Returning Pride (17 page)

Blinking, she looked at Iian and said, “Wow, I guess I walked farther than I intended.” She tried for casual.

He signed as he spoke, mostly out of habit. “Doing some deep thinking?” He took her hand in his and started pulling them up the path to his house.

His hand was warm and she could feel his heart beat in her palm. Turning her head so he could read her lips, she said,“Yes, well…”

“Hang on,” he interrupted, “let’s get out of the rain.” He saw her surprise when the heavens chose that moment to open up and drench both of them. Smiling, he continued to pull her up the hill.

Quickly walking beside him, she kept her hand in his as he guided them through the rocky path lined with tall grass. The rain was cold and she realized the breeze was blowing the wind right through her light windbreaker.

All of a sudden she was very glad he’d come along when he did. She hadn’t been focused on the weather and the thought of being stuck on the beach in a storm gave her the chills. She’d grown up here and knew better than to go marching down the beach and not pay attention to the skies.

When they reached the back door of his house, he pulled her into the kitchen and reluctantly let go of her hand to help pull off her wet jacket. Then he pulled his own coat off and hung them on the hook on the laundry room wall.

She was rubbing her hands up and down her arms, trying to get warm, when he turned back around.

“Come on, let’s go into the living room. I’ll get a fire going.” Walking into the next room he looked back as she followed him slowly.

She watched him walking into the the next room. This was the first time she’d been in the large brick house. She’d seen it from the beach ever since she could remember. It always looked like a large castle shining on the hills above the beach. From her old bedroom window, she could just make out the brown roof poking up through the trees. Following him out of the large kitchen, she watched his back and enjoyed the view. He had always been very tall, but it wasn’t until high school that his shoulders had become so broad. He had played basketball all throughout junior high and high school, and she’d played on the girls team herself. Admitting it only once to her sister, the only reason she had tried out for the team was because she knew Iian had already made the boys team.

When she walked into the large living room, she noticed that he hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights. She saw him bent over the fireplace, his shirt and jeans were wet from the rain. Looking down at herself, she realized she too was drenched. Her white shirt clung to her skin. Quickly, while his back was turned, she tried to pull it loose and crossed her arms over her front.

Walking further into the dim room, she looked around. Even shadowed in darkness, she could tell it was decorated in warm colors and felt very comfortable. Iian finished lighting the fire and turned back to her.

“Come over here, you must be cold.” He still signed along as he spoke. She found it interesting to watch his hands. Could she really be turned on by just watching his hands?

Signing back, she said, “Thank you, I didn’t realize the storm was coming that fast. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along.” She stayed where she was, not wanting to get any closer to him. “I guess I would have gotten even more wet.”

“
How’s your mom?” He walked towards her. No, more like stalked towards her.

When he reached her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her lightly towards the fire. He had a funny look on his face and she noticed that his fingers were warm in hers.

“She’s, she’s fine. I think she really enjoys the staff and the people at the home. I’m just nervous, since it’s her first night there.” He had pulled her down to the couch and sat close to her. It was so very hard to focus on anything when he was looking at her like that.

“What caused you to be out on the beach so late tonight?”

She took a large breath and released it. “I’ve been offered a position at a top art institute.”

“Wow, congratulations.” He could tell by the look on her face that there was something more. “And?”

“It’s in Paris.”

The room was silent.

“I don’t know if I want to pick up and move. I know everything I had was lost in the fire. To be honest, I was very glad I’d come home when I did. It wasn’t just for a visit you know. I’d come home to stay.” She leaned further back in the warmth of the couch. “It’s not that I didn’t enjoy California, it’s just that I was done with that lifestyle. I thought I would eventually get used to living in a large city. But Paris?”

She’d leaned so far back that the firelight no longer lit up her face. He took her hand and pulled her towards him and the light so he could see her face more clearly.

Realizing it had been too dark away from the fire and he couldn’t read her lips, she blushed. He just smiled back at her.

“What do you want to do?” He asked.

“I’m not too sure of that myself. I know I couldn’t be happy half-way around the world when my mother is… is…” she shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ve always thought you would look like this in firelight,” he said softly.

She just looked at him confused.

“Beautiful.” He reached out and toyed with the ends of her hair. “I’ve been wanting to see if it was as soft as I imagined.”

“Iian,” it came out as a whisper and she realized nothing else really mattered.

“Allison, there’s something I’ve been holding back for years. I don’t know how much longer I can hold it at bay.”

“Iian, I think,” she moistened her lips and heard him groan. Looking at him, she realized his eyes were fixed on her lips. Which naturally caused her to look at his. They looked very inviting. She loved looking at the small cleft in his chin and imagined playing her tongue over the sweet dip.

“I think,” she said again and then thought, screw it! You only live once. Right? Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward and rubbed her lips gently over his.

H
e was transfixed by her mouth. He could feel himself shaking with want. His palms started to sweat and there was a slight dimness in his vision. Allison was the only light he could see. Her hair was wet as he rubbed it carefully between his fingers. Her face was still flushed from the cold weather and the brisk walk, which caused her blue eyes to stand out more. When her tongue dipped outside to moisten her bottom lip, he tried to hold back a groan. Then she was kissing him and the softness of her overwhelmed him.

He should have known he was on dangerous ground when he’d seen her walking on the beach. He should have hustled her back home instead of bringing her into a fire-lit room and sitting in the dark with her. He sunk his fingers into her soft hair and explored her warm mouth, realizing he could happily die a content man in her arms.

Reaching up, he explored her cool skin under her wet shirt. Pulling it aside, he marveled at the little bumps that rose when he placed his mouth where his hands had just been. He loved the taste of her.

He had experience with women before and after his accident, but nothing had prepared him for this, for her. He pulled the wet garment higher, exposing white cotton that was not only practical, but very feminine. He could feel her tense and looked up into her eyes.

“Say that you’ll stay here, in my house, in my bed.” When she nodded her head yes, he picked her up with a laugh. She held onto his shoulders and ran soft, timid kisses up his neck as he carried her up the stairs quickly. He made it to the end of the hallway in record time. She was light and felt just right in his arms.

Kicking the door closed with his foot, he walked across the room as he started kissing that sweet mouth of hers again. Stopping a foot from the bed, he knew he wanted to savor every moment, but she was heating him up so fast. He thought he couldn’t wait, didn’t want to wait. Pulling back, he looked at her.

“Open your eyes Ally, I want to see you,” he said. She tilted her head and slowly opened her lids. Her blue eyes, which were normally focused on anything and everything, had gone cloudy. Her cheeks were pink, her lips tilted up slightly, exposing the little dimple at the corner of her mouth. When her tongue came out to wet her lips again, he watched the movement with wonder.

She ran her hands up his wet t-shirt, pulling it up and off, exposing his chest to her view.

Her eyes ran up and down his powerful chest and arms. He too had little bumps rising all over his chilled skin. Bending her head, she ran her tongue over his damp skin and tasted him. Then she ran her tongue over his taught nipple, and nibbled ever so lightly as he moaned.

He watched every move she made, and when she looked up at him, he smiled. He was trying to calm the massive desire he had for her, at least slow it down to a reasonable pace. Smiling, she started to move across his chest to do the same to his other nipple, but he reached down and removed her wet t-shirt with quick movements.

Then when she was exposed, he placed his hands under her arms again, this time lifting her and tossing her on the large bed. She hit the soft mattress with a slight bounce and laughed.

Then he was next to her, taking his turn licking his way across her skin. He ran his mouth downward over her soft stomach. His tongue ran a trail just above her plain, white bra.

Running her fingers through his wet curly hair was another pleasure she marveled in. Holding his head to her as he feasted and pulled the light material aside, she too let out a moan, one he felt with his large hand that was spread out over her tight stomach. He was running his mouth over her, gently playing with each of her ribs. Then when he started to go lower, he hit her tickle spot and she jolted upright, grabbing for him.

Looking up quickly, he saw the smile and concern on her face. It took him less than a second to realize what a piece of gold he’d unearthed.

“Tickle spot, eh?” he said, trying to pull his hand free.

“
Oh, no you don’t, Iian…” She tried to push his hand away. With his hands clamped in hers, he ducked his head and licked the spot slowly. She released his hands and grabbed his head, trying to dislodge him from the spot. He kept running his tongue slowly over and over her, until she was holding his head down, instead of trying to pull him away. The laugh and smile on her face slowly faded into something stronger-want.

With his hands released, he continued running them over her, learning her much like a blind man would read braille. Then when his hands dipped and unbuckled her jeans, she helped him slide the wet denim down her chilled legs. She reached for his pants, but he slid away, holding himself above her. His eyes ran up her. She’d never been embarrassed of her body, she knew how she looked. When he smiled at her and mouthed “Beautiful,” she smiled at him.

“Iian, please,” she said as he watched her lips move. When she reached for him, he pulled her hands into one of his, and held them next to her head.

“Let me, Ally, I want to savor you.” He dipped his head again, returning on his previous journey down her body. This time, when he reached her tickle spot, she tightened just a little, but then relaxed as he skipped over the spot to continue his downward journey.

With her hands released, she played her fingers over his taught muscles in his shoulders.

Finally, he reached the white lace that covered her. Gently, ever so gently, he pulled it aside to expose her to his view.

Never had she felt so much anticipation as she did while he looked at her. She could see the need and desire plainly in his eyes. Then when she thought she couldn’t stand it any longer, he dipped his head and tasted just there. Her body heated and she felt a shiver run down to her toes.

This time, her shoulders came off the mattress on their own accord. Her hands fell to the comforter and fisted there as he feasted on her. Never had she felt anything quite like the excitement of Iian’s mouth on her. He’d obviously taken great care to know what women truly wanted. Using his fingers and mouth, he tortured her further. She twisted her fingers in the comforter and felt herself building to release.

Just when she thought she couldn’t wait any longer, he stood, and in one quick motion, removed his own boots and jeans. Basking in the lines and firmness of him, she watched him reach over, pulling something out of the night stand. The light was dim enough, but she could just make out the flash of foil as he placed a condom wrapper on the bed.

Then he was beside her and kissing her until her head was spinning again. She thought it would be speed from here. After all, she’d seen his erection and knew his balls were so tight that it was probably painful. He continued to kiss her and run his hands up and down her naked body slowly.

She too, was running her hands over him. Taking a chance, she reached down and lightly placed her fingers around him, gently running up and down until he pulled her hand up and away. Cuffing them in his own above her head again. He looked down at her and just shook his head as he smiled. Then he licked her lips and nibbled on her bottom lip until she was squirming.

Trying a different tactic, she pushed her hips upwards and started grinding them against his hard, naked thigh. This only heightened her own excitement and almost caused her to come against him.

“Please Iian,” she moaned, but his head was busy
back at her breast. How could he have so much self-control? Didn’t he know she was ready to burst?

Finally, she saw an opening. He’d released her hands and was halfway on his side, slowly edging his way back down her body. She noticed that he was off center and doing her best wrestling move, flipped him over and had him on his back in two seconds flat. He smiled up at her as if he’d planned the whole thing. She sat straddling him smiling back down at him.

“You think this is funny?” she signed to him. “You want to torture me? I’ll show you how to torture someone.”

She held his arms down and mouthed, “Don’t move!” She had just enough emotion behind her that he nodded his head in agreement.

Running her hands down from his wrists, she explored his forearms, his upper arms and enjoyed the veins that bulged in his triceps. Then dipping her head, she ran her tongue down the same path.

She’d always admired his body, but had never truly seen it up close, this naked, or tasted it, like she was doing now. He had his own unique taste and she marveled in the sweetness of him. How could a man taste so good?

Looking at her hands, she realized just how wide his chest was. The muscles that tensed as she explored him made her smile. Running her fingers, ever so lightly down his stomach, she followed the light cover of hair that trailed downwards to his erection. Using her fingers she cuffed him and ran her tongue over the head, and explored the length and girth of him. She always found it such a wonder at how a man could be strong and yet so soft feeling at the same time. Like rose petals over steel.

She could honestly say that Iian was larger than anyone else she’d experienced. She thought it better to keep that little secret to herself. Smiling as she heard him groan again, she figured she would just have her revenge on him, but after a moment, she lost herself in the pleasure of pleasing him.

Then she was being tossed back on her back and he was hovering above her. This time, his eyes were dark and his face was set in concentration.

She’d never seen him look so… so. She got no further in her thoughts, because in one quick move, he was inside her and she arched off the bed and gasped his name. Then it was all speed and power.

Never before had he shown such restraint. He’d wanted to explore and remember every part of her. He didn’t know that by doing so, he’d torture himself to the point of pain. Then she’d flipped him over and tried to do the same. How could she know that he’d been on the verge of coming before she ran her hands over him, her tongue over him. Then her mouth had been on him and he’d had to recite all the spices he could think of until finally, he’d been so caught up in her, he had to have her.