Page 151 of Moonlit Fate

My heart stuttered when he released his embrace, thinking he was going to push me away. Instead, he cradled my face between my palms, wiping my tears with his thumbs. “Shh.” He pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. There was a firmness to him, an edge of command that wasn’t there before.

“I wish you’d come to me, trusted me. I understand why you did what you did, but no more running, Aria. We’re in this together. Everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve faced, proves we’re stronger together. I can’t live with this perpetual worry that a day from now or a week from now, I won’t be good enough.”

“I swear,” I said, leaning into his touch. It felt right, being this close to him again. “I’m sorry, Atticus. I don’t know how else tosay it, but if you’ll let me, I’ll prove it. Every day for the rest of our lives.”

“Show me,” he said, then his lips were on mine.

37

ATTICUS

Ihadn’t meant to push. I knew why she’d ended things, but it bothered me more than I wanted to admit. Now that she’d apologized, I felt more at peace.

Aria melted into my embrace, her tiny frame a perfect fit for my arms. Our lips met, and that spark of desire ignited between us. Her tongue coaxed my lips apart and danced with mine. The lavender scent of her shampoo filled my nostrils, and just like every time she stood close to me, I wanted to get lost in her. That, along with the gentle brushing of the towel against me sent goosebumps down my arms.

Our kiss deepened, becoming more urgent as we explored each other’s mouths. I tugged her damp hair gently and slid my hand up to the nape of her neck to her to me. When we broke apart, panting heavily, Aria gazed up at me with half-lidded eyes full of desire.

I splayed my hand on her lower back and pressed her closer still. Without breaking her gaze, I slid the towel off her body and tossed it on the floor. Aria didn’t resist as I traced a line from her shoulder down to her hipbone with one finger before moving lower again to tease the sensitive skin of her abdomen.

“I’ve missed this,” Aria whispered, every word laced with longing. She clutched at my shirt, pulling me closer until our lips were a breath apart.

Her mouth sought mine again, tasting me, and I responded in kind. “I’ve missed you too,” I murmured against her lips. Aria’s touch ignited a fire within me that could never be extinguished.

I trailed kisses from her jawline down to her neck, tasting the salty sweetness of her skin, then nipped at her earlobe. My hands roamed over her silky, smooth thigh, inching closer to that exquisite heat of hers. Aria whimpered into my mouth and hooked one leg around my thigh, molding our bodies together even more intimately than before.

I couldn’t resist any longer; I had to feel her skin on mine once again. Pulling back, I peeled off my shirt, then continued exploring every inch of her naked form. I traced the delicate lines of her collarbone, delighted when goosebumps rose on her skin. My hand dipped lower, tracing circles around her nipple. It puckered under my touch, and I pinched it gently. Aria gasped, and the sound sent a bolt of lust straight to my cock. Quickly, I unlaced my breeches and let them fall to the floor. In an instant, I cupped Aria’s ass and lifted her against me. Fuck, she was wet. My cock throbbed, pressing against her stomach as I ground against her, wanting nothing more than to be inside her. Her mouth left my neck and found my chest, her teeth nipping gently. “Please...”

I didn’t need any more encouragement. I walked us over the bed and sat down, my hands never leaving Aria’s ass. I pulled her closer, guiding her onto me. My cock slid between her folds, spreading her for me. She let out a shaky breath as the head of my dick touched her clit. I wanted nothing more to tease her like this all night long, but my own need was too strong.

I pulled my hips back slightly, then thrust upward into her tight heat. We moaned as one as our hips moved together in perfect rhythm, our bodies remembering this dance after our time apart. She arched her back, gasping as I thrust deeper, filling her completely. The sound of skin slapping skin echoed through the room, and our lips crashed together in a searing kiss. I plunged my tongue into her mouth as deep as I had just plunged into her body, tasting her while taking what I wanted so desperately.

Without warning I pulled out and flipped her onto her back, moving down her body. I had to taste her. I spread her apart with my fingers, tracing her folds with my tongue. I flicked my tongue over her swollen clit, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Aria. She tasted salty-sweet and so fucking delicious, it drove me wild. Sliding a finger inside her, I sucked on that tiny bud, making her writhe beneath me. Aria’s hips bucked up off the bed in response as I lapped at her wetness. She let out a groan, her body arching off the bed.

“So good,” she panted shakily as she looked down at me between her trembling thighs. Her eyes were glassy with lust, her hair splayed out on the bed like a silver halo around her head. Grinning against her skin, I slipped my tongue inside her, desperate to taste every inch of her. My fingers pushed deeper into her soaking entrance while my tongue delved deeper into her core. Aria cried out, throwing her head back and gripping the sheets tightly as if they were a lifeline.

Her scent filled my nostrils, a heady mix of arousal and need that made me even harder than before. The soft whimpers and moans she released were music to my ears as I drove her to the brink of ecstasy. She was mine again, if only for this moment.

Her hands found my hair, tangling in the strands as she pulled me closer still.

I raised my head and pressed soft kisses along her inner thighs before moving up her body again. My cock jerked with anticipation as I positioned myself at her entrance. With one thrust, I buried myself inside Aria’s tight heat. Her back bowed off the bed, and she moaned into the pillow next to her as I began a steady rhythm. Her nails dug into my shoulders as our hips slapped together in perfect harmony, matching the pace of our breathing. Her bouncing breasts begged for my attention. I took one in my hand and rolled her hardened nipple between my thumb and index finger. Aria’s eyes snapped open, her heated gaze meeting mine as she surrendered to me.

Pulling out again, I pulled her close and rolled us so that she was on top of me again. The feeling of her warmth enveloping me nearly sent me over the brink. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, leaving marks that would heal too quickly, as she rocked against me with a hungry fervor. Aria’s breasts pressed against my chest, her nipples grazing across my skin as she threw her head back in ecstasy.

“Atticus,” she moaned as our movements grew more frenzied, our need for release building to an almost unbearable peak. Aria threw head back as she bounced on my cock, her long silver hair brushing against my thighs. Having her take control, take her pleasure from me, made me moan. My balls throbbed with the need to release my orgasm, but I held back. I wanted to savor every moment with her before we both reached our climax. I traced the curves of her hips and ass as our lips met in a hungry kiss. Her taste was addictive, and I couldn’t get enough. We rocked together faster, grinding against each other with each thrust.

Aria put one hand to her breast and pinched her nipple as she rode me harder and faster. I reached up and did the same to her other nipple. Her eyes rolled back, showing how close she was to the edge as she leaned forward to nip at my neck.

Without warning, she tensed and cried out, her body shuddering. Waves of pleasure washed over me as I watched her mouth drop open. I held onto her tightly as I pulled her into a final deep kiss, our tongues dueling as we found release together. Aria’s body shook, her muscles clenching and unclenching around my cock in the most perfect way, milking my release from within. I drank every drop of her moan, every sharp intake of breath, every whispered “oh god” or “yes” that escaped her lips. Our skin slapped together, sweat glistening under the dim light coming from the lamp on the nightstand.

We collapsed onto the bed together, chests heaving as we tried to catch our breath. Aria rested her head on my chest, and I breathed in her scent mingled with sweat that made me shudder with desire all over again. Her soft words rumbled against my chest like thunder. “I’ve missed this.”

“Me too,” I said, running my fingers through her tousled hair as she lay limply in my arms, our sweat-slicked skin sticking together.

When we’d caught our breath, we got into the tub together, and I delighted in the chance to experience the velvety touch of her skin once more. I grabbed the washcloth from her and soaped it up.

“I can do it.” Aria protested.

“I know, but I want to.” I said, running the cloth up and along her rib cage, under her heavy breast, directing the water to remove the soap, then sucking her nipple into my mouth.

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