Hope checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. With her blue eyes accented by soft makeup, her auburn hair is loose waves around her face, and a royal blue dress that showcased her body in the best way she could, she hoped she'd done herself up in a way that Ryan found appealing.
The knock on the front door had her running down the stairs and she opened it to find 'Vardemus' on the steps.
"Miss Marshall." He smirked as he entered the foyer.
"Get that ring off." Hope closed the door behind him.
Ryan grinned and slid the ring into his pants pocket.
"Did anyone see you leave?"
"It's after curfew." Ryan approached her slowly, then caught a curl around his finger. "But even if anyone had seen me, it wouldn't have stopped me."
"Being headmaster of a school for supernatural teenagers isn't enough drama for you? You want to be the topic of conversation for days?" Hope attempted to joke, but the way he was looking at her had her breath catching in her throat and she found herself staring at his plump lips. No man had any right to be as pretty as he was.
"They can say what they want. I don't care." He kissed her softly, his tongue caressing her lips in a way that had her stepping closer to him.
"They're already talking, you know."
"I'm aware of what they're saying about us, but nothing would get in the way of getting to see you like this." Ryan cradled her jaw, his thumb brushing over her lips.
"Like what?" Hope asked, leaning into his touch.
"Warm and wanting me."
Hope caught the hand on her face between both of hers, encouraging him towards the stairs, and they traded kisses the whole way to her bedroom.
At the doorway, Ryan stopped her.
"What?" Hope dug her fingers into his jacket, pulling it down his shoulders.
"Are you sure about this? Do you want me to be your first?"
"I'd say considering where we are and what we've been doing, that yes, I very much want this, with you." Hope opened the door and shoved his jacket the rest of the way off, and using magic, she tossed it over the back of a chair.
Ryan picked her up, guiding her legs to wrap around his waist and he walked towards the bed. Setting her down on the floor beside it, he found the zipper on her dress and tugged it down. Ryan looked her in the eye as he pulled the dress down her body, leaving her in a pair of black lacy panties and bra.
"You are so beautiful," he breathed as he pushed her back against the mattress and following her down.
Hope reached for the buttons on his shirt, but fumbled with them, unable to get them to come undone. With a growl of frustration, she ripped the shirt off, buttons flying in all directions, and threw it off to one side, making Ryan laugh as he kissed her again.
The feel of his skin beneath her fingers and pressed against her own body left her arching beneath him. She needed more, more of him, of his body, of his kisses, just more. As if reading her mind, Ryan removed the rest of his clothing, aside from a pair of skin tight black boxer briefs. Once he was as bare as she was, he settled between her parted thighs, his arousal pressing against her core and she bucked just a little as a soft moan tore from her throat.
Cradling her neck with one hand, he rolled onto his back, letting her take control for the time being. Hope ground against his erection as they continued kissing, pleasure zinging through her veins with every movement. As they kissed, Ryan's long fingers traced patterns on her back and down her sides.
After a moment, Hope rocked against him harder, needing the friction, and he caught her hips, stilling her movements.
"What?" Hope pulled away from his mouth and stared at him, confused.
"Keep that up and I won't last," he murmured as he kissed her again.
A flush spread across her face when she realized what he was referring to and her internal muscles clenched at the thought of him inside her. Ryan kissed her neck and down to her chest as, he undid her bra. As soon as it was undone, it too found its way to the floor and he flipped them so that he was on top of her.
"Ryan," Hope whispered as he caught one of her nipples lightly between his teeth, then circled the pebbled peak with his tongue.
He released her nipple, a smile gracing his full lips, then he caught the neglected breast in his mouth. As he teased her breasts, one of his hands slid down her body, until he was toying with the band of her panties.
"May I?" he breathed.
Hope lifted her hips just a little in assent and he stripped the last of her clothing away, leaving her completely bare. Instead of feeling shy, or anything else she'd heard of girls feeling during their first time, Hope found herself feeling emboldened by the expression of something akin to awe on Ryan's face.
"Touch me," Hope begged, grabbing his hand and placing it on her belly.
Her words drew him out of his trance and he said, "I'll do one better."
Before she could ask him what he meant, he pressed an open mouthed kiss to the most intimate part of her, then delved his tongue in. Hope arched her back, crying out at the sensation of his lips and tongue stroking her.
After several moments of him giving her the sweetest torture, he murmured against her, "I was going to ask what you thought of it, but I think I know."
"Shut up." Hope dug her fingers into his hair once more, desperately needing him to continue his ministrations. "Please, Ryan. Please."
"Greedy little thing, aren't you?" he teased as he complied.
This time, he slid two fingers inside her, curling them and Hope thrashed beneath him as that coil tightened in her lower belly. She knew what it meant, after all the times she'd brought herself pleasure, but it was somehow more intense this time and the sounds that fell from her lips grew more and more urgent. When had it ever been so good? If she'd known how much better it would be with someone else, she'd have jumped Ryan a long time ago.
Ryan seemed to know what was going on with her body and he redoubled his efforts, growling deep in his throat. In response, Hope bucked against him even harder.
"Ryan!" was all she could get out before the coil snapped and the only thing that mattered was the pleasure coursing through her veins.
As she caught her breath, Ryan cradled her against his chest, smoothing her hair out of her face.
"Wow," Hope breathed and pressed a kiss to his chest.
Tilting her head up, Ryan caught her lips in another kiss and the taste of herself on his tongue left her aching for more. She'd just been brought to release and now here she was, the ache in her lower belly building all over again and she hooked one leg around his waist, pulling him closer.
Ryan took the hint and removed the last article of clothing separating them, revealing his entire body to Hope's curious gaze. She'd seen naked men in pictures, but never in the flesh and Ryan didn't disappoint. He truly was the perfect male specimen.
"Like what you see?" Ryan asked as he knelt between her thighs.
"Very much."
Gripping her hips, he shifted her so that he was in position to take her, and then, Ryan leaned down and kissed her as he entered her slowly. His gentle movements allowed her body to stretch around him, to become familiar with his invasion and Hope drew a shuddering breath.
"God, you feel amazing," Ryan groaned and caught her knee over his elbow, giving him better access to her.
He withdrew slowly, then plunged back into her, the angle of his thrust stroking just so and Hope threw her head back with a moan. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she clawed at his back and Ryan kissed her hard as his rhythm stuttered once.
"You like pain?" Hope whispered.
"A little," Ryan admitted.
With a smirk, Hope bit his neck.
"Tease," he moaned.
The knowledge that he liked pain during sex broke her heart just a little. What had he endured to make him feel like he deserved to hurt while experiencing pleasure? She wanted to make him feel good, not harm him.
But if he wanted pain, she could give him a little and Hope scratched his back again, hard enough to tear skin and draw blood. In response to her nails ripping across his back Ryan cried out, throwing his head back as his thrusts sped up. As the wounds healed, Hope caressed him, soothing the pain and he shuddered in her embrace before he slammed into her, making Hope's back arch.
"Damn, Hope," Ryan ground out through clenched teeth, linking his fingers with hers and pinned her hand above her head, and kissed her again.
For a long moment, there was only the sounds of skin against skin and their moans, then coil tightened and Hope rocked hard beneath him. She was so close, just a little more, and then, it snapped, the wave cresting once more. Only this time, she wasn't alone in her pleasure because Ryan found his release almost immediately after she did, spilling inside her with a strangled whimper.
Ryan kissed her softly as they came down, rolling onto his back and taking her with him.
"Wow," Hope gasped.
"Did I live up to expectations?" Ryan chuckled.
"You know you exceeded them." She buried her face against his neck and used magic to pull the blankets up over their nude forms.
"You actually want me to stay?"
"Hmm, yes. I do. I told you you'd better plan on staying the night if you came over."
Ryan wrapped his arms around her, his hesitation to accept that she wanted him to stay after making love, almost comical after what they'd just done to each other.
Hope woke up, trying to figure out what was so different. What happened? Why did she feel so relaxed? Long fingers twisting her nipples brought the night before firmly to the front of her thoughts. Ryan. He'd stayed after they'd made love several more times during the night, and was now touching her again.
"Good morning," he murmured.
Hope sighed, her back arching, and moaned, "Hi."
Ryan pinned her beneath him and Hope grinned as she hooked one leg around his waist.
"Still so greedy."
"I think you've created a monster." Hope pressed her fingers against his full lips. God, since when did a guy have any right to look so pretty? And with his beard stubble shadowing his jaw, he was downright perfect.
"You kissed me first, so you only have yourself to blame for this."
The door slammed against the wall as Lizzie burst into the room. She looked from Ryan to Hope, her jaw dropping.
"Is there any particular reason why you've decided to barge in like this, this morning, Miss Saltzman?" Ryan asked, sounding so much like his Vardemus persona that Hope started giggling.
"I um, I didn't think Hope would be having company." Lizzie turned to Hope and said, "You and I are going to talk."
"Yeah, now please leave so we can get dressed."
"Right. Don't bother trying to run from me, Hope Andrea. You've got some explaining to do." Lizzie closed the door behind herself, leaving them alone.
"I suppose leaving as the headmaster is out of the question with Lizzie waiting downstairs," Ryan sighed.
"You don't want people to see you you leaving my house."
"Do you really want to risk having Alaric see me and start asking questions?"
"I suppose I can distract her and no one will see you as you besides her and I can get her to swear to secrecy."
"And showering together is also out of the question?" Ryan raised an eyebrow as he climbed out of bed.
"Unless you want to go back to campus smelling like me."
"I wouldn't mind that too much, all things considered, but it would lead to some unnecessary questions." Picking up his ruined shirt, he raised an eyebrow in her direction.
"Um, there are some of my dad's cloths in the closet and they might fit."
"Thank you." He opened the closet door without even bothering to cover up at all.
Hope lay back against the pillows, watching him as he moved around the room.
"Keep watching me like that and I'll never leave."
"Maybe I don't want you to."
He chewed on his lip for a moment before crawling back into bed with her.
"Lizzie-"
"Can wait," he said as he wrapped her legs around his waist.
Hope arched, desperate for the ache he'd ignited in her when he woke her up to be soothed.
