Page 77 of Rook
Slow. Deep. Devastating.
His hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer, palms warm through her shirt. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and he let out a soft sound against her mouth—a quiet exhale that made her entire body warm. The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, tasting faintly of the coffee they’d shared earlier.
Years of longing unfolded between them, soft and unhurried. He kissed her like he was memorizingher shape, her warmth. She kissed him like she was finally home.
When they broke apart, they were both breathing harder, foreheads resting together.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he said softly.
Avery’s voice was barely a whisper. “Then show me.”
He paused and held her gaze, something vulnerable breaking through. “Aves… I need you to understand something.”
She waited, hands warm against his chest.
His voice dropped, rough around the edges. “I spent years trying to outrun what you were to me. Didn’t work. Never did.” He swallowed hard, his thumb brushing the corner of her mouth with a gentleness that didn’t match the tension in his shoulders. “You’ve always been it for me.”
Her inhale stuttered. “Noah…”
His thumb traced her lower lip, slow and deliberate. “Tell me you want this too.”
“I do,” she whispered. “Every part of you.”
Emotion filled his face, raw, open, profound. He kissed her again, deeper this time, his hands sliding up her back, holding her close as if afraid she might vanish.
Rook’s fingers found the hem of his faded black t-shirt, gripping it gently before pulling it up and over his head. The fabric skimmed along his skin, carrying the subtle warmth of his body and a hint of cedar. He let it fall to the wooden floor beside the bed. Avery’s gaze traced the lines of his chest, the faint scars and tattoos that told stories of the years apart.
Her hands reached for him, palms pressing flat against his warm skin, feeling the rise and fall of his breaths. He exhaled slowly, the sound low and steady, as she explored the strength beneath her touch.
With equal care, his hands moved to her shirt, lifting it slowly, his knuckles grazing the soft skin of her sides. She raised her arms, letting him draw it away. The air in the room felt cool against her, quickly warmed by his nearness. He traced the curve of her shoulders, down to the lace of her bra, his touch light, reverent.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his voice a warm rumble against her ear. He unhooked the bra with steady fingers, sliding the straps down her arms. Her breasts spilled free, and he cupped them gently,thumbs brushing over her nipples until they tightened under his care. She arched into him, a soft gasp escaping her lips, the sound filling the quiet space between them.
He guided her toward the bed, the mattress yielding softly under their weight as they lowered together. The sheets were cool cotton, roughened slightly from use, warming instantly to their bodies.
Rook braced himself above her on his forearms, his warmth enveloping her without overwhelming.
His lips found her neck, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone, tasting the faint salt of her skin. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close.
He moved lower, his mouth closing over one nipple, tongue warm and gentle, drawing a quiet moan from her. The sensation pulled at her core, a deep ache building steadily.
His hands worked at her jeans, unbuttoning them with care, easing the denim down her thighs along with her panties. The fabric dragged softly over her skin, leaving her bare and open to him. Hepaused, his breath warm against her inner thigh, inhaling her scent, clean and faintly sweet, like the memory of sugar and cinnamon from their youth.
Kneeling between her legs, he parted her thighs gently, his fingers tracing her folds. She was warm and ready, slick with need. He leaned in, his tongue gliding slowly over her most sensitive place, tasting her essence, subtle and inviting.
She trembled, hips lifting slightly, her breaths coming in soft waves. His mouth moved with patience, circling and pressing, while one finger slipped inside her, then two, curling to find the rhythm that made her gasp.
“Noah,” she breathed, her voice trembling with feeling. “Please…”
He continued until her body tensed, waves of release washing over her. Her thighs quivered around him, soft cries filling the air, her hands clutching the sheets.
Rising, he shed the rest of his clothes, his arousal evident, heavy and seeking. Avery reached for him,drawing him down. Their mouths met again, sharing the taste of her on his lips.
He positioned himself at her entrance, entering her slowly, inch by inch. She enveloped him in warmth, tight and welcoming, their bodies joining as one.
He paused when fully seated, their breaths syncing, foreheads touching. Then they moved together, gentle rolls of his hips, deep and measured, the mattress creaking softly beneath them. Skin slid against skin, slick with shared warmth, the air thick with their mingled scents.
“You’re everything,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.
