“You need to rest.”
He shook his head. His hands were firm, yet gentle as he spread his legs wide and pulled her close. “What I need is you.”
Their lips met and melded together. Esther lost herself in the pure sensation of having Ryan’s body surrounding her. His legs cradled her and she leaned into him, needing to be closer. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, holding her steady as he deepened the kiss. She could feel the heavy thud of his heart against her palm. Her own beat to the same primal rhythm.
Her blood thickened as it coursed through her veins, sending ribbons of desire flowing to every part of her body. Her breasts tingled and her sex ached. The thick stubble on his jaw brushed against her skin. She cupped his face lovingly, imagining him rubbing it over the rest of her body—slightly rough and fully exciting.
Ryan pulled away. “I want you.” He trailed hot, openmouthed kisses down her neck.
“You’re hurt.” Her protest was slight and she knew it. She wanted him too.
“Not that hurt.”
Emotion filled Esther until she thought she would burst from it. A lock of his thick brown hair had fallen onto his forehead and she reached out to push it aside. He reared back and captured one of her fingers in his mouth, sucking on it. Up and down, he glided his teeth and tongue over her finger until she was all but gasping for air. Her breasts ached, pressing against the confines of her bra. Between her thighs was a deep emptiness that only Ryan could fill.
He released her finger slowly, dragging his tongue over the side. Esther groaned as he cupped her face in his hands and tilted it up. “Lie with me.”
She nodded and pushed away, coming to her feet. She wasn’t entirely steady, but he clasped his hands around her waist until she regained her balance. Stepping away, she toed off her shoes and reached down to tug off her socks.
His eyes never left her as she popped open the button on her jeans and tugged the zipper down. The front of his sweat pants began to bulge outward. Esther grinned at the evidence of his desire for her. He followed her gaze and shrugged. “I always want you, babe.”
Bolstered by his very blatant show of desire, she slid the buttons of her blouse from their holes one at a time. The material parted, exposing her pale blue bra, which matched her underwear. She’d put them on this morning because they made her feel sexy and confident.
She shrugged her shoulders, letting the material slide down her arms and fall to the floor behind her. Making a low rumbling sound in his throat, Ryan reached out and cupped her lace-covered breasts. Her nipples puckered, pressing against the flimsy material. He brushed his thumbs over them and Esther creamed her panties.
“So pretty.” He continued to tease her nipples. “And so responsive.” He dropped his hands back down by his sides. “Finish it, Esther. I need to see you.”
His voice was thick and gruff with need and her belly quivered. She hooked her hands inside her jeans and shimmied them down her hips and thighs. They pooled around her ankles and she stepped out of them, kicking them out of her way. Clad only in her panties and bra, she faced him.
His hands were clenched at his sides, his nostrils flaring with each breath he took. His jaw was hard, his lips a thin line. His features appeared almost brutal, but Esther wasn’t afraid. She was proud. Proud she aroused him to such a degree.
Placing her hands on her stomach, she slid them over her torso. Excitement rushed through her as Ryan focused on her every move. Cupping her breasts in her hands, she squeezed them. It wasn’t enough. She wanted his hands on her body.
Reaching behind her, she unhooked the bra and leaned forward, letting it fall down her arms and away from her. Her breasts felt fuller, heavier.
Ryan licked his lips.
Esther felt another surge of cream flood her panties as her inner muscles contracted. His arm snaked out and wrapped around her, tugging her between his legs. His large palms squeezed her ass before sliding down the backs of her thighs and around to the front. The bandage of his left hand was a stark reminder that she’d almost lost him.
“You’re wet for me, aren’t you?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“I can smell your arousal.” Leaning forward, he nuzzled her belly as he took a deep breath. “Damn, you’re hot.” His fingers rubbed over the outside of her panties, teasing her. She tilted her hips inward and he laughed.
“You want me to touch you, don’t you? You want me to slide my fingers deep into your hot pussy and stroke in and out until you come?”
Oh, mercy. He was going to make her come with just words. She was burning up inside and out, her inner muscles pulsing hard and fast.
“That’s what you want, isn’t it?” He let his fingers barely stroke over her clit. Even through the barrier of her underwear it was electric. She moaned as he pulled his hand back. “Show me, sweetheart,” he whispered.
On fire for him, she shoved her panties down her legs with more haste than finesse. With no hesitation, she reached between her thighs and pulled back the folds of her labia, exposing herself to him.
His fingers stroked the inside of her thigh before going higher, gliding over her heated flesh before withdrawing. He brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them. “Sweet.”
Her legs buckled and she stumbled, but he caught her and lowered her to her knees in front of him. The position brought her straight in line with the front of his sweat pants. She wrapped her hand around his shaft as best she could. Even through the fleece material, she could feel the hard, hot pulse of him and it made her squirm.
“Take them off.” She barely recognized her own voice it was so low and harsh.
Ryan lifted his butt long enough to tug both sweat pants and boxers off at the same time. It was awkward with only one good hand, but he managed. Esther helped, pulling them off and shoving them aside.
His erection was full and thick. Heavy blue veins ran the length of his shaft. It pulsed with desire as she shifted closer. The bulbous head was wider than the shaft and wet with arousal.
Esther nuzzled his balls, drinking in his musky scent. His fingers tangled in her hair, catching in the clip. She heard him curse and then the clip was gone, her hair falling loose around her shoulders. Gripping her head securely, he urged her closer.
Starting at the base of his shaft, she traced a prominent blue vein with her tongue. One of her hands wrapped around the base of his shaft while the other cupped the heavy sac between his legs. Holding him steady, she twirled her tongue around the head, flicking over the tip.
He groaned and gripped her head harder. She tasted his essence on her tongue—salty and warm. Lowering her mouth over him, she teased the sensitive skin at the base of the head before sucking hard. Ryan laughed and swore at the same time.
“Esther.” Her name was nothing more than a ragged plea. He held her head steady and began to fuck her mouth. With each flex of his hips, he pushed deeper. She relaxed and took him as deep as she was able. His cock glided in and out of her mouth. She squeezed his balls gently, feeling them pull tighter against his body.
Her breasts ached, so she instinctively rubbed her nipples against his leg, reaching for satisfaction. The wiry hair and tough muscle only made them hurt even more. There was no relief and she undulated her hips, unconsciously matching his rhythm.
“Enough.” He pulled her back and she released him with a loud, wet popping sound. The head of his cock glistened and a pearl of liquid beaded from the tip. She tried to lick it off, but he stopped her. “I’ll come if you do that, and I want to be balls deep inside you when I let go.”
Esther wanted that too. She surged to her feet, grabbed a handful of his T-shirt and dragged it over his head. He flinched and she was forcefully reminded of his injuries. She started to stop, but he took over from her and carefully removed his top.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“The only way you could hurt me is by stopping.” He shifted back on the bed until he was lying in the middle, his head resting on the pillows. “You’ll have to do most of the work though.”
Esther smiled as she tugged open the drawer to the nightstand and pulled out the box of condoms she’d bought last night on her way home from the hospital. Opening one, she sat on the bed alongside Ryan and quickly rolled the latex sheath over his hard length.
She straddled him and his hands settled on her hips, guiding her as she lowered herself onto his erection. There was no time for teasing. They both needed this way too much to wait any longer.
Esther could feel his girth stretching her inner muscles. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but enough to make her feel as if she was full to bursting. It felt…good…right.
She was so aroused she slid easily down his shaft until she’d taken every last inch of him within her. Her hands rested on his rock-hard abs for support. His skin was hot and slick beneath her hands.
She tried to catch her breath, but it was impossible. She raised herself slightly and came back down again.
Ryan groaned and this time when she moved, he was ready. He arched his hips upward, driving his cock even deeper. His palms covered her breasts, her nipples hard against the center of his hands.
She tilted her head back and began to ride, finding a rhythm that pleased them both. Ryan teased one of her tight nipples with his thumb and forefinger. His other hand slipped lower, foraging between her thighs and finding her swollen clit.
He brushed it lightly. Once. Twice. That’s all it took. Like a volcano erupting, Esther felt everything inside her explode. Her thigh muscles tensed and quivered. Her lips parted on a scream. Her pussy clenched hard and long. Her orgasm shot through her, expanding to her entire body, consuming her. Her mind went blank as she rode out the waves of pleasure.
Ryan’s rough growl went through her like a bolt of lightning. He gripped her hips and pumped his hips several more times. She felt him tense, felt his heat even through the latex barrier as he came. He groaned and his body bowed with pleasure.
Aftershocks rocked her and she slumped forward, unable to hold herself upright any longer. Ryan wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her safe against his much larger body. She snuggled closer, needing to feel his skin against hers. She simply lay there, absorbing every sensation. Esther felt closer to Ryan in that moment than she ever had to another person. She never wanted it to end.
But it couldn’t last. Her breathing finally settled and she lifted her head.
Ryan’s eyes were closed, his breathing deep. She wondered if he’d fallen asleep even as his eyes opened. She smiled and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. He looked like a wreck and she imagined that she didn’t look any better. Their bodies were practically stuck together. She felt his flaccid shaft slide from her.
“That was…” She licked her lips and tried again. “That was amazing.”
“It was more than amazing.” He reached out and plucked several tissues from a box on the bedside table, wincing as his injured muscles protested.
She wanted to offer her help, but had to trust he’d ask for assistance if he needed it.
He quickly disposed of the used condom. Settling back on the mattress, he hooked a strand of her hair over her ear. “Esther,” he began, his tone serious. “I know most folks would never believe us, but I know in my heart that I loved you in another life.”
She nodded knowingly. She felt exactly the same way.
“But,” he continued. “I’m not the same man I was then, and you’re not the same woman.”
She tensed and propped herself up on her arm so she could see him better. A chill went through her so she tugged the sheet over her, tucking it under her arms. What did he mean by that?
His hand rubbed her nape, stroking and soothing the tense muscles. “We may be different people, shaped by our experiences in this life, but, Esther—” he caught her gaze with his and she could see the emotion swirling in them, “—my soul knows yours.” He shook his head, making the crisp pillow case crinkle beneath him. “From the moment I saw you, I was drawn to you—your beauty, your intelligence, your sense of humor and everything that makes you who you are.”
“Oh, Ryan.” She laid her hand gently against the side of his face. “I feel the same way too. It scared me,” she admitted.
“I know.” He turned his head into her hand and kissed her palm. “I’m just glad that you changed your mind. We both would have lived fine lives, but I would have always felt as if there was something missing without you.”
“I’m still afraid, but I know I can get past it. Living without you is no longer an option for me.”
“I love you.” The color of his brown eyes deepened. “Marry me, Esther? Marry me again.”
Fear reared its ugly head. She imagined all those times his job would draw him away from her, never knowing if he was coming back. The fear was quickly pushed aside by the happiness blooming within her. Esther leaned down and gently kissed his lips, loving this man enough to face any fears or problems to come. “I love you, Ryan. I’ll marry you. I’d marry you again a hundred times.”
His slow smile made her toes curl and, when he reached for her, she felt as if she’d finally come home for good.
Epilogue
Esther looked around the dining room table and smiled. It was late November and dinner was at her house tonight. She’d made a huge pot of spaghetti and served it with a mound of spinach salad and several loaves of garlic bread. There were three pies in the kitchen—apple, cherry and pumpkin—waiting to be sliced. With three men to feed, they needed a lot more food than they used to.
“You okay, babe?” Ryan leaned closer, linking his fingers with hers beneath the cover of the table. He’d totally recovered from his injuries and had been back to work for a week. He was still stuck at a desk but expected to be medically cleared and back in full rotation within the next week.
“I’m great.” She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. She still worried about him, but her fears were tempered by the love they shared.
Rhiannon laughed at something Maggie said, drawing her attention. Ryland and Jed smiled, both of them clearly besotted with their women. Who knew when they’d cast that candle-magick spell asking for a lover that they’d all end up finding men they’d fall in love with.