Rain hammered against the roof, dulling the sounds of Greys scampering through the house. He’d picked this room because of the iron, but Lydia made it inviting. A surge of desire raced through his body. Was it Lydia or the room? Or was the house making them both crazy?
He walked in and closed the door behind him, then dropped his bag at the foot of the bed. He couldn’t deny he’d been thinking about the possibility of having her all day. Maybe he’d forgotten how awkward the first time with someone new could be. It was like a game where neither side was entirely sure of the rules even though they both wanted to play.
Her teeth raked her lip as she watched him. He needed to make a move or this was going to get weird and uncomfortable. He took off his shoes and socks and walked toward her. Beneath his feet the carpet was soft and worn and had been used by couples who’d never made it to the bed or just preferred it. His shaft ached to be touched. He had to get the memories of other people out of his head and focus on Lydia.
He cupped her cheek and placed a soft kiss on her lips, still half-expecting her to change her mind at any moment, or for a fairy to burst in and interrupt. Dylis had muttered something about his last days in the mortal world before standing guard. If it was true he was going to die because of Shea, he wanted to enjoy what was left of his life.
Lydia’s hands slid up his chest. Her touch burned away all other thought. Her tongue flicked against his, inviting him to take more as she pressed herself against him. His fingers splayed over her butt and drew her closer. In a step the backs of his legs were against the bed and he was pulling her with him; he braced for the flood of impressions, but the sheets had nothing more than laundry day imprinted on them.
She pushed herself up to straddle his hips, her hair free so it hung loose around her shoulders, the ends curling on the swell of her breasts. He caught a tendril and used it to bring her close. Her lips were a whisper away from his, but she didn’t kiss him.
“I just want you to know I don’t usually do this.”
He knew exactly what she meant. “Neither do I.”
He leaned up and sealed her lips before she could say anything else. He didn’t want to think because if he did he might stop and realize what a bad idea this was.
Her fingers opened his shirt buttons, then glided over his chest. He was glad he made the effort to run around the block a few times a week. He was in good shape—though that may also be because of his unnatural parentage. The touch of her hands sent shivers of heat running through his skin. No one since his ex-wife had touched him this intimately.
But the pain Natalie had caused him was vanquished by Lydia’s caress. Her hips moved over his. There was far too much denim between them. Through her shirt he cupped her breast, felt the weight in his palm as his thumbs circled her nipples. They peaked, pressing against the fabric. She gave a little moan and rolled her hips in a way that made his shaft harden further.
With a few flicks of his fingers he opened her shirt and pushed it off her shoulders, she sat up and shrugged out of it, then went to undo her bra. Her gaze locked with his for a heartbeat, then she was taking off the flesh-colored scrap and letting it fall on the floor. Her pale pink nipples were tight and hard. He sat up and like a man in dream took what he wanted before he could wake.
His tongue circled one nipple before taking it into his mouth. She gasped as his teeth raked the surface, but her back arched, offering him more. He switched to the other side, taking his time to taste her skin and draw the little sighs from her. With his free hand he opened the top of her jeans and traced the line of her panties.
He twisted and lay her down on her back, unzipping and pulling off her jeans. She lifted her legs, kicking free of the fabric. His fingers hooked around her floral print panties, then he hesitated. He was going too fast. But she lifted her hips and pushed them down, not waiting for him. He drew them down her legs and tossed them on the floor with the rest of the clothing.
She was perfect. All curves and creamy skin. At the junction of her thighs her curls had been trimmed enough to offer a glimpse and tease.
He kissed her ankle. She watched. He kissed the inside of her knee. His hand slid up her inner thigh stopping short of her pussy. The tips of his fingers grazed the curls, her legs moved farther apart in silent invitation, her gaze never leaving him as if she was daring him to go further. Would he? But his hand was already moving, his fingers sliding over her slick skin, teasing her clit before dipping into her core.
Her eyelids fluttered but didn’t close. “You have too many clothes on.” The last word was more of a groan as he stroked her sensitive flesh.
Caspian smiled. He stood and shrugged out of his shirt, then undid his jeans, acutely aware she was watching, propped up on her elbow. It was her turn to look and assess. His pushed his jeans and underwear down in one move—much better to get these things over with than drag them out. Her gaze skimmed down his body. His cock twitched in response.
The impressions held by the carpet of lovers decades ago swelled around him until he could almost hear the sound of skin on skin. He could get lost in the memories. He wanted to give the room new memories to hold on to.
Lydia beckoned him back to bed. There was nothing coy in her gestures, so he responded in kind. He moved over her, one knee dropping between her thighs, his lips taking a kiss. Her tongue sought his before he broke away and kissed down her neck, tasting the sweetness of her skin. Feeling the heat between them. He didn’t usually get impressions off people, but with Lydia he felt her lust as if it were his own. Strong like a riptide waiting to drag him under. And he didn’t care. If he was going to get hurt in the end, he might as well enjoy the beginning. She pushed him back before he could reach her breast. She glanced over at the bedside table and grasped the foil packet that had been next to her handbag. He expected her to hand it to him. She didn’t.
Instead she sat up and opened the packet. Then took his shaft in her hand. The touch was a jolt like electricity coursing through him. Her fingers feathered over his hard flesh, taking her time as she traced the ridge and circled the head. She glanced up, her dark eyes full of molten heat. And he wanted to sink and drown. With a couple of deft movements she rolled the rubber on and as she lay back down she drew him with her, one leg hooking over his hip as if to stop him from pulling away.
Like he would.
He shifted his hips and used his hand to guide his shaft to her entrance, but didn’t enter, not yet. He moved, teasing her and himself. She rolled her hips and arched her back as if that would bring him closer.
“Come on,” she whispered against his lips.
“There’s no rush.” It nearly killed him to say that when all he wanted to do was thrust in.
“I want to feel you.” Her nails trailed over his ribs.
He hissed in a breath, then pushed in a little more. This time when she moved he slid in deeper. He gave up the illusion of control. She didn’t want it. She met him thrust for thrust, not afraid to grip his hips and adjust for what she wanted. Tension tightened in his balls. He wanted to spill. With a wrench of will he slowed and slid his hand between their bodies, finding and caressing her clit. She covered his hand with hers, changing the movement ever so slightly. It was so much easier to be shown rather than guessing. Her breathing shortened to gasps and her eyes closed. Her sheath tightened around him as she came.
Her half-silenced moans and the grip of her core were too much for him to take. He gave another couple of strokes before giving in and letting the release flood him.
Lydia’s hands smoothed down his back. Her eyes remained closed as if she were concentrating on slowing down her breathing or holding on to the moment. He wasn’t sure which, but he was trying to do both. He placed a soft kiss on her mouth, which she responded to, but the urgency was gone and it was more of a last caress.