I am warning every single person that this chapter does go into the lime realm. No true out and out lemon but its here and you don't particularly have to read it to get the gist. But seriously kiddies we changed the rating for a reading.
Ripley sat with Donnie in the exam room of the clinic, trying to not be nervous as the larger boost read the very outdated magazines. Today they were removing her stitches-if they looked good enough- and she couldn't help but be a bit anxious. She knew that she had to get the damned things out . . . but she really wasn't looking forward to the whole pulling shit out her back process. Especially since Sphinx hadn't been able to get out of work to come with her like they'd both wanted. But he had relented and let her pick Donnie instead of Atley . . . because she knew Jackson would be overly neurotic in reporting back to him and how much the doctor had to touch her. Just to see what would happen . . . She sighed, looking up as the doctor came in with a warm grin. The man was young and nice . . . and she knew that their visits in the last six months alone had probably paid off a good chunk of whatever tuition expenses he still owed.
"Well Chaosia . . . today is the day. Are you nervous?"
She blinked before grimacing as Donnie looked up perplexed. Oh for the love of . . . She would kill Junie for putting that down. She knew she hated to here that damned name . . . even if her beloved aunt-slash-godmother thought it was so pretty. The weirdo . . .
"Not really . . . just anxious. And its Ripley . . . I hardly ever go by my first name."
The doc nodded, nonplussed by her tone as Donnie chucked the magazine back in its bin. He grinned, looking her over like a kid with a new toy before he waggled his brows at her. And she suddenly knew that telling Memphis and Atley she and Sphinx were going to start seeing one another-and warning them to leave her brooding whatever alone- was going to bite her in the ass for a while still. God they were all so damned nosy and immature . . .
"So . . . Chaosia. Your boy know about that name? Or is that going to be one of those million little secrets?"
She rolled her eyes, trying not to shiver as the doctor's cold hands touched her back and started checking the almost scarred over spots.
"No need to tell him, Donnie. I don't go by it . . . my mother named me after her and Junie's great grandmother . . . but they always called me Ripley. So that's my name. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway. He doesn't speak . . . remember?"
Donnie grinned, giving her a knowing look that made her want to blush. He was far too good at reading between the lines . . . . which is what made him dangerous. And fun to be around. The fucking bastard . . .
"Uh-huh. Sure. Now tell me the one about where the Easter Bunny came from, Ripley. I mean I'm not the smartest guy in the world but I ain't dumb either. And that man talks to you just like you talk to him . . . . Whether or not any of the rest of us witness it doesn't count."
She raised a brow, interested in where he would take this . . . and trying not to focus on what she could-and couldn't- feel on her back.
"Well, the Easter Bunny came from a mommy and daddy Easter bunny . . . you should be able to fill in the blank spots. And as for the rest, how is that?"
He shrugged, sinking back into the chair smugly as he winked at her. And she suddenly knew why his ex-wife might've left him. If he looked like this every time he won an argument she would've killed him . . .
"Because when a tree falls in the woods it still makes a sound. Whether anyone is around to hear it is irrelevant . . . . So how's the fam taking this new romance?"
She shrugged, glancing back at the doctor apologetically when he cleared his throat and gave her a stern look. Right; don't do that in front of the doctor . . . or Sphinx . . . Because both looked like they wanted to skin her for it.
"Otto's as cool with it as he gets . . . but Junie has me worried. I think she like wants to adopt him now or something . . . . Its almost as bad as when Jason moved away and she used to come to Wake Beach to 'help' Mom with me."
Donnie laughed, shaking his head as she continued.
"I'm serious! She sends him as much food to my apartment now as she does me! And she keeps dropping all of these hints that she wants all of us to sit down and eat together like I used to when I'd get back from Wake Beach . . . I mean, can you see Sphinx at the dinner table? Passing food and carrying on conversations? He would probably stroke . . ."
Donnie sobered, looking her over before speaking. And she knew that some of the worry she saw there was as much for Sphinx as it was for her . . . which was a good thing.
"But you want him to don't you . . ."
She went to shrug but stopped herself and glared at the doctor when he laughed and patted her shoulder. She rolled her eyes as he just chuckled even harder before she turned to talk with Don. Who was trying to eat his hat to keep from laughing. Fucking turncoat.
"I guess . . . I mean. I'm not going to get to introduce him to my parents . . . so outside of you guys Junie and Otto are it, you know? And I want them to at least be able to get along for short periods of time . . . But I don't think he's ever had that before Donnie. A sit down with the family and just talk and eat and be happy kind of thing. I doubt he would do it . . ."
Donnie nodded before grinning.
"Probably not . . . unless you have Junie do the inviting . . ."
She grinned, shaking her head as she laughed at that thought.
"That's drastic measures dude . . . drastic measures. That I totally intend to save for Thanksgiving."
Sphinx sighed, pacing the living room of Ripley's apartment as he waited for her to get back. He had gone into work the night before and watched time literally slow until he could leave . . . and he'd barely had time to get here and pack a bag for the girl before she was supposed to be back. But now he was wondering if she was coming here at all. But Atley had sworn he'd told Donnie to bring her straight here . . . He sighed again, sinking into the sofa as he reached into his pocket and thumbed the folded piece of paper.
He'd noticed while they were in Wake Beach that there was a small bed and breakfast near her home . . . and he knew she wouldn't be happy with what was going on this weekend so he'd taken the liberty of booking them a suite. Because he wanted her as far from the shite that could and would go down with the meet with Johnny B. And he didn't trust himself to not try to kill the fucker so . . . it was best if they were both out of town.
Raines and Jackson had drafted a good territory for both crews-with heavier populated areas being neutral while the shallows would belong exclusively to one or another- and he knew that it would at least keep peace for the foreseeable future. Because Johnny B had lost three men to Castlebeck a few days after Ripley and Sway's accident. And he wasn't in the position to try and take on all of them . . . not with his on going war with One-Niners and the obvious beef he had with Cacuzza's lower members . . . So the man was open to diplomacy for the time being.
He sighed, shaking his head as he glanced over to both of the packed bags on the wall that partially separated the kitchen from the living room. He just wanted her to get and here and for them to get on the road as quickly as possible . . . He turned as he heard a key hit the lock and sighed as Ripley pushed through a few moments later, obviously more relaxed now that she was free of her stitches . . .
She turned, jumping as she spotted him before smiling. She dropped her keys, moving to sink into his lap as he titled up to meet her mouth. Feeling instantly better now that he knew she was fine . . . God they needed to hit a leveling out point soon or he was going to go insane. And though the rational part of him screamed that this newfound affection and worry was probably normal-if not slightly heightened by both of their habits of getting into trouble- the primal side was content to revel in her. He sighed, tugging her down with one hand on her hip as the other knotted in her curls.
Eventually she pulled away, kissing down his jaw and to his ear as she chided him. And he couldn't force himself to be upset. He would let her rant-hell she could start speaking fucking German if she kept doing what she was doing- and then he would get her up and out. They could check in any time after noon . . . and he was suddenly desperate to get her away again. He didn't trust the blighters they would be signing the treaty with . . . and he sure as hell didn't want her here until they had it set in stone that Johnny B and his boys would leave her be. Because there was little chance the fuckers hadn't seen Ripley or Sway's faces . . . and she wasn't taking her damned hair back to dark again. It was too damned dark as it was . . .
"I am so getting you a damned bell for Christmas . . . you scared the hell out of me. What are you doing here anyway?"
He shrugged, kissing her again before standing and letting her slide down him before he turned her. He reached out, tossing aside the hoodie before pulling up the back of her shirt. And was pleased to see that the marks were indeed healing well. They were shiny and red and slightly puckered but so long as she didn't pull them open she should be okay . . . and the bruising from the others were already gone. Which meant she would actually be able to go out and into the water some . . .
He smoothed her shirt back down before turning her back, dipping to kiss her as she wrapped her arms around him and sighed. He pulled back, pushing her towards the door again as she laughed and shook her head.
"Sphinx! C'mon! I just got home and you can't have been off long . . . Don't you want to sit down and relax before we got do . . . what are you trying to push me out the door for anyway? Donnie wouldn't even go eat with me . . ."
He stopped, cupping her face as she glanced down at the bags. And when her brows raised he knew that he was going to have to think fast or she wasn't going without a fight. Finally he decided to be honest . . . and pray for the best.
"I booked us a room at Wake Side Bed & Breakfast for the weekend . . . The boys are signing the treaty today and I can't stand the thought of breaking bread with the sonofabitch that tried to shoot you . . . So Atley told Memphis we'd be gone since he couldn't count on me to behave."
She stilled, looking back down to the bags before pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. She had no clue that he'd been warring with this for days . . . and he held his breathe as he waited for her to say no. Only to barely catch her as she launched herself on him in a flurry of kisses and words.
"Oh my God! I can't believe that you did this! Seriously? We're going away for the weekend? Really? And you already packed for me?"
He nodded, trying to comprehend that she wasn't angry or mad . . . she seemed excited. The fact that she was going to spend three whole days with just him excited her . . . Well hell . . .
"You're not mad then . . ."
She shook her head, grinning before she slammed her lips against his fiercely. And he suddenly wasn't in as big of a hurry to get to Wake Beach anymore . . . but when she pulled back he knew he needed to wait. They had all weekend . . . and she needed this after the other . . . She needed it badly.
"let me make sure we have everything and we'll go, okay? If we get there in time I can take up to Cap's for lunch . . ."
Ripley rummaged through the bag Sphinx had packed, amazed that it was actually practical. Because she knew that any of the others would've packed some of the most random and worthless things . . . like minidresses and lingerie. Though now that she looked at it he'd only packed the essentials . . . and though everything was dark there was nothing too frilly or lacey. She blinked, shaking her head before going to her drawers.
He hadn't rifled or browsed, just grabbed what he needed and been done with it. And while the actual clothes would work fine- he gotten her softest tee shirts and blouses along with her favorite jeans and her shorts- she definitely needed better lingerie. Because you didn't go off for a weekend together to celebrate a birthday-even if he wasn't owning up to it yet- and take the simple things . . . you took the pretty lacey things . . .
She opened her top drawer, pulling out four sets to go in place of the others and a set to put on now. The set for now was cream with black stitching and lace . . . with tiny black bows on the bra straps and making up the sides of the bikini styled panties. She grinned, laying them to the side to put on as she backed the others. One set was pure white lace and completely see through . . . and the panties were scalloped and cut to hug her ass rather than cover it. The other two were similar to the first with one being slate blue with navy and the last being black with glittering charcoal . . . She walked into her closet, pulling out her best kept secret- the black silk dress that matched her mother's red one- and a pair of her highest black satin heels before slinging them into a garment bag with her makeup kit.
She would have Paul call and make reservations at Amore for tomorrow night . . . and they would get to ring in his twenty third year the right way . . . With nice food and slow dancing . . . and a lot of touching and cuddling when they got back to the room.
She turned, going to change when she spotted him in the doorway; eying the garment bag in her hands skeptically. She grinned, shrugging before moving to step around him. She was going to put on her favorite soft black sweater and a pair of her better jeans . . . but he caught her, tsking as he pulled her close.
"What's in the bag then?"
She shrugged, grinning as she leaned into him.
"A few surprises. For you being so sweet . . . if you let me change I could model one of them for you . . ."
He grinned, nodding as he stepped back . . . and she was quick to strip down and into the black and white set before going to join him in the bedroom. And she loved the way he groaned when he saw her. He looked her over hungrily, reaching out to pull her into his lap as she went to get her sweater and jeans. She grinned at him bashfully, suddenly shy as he looked her over. She'd never been shy or awkward before . . . a body was a body and nudity was just a lack of clothing. But something about the way he looked at her made her want to hide and preen all at once.
His hands spanned her hips as he pulled her into his lap; forcing her to straddle him as he ran his fingers over her back . . . . and as his mouth started working over her neck she caught sight of them in the mirror. And her scars. He stilled, seeing her stop before he looked up and saw what she did. And she was surprised when he shook his head and rolled them; bring her to rest under him as he settled over her. He ran his fingers down her face and neck, tracing her skin as he looked her over.
And when she went to speak, his mouth hit hers with enough force to leave her breathless. He pulled away, nudging her to roll onto her stomach . . . and when she did she wasn't prepared for what he did. She barely felt his tongue and fingers tracing the fresh marks . . . but what she did feel was enough to leave her a quivering mess as he slowly kissed every new imperfection on her body. When he got to longest one-that extended almost the entire length of her spine in a long jagged slice- he dipped his fingers beneath the hem of her panties, tracing her as he kissed and nipped at the mark. He moved from the bottom up to her neck before he chuckled to her. Whispering as he pushed his fingers into her slowly. And if she hadn't been listening to him so intently she knew she would've never heard him over her own moan.
"You are fucking beautiful . . . and these just make me want you more. I want the girl who lived through this . . . and still moans for me when I touch her . . . . You're mine for as long you'll let me keep you . . . and there isn't a bloody thing wrong with you."
She moaned again, loving the way he felt as his fingers moved and stretched lazily before picking up the pace into a steady rhythm. He chuckled as she whimpered and she felt the knot that had been kneading and coiling in her belly tighten almost excruciatingly . . . The same way it had the last time he'd done this. God she'd never felt like this before . . . not in any of the times she and Marius had ever had sex . . . or any other encounter. Only Sphinx worked her up like this . . . and she knew that no one else would probably ever accomplish it. Why would she want them to when she had him?
"Please . . ."
"Please what, love? Let you cum? I plan on it . . . just like I plan on keeping you stretched across that bed in Wake Beach when we're not busy . . . and you are going to enjoy every fucking minute of it."
She groaned, letting him flip her so he could run his free hand over her jaw and neck before going down to her chest. She whimpered, leaning into his mouth as he watched her writhe for him.
"Promise?"
He chuckled, kissing her chin.
"Promise . . . now cum for me baby girl."
Sphinx sighed as he drove, feeling most of the anxiety and tension leave his shoulders and back as soon as they passed the small Wake Beach sign. God he had never thought he would be so glad to get out of Long Beach . . . even if it was only about twenty minutes away. He glanced over at Ripley as she slept in the passenger seat of the Malibu, curled towards him with her head lulled onto her shoulder. He really had tired her out . . . . the poor baby . . .
He shook himself, turning to look for the turn to the beachside inn before his mind could get away from him. Because he didn't need to let himself get worked up when he new they weren't going to be in the room until much later tonight.
He planned to take her to Paul's-so she could get as much of that out of her system as possible before he was stuck with both of them for three days- and watch that catastrophe unfold after lunch. Before he checked to see if she wanted to go by her parents' home and check on everything. Wake Beach had been hit by a pretty severe storm the week after her injury and he knew she'd hated not being able to get down here to check on the house.
She may not want to live there-yet- but she didn't want anything to happen to it either. He sighed, reaching up to scrub a hand down his face as he tried to stay awake. He hadn't slept yesterday at all and had pulled a full thirteen hours in the morgue after that . . . And even though he knew he could go another seven or eight hours before he would even need to think about sleeping he was very tempted just to check in and carry her upstairs and go to sleep for the rest of the damned day.
Ripley shifted beside him, stretching and waking up as he slowed to turn into the drive. And he had to admit that the former house was nice. The Spanish styled home was massive with sprawling gardens overlooking the cliffs and dunes. With a small wooden staircase to make it down to the actual surf. He glanced at her as she smiled, shaking her head.
"My mother always loved this house . . . she helped do the remodel when the current owners bought it almost seventeen years ago . . ."
He shrugged, rolling his eyes at the random tidbit as he moved to park . . . but her next statement shocked him enough to turn back to her.
"I was over a year old and holding wrenches for my Dad while he messed with the Alalante . . . what were you doing? I mean, I've heard about what I did but you were what? Four, getting ready to be five?"
He looked at her before she laughed, shaking her head and leaning over to brush her lips over his cheek. And he swore to thank and throttle Atley all at once with what spilled from her lips next.
"Speaking of getting ready to be, someone has a birthday soon . . . the next few days if I'm not mistaken . . . don't worry. Its our secret but Atley wanted me to know so I could get you something nice . . . What do you want anyway? You're not exactly easy to shop for . . ."
He blinked, shaking his head as a very inappropriate thought crossed his mind. Because he seriously doubted she would wear the damned black and white set of lingerie she still had on under her sweater and jeans-God do not think about that- and let him unwrap her like a damned gift. Now that would be a birthday present . . . He shook himself and shrugged, turning off the car and going towards the front door so he could check them in. God what had he gotten himself into?
Ripley was trying not to laugh at the look on Sphinx's face as he walked around the lobby while they waited for Martha to come back with the keys. The second she'd walked inside, Martha Waters had proved she still had a mind like a steel trap and had swarmed her with hugs and talking about how much older she looked. And even though she thought the world of the older woman she knew she needed to think quick to buy them peace and quiet fro the weekend . . . Because her mother had loved the elderly inn owner to pieces but she'd warned many times that unless you set boundaries then no topic was taboo . . . . or a secret.
She smiled up at Sphinx as he crossed back to her, letting her lean into him as he huffed. He wasn't used to people knowing everyone and even thought the small coastal community still sat in Los Angeles County, it was a private community. People had to buy stock and shares in the actual township to build and the beaches were private. She sighed, stretching to kiss him as he grumbled when they heard Martha coming back. She tried not to laugh at his face as she kissed him again.
"Just play along baby . . . Or we're going to have company all weekend."
"How the bloody hell do you know almost everyone?"
She shrugged, grinning.
"What can I say? I'm a people person . . . and Martha was friends with my Mother for years after the renovation. Do you trust me?"
He stilled before nodding once and brushed his lips across hers, making her quiver as he pulled her tighter to him.
"More than you know . . ."
She nodded, smiling as she kissed him back.
"Then follow my lead. And if she talks to you be nice . . . she's really sweet. And makes the best blueberry scones and hot tea in the world."
He raised a brow and she knew she had him with his stomach before she stepped away to turn to Martha with an award winning smile. Which wasn't hard to with how much the woman could make you feel at ease with her own smiles and jokes. She reached out, taking the set of keys before trying to answer the woman's questions as quickly as possible with as little lies as she could manage. She really wasn't fond of how good she was getting at all of the conning . . .
"So . . . what brings you back home my dear? Are you thinking of moving back into your house?"
Ripley shook her head, smiling as flipped the keys in her fingers. Of course Martha would ask that first . . .
"No ma'am. I'm actually just here for the weekend. I needed to check on the house after the storm . . . Paul looked over the property but I have to check the other things, you know?"
She nodded sagely, reaching out and patting her arm with a sympathetic smile.
"I don't blame you honey it was a bad one . . . but your mother and father picked a good house. It'll be fine . . ."
She grinned, leaning in to whisper and Ripley had to fight her own chuckles at the look that crossed Sphinx's face. She was right, he wasn't used to people actually talking with one another . . . or being candid. Which with the way the crew was you'd think he'd at least start to be acclimated to it . . .
"And who is this strapping you man you've brought with you, hm? New boyfriend?"
Ripley laughed, knowing her cheeks were blushing as she nodded but she couldn't help it. Not with what she was about to do . . .
"Yes ma'am . . . something like that."
Martha grinned, winking and Ripley couldn't help the giggles as the older woman wrapped her arm over her shoulders, whispering conspiratorially.
"Oh! Well by all means, don't let me stand in the way . . . Young love . . . He's very handsome, Chaosia. Roguish but very handsome . . . and that accent. Not quite as thick as your father's was but still . . ."
Ripley laughed, shaking her head as she hugged the older woman tighter. God it was the stuff like this that made her miss home sometimes . . .
"I know . . . he and Dad would've gotten along pretty well. He's about as bad as Daddy was so . . ."
Martha laughed, shaking her head before pointing to the steps.
"Oh dear Lord. Then we're not going to let him get too excited. God knows my heart didn't handle it well last time . . . I moved you to the top suite honey. Don't argue! You're my guests and I'll do what I want . . . and if you don't need me then you aren't going to see me . . . . But I was serious before Chaosia. You look so happy . . . and so much better. I'm happy for you . . . Now go on and get settled . . ."
She nodded, pulling away before glancing back to Sphinx. Who was quick to walk to her and sling his arm over her shoulders, pulling her close as they made their way up the massive teak steps. And even quicker to start asking questions when they were out of earshot.
"Last time?"
She laughed, nodding as she drug him past the second floor on up to the third.
"Yeah . . . Martha loved my Dad . . . so much that she usually helped get him out of trouble. But she hated the way he drove . . . and only let him take her to the doc's once. The only good thing is it proved she had a stronger heart than anyone thought . . . And we're upstairs."
He quirked a brow but followed, both bags tossed over his right shoulder.
"Upstairs?"
She nodded, winking.
"Yep. The Master Suite."
Ripley watched Sphinx look over the huge room from her spot stretched out on the bed. She sighed, closing her eyes. She really wanted to take a nap . . . but she knew he had something else planned for them. And she'd slept some in the car on the way here so . . .
She smiled as she watched him step out onto the small balcony. This room had been the last of the ones her mother had redone years ago in a traditional Spanish missionary style . . . and the dark wooden beams beside the cream stucco walls with the dark furniture and pops of orange, teal, red and magenta all seemed as vibrant now as they had before. She sighed, looking over the red lacquered bed. All of the other pieces were mahogany and dark stained teak but the bed was a monster Cali king box canopy with an engraved and carved headboard . . . and the wood had been stained a dark red. Which with the white covers and red, orange and gold accents was actually pretty nice.
She closed her eyes, loving the sounds of the waves as they came in through the cracked windows and the open door. The one thing she missed about her home had to be the sounds of the waves and the sun filtering in through the multitude of windows . . . well, other than her parents of course.
The bed dipped beside her and she barely had time to open her eyes again before Sphinx's mouth cemented over hers. She groaned, wrapping her arms around him as one of his hands smoothed up her side and beneath her sweater; grazing her skin as his mouth moved hurriedly over hers. She sighed into him, letting him roll them to where she was astride him . . . and loving the way he looked up at her when she pulled back.
She smiled, kissing his chin down to his jaw before moving down to his neck. But as her fingers went to unbutton his shirt his hands caught her wrists. She looked up quizzically as he shook his head, holding both of her wrists with one hand while the other came to cup the back of her skull. And pull her down into an intense heated kiss. She groaned against his lips before whimpering when he pulled away.
"Steady Love . . . we have time. No need to rush . . ."
She whimpered again, shifting in his hold deliberately to make him suffer. And as he groaned and his lips came back up to meet hers she turned, letting his lips only catch the corner of her own. He growled at her as she moved away completely on his second attempt, sliding his hand down to cup her cheek and force her to look at him.
"Now don't be like that . . . we're doing this right, remember?"
She huffed, rolling her eyes before she let him brush his lips over hers. Why was he being so damned difficult?
"I just want you . . . and all of this waiting and not being able to touch is driving me crazy . . ."
His hands pulled her close to him as he flipped them, settling between her legs as he pinned both of her hands above her head on the mattress. And she couldn't help the little moan she gave him as his mouth moved over her jaw and neck. But he didn't bite and nip the way he had before . . . meaning that Otto had talked to him regardless of her promise that it was going to be handled.
His free hand slid down her chest, grazing her breasts before smoothing over her stomach and down to her pelvis; his fingers running over the top hem of her jeans as he chuckled to her.
"Oh? So you want to touch then?"
Ripley went to speak as Sphinx sealed his lips over hers. His mouth moved over hers and he released her hands, letting her run her fingers through his hair and over his neck and back before they met over his chest. His fingers opened her jeans while her own started unbuttoning his shirt. And as he pulled the soft denim off and tossed it to the floor she was pushing his shirt off of his shoulders, pushing the straps of his suspenders down with the soft material. She grinned up at him as his hands came to pull her sweater up slowly, exposing her to him slowly inch by inch until it joined their other clothes in the floor. But when he fingers went to open his own pants he stopped her, shaking his head.
"Just touching . . . at least for now. We have to have something to do tonight."
She groaned before reaching up and nipping at his jaw hard enough to make his blood smolder. God she couldn't do that or they weren't going anywhere . . . but he shook himself and kept his wits. Until she whimpered up to him.
"Baby, I swear I am not going to complain if we do this twice . . . Please . . ."
He groaned before nodding once and sealing his mouth over hers as her fingers went back to his trousers. And when they brushed against him he shuddered. And despite the fact that this was going against what he had planned for them to do he couldn't find it in himself to be mad or angry. Just relieved . . . He'd been waiting for this-wanting and denying himself- for over seven months now . . . and by God he was going to enjoy surrendering to her.
Ripley sighed as she snuggled into Sphinx's bare chest, listening to his heartbeat slow as he dozed beside her. She had been right . . . she wasn't going to mind doing that again tonight. Or however much he wanted to . . . Hell, if she'd ever known sex could be like that then she would've stopped fighting the chemistry between them months ago. She glanced up, smiling at the look on his face as he slept. He seemed so . . . relaxed now that she just wanted to let him sleep. But she knew they needed to get up and go get something to eat.
Her stomach growled, casting its vote for food as Sphinx shifted and cracked an eye at her before shaking his head chuckling. And she stuck her tongue out at him despite the blush growing on her cheeks.
"I take it that means you're hungry then?"
She nodded before squeaking as he tugged her back across his hips, letting her settle against him as he stretched up to kiss and suck at her neck. She moaned, tilting her head back to give him better access as her eyes tried to roll back. He had far too good a memory for her to keep giving him all of these little openings . . . even if she hadn't really known about them before. Because she knew he wouldn't hesitate to use them against her now that she'd been using his against him.
She tilted her head back down as his mouth worked up to her chin. And he didn't hesitate to give her a deep languid kiss as his hand came up to cup her cheek. She sighed, leaning into him. And when she opened her eyes, she noticed that his were closed. She stilled, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth before gathering the courage to ask him what was on her mind.
"Having second thoughts?"
His eyes opened and he looked her over before he shook his head, brushing his lips over hers.
"No Love. Just trying to enjoy it . . ."
She nodded, looking him over again before she pressed her lips to his lightly, tracing his mouth with her tongue before pulling away . . . leaving him to look down at her intensely for a split second before crashing his lips against hers. Tongues met and battled as he pulled her hard into his chest, sliding one hand up into her loose hair and the other down to the small of her back. Before Ripley knew what was going on, she was beneath him; back against the sheets with one of his legs between hers, spreading them wide enough for him as one of her legs hooked around his waist.
His hands were everywhere, taking purchase when they could find it while his hips ground into hers with every bruising pass of his lips. And she knew that they were definitely going to have to wait to eat as he spoke to her again.
"Just let me enjoy you while I can baby . . ."
She nodded, kissing his cheek before he stilled, pressing his forehead against her own and cupping her cheek again. And as she looked up at him through her lashes she knew that she wasn't ever going to be free of the man above her. But the scary thing was how little the thought actually terrified her . . . actually it thrilled her. Because if she belonged to him-and him as much to her as he was willing- then she wasn't alone anymore . . .
"I'm yours Sphinx. And you don't have to worry about that . . . I'm here as long as you want me . . ."
He nodded, kissing her again before he moved. And as his mouth traced down her neck to her shoulders and chest she didn't think about anything else. Just him . . .
Thirty seven chapters . . .