N. Walters - Past Promises

She didn’t want to stop and kept sucking.

Levi groaned and tugged a bit hard. “I want to be inside you when I come again.”

She released him with a wet pop. Levi was out of the tub before she could blink. Reaching in, he hauled her out of the tub and into his arms. He paused long enough to blow out the candles before carrying her down the hall and into his bedroom.

The light from the streetlamp beyond was the only illumination, but it was enough for her to make out a king-size bed, a nightstand and a chest of drawers. Levi dumped her on the bed, following her down.

He leaned over her, arms braced on either side, blocking out the light. “You are so beautiful.” There was wonder in his voice as he peppered her forehead, cheeks and chin with tender kisses.

She knew she wasn’t beautiful. She was average and had some good features. She knew how to dress well for her body type and had long since stopped worrying about the rest of it.

Her mother had lamented the fact that Linda wouldn’t dye her hair or get surgery to correct the fact that her nose wasn’t quite perfect. All she’d heard while she was growing up was that she’d have to make the most of what little she had in the looks department. But Levi made her feel beautiful.

The comforter beneath her was getting damp as their bodies dried. She shivered. Not because she was cold, but because she wanted him again.

She’d already come twice and still she ached.

She stroked his powerful shoulders, feeling the muscle ripple beneath her fingers. “How do you do this to me?” she moaned.

“Do what?” He trailed kisses up the side of her neck before stroking his tongue over the whorls of her ear.

“That.” Her fingernails dug into his skin. “Make me want you so much.”

Levi stilled and then levered himself up, supporting himself on his hands. He stared down at her, his eyes smoldering with sexual tension. “That’s a dangerous thing to tell a man.”

She shrugged. There was no point in lying about it. He had to know she wanted him. The signs were all there.

“Linda—” He broke off as if he suddenly wasn’t sure what to say.

She didn’t want to talk. Didn’t want to hear that this was just a one-night thing. She wanted Levi touching her, taking her. Tomorrow she’d deal with the fallout, but tonight she just wanted to forget the past and the future. There was only now.

Reaching between their bodies, she gripped his erection and stroked. Levi moaned, collapsed on top of her and rolled to one side. Throwing one thigh across her legs to keep them still, he captured one of her nipples between his teeth and gently tugged.

Linda stroked his shoulders, his head, his chest—wherever she could reach him. Levi shifted lower in the bed, kissing a path down her torso. He licked her hipbones and teased her bellybutton. She parted her legs, encouraging his exploration.

“I have to taste you.” He made a space for himself between her thighs, his broad shoulders pushing them wider. Using his thumbs, he spread her slick folds wide and licked at her sensitive flesh.

Linda closed her eyes and let herself just feel. Her toes curled into the damp comforter, her back arched as she pushed her hips upward, her nipples tightened into hard nubs of pleasure. She wanted to remember everything about tonight.

Levi’s hands were so big, yet so gentle as he continued to caress her. He teased her with his lips and circled her swollen clit with his tongue, wringing a groan of pleasure from deep within her.

“I wish I could see your pussy better. You’re so hot and wet. I could spend hours eating you up.”

Her inner muscles clenched tight. The man was seducing her with words alone. If he didn’t stop soon, she was going to come again.

“You taste so sweet. Like honey.” He lapped at her folds before returning to suck on her clit. She twisted her head from side to side on the pillow and dug her fingers into the comforter for support. “But spicy too.” He blew on her heated flesh and she cried out at the delicious sensation.

“Levi.” His name was a hoarse whisper. She needed him. Now.

He rolled to one side and yanked on the drawer to the nightstand. She opened her eyes and watched as he pulled out a condom, ripped the packet open and quickly sheathed himself. He crawled between her legs and shoved his arms beneath her thighs, placing his hands flat on the bed beside her.

The position opened her wide, allowing him to control everything. Excitement flooded her and her cream flowed, coating her, preparing her for penetration.

Levi flexed his hips forward. He pushed inward, not stopping until he was buried as deep as he could go. He didn’t rush it. Just a slow steady push that joined them together.

He held himself steady as he leaned over her. Watching. Assessing. She liked the out-of-control Levi better. Flexing her inner muscles, she gripped his cock tight.

Groaning, he dropped his head down until it rested against hers. “I’m trying to be gentle.”

Grasping his face in her hands, she kissed him. She could feel the heavy pulse of his shaft inside her. “I don’t need gentle. Not now. Be gentle later.”

Levi gave a short, harsh laugh that turned into a moan. Linda tightened her inner muscles again and Levi began to move. He thrust hard and fast, getting faster each time he pumped his hips until he was pounding into her.

It was just like when he took her against the door. It was fast and hot and made her explode.

“Levi!” she screamed. Every muscle in her body clenched and released. Her body shuddered and strained as he continued to fuck her, drawing her orgasm out.

He yelled, his hips driving hard one final time. She felt his cock rippling inside her. His head was thrown back, his teeth bared and every muscle tense. Linda loved that she was able to give him this, give him the same pleasure he’d given her.

He pulled out and collapsed facedown beside her, snaking out his arm and drawing her close. Linda snuggled against his side and sighed, content in a way she’d never been before.

It wasn’t long before the cold began to seep into her skin. The comforter was damp because they hadn’t taken the time to dry off after their bath.

Levi levered himself up at her first shiver. Without saying a word, he picked her up and yanked back the covers, placing her beneath them and pulling them around her. He dumped the damp comforter on the floor before disappearing down the hallway. She heard the water draining from the tub. Snuggling down, she tried to get warm. She missed Levi beside her, his heat surrounding her.

As if her thoughts conjured him, he was back. As silent as a wraith, he slid into bed beside her, gathering her into his arms. She went easily, ignoring the voice in the back of her head that was urging caution. She knew she had to get up soon, get dressed and go to her own apartment.

In a minute, she promised herself. For now she wanted to bask in the afterglow and be held in Levi’s arms. The man gave off more heat than an electric blanket and she snuggled closer, wanting to soak up the warmth. He rested his hand on her hip, pulling her tighter against him.

Sighing, Linda relaxed. Just one more minute. Just one more.

The sun was shining when Linda opened her eyes. She frowned. Her bedroom didn’t get the morning sun. Why was it so bright?

Blinking, she stared around the room, not recognizing the barren walls or the ugly brown chest of drawers that stood opposite the bed.

She sat up and the covers fell to her waist. The cool air of the room hit her bare skin. She was naked. Linda grabbed the covers, clutching them to her chest as the events from the night before came flooding back.

Levi. She was at his apartment. He’d cooked her dinner. He’d pried into her personal life and read her mail. He’d also given her the most erotic night of her entire life.

But it was morning now and time to face reality.

She glanced at the clock on the nightstand and breathed a sigh of relief when it read half past seven. There was no way she wanted to be late for her second day of work.

“I wouldn’t let you oversleep.”

She jerked around to face the door. Levi stood in the doorway looking as handsome as sin. He was wearing jeans and a plain white T-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders and chest, emphasizing the muscles beneath. His feet were bare. His hair was wet. Obviously, he’d been up long enough to shower and dress.

He hadn’t shaved and his chin was dark with stubble. On most men it would look unkempt. On Levi it just looked sexy.

Her body jumped to life, breasts tingling, sex clutching. She had to get a grip on herself. The night was over. It was time to get their relationship back on an even keel. She didn’t want to lose Levi as a friend. This was a night of passion between two adults. As long as she didn’t make more of it than it was, she would be all right.

She was pathetic. She didn’t want Levi to pack up and leave. She wanted last night to happen again.

She cleared her throat. “I appreciate that.” What did one say the morning after? She hadn’t had one before. Her ex had always left after they’d made love, heading back to his own apartment. He’d always cited that he didn’t want to hurt her reputation by staying the night. She hadn’t objected. Obviously, that should have been a sign to her that they weren’t going to make it as a couple.

Levi padded across the floor on silent feet, a mug in his hand. The aroma of coffee wafted from it, almost making her moan. She licked her lips, almost tasting the potent brew.