Page 7 of Gourd Enough To Eat
The use of my name jolted me back to reality.
I jerked away from his hold, but he didn’t let me, closing his fingers across my nape in a firm but unbreakable grip. “Let go,” I whispered, but my protest wavered with each word.
“Tell me,” he countered, his eyes flashing a warning at me.
I shook my head, restless in his hold even though I fought myself more than him. “A prison is still a prison, even if you’ve bribed me with secrets and pretty stories,” I managed, knowing this wouldn’t stop because he’d only let me go if I said so.
We both knew I wouldn't.
“How long?” he murmured, angling his mouth over mine.
“I don’t know.”
“Better,” he breathed at my confession.
At least one of us can breathe.That was my last coherent thought before his mouth descended over mine. Then I couldn't think at all.
Only feel.
Rough hands tangled through my curls with infinite care as he leaned into me. His kisses weren’t hesitant or too rough, but firm, telling me what he knew I needed. What my body ached for, what I craved.
Who I craved.
Someone to hold me in arms that didn’t band too tight, but held me firmly as he lifted me onto his hips, let me straddle him as his hands I'd observed earlier grazed over the curves of my ass. The way his mouth moved against mine, firm but coaxing, gentle but demanding, matched my own need.
I opened for him as he cupped my hips, helping me find the rhythm that stole my breath before his tongue invaded my mouth and my world shrank to a slow awareness of only sensation and singular breath when he allowed it.
My choked moan, a muted sound as I found the hard ridge of him between my legs, left me in a frenzy of need. He didn’t stopme as I rubbed harder against him, but he didn’t rush our kisses, either, slowing the place until I sighed against him, letting my weight rest against his chest.
When I came, a hot gush of liquid that coated my panties and thighs inside my jeans that I wished was on his hand instead, he held me close to his chest. Elijah’s kisses turned languid as I panted against his mouth, letting me rock out the last waves of my pleasure against his body.
His lips grazed my cheek as he pulled back once my breaths evened out. I gazed up at him through dozy eyes, seeing only a man who stared down at me with eyes full of need and possession. A second dose of lust spiked through me as he traced my tingling, swollen lips.
“Fuck, that was beautiful, glitter bomb.” He tugged me closer. “You gonna go to sleep on my lap?”
I mewled against him, straining for more of those addictive kisses, knowing he wanted more, just like I did. “I have a bed,” I rasped helpfully, unable to find my voice. I held a yawn behind my hand.
He laughed softly. “And if we crawl into your bed, I’ll fuck you until the sun rises, Cadance.”
“That doesn’t sound like so bad an option.”
“Except that dawn isn’t that far away. Rest, glitter girl. I’ll wake you before I gotta leave, okay?”
When I know you’re safe.
He didn't need to say it. We both heard his words. I nodded tiredly, nestling my cheek into his shoulder.
I’m not the only one who needs a little TLC.
A few hours ago, or maybe half a dozen of them, this man held a knife to my throat. He held his own history of scars and damage that would take plenty of time to sift through, if he was even willing to share beyond the surface of what we'd touchedtonight in the smallest hours when everyone else in Forest Grove were in their beds.
But Elijah Campise gave me his name. He trusted me that far, that easy. Maybe I should return the favor. So I did what he wanted, and let the world fade away in the arms of the cowboy that I still wasn’t sure if I should trust or not. With hands the ones that cradled me like it was the most precious art work he’d ever carved, who was I to argue?
CHAPTER FIVE
ELIJAH
The glitter mystery machine cost a small fortune to repair, not that I’d tell Cadance that. I had plenty in my savings to cover the cost of her European build van that required tires that would have to be shipped in overnight to the small town.
