kissing.

“I like when you lick my pussy,” I gasp.

“Good girl.”

With that, the flat of his tongue slides over me.

Pleasure gathers in my core like an impending storm. Any second, it’ll break loose and destroy everything in its path.

Including me.

And I’ve never craved anything more.

When he nibbles at my clit, I fall to pieces as wave after wave crashes over me, dragging me to the bottom of the ocean. I don’t care if I ever surface again. The pleasure overwhelming my system is so much more than I was prepared for.

He continues to stroke me until every last spasm has been wrung from my body.

With a final press of his lips, he growls, “Did you enjoy that, sunshine?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Know what I’m going to do next?”

I shake my head, unable to imagine anything else feeling this spectacular.

“Fuck you senseless.”

Oh god.

It’s not a threat. More like a delicious promise.

He straightens before shackling his fingers around my ankles and dragging me to the edge of the mattress.

“Spread your legs nice and wide. Show me exactly how wet that little cunt is for me.”

Even though I just came—hard—more wetness smudges my inner thighs.

I’ve never been with anyone like Maverick before. Someone so commanding yet giving. Able to whip me into a frenzy with such ease.

Without further prompting, my thighs fall open. As the air within the room wafts over my flesh, I’ve never felt more exposed than I do at this moment.

By the same token, I’ve never felt so alive.

My heart slams against my ribcage as blood sizzles through my veins and arousal pools in my core.

And I feel…sexy.

Desired.

By a man like Maverick McKinnon, who can have any girl he wants with the crook of his finger.

Even though the room is bathed in shadows, it would be impossible not to see the stark hunger written across every line of his face as he stares down at me, eating me up with his eyes. Pent-up tension vibrates in every straining muscle as it attempts to break loose.

He wraps his hand around his thick cock before sliding it up and down the long shaft. His pupils dilate as he leisurely strokes himself.

“Tell me who that pretty pink pussy belongs to for the night.”

I gulp and blurt, “You.”

His eyes flare with heat as more moisture gathers at my center.

“To use anyway I want?”

I nod.

He tilts his head and smirks. “Use your words, sunshine.”

Arousal detonates at the bottom of my belly.

“Yes, to use any way you want.”

A smile curves his lips as he fondles his hard length. “Mmm. There are so many delicious ways I’m going to have you.”

The thought is as dizzying as it is intriguing.

My gaze stays locked on the way he fists his erection.

“You like to watch?” He continues jacking himself off. “Here’s a little secret I’ll only share with you—I like to watch too. There’s nothing sexier than a woman giving herself pleasure.”

I can’t rip my attention away from him as his grip intensifies, turning the head of his cock a mottled purplish hue.

My core throbs with newfound awareness until it becomes painful.

I don’t realize that I’m cupping my own breasts, squeezing the softness, until a whimper escapes from me.

“Pinch those sweet titties,” he growls.

I don’t think twice about following the directive as I tweak the small buds until they’re unbearably hard.

“Fuck.” He strokes his hand along his length. “You’re so damn sexy.”

That’s the ironic thing—I’ve never felt sexy before this moment.

But Maverick knows nothing about me.

I can be anyone I want.

To him, I’m not Willow Thompson.

Sick girl.

Cancer survivor.

I’m a woman living out her sexual desires and discovering new ones.

The deep scrape of his voice, along with the need that fills his expression, gives me the courage to take this further. To do something I’ve only done under the cover of darkness without any witnesses.

One hand drifts down my chest, past my ribcage, and to my belly before sliding lower to the vee between my legs. My fingers glide over my drenched lips, circling the entrance before dipping inside the heat.

It’s so tempting to close my eyes and forget about the man devouring me with a ravenous expression.

But then I would miss all the delicious things he’s doing to himself. And there’s no way I’ll allow that to happen. The way he strokes his thick cock is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“As much as I’m enjoying watching you play with your pussy, it’ll make me come, and that’s not how I want it to happen.”

He saunters around the bed to the nightstand and then yanks out the drawer before rifling through the contents. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask what he’s doing when he pulls out a square foil package.

A condom.

I can’t believe I didn’t think about protection.

Not even once.

He rips it open with his teeth before taking out the latex and sheathing himself in it. Once the rubber covers his thick length, he takes up position between my legs and brings the head to my opening, stroking the tip against my delicate lips. But it’s not nearly enough to satisfy me. Unable to control myself, I wriggle, only wanting him to sink deep inside me.

Instead of giving me what I’m silently begging for, he remains in control. “Damn, but you’re so wet. Your cunt is crying for me, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I groan. It’s the truth. I’ve never been this aroused in my life.

He rubs the length against me before tapping the tip against my clit. That’s all it takes for a gasp to escape from me as sensation ripples throughout my body. Each time he slaps that tiny bundle of nerves with his erection, it pushes me closer to the edge until I’m dancing on it.

Before I can beg him to fuck me, he presses the head against my entrance. The way he continues to take his sweet damn time drives me insane. All I want to do is impale myself on his thick shaft and be done with it already.

He refuses to give me anything more than the tip.

His hips flex as he thrusts with tiny movements. With each piston-like action, my muscles tighten around him. Sweat breaks out across his brow as he clenches his teeth. Just when I think he’ll bury his length inside me and give us what we’re both desperate for, he pulls out.

“Please,” I gasp. “I need more.”

“I know exactly what you need.” With gritted teeth, he buries himself deep inside my heat with one swift stroke.

A scream tears from my mouth at the fullness now seated inside me.

It’s almost too much to bear.

He gives me a moment to adjust, to breathe, before arching his hips and slipping almost all the way out. Just as I’m on the verge of begging for more, he propels back inside until his pelvis can grind against my own. Each time he slides home, a moan escapes from me. The steady rhythm sends me climbing higher until there’s nowhere left to go but down.

“Fuck, sunshine,” he growls as his gaze stays pinned to mine. “There’s no way I’ll last much longer with the way your pussy is strangling my cock.”

The feel of him pummeling me is sheer poetry in motion.

Utter bliss.

It doesn’t take long for a second orgasm to streak through me. I can’t stop the cries that fall from my lips. With a groan, he follows me over.

My body spasms around his, milking every drop from his cock until he gives one last shudder before collapsing on top of me. His warm breath feathers against the delicate hollow of my neck.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so satiated in my life.

What just took place between us is nothing short of earth shattering.

Maverick pulls out and straightens to his full height. He stares at me before slipping the condom off his softening cock and dropping it into the trash can near his desk. As he turns away, the heat of his gaze disappears. That’s all it takes for reality to slam into me full force.

Oh god…

I just slept with the one guy my brother can’t stand.

I need to grab my clothes and get the hell out of here. Plus, it’s doubtful he wants the hookup he brought home hanging around and making things uncomfortable.

Just as I sit up and scoot to the edge of the mattress, he swivels around and grinds to a halt.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I tuck an errant strand of hair behind my ear. I’m sure it’s mussed from his fingers tunneling through it. I probably look like a disaster.

“I was going to take off.”

He shakes his head. “Now, why would you want to do a thing like that when we’re just getting started?”