Chapter 140

Grace

Charles smiled and pulled me close. He tugged the zipper of my dress down quickly and peeled it down my shoulders. He groaned.

"Fuck, yes." I shivered, unsure if it was from the cold or if it was desire. He unhooked my bra and then settled me on the couch beneath the large blanket.

"I feel like I need the cultural context of this..."

The way he looked at me like he would devour my whole as soon as he had his fill of looking at me.

"Alpha lycans who lead pack would set up camps like this. Sleeping practically naked made it easier to shift without worrying about your clothes back when that was a problem. It's a sign of capability, strength, and trust to have someone sleep outside with you."

I bit my lip. "Hitting all of your lycan instincts."

He nodded. "I think you'll find that it's going to hit a lot of yours, too."

Charles stripped down out of the jacket, silk shirt, and tie. His fingers were moving swiftly as I blinked up at him sleepily. My interest in his quick descent into nudity pushed at my tiredness. His pants hit the floor, he pulled off his socks, and then he lifted the edge of the thick fur that slid over my skin like a whisper and slid in, all but crushing me against the back of the chaise lounge.

I groaned at the shock of his body heat.

"Easy," he whispered. "Still cold?"

I shook my head as he pushed his feet under mine and tucked me into his shoulder with a hand on the back of my head. All I could breathe was the heated air around his body and his cologne. It made me relax. It made me comfortable and drowsy and horny all at once. His body was so hot against mine that it felt like he was pouring that heat, passion, and fierceness that made him all of who he was into me. I shivered, letting the heat melt whatever chill had been there and my bones, too.

"Damn you and your schemes," I said. "And your delicious cooking."

He hummed. "I suppose you'll say damn my body heat too, hm?"

"No," I grumbled. "I need that..."

We lay that way for a long time. It could have been hours or as little as five minutes as I felt myself starting to doze even as I fought it.

"How are you sweating?" I asked drowsily. "I'm freezing."

"That's a lycan thing," he said.

"So you always run at a thousand degrees?"

"Just when I need to," he said and kissed my head.

"Why do you have a chaise lounge outside?"

"For moments like this," he whispered.

"Bring a lot of women here?"

"Just you."

I blinked, not expecting this. I looked up at him.

"Usually, I'd cook on the fire out here instead of inside. I like the scenery."

I nodded, nuzzling up to him. "Since we're outside in a cabin and in the woods... You wouldn't happen to have a flannel shirt, would you?"

"I hesitate to guess why."

"You've got all the makings of a sexy lumberjack, and you promised me an adult costume party." I pouted, feeling a little light-headed. Maybe it was the wine or the lack of rest. "We've already played Enforcer and Alpha."

He hummed. "I hate chopping wood. You have a red hood?"

I snickered. "You're terrible."

"I'll be the big bad wolf if you want."

"I can imagine you in a grandma's old nightgown. I think you can pull it off."

He snickered. "All the better to hide my raging erection, my dear."

I burst into laughter, unable to stop myself. The vibrations of my laughter made me shake against his chest, brushing my nipples against his chest until they grew hard and sensitive. His cock pressed against my stomach as I dragged my lips against his shoulder.

"I'll take red lingerie," he said lightly, stroking my back gently. My fingers slipped over his shoulder, enjoying the hardness of his muscles beneath my fingertips, flexing every time I moved.

Heat pooled between my things. I shifted, unable to help myself, pushing my hips against him. It was ridiculous how hot he made me, even as I could barely keep my eyes open.

He kissed my forehead. "Warm now?"

I nodded."

"Sleepy?"

I shook my head. "Don't wanna."

He chuckled. "How can I convince you?"

I huffed. "You can't."

I pushed my hips against his a little harder until he hissed.

He chuckled, dark and low. "You're playing with fire, darling, but okay."

I bit my lip, hopeful as I lifted my head. Our lips brushed before he pressed his mouth more firmly to mind. Then, he slid his hand up my belly until he took hold of my breast. The callouses on his thumbs sent a shiver through me as he started to rub his thumb over my nipple. I shuddered. I didn't remember being so sensitive, especially not my nipples. Devin hadn't been much for foreplay, but I had been impatient, too.

Charles, however, seemed to enjoy it as much sex, maybe even more. I had to ask him one day, some other time when every stroke of his thumb wasn't sending sparks through me and tightening the almost unbearably tense and hot wire of desire running through me.

I moaned against his skin, grazing my teeth against his shoulder. I shifted again, wanting more, and he pressed his hips harder, rocking slowly as I shifted and pleaded.

"Charles, please."

He hushed me, pressing his other hand against the small of my back and rocking against me. We moved slow, deliberate, and agonizing against each other like horny teenagers separated only by the fabric of our underwear.

It was hotter than I thought possible, given everything he'd done to me. The heat was so comforting, so real and consuming that I felt my eyes fluttering closed. I'd never forgive myself if I fell asleep on him, but I could feel the pleasure and the warmth making my body heavier and heavier.

"Charles..." I gasped. He slipped his hand up and twined it in my hair, tugging until I tilted my head back. Then, he kissed me, deep and slow, licking into my mouth with an almost lazy sensuality. It was easy and made me burn so hot I thought I would combust. He tilted his head as I gasped and deepened the kiss, taking my mouth with thrusts of his tongue in time with the thrust of his hips against mine.

I couldn't open my eyes. They were so heavy with exhaustion, desire, and satisfaction.

I didn't want it to end, so I clung to whatever bit of energy I had. I dug my fingers into the ridge of his back, feeling my fingers slip against his skin from the sweat.

He shifted his hips down and lifted my leg over his hip until I could feel him pressing so hot and hard it would take just one wrong move for him to be inside me.

I couldn't think around the pleasure that rioted and ricocheted through me at every slow, dragging thrust against me. I rolled my hips against him with a needy whine. I couldn't stop wanting it faster--wanting more of it.

He groaned deep in his chest and growled. It vibrated through me, and I swear the tension grew tighter and tighter. The ache intensified until it was almost painful but so good my toes curled, and I hooked my leg around his waist to hold him against me. He grabbed my ass and dragged me against him, hard and sharp. He hissed as my mind went blank with pleasure. He did it again and again until everything inside me tightened. I was shaking, barely holding on to sanity and consciousness.

I didn't want to sleep again. I wanted him, but I couldn't stop it if I tried.

My orgasm seized me, dragging me down into the depths of pleasure. I heard myself crying out, the sound barely muffled by his desperate mouth on mine.

For a long time, I didn't know anything. I swore I had passed out. All I could hear was my panting and his, the sound of my heart beating in my ears.

I could feel his heart thrumming against his chest as mine slowed, but his didn't.

I realized drowsily that I was sweating, and he was moving me, so my head was pillowed on his arm.

"Go to sleep, Grace." His fingers drifted over my cheek.

I tried to fight it. My whole body felt completely boneless.

"I wanted more."

"I know," he said, chuckling. He sounded amused but a bit strained. "I promise to have you make it up to me when you have the energy."

I turned my head and nestled my face against him, breathing in his scent and feeling my mind start to drift.

"I'll hold you to it.”