CHAPTER ONE OH NINE

I nodded in support, and he took that as a green light, taking the reins. His hands slid down to the base of my top, gently lifting it above my head, my hair falling in waves back down my back. Next came my bra, which he unhooked with a simple flick of his wrist, freeing my breasts. His heart was hammering against his chest, much like mine, as he stared at my naked top.

"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met." He breathed, his hands coming back down to trace over my breasts. His touch was welcoming, and I arched my back, pushing myself further into his large hands. He groaned, kneading each one in reverence and sending a warm pool of desire into my core.

In an instant, I was flipped to my back, sprawled across the tops of his sheets as his mouth came down on my nipple, sucking it into his glorious mouth and circling it gracefully with his hot tongue. I shivered, my hands diving into his hair, holding him against me as I squirmed at the pleasure of his ministrations.

His hands traveled down my sides, hooking inside the waistband of my shorts and panties. I lifted my hips, signaling that I was more than ready for them to come off, and he heard it loud and clear. His lips traveled down my torso, pressing glowing kisses against my sensitive skin while tugging my bottoms down my legs.

His mouth stopped at my hip bone, giving me a gentle nibble that made me yelp, come now trickling from my folds. He was so sensual, so addicting, that I had no idea if my heart could take it. I needed him, but I knew that he wanted to take his time. He was loving my body, each and every inch of it, just as he'd been waiting to do.

His hands gripped my knees, pushing them up and out as he sat back on his legs.

"Lysander." I purred when his fingers trailed along my sex, soaking themselves in my arousal.

This was the first time we'd done this without being under the effect of something, and I was responding just as heavily. It showed the honesty of my desire, of my want for him. There was nothing forced, nothing making me feel this way besides who he was as a man, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

He leaned forward, his lips brushing against the base of my neck when I felt him push a long finger deep into my pussy. I clenched around him, sucking it deeper as I mewled into his hair. He had never actually inserted anything of his into my body, and it felt incredible.

He flipped his wrist curling his finger so as to brush against the most sensitive spot.

"Shit..." I cursed, surprised by the immediate tightening of my core at his actions.

"Mm..." He hummed against me, his smooth and sensual voice teasing me, making me eager to be one with him. We belonged together, in each other's embrace, loving one another. It was natural.

"Lysander, please, keep going." I begged, my legs beginning to tremble. I was so close, right on the edge of the precipice, and that much closer to feeling his body in mine.

His thumb jutted out, pressing against my clit last second like a detonator switch, making my sight go white as my eyes clamped shut and my body seized beneath him. My strained moans echoed around the room, and when I finally got back around to opening my eyes, he was naked, his hands on either side of my body with his chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Aria." He purred, lifting a hand to stroke my cheek. "I love you." His eyes confirmed his words, warming me deep within my soul.

"I love you, Lysander. So much."

And with that, he lowered himself onto me, guiding his hardened tip against my entrance. As his lips reconnected with mine, he pushed his hips forward, stretching and filling me to the brink to accommodate his size. "Oh, fuck..." I cried, somewhere between a moan and whimper.

"Yes, sweetheart." He replied, breathlessly, one of his hands landing on my hip while the other buried itself into my hair, pulling my lips back to his. His tongue dove into my mouth as he pushed in his final length, his tip hitting my womb, making him groan.

This was it. He was inside of me, and it was even better than I had imagined it would be.

My arms circled around his shoulders, bracing myself for when he would move, but as he unsheathed himself, the hand that was in my hair sought mine, pulling it back down to the bed and intertwining our fingers.

I had never felt a closeness quite like this. Every part of him was touching me, as if our bodies were fused together and inseparable in our passion. We were surrendering to each other in every way, never wanting to let go.

And I wouldn't let go.

His hips reconnected with mine a bit faster, and the heavenly sensation had me panting. Soon, he had found a rhythm, smooth and slow, but no less pleasurable. We rocked together in harmony, a tangle of short breaths and frantically beating hearts, until my pussy squeezed down on him once again.

"Damn... Aria, you feel so fucking good..." He gritted, burying his face in my shoulder.

I was close, and he could feel it, picking up his pace gradually until I hit the peak of my climax.

"Ly-Lysander..." I trailed hoarsely, wrapping myself around him like a vine, my body tensing as I came hard onto his cock.

His breath came in pieces, his body locked inside of me as I milked him into surrender. A loud groan sounded from between his lips as his body stilled, shivering while he filled me with his hot seed.

He didn't move right away, but instead wrapped me in his tight embrace, feeling my heart beat as I felt his. Our breathing even regulated in sync. It was beautiful, and for the first time since Bastion's passing, I felt complete.

"I'd have to say that that's the best damn wake up I've ever received." I snorted, poking him in the ribs and making him laugh. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's get cleaned up." He pulled himself out of me, lifting me into his arms so he could carry me to his bathroom.

He didn't set me down until we reached his shower. He turned the handle, testing the water as I watched him. Once he determined it was warm enough, he reached his arms up, undoing his tie and letting his hair fall down his back.

This seemed so intimate, showering together. It was funny to think that a year ago, I didn't even think he needed to do things like shower or sleep or even eat. He was a different man, yet the same in so many ways.

"After you." He gestured, offering a slight bow. I smiled with a curtsey, stepping onto the tile.

"I half expected a barrel and bucket." I teased, yelping when I felt his hand connect with my ass.

"Behave, Queen. I was gentle tonight, but don't let that fool you."

Oh, shit.

A shiver of delight coursed through me as my imagination ran wild.

His hands gripped my hips, pulling me back against his front as he placed tender kisses atop my shoulder.

"Um, Ly?"

"Hm?" I swallowed, shifting uncomfortably.

"Can I sleep with you, tonight?" He paused, his hands falling from my hips. My heart dropped to my feet. He wasn't ready for that. What the hell was I thinking?

To my surprise, his hands gripped my shoulders, turning me to face him before climbing to rest on my cheeks.

"Aria, you can sleep with me every night. You can move into my damn room, if you want to. I'm not holding back anymore, so don't feel like you need to either, okay?"

I flushed, but the smile on my face showed my heart.

"Okay. I'm all yours."