Page 41 of Resilient Love

He pulls the metal away, tossing it down on the brick hearth. It hits with a loud clatter, and he falls to his knees, reaching out to cup my cheek. His thumb strokes my bottom lip as he watches me, taking in every last detail of my face before his lips finally meet mine.

His movements are slow; there’s nothing rushed about this kiss. His tongue flicks out to run along the seam of my lips, his angle on my mouth changing as he tilts his head, demanding entry.

My mouth parts, and I sigh into him; his tongue dips in to tangle with mine, swirling over the tip of my own. The taste of mint coats my mouth as I moan into his.

He pulls away first, his hands still cupping my cheeks as he pants above me. “That was a test,” he whispers.

“I’ve always hated school,” I reply, the words hoarse.

“Then you’ll be happy to know that you passed. You really are happy to be at my mercy, aren’t you?”

I gulp, uncomfortable with his words because they speak of a truth that I’ve not come to terms with yet. “I can’t wait any longer,” he says, his voice quiet and strained. “I need to fill you up.”

I nod emphatically. “I need that too,” I whine.

He lowers himself down my body, ducking his head and stealing a taste from between my legs. My thighs clamp around his head, and he chuckles deeply, the sound vibrating through my body.

His fingers wrap around my thighs, pulling them apart to release him. He’s smiling now, and it’sbrilliant.His white teeth glimmer under the dim lights, the fire beside us reflecting in his dark eyes as he stares down at me, cataloguing every inch of my body as if committing it to memory for when this is over and we return to thebefore. Where neither of us is allowed to yearn for the other, where we have to find something orsomeoneelse to fill the void.

He draws in a ragged breath before pushing up and sauntering away. He calls over his shoulder before I have a chance to ask. “Just grabbing a condom.”

Rafael rummages around in his bag before returning with the foil packet, tearing it open with his teeth, and my mouth waters at the sight. He sheaths himself in one smooth movement before tossing the packet to the ground as he stands between my legs and lowers himself over me.

The tip of his cock presses against me, my core tightening with need. His broad shoulders loom over me, making me feel so small beneath him.

I’m by no means a small woman, but Rafael is massive.

His arms are wide and corded. He notches further into me, leaning in to plant a hand beside my head, the other wrapping tightly around my throat, his biceps bulging.

I wrap my legs around his trim waist, pulling him in further as his eyes latch onto mine. He pushes into me all the way to the hilt, and the air leaves my lungs on a moan.

“You’re so fucking big,” I cry, not meaning to boost his ego. It’s just a fact.

He smirks down at me. “I am,” he agrees, lowering all of his weight onto me, crushing me to the ground as he holds his hips still. “Tell me what you want, Elise.” His voice is barely above a whisper, his lips tickling the shell of my ear.

“I want—” I try to answer, but his hand tightens around my throat.

“What was that?” he asks, condescension dripping in his tone like the arousal dripping between my thighs. He rolls his hips once, only enough for my back to arch and my lungs to burn with the need for more oxygen.

“I want—” I try again, but he only tightens his grip, a wicked grin curving his lips, and annoyance flares through me, heating my chest.

“I can’t hear you,” he teases in a sing-song manner that causes me to lash out. My hand on his chest works to push him away from me just enough, and when his face is hovering over mine instead of pressed against me, my other hand snaps out, flying across his face with a loudthwack.

My palm burns as his head rears back, his lips parting, but his grip loosens slightly. His eyes blaze, crinkling at the edges and narrowing, and his jaw slacks as he rubs at it. Revulsion stirs inside me—I can’t believe I just smacked him.The initial shock wears off and he finds my face again, groaning loudly, ducking his head to capture my mouth with his, and all regret is wiped clean from my conscience.

I wind my arms around his neck, fingers twining in the short dark hairs at the base of his skull as his hips roll and swirl. He plunges into me; the slapping of our hips meeting is an erotic chorus sounding throughout the suite.

He sits up, biting his lower lip, taking my hands in his. He slides my palms over his tight muscles, his tanned pecs, and down his abs before leaning back over top of me. They’re the definition of washboard, and if this were the nineteenth century,I’d have him out on the porch with soap and water doing my laundry. He pins my hands above my head, and I earn the immense pleasure of watching those abs as they tighten with his every movement.

Rafael drops his mouth to my chest, tugging a nipple between his lips. “Rafa,” I moan, wriggling under him as his hips slow.

“That’s it, sunshine. Take your punishment,” he says, his voice low and smooth despite having my entire tit between his lips.

“Punishment?” I question, bucking my hips for more friction, the rough carpet scraping along my shoulder blades. “Oh, mon Dieu,” I moan out, my neck arching, eyes rolling back.

“Did you forget you just hit me?” he asks, tilting his head with a raised brow.

“I didn’t hit you!” I yell, desperate for more. “Ismackedyou because you wouldn’t let me answer your question and wouldn’t let mebreathe!”

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