Once inside the room, I watched as Maximus flipped the lock on the door. Usually that wouldn't be necessary, but with children running around and one mischievous little boy who wanted cuddles, it was a good idea to be cautious. That was not a conversation I felt like having today, especially considering our earlier interruption.
Maximus pulled me from my thoughts as he turned around to lean against the door. His eyes swept down my frame, making me resist the urge to hunch forward and hide. He must have sensed my urge, because his eyes narrowed slightly before he pushed off the door.
He was in front of me in the next second, his hands sliding across my sides, lifting my shirt as they traveled up my chest. "Every part of you is beautiful, I'll make it my life long goal to make you believe that if that's what it takes."
I didn't bother telling him that I didn't see that happening, there were more important things to focus on than my withering self confidence. I tangled my hands in his shirt and pulled until he was level with my chair, the new angle allowing me to drag him into a kiss.
Every stroke of his tongue added fuel to the fire that burned between us as his fingers played across my front, stopping momentarily at my bra as he waited for my verdict. I didn't have to think for long, stopping our kiss to nod before he carefully tugged both garments over my head.
I'd never been fully bare before him, but as his eyes trailed down my chest and began to spark emerald fire, for the first time in a long time I was happy with myself. All my previous nerves seemed to melt away as I pulled him into another kiss. My fingers making trails across his abs while sliding up, pulling his shirt along with the motion.
We only separated to remove his shirt, the bare expanse of his chest momentarily distracting me, before he slid his arms under my legs and lifted me out of my chair.
I rested my head against his throat, happy to leave open mouthed kisses against the skin while he settled us both on the bed. His rumble of appreciation made me smile, I'd never get over how sensitive his neck was. It was so much fun to hear the different noises he made while I nibbled on it.
His hands dropped to my jeans, pulling me back to the present as he eyed me with hunger turning grey eyes green. I lifted my hips wordlessly, my hands moving to unbutton his pants as he slid mine off completely before depositing them on the floor.
He paused to kick them off before joining me on the bed, his body lying horizontal to mine as his fingers traced across the newly bared skin. His eyes never wavered in their appreciation, the desire in them a confidence boost like no other as I fought the urge to rock against him to speed things up.
We had time for fast and passionate later, by the slow grind of Maximus's leg between my thighs it was a safe bet tonight would be slow. I was more than okay with that.
The slow, mounting pressure had my panties soaked in minutes, the knowing smirk that curled his lips easily announcing that he was aware of how he was affecting me and he enjoyed it. Well, he wasn't the only one who could play that game.
Reaching out, I encased his length in my hand, squeezing lightly when it pulsed against my palm. Tracing my thumb against the vein on the bottom, I grinned when he let out a low moan. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, halting my slow strokes to my disappointment, "If you do that, this is going to be over before we've even started."
Huffing, I nipped his lip when he dropped down to start another kiss. "Then stop teasing me, it's not fair if I'm not allowed to do it back."
A slow smile curled his lips, the look screamed danger in a way that promised hours of ecstasy and a thrill sped down my spine in response. "I wasn't teasing you, I was preparing you." He paused to move over me, his body stopping to hover over mine before he breathed into my ear. "I'm decently sized and I refuse to hurt you out of sheer carelessness. We won't be joining until I'm satisfied that you're been thoroughly stretched."
The air pushed out of me as his words stroked over my body like a physical caress. I don't know what all that entailed but if the promise in his eyes was any indication, I was going to enjoy it.
Before my next blink, he'd pulled my underwear off and dropped to lay between my thighs. His fingers massaged at the muscles around my center as his lips traced the edges of my opening. The stubble covering his jaw scraped sensually against my most sensitive area, making me moan and rock into him for more.
He chuckled, the vibrations driving me insane with need as he finally moved forward to slide his tongue along the opening. A shudder rolled through me as he prodded along, poking around for that specific spot he found every time without fail.
I knew the instant he found it, my back arching off the bed as a gasp stole the air from my lungs. He only paused a moment to grin in triumph before he descended on that spot without mercy. His teeth scraped around it before pulling it into his mouth, the light suction mixed with drops of his venom making my next moan break on a scream.
I didn't have time to warn him before I felt the familiar wave of climax hit me, his mouth not pausing despite the flush of liquid that had coated his lower jaw. I barely had time to recover from the first orgasm before he was building me toward the next one. My voice rose sharply when he rolled the nub between his teeth, stopping just before I crested my second peak.
My noise of complaint was cut off, his mouth sealing to my own to silence any noise I could have made. When he pulled away, his eyes had no grey left in them. "Now you're plenty wet enough, but you still need to be stretched."
It was my only warning before his fingers slid inside me, the first two easily finding their way. The third wriggled in next, slowly twisting around and scissoring to help me adjust to what was coming. It was only a minute before I bucked against his hand, wanting more and not caring if it stung.
Maximus didn't ask if I was sure, instead silently doing as I wanted and nudging in the fourth finger. This was as far as we'd come before tonight and as his hand began a sliding thrust, it was all I could do not to sob from pleasure. He would take it the wrong way and stop, the last thing I wanted him to do…
The motion mimicked what would be coming soon and as he made no motion to move on, I trapped his hand between my thighs and ground down on it. A hiss left him, the moment of surprise allowing me to drag his chest down to mine. "Just take me, if I need time to adjust then we can go slow, but I can't stand you not being inside of me for one more minute."
My words had the intended effect as his hand carefully left me, quickly being replaced by his length at my entrance. I leaned back, sighing in relief as the head nudged at my opening only to pause.
Maximus shifted my hair from my eyes, tucking it tenderly behind my ear as he trailed his fingers down to wrap around his girth. His hand cupped my jaw, holding eye contact as he gave a light rock. The motion made me bite my lip as he slid in the first inch, anticipation making me tense as my body prepared to welcome him.
He paused, stroking my cheek as his voice washed over me like velvet. "Relax, if you tighten up it will hurt." At this point, I didn't care if it did as long as he moved.
His hand left his length to go back to massaging at the muscles around my groin, the slow pressure guiding my body back to its previous relaxed state until I was putty in his hands. Once I was relaxed to his qualification, he picked up his rocking again.
Each thrust inward rubbed against my clit, not enough pressure to bring me close but enough to make a shudder roll through me on each inward slide. He was holding back, waiting for my go ahead, and with a deep breath, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and gave it. "Maximus, please move."
I felt his careful control snap as he shivered against me. His hand lifted my hips to give him a better angle before he slid another inch deeper, the snug fit making me bite back a cry. It wasn't painful, not even close, but I had never been this full before and if he'd been even a smidge bigger then it would have hurt. He was perfectly sized for me, as if we'd been made for one another and the thought pulled another moan from my lungs as his girth scraped against my walls on every retreat.
I opened my eyes, locking onto his as he slowly molded me around him. As I watched his eyes shut tight and his teeth grind, holding back his urge to just start thrusting, I'd never felt more powerful. This was what it felt like to be desired and I loved it. In this second, with my millennium old templar knight fighting to shackle his burning lust, I felt like what I was. A woman who was sharing the most intimate action possible with the man she loved.
The thought made me pause, was now the right time to tell him? He hadn't shied away from affection or commitment to this point…
My thoughts were scattered when I glanced down to where we were connected and sucked in a breath of amazement. When I'd first seen him in all his naked glory, I'd wondered how he was going to fit. I'd still wondered, but now I could watch for myself as he disappeared into me. Every inch slid him closer to being completely hilted and watching the slow slide of our bodies together made my passion spike to a fever pitch.
I could feel him throb inside me, each pulse warning of what was to come as he paused to collect himself. Not wanting to wait any longer, I clutched his sides and pulled him forward, my thighs tightening and dragging him the final inches. His base rubbed against me, the entirety of his length stretching my walls as I threw my head back and cried out at the feeling.
This was what I wanted, the connection, feeling every inch of him filling me in ways no one had before. As he swelled further inside of me, I felt my heart expand until it was suffocating. If this wasn't the right time, then there wasn't going to be one and I was done waiting.
My mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, my first attempt at speech coming out as a moan. It took several more tries before I managed to squeeze out. "I love you." It was barely a whisper, but I knew Maximus heard it when he stiffened over me.
He paused for just a moment, my nerves pitching high as doubts clawed at my heart. Maybe it was too early to say anything? But before I could work myself into a panic, Maximus's hands cradled my face as he pulled me into a kiss so tender I felt tears gather in my eyes.
When he pulled back, his eyes shone with a pink hue that stunned me. I almost missed his choked words through my surprise. "Say that again."
His words vibrated with intensity, as if he were a man dying of thirst and had just been given a tablespoon of water. I swallowed against my dry throat and repeated myself, feeling that this was important, despite not knowing why.
I curled my fingers into his hair, twining the golden strands each digit and rolling our hips together as I declared, "I love you, Maximus."
It was my voice that brimmed with emotion this time, practically screaming the proof of my words as I waited for his reaction. He didn't disappoint.
His hips picked up speed, coming into an easy rhythm as he hilted himself on every thrust. His voice was gravely as he growled, "I love you too." Joy burned alongside my arousal as his hips increased in speed until they were a blur to my eyes, his length mercilessly nailing the spot that had me seeing stars on every thrust.
Feeling my peak nearly upon me, I wrapped my arms around him and met his rocking to the best of my ability, wishing more than anything in the moment that I could wrap my legs around him.
That thought disappeared under the tidal wave of pleasure when his hand reached down to pinch my clit between his fingers at the same time as a particularly deep thrust slid me a few inches up the bed. Throwing my head back, I felt my back arch and a scream rip from my throat. The sound spurring him on, his hips barely pulling out now before driving back in.
As the aftershocks rolled through me, I fought for breath and basked in the afterglow. Everything I was, felt like it was pouring into him, making its new home in him and in a way, I guess, that was true.
He was my everything now, he held my heart, my soul and my body and he could do with them as he pleased. He was my home and nothing would take me from him.
I felt as a voracious need to have all of him lashed through me, making my arms pull him down far enough for my teeth to sink into his shoulder as my thighs tightened around his hips, holding him against my core. I wasn't sure where that instinct came from, but as he let out a surprised groan I knew he didn't mind.
He didn't try to pull out anymore, choosing instead to grind against me, his length nestled as deep as he could go before it exploded within me. His hips stuttered out of their rhythm as hot ropes of liquid filled me. I felt as each shot sent a jolt through his body, making him jerk against my thighs as he emptied himself into me.
My previous bite mark was already fading, but I kissed it in silent apology anyway. The action pulled another shudder from him as he gave miniature thrusts, chasing the leftovers of his climax as he came down from his high.
His muscles jerked, twitching and spasming as he fought to remain over me. Before tonight I'd always been uncomfortable being caged, even by his body, but now… I coaxed his weight to fall on top of me and watched with satisfaction when he went boneless at my silent request.
His head found my throat as his body settled between my thighs. Running my fingers through his hair, I felt a feminine pride swell in my chest. I'd caused this in him, the fierce and terrifying warrior who had survived the Crusades. And I would be doing it again many times in the future, that I could guarantee.
This position was likely to become a favorite, I could already tell. His weight felt comfortable, as if it were a reminder that nothing could hurt me with him there. I relaxed as his shuddering slowly came to a stop and his hips stopped twitching into mine.
My hands traced over his shoulders, muscles jumping slightly even at the lightest touch, before returning my fingers to his hair. I contemplated braiding it for a moment before discarding the thought. Now wasn't the time, but maybe he'd let me later. Besides, I'd have to move and I was enjoying this position too much to allow that.
Maximus came around slowly, his arms coming up to wrap me against his chest as his head buried itself into my throat. I felt as he inhaled deeply, the air tickling my neck, before he pulled back to meet my eyes.
A pink sheen covered grey eyes, alarming me for a moment before he leaned forward to capture my lips. The kiss brimmed with all the things he was having trouble putting into words, every emotion rubbed against me, taking my breath away with the intensity. When he pulled back again, he slowly began to explain as his nose nuzzled against my cheek.
"The last time someone told me they loved me and meant it was when I was just a boy. As you know, my mother died when I was young, resulting in me joining the Templar's from a young age. In the following centuries I had many friends and bed partners but no one ever loved me as you do."
His words rang with intensity, making my heart twist in sympathy. How lonely must it have been to live for so long without anyone who loved you? I shook myself out of the sobering thoughts and pulled him tighter against my chest, feeling a protective urge beginning to grow as I promised. "You won't ever have to go another day without hearing it, if that's what you want. I'm more than happy to remind you every morning and every night."
He kissed me again, slow and thorough as his emotions rose over their wall to curl against my own.
"I think I'll take you up on that." After a moment of soaking in our connection, he lifted his weight and slid out. The sudden emptiness making me grimace as he rolled to face me.
He must have caught my look and guessed the reason behind it. His face softened into an expression so tender it made my chest ache to see it as he wrapped his arm around my back and tugged me to his chest. "I know, but we'll have plenty of time to enjoy that connection over the course of our relationship. In the meantime, you don't want the mess to dry, trust me. While it's not uncomfortable now, it will be later."
I'd take his word for it. I gave a noise of disagreement when he moved to leave the bed though. He shot me a playful smile over his shoulder as he walked toward the bathroom. "I'll be right back, I didn't think to put a wet rag next to the bed. An oversight I'll correct next time."
The mention of next time had me smiling like an idiot at his back, oh there would definitely be a next time and if I had my way it would be soon. For now though, I'd be content watching his backside as it walked away. He looked fine for a man who was nearly one thousand years old.
It was only a second before he came back, reclaiming his spot beside me as he carefully slid the rag across my skin. The care he took to get every speck made me smile against his chest, but before I could reach to take the rag from him and return the favor he tossed it to the side.
At my noise of disappointment, he chuckled before pulling me to rest on top of him. "Cleaning me up wouldn't do any good, I'm laying in the wet spot."
The statement made one of my brows rise, wet spot? Glancing over his side, I looked and sure enough he was indeed laying on a sizeable soaked circle of the sheets. Apparently sex was messy, I'd be sure to remember that for future reference. Turning to him, I offered. "We can move to your room if you want? If it's not comfortable, I mean."
He smiled, the easy curl matching his languid movements as he fisted the blanket to tug it up over my back. "I don't care, I'm more comfortable now than I've ever been in my life, wet spot or no wet spot. Unless it bothers you, I'm not moving for anything."
I shook my head, happy to relax against him and soak in the newest shift in our relationship. We had made love, it felt surreal, but as I thought back to how connected I'd felt to him, and not just physically, I knew no other term fit what we'd just done.
Giddy with happiness over it, I giggled while grinning up at him. His brow arched, but his own smile curled in answer despite not knowing what had caused my laughing. "What has you so giggly?"
I shrugged, trying to stifle the laughs as I answered. "We made love." It wasn't funny per say, but I just felt so happy that it came out as laughter. Thankfully, Maximus seemed to understand.
After a moment of thought, he nodded. "We did, and hopefully we'll continue to do so many more times. There's still lots I can show you, and I know there's still more for me to learn about your preferences. I can't wait to find out everything."
A shiver ran up my spine, the sensual promise in his eyes making me grin. "Can't wait." I hoped this fluttery feeling continued through the rest of our relationship, but even if it didn't. The burning love I felt for him would never fade, and as long as we both lived, I would happily stay by his side. Let the sun burn out or the oceans rise, he was mine and I was his. Nothing would ever change that now.
I felt as sleep dragged me down, my exhaustion from before coming back now that our activity had thoroughly drained me of energy. I fought against it, wanting to bask in the feeling just a little longer.
Maximus chuckled, watching as I fought a losing battle. His mouth slid against my head, leaving a lingering kiss as he mumbled. "Go to sleep, I'll still be here when you wake."
I grumbled, but stopped trying to stay awake. Not that my efforts would have succeeded for much longer anyway. I felt as my consciousness began to slide away, but before I let myself completely succumb, I managed to get out. "I love you."
The last thing I felt before dropping off into sleep was his mouth trailing another kiss across my head in answer. If he answered verbally, I didn't hear it as sleep finally claimed me.