Chapter 9
"Wait," Jason said firmly, placing his hands on her bare shoulders and pushing her backward as he tumbled forward.
Elizabeth lost balance briefly, regaining it only after her body crashed into the window behind her. Her hands dropped from his shirt immediately, moving to hold herself up against the window. She was shaking, her hands and her knees, and she could barely hold herself still.
He felt guilty when she made no movement to look at him and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Elizabeth," he murmured huskily, sucking in a breath when he realized how his voice sounded, how his tongue wrapped around her name.
Bracing his hands on either side of her, his eyes roamed over her, desperate for her to say or do something. He wasn't surprised when she remained quiet, her palms flat against the glass, her breaths quick and heavy.
"Elizabeth," he repeated, his voice gentle, "I just don't want-"
"It's okay," she interrupted, her voice trembling.
She wrapped her slender fingers around one of his wrists, tugging it away from the window, but he kept his hand firmly planted.
"I don't want you to do something you don't want to," he said, sliding his hand downward when she attempted to duck and go under his arm.
She grunted, her head falling back against the against the glass, as she raised her eyes to his. "I haven't wanted-
"I don't want you to kiss me because of a bet," he continued, not giving her the chance to finish what she didn't want, especially when she'd just avoid admitting what she did.
"You wager a woman in a game of poker, which most men would use to their advantage, but you just end up playing chess. Then, you wager a kiss, and you turn her away because it's the classy thing to do," she replied, her eyebrow arching as a slow smirk spread across her plump lips. "It's a wonder you ever get laid, Jason."
"I thought you'd have realized by now that I'm not most men," he replied, liking the way his name sounded on her lips. He dropped his head, inching his face closer to hers. "And I don't want you to kiss me because once I kiss you back, I don't plan on stopping."
Her blue orbs went heavy with surprise and hesitation and her lips parted, but no words came out. He feared that he may have crossed a line, but at the same time, he was being honest. And he knew that if she could let her walls down long enough, she would admit that she felt the same way too.
"I don't do-I've never done something like this," she murmured in a breathy voice, almost sounding scared.
"You haven't done anything," he replied softly, one of his hands falling to her bare shoulder.
His thumb circled over her smooth skin. She was soft and delicate, unlike anything he'd ever touched before, and it took every ounce of restrain he had not to melt into her right there.
She shook her head, her hair moving against her shoulders. He wrapped his forefinger around a loose curl, surprised that her hair was as silky as her skin.
"I don't do this," she repeated, sounding as if she were talking herself out of something. "I don't dress like this and flirt and bat my eyes…Not to mention the fact that I took my clothes off in front of you, let alone even try to pick up men." She sunk her teeth into her lower lip, staring up at him. "Or rather, a man and I just-"
"Elizabeth," he cut in, splaying his hand over her shoulder, then running it down the length of her arm. He stopped at her wrist, moving to hold her delicate hand in his. Her skin was cool and she shivered beneath his touch. "If this is about respect or class, you-"
"I just don't do these things," she interrupted, her gaze falling to her hand that was still in his.
He smoothed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Nothing has to happen," he replied, with a sincere smile. "We're docking soon…The last time for the night, so you can…"
His voice trailed off when he noticed her crest fallen face, an all too brief moment of vulnerability. It didn't make sense to him that she would think he didn't want her.
Just as he couldn't understand why it was so impossible for her to admit that she didn't want to go, that she wanted to stay, and that she wanted him. It was written on her face, in her eyes, and he could feel it radiating off her body.
"Don't think that I don't want you," he said, dropping his other hand from the window to cup her cheek. She leaned into his touch without realizing it, her eyes fluttering closed the instant his skin grazed hers. "But I refuse to start something I can't finish…It wouldn't be fair to either of us."
Her jaw tensed against his hand, but she didn't move away. "What about this night has been fair?" she asked pointedly, her eyes flashing to his.
"I would say the majority of it," he replied, both of his hands moving tenderly against her skin. "We know where we stand and how we got here, and the bottom line is that if either of us didn't want to be here, we wouldn't be."
"So, the real question," he continued, his pulling his hands away from her and repositioning them on either side of her head, "is do you want to stay?"
Her eyes lingered on his so intensely that he wanted to look away, and he wondered if that was part of another game she was playing. She was doing so well at dancing around the truth, ignoring what she wanted, simply because it scared her.
Yeah, he scared her.
He could see it in the way hesitation parted her lips and question hung in her eyes. He was sure he could do and say things that no one else ever had, and she knew it. He could make it easy and step forward, taking her as his, but he wanted her to want him.
"I understand," he answered for her, when she gave him no response. He took a step back, holding his hands up front of her. "You should go. The boat will be docking, and I know you don't want to spend the night with-"
"Please," she cut in, her voice shaky. She stayed pressed up against the glass, her hands still braced against the window.
"Please?" he asked, furrowing his brow.
"Don't do this," she replied, sounding helpless, torn between staying and going. "I just…I've never…"
He nodded when her voice trailed off, trying to understand how she was feeling.
It was clear what she wanted, but something was holding her back. He knew she was probably comparing herself to those other women she'd made fun of earlier in the evening. She had to know that she was nothing like them.
He stepped towards her, returning to his previous stance; one hand braced against the window, the other tracing the ends of her hair. He dropped his head so that his lips were close enough to her ear for her to feel his breath.
"This wasn't about anything more than having a drink," he whispered, his voice low and husky, as he tangled his fingertips in her hair. "Except maybe stealing you away from your date because he didn't deserve a second of your time…Though I probably don't either."
She sucked in a breath, her chest tightening at his words. Her head turned towards his, stopping only when she realized how close he was to her. He could have easily moved forward and taken her mouth in his.
"But," he continued, watching her tiny frame stiffen against the window, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you…That I didn't want you from the first time I laid eyes on you tonight…"
She swallowed hard, a quiet sigh escaping her lips, but made no attempt to move.
"Hell, every man out there wanted you," he murmured, raising his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "And there is no doubt as to why…You are so beautiful, Eliza-"
He was cut off by the crash of her body against his, her hands fisting his tuxedo shirt, as she fused hers lips to his. Instinctively, his hands were on her sides, pressing the silk of her dress against the curve of her hips. He gripped the fabric in his hands, a failed attempt at inching it upwards, desperate to touch the bare skin she'd given him a glimpse of earlier that evening. Her mouth parted, her tongue requesting entrance into his mouth, and his lips parted easily.
He knew then that there was nothing he could ever deny her.
He felt a shiver run down his spine when her tongue met his, swirling forcefully around one another, both of them eager to take what the other was offering. The kiss was frantic, as were their caresses. He continued to tug the dress upward, while her hands pulled at the fabric of his shirt, both hurrying towards the destination that would leave them with bare skin on bare skin.
She moaned against his mouth, her hips grinding against his, when he managed to maneuver her dress up to her knee. He hooked his hand just behind it, drawing it around his leg, before snaking his hand up her thigh. She was softer than he imagined, velvety and luscious. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him, wanting more.
The image of her from earlier in that evening flashed through his mind; teeth sunk into her lower lip, her hand on her curvy lip, and he suddenly had no restraint. He drew his tongue from her mouth, his lips suckling against her lower lip, before he raked his teeth against it.
She mewed into his mouth, one hand releasing his shirt as the other wrapped around his neck, drawing him closer. She pulled one last time on his shirt, moaning with satisfaction when she slid her hand beneath his shirt. Her palm splayed against his stomach, working it's way up to his chest, grasping at the muscles below it.
"Jason," she growled from deep within her throat, his hand cupping her just below her ass, a single finger tracing the lining of her black, lacy underwear.
He ran his hand up from the small of her back, fisting it into the ends of her hair before tugging her head backwards.
Her mouth parted from his and she let out a moan of frustration. Her lips were red and swollen, and he could see a faint mark from where his teeth had been. Her face was flushed, her eyes drowning with desire. She was panting, her breaths taut from the lack of oxygen, and she was only still standing because he was holding her up.
She met his gaze, a thin, pleasure-filled smile spreading across her lips. "I thought that would shut you up," she whispered breathlessly.
He wasn't surprised at all by her answer. "I meant what I said before," he replied, flipping her around so that her body was pressed up against the window.
She cried out softly when her back hit the glass, but he knew it wasn't cause she was hurt. He had just caught her off guard.
"I kissed you," he reminded her, grasping her wrists and holding them above her head with one of his hands. He pressed his hips into hers, sliding his other hand around her neck. "And I don't plan on stopping, Elizabeth."
Lowering his mouth to hers, he parted her lips, seeking entrance in the same way she had before. Their tongues met again, thrashing around one another. It was a dangerous dance of power; both wanting to be the one in charge, but it was already clear that she'd lost.
Her body withered between him and the glass, her hips grinding against his, gasping against his mouth when she felt his hard on between her legs. His free hand tugged at the straps of her dress, his lips continuing to move against hers, and he was frustrated at how easy she'd made it look earlier when she stripped. He gave up, dropping his hand to her waist, he tugged the fabric upward like he'd done before.
"Jason," she panted into his mouth, doing her best to pull away from his lips, but he made it so difficult.
When she finally broke free and was gasping for air, he nuzzled his face against her neck, attempting to push her hair back without using his hands. He let out a guttural growl of frustration, wanting to touch her all at once, and hating that it wasn't possible.
He gave up on what little progress he'd made at hiking her dress up and used his hand to shove her hair away. She moaned softly, her head falling against his when his tongue found her neck. Lapping gently at the base of her neck, he began a slow and painful assault, tracing a trail to just below her ear.
He grinded into her, making sure that she felt just how badly he wanted her. Her hips returned his thrusts, her voice hitching as she moaned, her head falling back against the window.
His tongue snaked around the lobe, his teething tugging it into his mouth. "Elizabeth," he hissed, his mouth hot and wet against her ear.
"Please," she whimpered, his teeth nipping at her earlobe as her hips buck against his. "Please, Jason."
"Aw, sweetheart, there's no need to beg," he whispered huskily, his lips brushing across her ear and cheek, finally taking her mouth in his. "I'm going to make sure you get just what you want."
He moved so that her hands were linked in both of his, continuing to hold them above her head. His tongue swirled around hers, his teeth raking over her lips, over and over until she was crying into his mouth. Every whimper and moan that came from those plush lips nearly sent him over the edge.
He lowered her hands, an inch at a time, keeping them pressed against the window. Only when they were at her sides, did he release them, his hands clutching her hips.
"Take your dress off," he commanded, breaking their searing kiss and pressing his forehead against hers. "Take it off like you did before."
There was no doubt in his mind that she'd be willing to comply. Keeping his hands on her hips, he stepped back, watching as she raised her hands to the strap of her dress. She kept her eyes on his and with the flick of a finger, the flimsy silk fabric fell away, and he released his hold on her long enough for the dress to fall to the floor.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd wanted to take a woman so badly, yet wanted to hold out and make it last.
And it was especially difficult when she was ready to be taken, her body and eyes begging for it.
"Jason," she murmured pleadingly, placing her hands over his as her head fell back against the window.
He imagined for a second how easy it would be to drop his pants to his knees, shove her underwear aside, and pound into her.
"So beautiful," he replied, his voice just above a whisper, his thumbs tracing the lacy band of her underwear.
Pulling a hand from beneath hers, he lifted it to her breast. He traced the swell with a single fingertip, then pinched at the nipple through the fabric. She moaned, her eyes fluttering with surprised, and she tightened her grip on his wrist to steady herself. He paid the same attention to the other; continuing the torture of slow, light strokes for several turns.
Only when she whimpered pleadingly, desperate for him to touch her bare skin, did he give his next command.
He traced the curve of the fabric one last time. "Take it off."
She nodded, eyes still on him, drunk and begging for a release. Her lips curved into a smile as she raked her hands up her sides, taking her time at teasing him.
He licked his lips in anticipation, his mouth eager to do the things he'd be thinking about since the first time he saw her. Arching her back, she slid her hands around her, unsnapping the bra, and letting it fall to the floor the same way she had her dress. She drew her hands back around her modestly, but he pulled them away.
"God, Elizabeth," he purred huskily, drinking in the site of her bare breasted, almost naked except for her underwear. "I don't even know where to start."
He stepped forward, taking his mouth in hers again, both his hands rushing over her breasts. She grabbed his hips, tugging him forward by his belt loops, breaking the kiss only to catch her breath. Resting her head on his shoulder, she moaned as his hands molded her breasts against his palms, her own grasping for his belt buckle.
His lips retraced their movements over her neck, rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefingers. She moaned, pressing herself against his hands, as she attempted to free him from his pants.
Determined to distract her, his hands moved to her shoulders, pushing her back against the window. She cried out in frustration, but he hushed her with a gentle kiss, before slowly making his way down to her breasts. He brushed his lips against the valley of her breasts, instantly her hands were raking through his hair, silently urging him to touch her.
He gave into her need, lapping his way across one of her breasts. His tongue spun around the nipple, pulling it between his teeth, before lapping at it gently. Her hips bucked and her hold tightened, and he was sure she was swearing under her breath.
"Jason, please," she cried, her head falling forward and resting against his as he moved across her chest, making sure to give both breasts equal attention.
He couldn't help but grin against her, his tongue continuing to tease her nipple, as he tilted his head back to look up at her. Her teeth was sunk into her lower lip, her eyes more hazy than before, and she looked ready to explode at any minute.
He found it difficult to imagine what she would be like when this was all said and done, but then again, that was the point; to make it unforgettable.
She whimpered, roughly raking her hands through his hair, as if trying to get her point across.
Releasing the nipple from his lips, he nuzzled his face against her breast one last time, then moved so that his face was just in front of hers.
"Tell me what you want," he whispered hoarsely, his hand cupping her cheek, while his thumb traced over her swollen lips. Her cheeks flushed at his request, letting him know that her thoughts were anything but pure. "Don't be afraid or nervous, Elizabeth. Just tell me."
"You-you know what I want," she replied faintly, her eyes closing for a second, as if she were embarrassed.
He moved to tuck her hair behind her ear, placing an almost chaste kiss on her cheek. "Do you want me to touch you?" he asked, his lips brushing against her ear.
She nodded, squirming against the window. He could see goose bumps forming on her skin, knowing that she was getting chilly, her body growing hotter while the window was stayed cool.
Dropping his hand from her face, his forefinger drew a line down her body, starting at her shoulder and ending just above her belly button.
"Do you want me to touch you…there?" he asked, his tongue lapping at her earlobe as he pressed his hand against her lower abdomen. She nodded, her head falling limply towards him. "I can't hear you."
"Yes," she hissed, one of her hands moving to his wrist, a failed attempt to guide his hand where she wanted it to go.
He moved his face back to look at hers, taking her hand in his own, as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Show me what you want," he whispered, looking down at her hand, feeling the tension run through it as soon as the words left his lips. "Show me, Elizabeth…Show me what you want, what you like you, what you need."
Her eyes lingered on his, taking in each of his requests. She swallowed hard, pulling her hand from beneath his, linking her fingers over them.
"I want you to touch me," she whispered, her request low and gruff, as she inched his hand beneath the lining of her the scrap of lace that covered her.
He bit his lip, his eyes falling to their hands, as she moved him slowly towards her center. She barely moved, spreading her legs just enough to slide their hands between them.
"Touch me here," she whispered, unlinking her hand from his and pressing his fingertips against her slit.
She was wet and swollen, aching to be touched. She shifted her hips, pushing them against his hand, while her hand moved his against her.
Instinctively, his hands curled against her center, as Jason surpassed the point of self-restraint. He was surprised when she didn't pull her hand away, instead wrapping her fingers around his wrist, when he slipped a single finger inside her slick cavern.
Her hips bucked immediately, a loud gasp bursting from her plump lips, and he slid an arm around her waist to keep her balanced.
"Like that?" he asked, sliding a second finger in, causing another cry to come from her lips.
She nodded, his fingers pumping steadily, but roughly inside her.
"Ja-Jason," she murmured, her free hand gripping his arm tightly, her hips baring down on his hand with every thrust.
"That's it, Elizabeth," he coaxed, dropping his head to her breast, his tongue lapping leisurely at the tip.
Her hand slid from his arm to his head, holding his mouth against her chest, while she pumped hurriedly against him. Her moans came louder, closer together, and he knew that her release was not far off. His teeth nipped at the tip of her breast, his tongue soothing it, while he swirled his thumb over the tiny bud between her legs.
"Oh, oh, Jason," she panted, her head falling back against the window, when the tremors started to build.
Abandoning her breast he moved so that his eyes were on hers, eager to see her when she crossed that peak. Her eyes fluttered as if the sheer pleasure made it too difficult for her to keep them open. They widened at the last moment, his name coming over and over from her lips, the sparks filling her eyes.
She rode the waves for as long as she could, collapsing against him when she realized it was over. She buried her face in his chest, one hand still on his wrist, the other around his waist.
"Elizabeth," he said, pressing a gentle kiss against her temple. "Are you-"
She cut him off again, her lips moving over his, her hands fisting his shirt. It was a replay of earlier, but this was different.
Yes, this was very different, he told himself after she'd spun him around and shoved him against the window, her nails raking over the front of his shirt.
Her head tipped back, her eyes narrowing at his. "You tend to talk too much," she murmured, her trembling fingers fussing over the first button, torn between ripping it open and going slow and steady.
"Funny," he replied, gently combing her hair away from her face. "Usually I'm told I don't say enough…Must be something you do to me."
She arched an eyebrow, her fingers making their way to the third button. "Tell me," she teased, her eyes flashing with amusement. She stopped mid-button and ran her hands up and down his chest. "Just what do I do, Jason?"
His hands went to her hips, gripping them tightly as he jerked her towards him. Sliding a hand against the small of her back, he forced his way between her legs, grinding against her.
"I think you know just what you do," he replied smugly, licking his lips when pleasure washed over her face again. He held her against him, his other hand moving to tweak her breast. "Or do I need to remind you again?"
"I don't need you to remind me of anything," she hissed playfully, sliding her hand between their bodies, her palm pressing against the bulge in his pants.
He swore, this time his head falling back against the glass, and she seemed surprised that he didn't stop her from touching him. She kept her hand against him, her other moving to flick the remaining buttons on his shirt. When it was open, she stood their quietly, drinking in his bare chest with her eyes.
"Take it off," she murmured, a devious grin on her on her lips. She didn't give him much space to maneuver the shirt off, and she laughed quietly, unable to hold back her amusement when he swore.
The second the shirt hit the floor, she pressed her bare skin against his, nuzzling her face against his smooth chest. He swore again when she brushed her lips against his skin, her tongue lapping across it gently, while her hands molded it beneath her palms.
She let her tongue go to work, tracing circles and lines, leaving him swearing non-stop. Her hands moved to his belt buckle, this time she acted not distracted, and he was open and free within seconds.
She murmured with anticipation, her hands slipping beneath the band of his pants and boxer briefs, before she pushed them down. Her fingernails raked against his as they pulled his pants to the floor, and he drank in the site of her on her knees in front of him.
God, she truly was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he would never tire of saying that.
"Step out," she murmured, continuing to mimic his commanding tone.
No one else would have ever gotten away with it, but she was just so damn hot, that he was sure he'd do whatever she told him to.
She inched her way back up his body, pressing her chest against him, one of her hands wrapping around his erection. He hissed, his body bucking forward, and she let out another quiet laugh.
"How's that?" she asked, tightening her grip as she began to pump him in her hand.
"Elizabeth," he growled, shifting her eyes to her, and swearing again when she winked.
"That's it," she coaxed, biting her lip as she raked her nails over her chest again.
"I'd say it is," he growled, his slim fingers wrapping around her wrist and pulling her away from him.
He'd shown far too much self-restraint tonight, and he was reaching his breaking point.
"You can play later all you want, sweetheart," he murmured, grabbing her other hand and spinning her back around towards the window. "But right now, I can only take so much."
She cried out, her bare back coming into contact with the cool glass. He released her hands long enough to shove the lacy scrap of panties down, making it his turn to command her to step out of something.
On his knees in front of her, he slipped the lace from beneath her feet, tossing it aside. He tipped his head back, drinking her in as she loomed above him. He could see in her eyes that she was already desperate for another release. His hand snaked across the floor to his pants, digging for his wallet, all the while his eyes never leaving hers.
He held an ankle in each of his hands, running his hands slowly up her sides as he moved upward. Her body withered beneath his touch as he made his way over the bare curve of her hip, the swell of her breasts, coming to a stop when he cupped her face. Their tongues met again, swirling around one another in familiarity, as he pressed a knee between her legs.
"Come on," he urged, stepping between her legs when she parted instantly at his request.
She reached for the foil wrapper, tearing it open in her hands, then moving slowly to roll it onto his length. He growled, pressing his face against her neck as her hands moved over him, teasing him one last time.
Resting a hand on her hip, he pulled her away, positioning her so that he was right at her entrance. Hooking an arm beneath one of her knees, he drew her leg around him, so that his tip pressed against her slit. Moaning loudly, her hands grasped at him, seeking something to hold onto as he pushed himself inside her.
He planted a hand against the glass to balance them, drawing her leg up higher around him, and plunging even deeper into her throbbing center. She was more tight than he'd expected, and he moved slowly at first, knowing that one wrong movement and he'd explode before things ever got started.
"Elizabeth," he murmured against her neck, his hand tugging at her leg that was still resting on the floor. "I need you to…"
"Yeah, like that," he moaned, when she shifted to wrap her legs around him, her arms moving around his neck. "God, just like that."
He moved to find her lips, taking them in his, as he slowly thrust against her. She broke the kiss immediately, a low moan escaping her lips, her head falling to his shoulder. He knew that both were already on the brink of a release, so there was no need to hold back.
He shifted to hold her at her hips, pressing her against the window, his hips pumping against hers. She raked her fingernails over his shoulder blades, her mouth moving over his skin, teeth biting and tongue soothing as he moved inside her. Each thrust slowly became harder than the one that came before.
"Jason," she purred, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly, as her head fell back against the window. She matched him thrust for thrust, her back banging against the window every time he pushed into her. "Oh, Jason…"
He felt himself tremble simply from the way she said his name, and he knew that he couldn't hold out any longer. Sliding a hand from beneath her, he moved between their bodies, his thumb seeking out the bud between her legs.
When he pressed against it lightly, her nails dug into his shoulders, and a long, throaty moan came from her lips. She trembled against him and around him, repeating his name over and over, as her head fell back against the window.
She was practically sobbing from pleasure when he felt his own release come upon him. With one last thrust, he pressed his face against her neck, crying out as he came right behind her.
He held her there, hands gripping her bottom, holding her against him. His face still pressed against her neck, her hands still gripping his shoulders.
When his own breathing eased and he was sure he could move, he shifted her in his arms and started across the room. He barely made it to the bed before he collapsed, falling on top of her.
He rolled onto his side, propping his head on his hand, his hand tugging the flimsy sheet away from her body that she was already pulling over her. She blushed at the gesture, her hands moving instinctively to cover herself.
"Don't."
His voice was firm and commanding, and her hands fell away immediately.
He reached for her. Placing his palm against her cheek, he stroked her face until her head turned towards him. Her face was still flushed, her breaths heavy, her eyes still drunk from pleasure.
Her skin was so soft beneath his, like velvet, and he felt a stirring deep within, just from being next to her.
He dropped his hand to her shoulder, his fingertips swirling circles against her creamy skin as his hand moved. Her sighs were barely audible as she closed her eyes, her body arching beneath his touch.
He traced a slow path down her body; his thumb sweeping over the swell of her breast, his forefinger pressing against the curve of her hip. His fingers drummed a light rhythm as they stretched across her lower abdomen. Pressing his palm against her, she whimpered slightly, her hips thrusting against his touch.
"Elizabeth," he murmured gently, his hand inching up her opposite side, mimicking his previous movements.
She responded with another low audible sigh, her hands fisting the sheet below her body, her lashes fluttering as she tried to look at him.
"Jason, I don't think I can…Not again," she continued to pant, as he lowered his hand to her knee, tugging her so that she was laying on her side. "Jason…I-"
This time he cut her off, placing his lips over hers, suckling gently at her lower lip. "Did anyone ever tell you, you talk too much?" he teased, his tongue making it's way into her mouth.
Her hand reached for his waist, pulling him against her, and she gasped into his mouth when she felt him harden against her thigh.
"Jason," she murmured, still breathless, her head falling back so that she could look at him. "I just…Oh…"
And he was the one who laughed quietly, pressing a tender kiss against her forehead. "There's no rush," he whispered, cupping her cheek in his hand, and staring into her eyes. "Cause the way I see it, we're just getting started, sweetheart."