Page 22 of Hot and Bothered in July
He could see her start to waver, the yearning to believe him flowing in those lovely depths. “Truly?”
“Yes. If I did not believe it before, the recent discussion I had with your brother proved that.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “What did he say?”
“Essentially, that he cares about you a great deal, as well as offering an unspoken warning that if I hurt you, I would not have to worry about any sort of retaliation from him, because we both know that you are more than capable of fighting your own battles.”
She lifted her chin slightly. “I have always wanted to be perceived as that sort of woman.”
“Then I should say you have succeeded quite admirably.”
With a sigh, her face softened. “Thank you for being so understanding.” Her nose wrinkled slightly. “And for not treating me as though I am some sort of pariah for acting as I did.”
“Desperation is not something to be taken lightly,” he countered. “Men have come back from the war with far worse ailments.” He allowed his hands to slide away. When he revealed this next part, he needed to have some distance. It wasn’t often that he offered any sort of personal deficiency to anyone, because he knew that knowledge could be used against him. At the same time, it was important that she understand this was one area she was not alone. “Everyone faces some sort of demon at some point in their life.” He walked a short distance away. “I am anxious if I am left alone in the dark.”
“You are?”
He chuckled as he turned back to her. “Do not sound so surprised. I told you that everyone has something that disconcerts them. I generally have to drink myself to oblivion so I do not feel the darkness closing in around me.”
Her expression was empathetic, not sympathetic, which he appreciated greatly.
“I have recently discovered, however, that is not my only weakness.”
“Is it not?”
The way her mouth parted so sweetly Reed could not resist drawing closer. “No. I am particularly powerless when it comes to you.”
“Oh.”
The slightly breathlessness to her voice made him close the remaining distance. He lifted a hand and used his thumb to wipe away the last evidence of her tears. “Do you still want me to show you the little death, Sariah?”
There was a catch in her lungs. “I thought you had declined my request.”
He looked deeply into her eyes. “I am beginning to wonder if I am the one who suffers from hysteria, because whenever I am around you, I cannot seem to think straight.”
Her arms slowly rose to creep up his shoulders. “Then perhaps we can cure each other from our afflictions.”
She turned her face up to him and whispered, “Reed…”
He kissed her soundly, and then moved aside to nip lightly at her earlobe. “God, you make me insane when you say my name.” He grabbed her about the waist and lifted her, carrying her to the edge of the gazebo where he straddled her on his lap, one leg on either side of him. He began to slowly lift her skirts, sliding a hand along the silk of her stockings until his palm met smooth, bare flesh. “Say it again,” he commanded, as he traveled up her thigh.
It did not take more than the initial contact of his mouth on hers before the persistent throbbing began to pulse at the apex of her legs. Sariah’s nipples began to tingle, the friction against her stays causing the ache to grow. But the moment his fingers brushed her intimately, fire seemed to ignite in her veins. “Reed…” she moaned, as he began to stroke the one place she yearned for him the most.
She clutched his shoulders, her head lolling backward. He kissed her neck and the exposed area just above her breasts. Her hips began to move and she soon found a rhythm to match his.
“You are so wet,” he said harshly.
She wondered if that was a good thing or not, but since she could feel the edge of his hardened manhood along her thigh, she decided it was.
For all of her years, Sariah knew she would never forget the tight coiling that wound itself tighter and tighter in her midsection. “Reed…” She pleaded his name because she did not know what it was she yearned for.
But he knew exactly what she needed.
“Let go for me, Sariah. Give me your fears, your insecurities. I will wipe them all away with desire.”
Sariah looked into his eyes, those mesmerizing green eyes—and something remarkable happened. Something broke free inside of her and she found herself floating upward into the heavens, soaring in the land of euphoria.
Her legs shook, her entire body trembling as if she were possessed. And perhaps she was—byhim. Nothing had ever made her feel like this before, and she knew nothing would ever come close. There might be other men who could bring her pleasure, but not to the dizzying extent that she experienced with Reed. She could feel that certainty to her core.
