Red, p.15
Red, page 15
"I'll drop tae my knees and beg if I have tae, Sloane, but I must see you, all of you. Now." This man, this sinfully handsome, wealthy, good man would beg to see me. The thought is heady and fills me with a strange power. I smile at him and slowly slide the fabric down my legs, stepping out of the small shorts and kicking them to the side. I stand before him and let him look his fill, not shying away or feeling embarrassed. The way he's looking at me, like I'm the sunrise and the sunset and the star-filled sky above the cove all wrapped into one has easily chased away any tiny hint of fearfulness from me.
"Gods," he chokes out. He runs a hand across his mouth and my eyes focus on how the movement makes the muscles in his stomach ripple and move. I need to feel them.
I move towards him and his body tenses, but he remains in place. When I reach him, I run my fingers lightly over his chest and down his torso, taking my time to explore like I've longed to since the first moment I saw him shirtless. He shivers at my touch, but stays still to let me do what I like. I begin to place kisses everywhere my fingers trail and a throaty moan ripples from his lips. I grin, but I need more. I look up at him from under my lashes as my fingers drift to the top of his pants. He swallows hard and wraps one hand around the nape of my neck once more. I slowly untie the laces and his eyes squeeze shut. The wait is agony but the anticipation is ecstasy. Finally the job is done and I reach into the front of his pants and grip him, wrapping my palm around his thick cock. He gasps and his fingers tighten around the back of my neck. It pulses in my hand as I move my fist slowly down to the base and up once more. My thumb slides over the slick tip, a bead of moisture rising up from the crown, just as I'd imagined. I shiver at how arousing it is. I shove at the material of his pants and he helps me get them down his thighs. He quickly removes them completely and then I step back. I have to see him—all of him—as he did me.
He stands there and allows my gaze to travel over every inch of him. And oh my, are there a lot of inches. I've never seen anything quite so beautiful or masculine or perfect as Garrett naked. My eyes linger on the area between his legs, where his large erection juts proudly upward. I never really took the time to notice whether I enjoyed the sight of Kieran's cock or not in all the times we were together, more worried about sating our lusts as much as possible within the limited time we had, but I know that I would have been remise and regretted it for eternity had I not taken the time to admire Garrett fully. I must admit I'm a little intimidated by the sheer size of him, even bigger than I originally thought, but my thighs clench at the sudden wanting that surges through me as well. I'm all but whimpering for a chance to feel him inside me, despite—or because of?—his size.
"Perfect," I whisper as my eyes slowly make their way back upwards. "Every bit of you is perfect."
He makes a strangled noise and he closes the small distance between us. His cock presses against my belly as our bodies mesh once more, the skin hot and searing against mine. His lips are on mine again, his tongue making deep sweeps of my mouth. After moments or days, we make our way into the bath.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?” he says in a low voice. I face him and he uses more of the honey-smelling oils to scrub the paint from my skin and hair. His touch is soft as he explores while he cleans, though somehow he keeps to the task at hand. When he finishes, I return the favor, washing away the paint from his chest, neck, and face. I can't stop my hands from dipping down below the surface of the water and gripping his shaft once more, stroking up and down, my hands wet and slick with the oil.
"I...I dinnae believe I got any paint in that particular spot, Sloane," he says, breathless and gruff. I grin.
"I'm just being thorough of course." I gradually increase the speed of my movements and lean in to kiss the scars across his chest again. He sucks in a sharp inhale that gives way to a low moan when I move and flick my tongue over one of his dark nipples. His hand tunnels in my hair, holding me to him.
"Wicked, wicked thing," he murmurs as I continue to lavish his skin with more kisses. His hips begin to buck upward into my palm, as if he can't help himself. I pull back from his chest and meet his eyes.
"Stand up," I order in a low, throaty voice.
His dark brows shoot up, lost in the wet, tangled hair tumbling across his forehead. "Wh-what?"
"I said," I lean in and kiss his lips once, twice, "stand up. There's something I've been dreaming about doing..."
His eyes go wide, as if he can't quite believe what he's hearing, but he quickly pushes himself up. I lick my lips as his cock bobs before me. I raise my eyes to his as I move forward. He looks...awestruck.
"Wait. Sloane, you dinnae have tae...it's been a very long time since...oohhhh." I lick the slit, tasting the bit of moisture there, and moan. Even his taste is perfect. I can't stop myself from closing my lips around the head, sucking lightly before sliding my mouth downward, taking as much of him as I can. His hips buck forward, sending him further towards my throat, but I don't mind.
"Ah gods, sorry, sorry." I glance upward at him and find his rapt gaze on me. The fact that he's watching while I do this is so incredibly sexy, I feel a rush of wetness spring between my thighs. Kieran had always thrown his head back, his eyes closed. Not to say he didn't enjoy himself, but he seemed lost in the sensations while Garrett seems to want to experience and remember every second. I begin to move my mouth up and down, twirling my tongue as I do, keeping my eyes locked with his. I grip the base and move my hand along with my mouth and he begins to mutter unintelligible words. He tangles his hands roughly in my hair once more but he doesn't use them to move my head like I think he might...like a bit of me wants him to. I reach down and gently cup his bollocks and he hisses in a breath, legs beginning to tremble even as he spreads them as wide as the tub will allow, giving me all the access I need. I begin to suck harder, hollowing my cheeks and taking him as deeply into my throat as I can. I tug gently with my other hand and I can feel his cock grow impossibly harder inside my mouth. Every muscle in his body tenses.
"Shite, Sloane, ye need tae stop..." I think I growl at him. I vaguely register that his brogue has become thicker, his "you" becoming a "ye." I like it. I like that I can affect him this way. "Sloane..." he warns again. Instead of stopping, I swirl my tongue around his length as I suck him. "Fuck, I'm—" He throws his head back and yells to the rafters as he erupts. Hot seed coats my tongue and throat, but I don't stop. I continue until I’ve wrung every drop from him as he lightly thrusts his hips forward over and over. He finally shudders and gently pulls me away before collapsing back into the tub, water sloshing over the copper edge. He leans forward, cradling my face gently between his big hands. He holds my gaze for a long, heavy moment before pressing his lips to mine. Slowly, softly. He turns me so that my back is to him and pulls me back against his chest. His knees rest on the outside of my own and he wraps one of his arms across my chest, the other resting along the edge of the tub. I sigh at the utter peace I feel in this moment. I can feel the steady beat of his heart against my back, and I lightly trail my fingers along his forearm, tracing meaningless designs there.
"I dinnae have words. You've rendered me speechless, Red. Quite a feat mind you." I chuckle lightly and lean my head back against his shoulder. I don't know how long we stay that way, but I'm so relaxed that my eyelids become heavy and I begin to doze, right here in the tub. Garrett laughs and it rouses me enough to realize that he's said my name multiple times.
"Hmm?" I mumble, snuggling my head deeper into the crook of his neck.
"Let's get you tae bed, lass." I want to protest but I know he's right. We can't very well sleep in the bathtub, no matter how comfortable and warm it is. I sigh and ease upward, but Garrett merely stands, holding me in his arms as if I'm nothing more than a feather pillow. He manages to grab a bath cloth from the table and dry most of the water from us before striding to the bed.
"I do have legs you know," I playfully grumble.
"Oh, aye, I'm well aware. I plan tae kiss every inch of these magnificent legs soon enough." The thought sends a ripple of desire through me, despite how exhausted I am. He chuckles and kisses me softly. "No' tonight. You need tae sleep." He sets me down on the bed and goes to stoke the fire. Is he going to leave me here alone? I don't like the thought.
"Stay with me," I say softly. I try to keep the pleading out of my voice, but I'm too tired to try all that hard. I'll gladly beg if I have to. He turns to me, the firelight casting half of his face in shadow and though still handsome, that darkened half suddenly looks...menacing. I shake my head to clear the silly thoughts. I'm just tired, that's all. He stands and walks towards the bed. Even as tired as I am, my eyes don't hesitate to devour every inch of his naked body as he moves closer. I sit up and his eyes do some devouring of their own as my breasts bounce slightly.
"Stay with me, Garrett. Please."
He clenches his jaw and seems to be struggling with himself. Finally he exhales roughly, mutters something that sounds like "cannae be punished worse than I already am I suppose," and swats at my thigh where it rests under the covers.
"Make room, wench." I laugh but scoot over to make room for his large body in the bed. As he settles in beside me, I suddenly realize that I've never actually done this before. I've never slept beside a man, in the same bed. My body is begging me to curl around him and never let go, but I don't know if that's expected in this type of situation? I've never really thought about it before. What do husbands and wives do at night? Should I put on a shift or my robe? That seems silly since he's seen every inch of me already and I'm already in the bed.
He seems to be able to hear my inner turmoil because he quickly snakes an arm under my shoulders and pulls me tightly into his side. I feel my body relax into his and I immediately snuggle into him, inhaling his scent, honey now mixing with the fire and sea smells I've come to love and long for. I drape a hand tentatively across his chest. I feel a satisfied rumble under my palm and smile. Already I'm being lulled to sleep by his deep, steady breaths, by his soothing warmth.
Just before I'm pulled into the darkness, I whisper, "I've been dreaming of you too. Every night, I dream of you, Garrett." He takes a long, shuddering breath and then sleep beckons me too strongly to deny.
Chapter 15
The next few weeks fly by in a blur of laughter and conversation and kissing. Oohh the kissing. I'm shirking my duties as a member of the staff, but Conrad doesn't seem to mind. He gave us knowing looks when we came down to breakfast together after that first night, but he seems truly happy about the new nature of the relationship between me and Garrett. I think deep down, the old man has been worried about Garrett being alone with no one to share his life with. Though there have been plenty of moments of pleasure, we haven't had sex yet. We're both content to take things slowly. There's no need to rush any of this after all. Neither one of us is going anywhere. We're here in our warded piece of heaven, tucked within the cursed woods, and I couldn’t be happier.
The full moon is quickly approaching once more, but I've begun to barely notice it. I've spent four full moons safe within the manor walls and though a part of me feels like a wretch, I don't fear the Beast as I once did. I shouldn't forget the fear. I shouldn't forget that someone that I know may be the person out in those woods on the next full moon, but...I can't help it. I'm so busy being happy, truly happy, for the first time in my life, that I don't have room in my heart for fear or guilt.
So, I'm enjoying every minute of this exciting new piece of perfection I'm living. Some days I can't quite believe this is my life. Me. The orphan barmaid who lived in a dusty loft above stinking horses. I never thought I'd find anyone who looks at me the way Garrett does, as if I'm precious to him, something he cherishes above all others. Though I dare not say the words, barely even think them, I know that the branch I'd been standing on has begun to crack. Despite telling myself to guard my heart, I think...I might be falling in love with Garrett.
He's everything I've ever wanted, even when I didn't know to want such things. He's strong and brave, kind and caring, quick of wit and doesn't hold back when teasing with me. He's got the wickedest tongue and makes my toes curl with his dirty murmurs in my ear. He's too handsome for his own good and the pleasure he wrings from me is unparalleled. He's a part of me now, maybe always has been. Maybe he's the reason I always felt drawn to the woods, maybe fate or the gods or some other force was leading me here all this time.
"THE MEAL IS DELICIOUS," I say to Conrad, taking another bite of some kind of potato and cheese mixture that he's made. He nods his head in thanks. Garrett looks at me over the rim of his wine glass.
"It is quite delicious. I've had so many delicious meals on this table recently." I choke on my wine, nearly spitting a mouthful across the table. I cut him a killing look. He looks wholly innocent but winks at me and looks to be fighting a smile. This wicked man! My cheeks heat as I recall what had happened in this room, on this very table (though at the other end of it that we don't use for meals) earlier this afternoon.
Garrett and I had just come in from taking apples to the horses. We walked down the hall and his fingers had brushed mine. That was all it had taken. That small touch was enough to send sparks dancing across my skin. He'd felt the immediate shift in the air around us and had pulled me to him, kissing me until I was breathless. We'd backed up against the wall—or what we thought was the wall, but had actually been the doors to the dining room. We'd stumbled through and Garrett kicked them shut as we continued moving, our kissing never ceasing. I clawed at his shirt, tugging it up, our lips parting just long enough to pull the fabric over his head. He unlaced my trousers quickly and shoved the material down my thighs just as my ass hit the edge of the table. Garrett gripped my hips and lifted me onto the table, yanking the fabric off of my legs and throwing it behind him somewhere without a care, sending several dishes tumbling to the floor.
"I hope those weren't priceless family heirlooms," I'd giggled.
He'd grinned as he pushed his hips in between mine. "A gift from a queen or some such no doubt." My laugh turned into a moan as he shifted forward and I felt him against me, his hard length straining against the front of his own trousers.
He kissed across my jaw and down my throat as he worked a hand inside my tunic. I gasped as he roughly palmed my breast and writhed my hips against him when he rolled my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, plucking lightly. Soon enough I was panting, needing him so badly I thought I might die without him. We'd agreed to take things slowly before we took that final step, but I was ready, beyond ready. I was just lowering my hands to his pants to unleash his shaft and beg him to thrust it into me, hard and fast, never relenting, when he captured my wrists.
"Ah ah," he said in a low, sexy growl. "I'm famished, Sloane...and all I want is you on my tongue." My stomach fluttered and my toes curled. He slowly leaned me back on the table and kissed down my neck and chest. Licking. Biting. Driving me mad. He ripped my tunic in two, leaving me completely bare in front of him. He continued downward, dipping his tongue in my navel, and then lower. He stopped and I nearly shouted in disappointment. I propped myself up on my elbows and watched as his eyes riveted between my thighs.
"Spread yer legs for me, Sloane. Show me how wet ye are for me. Show me how much ye want me." Gods I loved his naughty talk, that accent becoming thicker and thicker. I immediately obeyed, letting my knees fall to the sides, as bare and open as a person could be in front of another. "Shite," he rumbled in that rough yet velvety voice I'd come to crave like nothing else. He slowly trailed one finger down my folds, growling his approval, before slowly pushing that finger deep inside me. I gasped, my hips arching upward off the table. He slowly pumped in and out, in and out, before adding another finger. "So gods damned tight. So fucking wet." I whimpered and bucked my hips upward to meet his thrusts, forcing his palm to rub against that sensitive spot.
"Garrett, don't stop," I begged, breathless. He immediately withdrew his fingers. "I said don't stop, damn you! Is your hearing failing in your old age!?" He chuckled deeply before grasping my ankles and tugging me to the edge of the table with one quick yank. I squeaked a tiny yelp of surprise but it died quickly. He dropped to his knees and placed my thighs over his broad shoulders. I bit my lip, nearly coming at the sight.
"Now that was no' very nice, Red," he purred, making me shiver. "I'd planned tae taste ye until ye can't walk, licking yer pretty little cunny until yer legs are so weak from climax after climax that they'll no longer support yer body." I writhed, convinced he could make me come just with his words. As he talked, he planted soft kisses along my inner thigh. "I'd planned tae make ye come so hard, you'll shake the rafters with yer screams." His wicked words turned me into kindling. I waited with bated breath for him to touch me with the flame, consuming me in fire. He placed another kiss just above the spot I needed him so badly. "Planned on enjoying ye riding my tongue with that tight little sheath until I came myself." He blew lightly against my skin and I cried out. "But..." he said, a grin in his voice, "if yere going tae be rude..."
"Garrett!" I yelled. "If you don’t make good on these plans, I will gut you, I swear it," I growled. He chuckled once more.
"As ye wish, Red." With that he licked me slowly, so slowly, the kindling finally caught fire, a fire that would soon burn out of control. He licked and nipped, sucked and twirled that wicked tongue. I couldn't keep still, so he clamped one large hand over my hips, pinning me in place, his fingers splayed across my belly. He took his time, seeming to enjoy every second. He "hmmmed" in approval, the sound vibrating against me. He inserted one finger and slowly began pumping as he continued to work me with his tongue. He curled it just right while taking that bud tightly in his mouth and I came almost instantly. I threw my head back and screamed, shocked as the orgasm tore through me. My hips tried to buck upward, but he continued to pin them. I do believe I did shake the rafters. Never had release taken me so forcefully before.
