Leave the Lights On (9 page)

Parker carried her down the hall, and Sophie nuzzled his neck. He smelled warm and earthy with a faint citrusy scent. She breathed him in as deeply as she could. As he lowered her onto the bed, a look of uncertainty crossed his beautiful features. She urged him forward with a gentle tug, and he crawled into bed alongside her.

Warm breath caressed the tender skin below her ear. A soft moan escaped her, instantly answered by Parker’s deep, throaty sigh. Rolling her toward him, he ran his hand down her spine, curving around her ass and drawing her closer. Sophie hitched her leg over his hip, wanting to feel him. Needing to feel him. The hardness that pressed against her made her sigh again.

Moving together, his lips dancing over her skin, his hands stroking her back, hips grinding into hers, she wondered if she might come just like this. Just from being so close to him. She’d never experienced such an overwhelming need. Had no idea it was possible to be this aroused from such minimal contact.
Holy shit.

Chapter Eleven

Parker could barely believe what was happening as he slid Sophie’s top over her head. Insistent fingers plucked at his shirt, and he hesitated. His scars were still not something he was comfortable with having people see. But Sophie’s lips did a good job of convincing him as they licked and nipped at his while her hands pushed his shirt upward.

Realizing his shirt inevitably had to go, Parker tugged it off and tossed it aside, then quickly attempted to take Sophie back in his arms. She held back. Even in the dimly lit room, he could see her gaze trailing down his arm, across his chest, tracking the road map of scars that marred his body.

“Sorry,” he said, trying to stop the images that flashed through his mind. Doctors, nurses, aides, wincing when they’d looked at him in the months after his accident.

“Sorry for what?” Sophie’s eyes met his. She reached out to touch the most prominent mark on his right shoulder.

He sucked in a breath, flinching as her fingers made contact.

Her hand stilled. “Do they still hurt?”

“No, they’re just not the nicest things to look at.”
Understatement of the century.

Sophie traced her fingers from one to the other, shrugging. “I kinda like them.”

Parker snorted. “Why?”

Leaning forward, her hair brushing gently against his chest, she placed a whisper-soft kiss on the darkest scar. Her warm voice breathed against his skin as her lips passed over him. “They remind me that you’re still alive.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him. He watched in awe as she moved from one scar to the next, her nose gently grazing his chest as she kissed every mark.

Threading his fingers into her hair, he tilted her head. Eyes dark and earnest. Lips slightly parted. She was the most beautiful he’d ever seen her. Had ever seen anyone.
Sophie.
He struggled to find a single word other than her name but nothing came to mind.

Reluctant to close his eyes, he let them drift shut as his mouth found hers. Slow, gentle kisses grew more potent as their tongues met, swirling together in a delicious spiral. Bracing his arm against her back, he lowered them both onto her bed.

So soft.
Everything about her was so soft. So imminently touchable. Silky hair. Velvety skin. Every curve of her body yielded to his as they rocked against each other.

Sophie deepened the kiss, sucking his tongue into her mouth as she stroked his back.
Jesus.
The touch of her hand made him crave more. He hadn’t let himself think about quite how much he’d missed the feel of another person. The scent of someone else’s skin.

As much as he wanted to ravish her, he forced himself to go slowly, savoring every sensation. The sweet scent rising off her body made him crazy. Kissing his way down to her collarbone, the fragrance intensified. Warm but slightly spicy, like tea with honey. His lips skimmed along the hollow of her neck. Her sighs of pleasure encouraged him as he kissed lower, tracing his fingertips beneath the cups of her bra.

Feeling her nipple pucker below the thin fabric, he kissed his way over one stiff peak, exhaling hot breath. Sophie moaned, curling her hips tighter into his. Reaching behind her, saying a silent prayer, he squeezed the clasp of her bra, breathing a sigh of relief when he felt it spring undone.

Gently slipping the strap off her shoulder, he pulled back enough to allow the rest of the bra to fall forward. The sight of Sophie’s pert, pale breasts made his breath catch in his throat. Dark pink nipples, firm as gumdrops, close enough to touch. He slid one hand along her ribs, inching higher, grazing beneath each mound before passing his fingertips across the puckered flesh. A whimper escaped her as he lowered his mouth and flicked his tongue against the taut skin.

Parker shivered with need. He wanted her. Not just her lips and her breasts. Not her hands. All of her. Easing lower, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her yoga pants. Her sexy, black, I-can’t-see-straight-when-she’s-wearing-them yoga pants. Hesitating to make sure she was okay, he felt her shimmy her hips as her hand joined his and tugged the pants down.
Thank God.

Smoothing his hand across her hips, he couldn’t believe how much heat radiated off her. Sophie resumed stroking his back, but only for a moment. Fingers quickly slithered around his waist and down to the button of his jeans. With one flick it popped open, and he felt her lowering the zipper.

Feeling her tug to get his jeans off was all the incentive he needed. He rolled onto his back, raised his hips and quickly rid himself of his pants. Before he could turn back toward her, Sophie’s hands were on him, tracing over his chest, dancing lower, twirling through the hair on his stomach, sending goose bumps across his skin. Even through the fabric of his boxer briefs, her touch drove him wild. Drawing her palm down the length of his erection, she curved her fingers around his balls, squeezing lightly.

Tremors raced up his spine as his stomach muscles clenched. Sophie slid her hand back up then dipped beneath the fabric that separated them. Her warm fingertips against his swollen flesh were almost too much to bear. Sucking in a deep breath, he steeled himself against the pleasure.
Not now. Not yet.

Focusing the best he could, he rolled toward her, continuing to explore her body. He teased the silky skin below her hipbone. His heart fluttered as he felt her lifting her hips toward him. As he eased her panties down her legs, his erection thickened in her hand.
Holy hell.
Breathing through his nose, he willed himself to relax. The intoxicating scent of her arousal did nothing to calm him.

Sophie’s legs rubbed against his, smooth and seductive. He imagined them wrapped around his back, pulling him closer. He nearly lost track of what he was doing.
Touch her. She’s real and she’s right here.
How many times had he imagined this? Wished he were right where he was? Longed to run his hands across her? To feel her stroke against his skin? More than he could count or remember.

Sliding his hand back up the length of her leg, he forced himself to go as slowly as possible. Sophie appeared to be holding her breath.
She seems as nervous as I am.
The thought both soothed and scared him. He didn’t want her to be nervous nor did he want to get anything wrong.

Needing to taste her again, he returned his mouth to hers. Having her lips against him brought everything back into focus. Her tongue spiraled against his, urging him on. The silky skin of her thigh curved enticingly as he reached the apex. Inching higher, his fingertips brushed against the tender folds between her legs. Velvety-smooth skin, softer than anything he could ever recall touching, greeted him, luring him nearer.

Not wanting to do anything she didn’t want him to, he paused, his fingers poised. Sophie kissed him more ardently, nipping at his lower lip as her hand moved to his, pressing him against her warmth, dragging his fingers back and forth as she rocked her hips toward him. She circled against him, then let go of his hand.

Feeling her wetness was all Parker needed. He slipped his fingers between the layers, up one side, down the other, dipping inside her, twisting to slowly explore her.

“Good?” he whispered.

“Better than good.” She pressed on his hand, directing his thumb to move in a tight circle as he eased a second finger inside her. She let go and wrapped her hand around his length again. He could feel her excitement heightening. Every gasp. Every sigh. Every shudder. He read each sign, gauging her response. Weighing each reaction.
Jesus. She’s so responsive.

When she tensed, her hand no longer able to continue stroking him, he knew she must be close to coming. Her breath came fast against his lips then stopped, caught in her chest as she trembled beneath him.

Making sure not to lose the rhythm of his fingers, he slid his mouth to her ear. “Breathe,” he whispered.

Sophie drew in a deep breath, and Parker felt her give way. With a tremendous shudder, she contracted around his fingers, her body jolting as she cried out.
Christ.
Fascinated, Parker took it all in. The thin sheen of sweat that had bloomed across her skin, the grip of her fingers on his shoulder, the pitch of her cry, the pull, the mind-blowingly hard pull of her muscles on his fingers. He didn’t know women could come like that. So hard. So intense.

“You okay?” he asked.

She nodded, her hair brushing against his chest like the caress of a summer breeze. Easing his fingers out of her, he marveled over every texture, each ridge, each swell. He tugged her toward him, wanting to hold her as close as possible. Needing to breathe in everything about her.

“Parker,” she said, her voice breathy and raspy against his cheek, “I want you inside me. Make love to me.”

Parker’s heart beat a fierce rhythm then nearly stopped. “I don’t have…I didn’t bring…”

“It’s okay, I’m on the Pill.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in. They didn’t need a condom. They were going make love. Now.

Chapter Twelve

Parker was vaguely aware of the sensation of the bed sheets against his legs as Sophie tugged them down and scooted back against the pillows. Holding himself above her, arms braced against the mattress, erection pressed against her stomach, he couldn’t get over how small she seemed. How fragile. Not wanting to crush her, he held himself as steady as possible with the cushiony pillow top giving beneath his hands.

Sophie trailed her toes up his calf, sending the sweetest thrill straight up his leg to his balls. Wetness streaked across her belly as he slid back and forth.
Is she ready?

As if she heard his question she reached between them, curling her fingers around him, guiding him lower. Her hips shifted as she wiggled until he felt himself flush against her. Heat. Surreal heat seemed to be beckoning him.

Digging his knees into the bed, Parker tilted his hips forward, moving as slowly as he could manage. The tip of his erection nuzzled against her, slipping between her folds.
I’m inside her.
The thought struck him.
Inside Sophie.

Pivoting below him, Sophie wrapped her legs around him, drawing him farther in.
Jesus.
Surrounded by warmth, he found it impossible to concentrate on anything other than the feel of her body.
This is really happening.

Soft lips grazed his neck, licking and nipping, jolting him from his mind into the present. Nervousness faded, replaced by intense need—the need to move inside her, to feel her body moving against his, to kiss her.

Finding her mouth, he licked at her sweetness, feeling her lips spring open beneath his. Her tongue met his, eager, teasing. Her rich taste mesmerized him as he breathed her in. His head swam with the mix of sensations—her breasts rubbing against his chest, her hips grinding against his on every downward thrust, her fingers fisting his hair, each tug sending shivers down his back.
Oh God.

Pressure built inside him, filling him. Everything felt heavy. His chest. His balls. Tension coiled deep within his stomach, spiraling lower. Sophie rocked with him, lifting her hips to meet each stroke in and out of her body.
So wet. So good.
As much as he wanted the moment to last, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Burrowing his face against her neck, breathing in great puffing gasps, he let go. The orgasm burst from him, sending his hips hard into Sophie’s. Wave upon wave of tension released as he pulsated inside her, trying to stifle his groans.

Shaking, drained, lightheaded, he slowly became aware of Sophie’s hand stroking his back.

With his breath still rasping, he kissed his way up the arch of her throat and along her jaw until his lips met hers. Even their kiss felt different now. Less urgent but more intimate.

His tongue grazed hers, slow and sweet, as their bodies continued to rock together.
I’m still inside her.
The realization filled him with happiness that continued even as he slipped out of her. She curled toward him, her arm snug around his chest. Leaning closer, he kissed her again, savoring the moment. Then it hit him.
She didn’t come.

Sophie slid her fingers into Parker’s hair, loving the silkiness and trying to remember the last time she’d felt so content.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his lips a whisper from hers.

She nodded and kissed him again, loving that she now felt free to do that. To kiss him any time she felt like.