Page 5 of Desired By the Lumberjack

Following his example, I slide my fingers into the silky hair on the back of his head, digging my nails lightly into his scalp. He pauses and I sneak a much-needed breath, before he starts over again. Invading my mouth, giant hands hauling me so close there's no space between us anymore, and I can feel the rigid length of him pressing into my hip.

All we've done is kiss and he's already that hard.

My core aches with want, but he holds me in place, kissing me like that connection is the only thing he lives for. When he finally slows, releasing me, there's a heat in his gaze that I can feel everywhere it lands. My body hums with energy and whatever is happening between us, I don't want it to stop.

So, my heart lurches to a halt when he says, "We should stop."

Disappointment sinks into me, and he frowns down at me.

"Let me be very clear about this, Laurel, so there are no misunderstandings. I don't want to stop. What I really want right now is to strip you out of these clothes, spread you out on my bed, and taste every inch of your beautiful body. I want to bury myself so deep inside you'll feel me for days afterwards. But that's what I want. So, the question I need you to answer is what do you want?"

My throat goes tight with emotion. He may seem scary at first glance, but this giant of a man has a good heart all the way through. He forced us to take a break, a breath, and give me a chance to be sure of where this will go. Very sure. That's important, because I know without a doubt that whatever happens next will change me. I won't leave here the same.

This is my moment to be brave and give voice to what I desire.

"I want you to take me to bed, strip me out of these clothes, and taste every bit of me." I'm aiming for the same words he used, but my mind is a whirling mix of emotion and need. It doesn't matter, though. He just needs the reassurance that I'm in this with him. "I want to feel you so deep inside me that I'll never forget it. Ever."

His eyes are locked with mine, the mossy green that reminds me of a forest being eaten away by the expanding black center, and I bracket his face with my hands.

"Please."

He stands with a sudden show of strength, one hand supporting my knees, the other beneath my arms, and it takes my breath away that he can do that all so effortlessly.

I'm grateful for the small cabin, because it takes no time at all for him to carry me into the bedroom and lay me down on his bed. The same comfortable place he let me rest earlier. Except this time, I'll be joined by his large, comforting presence, and I ache to feel his weight on me.

He works quickly, pulling the sweater off, peeling down my pants, revealing me layer by layer until I'm only in my underwear. Nothing fancy or meant to seduce. Just me in a bra and panties, but he looks ravenous as he gazes down at me.

"You're a work of art, Laurel. So damn gorgeous." He's still dressed, but his body feels perfect against mine as he levers himself down. Kissing my mouth, then trailing his mouth down the column of my throat, over the upper mounds of my breasts, before he shoves down the cups to reveal my nipples. I gasp as he sucks one roughly into his mouth, teasing the tip with his tongue and the edge of his teeth.

He lavishes my skin with attention, treating the second breast to the same, before working his way down my body. His beard tickles my skin, adding more to the building sensory overload until he’s finally right where I desperately want him.

I lift my hips in a silent plea, and he chuckles. The vibration spills into me, and I dig my hands into his hair.

"I'll take care of you, sweetheart. Don't worry about that." He hooks his fingers into the band of my panties, tugging them down my legs, and then he's back.

The first slow, tasting lick of his tongue feels so good it's almost torture. I writhe beneath him, needing more, wanting more, and I can feel his lips curve in a smile before he starts themotion over again. I'm on fire, my body primed for pleasure, and I tremble as he builds up a steady rhythm savoring me.

Even so, I'm surprised when his finger breaches my entrance, sliding into me easily with the moisture he's created. It's good, but not enough, and I cry out, a garbled sound that doesn't even sound like a word in my head. Merritt understands, though, adding a second finger and filling me, stretching me exactly the way I need. He crooks his fingers inside, stroking my wall, and the tingling promise of pleasure ramps up. I scream his name, lost as a wave washes over me, and come apart beneath him when he sucks my clit into his mouth.

He slows down, gentling his kisses and thrusts as I come down from the peak. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. And I don't want it to stop now.

"More," I beg, and I catch a satisfied glint in his eyes as he looks at me.

He removes his clothes, and I watch in rapt fascination as his muscled form is fully revealed. Broad shoulders, a slab of defined chest, abs that I'm sure were formed from doing all the physical things living out here requires. His body wasn't carved out by vanity. It was all earned from necessity.

Functional muscle, some would say. I just give silent thanks and open my arms in invitation.

When his weight settles against mine, it's perfection. His hand brushes back the loose hair on my forehead. We're eye to eye and I don't ever want to look away.

And when he finally slides inside me, I feel the connection between us truly come to life.

6

MERRITT

Being inside Laurel doesn't compare to anything else. Warm, silky, and strong all at the same time. She's tight, and I force myself to take this slow, even though my body is urging me to move. Her pleasure, though, is my focus, and I don't want to hurt her. Better to give her a chance to relax and get used to my size before I chase after the promise of release.

Release. The thought of that jogs some part of my rational brain, and I groan.

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