Page 16 of Ravaged Hearts
No. I didn’t want it to be like this. He was concentrating so hard on facing his fear that it was consuming him.
Time for a little dirty distraction.
I rocked my hips over Vaughn’s, grinding against him. Each pass sent tingles shooting through me, and I eased into my movements. I’d never had sex this way before, but lord have mercy, it felt so right.
Vaughn made a low noise in his throat, and his head dropped back against the headboard. “You riding me while I can’t touch you might be the sweetest agony I’ve ever endured.”
His eyes returned to mine, and all I saw in them was hunger. With our gazes locked on each other and our bodies connected, moving together, I reached for Vaughn again.
His flinch when my palms landed on his hard, tattooed pecs was barely perceptible. A second later, he relaxed, and profound relief crossed his features.
If I had to guess, I’d say he’d been terrified of that first touch. But he hadn’t lost himself to panic. He’d hardly reacted at all.
He thrust into me from below, propelling me forward so I had to brace myself on his chest. My eyes widened in surprise.
A wicked grin curved Vaughn’s lips. “Keep fucking me like that and you can touch me anywhere you want.”
“Anywhere?” I asked.
He nodded, so I let my hands drift over the broad expanse of his chest, learning each scar now that they were so vivid beneath my fingertips. It was difficult not to let my mind wander to the awful way they’d been carved into his flesh, but they were as much a part of Vaughn as my scars were of me. I wouldn’t want him thinking about that night with Alvarez every time he touched my cheek, and certainly not in the middle of sex, so I pushed all troubling thoughts from my mind.
“Lean forward,” Vaughn said roughly, and when I did, he latched onto my breast with his mouth.
He flicked my nipple with his tongue, then sucked on the rigid peak, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my core. I cried out from the sensations coursing through me and used Vaughn’s thick forearms to support myself. The muscles there felt so hard. So powerful. No wonder he was concerned about accidentally hurting me. He could probably snap a guy twice my size in two.
He released my breast to plunder my mouth. How was it possible that this man could dominate and overwhelm me so thoroughly while his hands were tied?
“Now, touch yourself, Gatita, and ride me till you come.”
So I did. I shifted one hand to his chest and the other to my clit, and I moved my hips over his again and again.
I could’ve been self-conscious about my lack of sexual experience or the wet noises filling the room as our bodies collided, but I wasn’t. All I cared about was the look of absolute craving on Vaughn’s face and the intense feeling building within me.
My heartbeat thundered. My legs quaked. My clit ached with my impending climax. I rubbed faster, chasing that feeling, until my movements turned erratic.
“That’s it,” Vaughn growled. “Let me see you come on my cock.”
It was those filthy words that sent me tumbling into oblivion. I clung to Vaughn’s shoulders, anchoring myself to him as I wrung out every last shudder of my orgasm. Driving into me from below, Vaughn made a harsh sound and found his own release.
Exhausted, sweaty, and completely satisfied, I rested my face in the crook of his neck while we both recovered. I’d leave the bed and find something to cut him free soon, but for now, I needed to stay near my man.
I was proud of him. So damn proud that a knot formed in my throat and unshed tears turned my vision blurry.
Vaughn’s state of mind had been key to things going well. Nothing had penetrated the wall ofus. No intrusive thoughts of our current troubles and definitely none of the past. Just the two of us connected as closely as any couple could be and utterly enthralled in the moment.
“Hold on a second,” Vaughn said.
His torso tensed beneath me, then a moment later,snap. As easy as that, he’d busted out of the zip tie and wrapped his arms around me. He maneuvered us into a spooning position, holding my wrists tucked against my chest. Which meant he still didn’t trust himself not to hurt me if my hands were free.
I sighed and reminded myself that although we’d just taken a big step, it was foolish to expect one night to result in an instant cure. I’d Googled it, and haphephobia didn’t work that way. Desensitization required repeated sessions with a favorable outcome before it could be considered a success.
But, God, it felt perfect being skin to skin and enclosed in Vaughn’s comforting embrace. It was a small glimpse into the future we might have. Late nights tangled in the sheets followed by lazy mornings cuddled in bed. I wanted it all so badly, but we still had so many challenges to face. Neither of uswould truly be free until Vaughn had completely overcome his demons and my father was dead.
“Thank you,” I said.
“What for?” Vaughn chuckled, and his hot breath tickled my ear. “It’s me who should be thanking you.”
“For trusting me with your biggest fear. For letting me be the one to help you through something so difficult.”