I hold my breath. What’s happening? How am I actually having a conversation like this with a stranger?
But Asher doesn’t feel like a stranger. It feels like I’ve known him for years. He makes me feel comfortable. He seems to care about what I have to say. A little thing, but a thing I haven’t had in so long.
Another thing I haven’t had in so long?
I let my own eyes wander down Asher’s handsome face, pausing on his lips, and down his body. He wears a heavy red flannel shirt rolled to the elbows and jeans, but it’s clear he’s built under those mountain man clothes. And I want to see everything underneath them.
I haven’t had sex in over six months. I shut Brent out before we broke up officially. The sex between us was not what I’d call good. It wasn’t even a means to an end—my end, that is. Brent never treated me with any tenderness, any interest in bringing me pleasure. If it wasn’t for my own nimble fingers, I probably would’ve lost my shit long ago. But…I was so brainwashed by my “love” for him that I just needed to hold on, I told myself. He’d come around.
The need—you know, that need—sweeps over me. The cabin is warm from the fire. The snow is beautiful and violent outside. I’m fed and safe, if a little banged up. And I’m cooped up with the sexiest man in the world who’s looking at me like I’m something to eat.
Why can’t I be? For just one night, why can’t I give in to someone who wants me? Someone I instinctively know will blow my mind. Just one night. Throw caution to the wind. Get the ugliness out of my mind. Let this man worship my body the way the look in his eyes tells me he desperately wants to.
I deserve it. I deserve Asher, even if it’s just for tonight.
And goddammit, I want him.
I stand up slowly, never taking my gaze off him. He doesn’t move, but his eyes track my every move.
Reaching down, I pull my soft, cozy top up slowly, then over my head. Underneath, I wear the lacy bralette I’d packed that offers no support whatsoever but makes me feel pretty to wear.
His eyes widen—or his pupils dilate. I’m not sure which in the dim lighting, but something changes on his face. Something comes over him that sends a thrill through me.
A possessive desire falls over his features as he slowly sits up straight.
“I have some selfish needs too,” I murmur, sliding my fingers into the waistband of my leggings. I inch them off my rounded hips. “It’s been so long, Asher. So long since anyone ever made me feel good. Made me feel beautiful. Wanted. Made me…”
“Made you what, Stephanie?” he asks, his breath hitched as he leans forward.
I push my leggings down and slide them off my legs, revealing the fresh black lace panties I changed into earlier.
“Made me come,” I tell him.
His tongue slides out to wet his lips, then he teethes his bottom teeth. A sexy, predatory grin tugs at his mouth.
Asher stands slowly and unbuttons his shirt.
“Then let me do something about that for you, beautiful.”
6
Asher
Is this real life?
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is standing in my living room in front of a roaring fire, wearing a tiny bra and panties with all those goddamn glorious curves on display, asking me to make love to her?
I might never see her again. And if I’m being honest—which, I guess that’s my new thing—that hurts a little. Stephanie is special. I can feel it in my bones, I know that like I know Sadie is a literal angel on earth. I don’t want to let her go. I want to spend more time getting to know her. But if all we have is a night…I’m going to give her exactly what she wants.
I pull my shirt open and let it fall off my shoulders. Sadie whines and I hear the tick-tick of her nails as she heads into her corner on the other side of the room, where her big, plush doggie bed is located.
Stephanie’s dark eyes gleam as I pull her against my chest. “Are you sure about this?” I ask huskily. My dick is at full-mast and I know she can feel it, but I press it against her hip anyway. God, I want to be buried to the hilt in her now.
Her soft hands slide up my chest. “I’ve never been surer of anything. Kiss me, Asher. God, it’s been so long…”
The thought of this beautiful creature going so long without having a man to treat her like the queen she is both breaks me and ignites me.
I tilt her chin up, slide a hand into her thick, dark hair, and lower my mouth to hers.
I hate to be cheesy or cliché, but goddamn. Fireworks explode behind my eyelids.
Kissing Stephanie Ramirez, feeling her soft, lush mouth bloom underneath mine, feeling our bodies meld together as our tongues meet each other for the first time, is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.
Where have you been all this time? Why has it taken so long to get to you? Why did I waste so much time and get my heart broken with that other person when you’ve been in the world this whole time?
Even thinking that, of my past pain, suddenly makes no sense as Stephanie’s mouth shifts underneath mine, her lips hungry and urgent. When was I ever in pain? How could I be, with this winter siren in my arms? What even is pain?
Our bodies sway gently as we devour each other’s mouths, as if slow-dancing to the music nature has created for us, with the crackling fire as percussion and the howl of the wind outside the melody.
“I know we only have tonight,” she whispers when we part for air, “but please…please make love to me, Asher. Like no one ever has before. I just want to know what it feels like…to be wanted. What real passion feels like.”
We only have tonight.
The words hurt, strangely, even though I know better. But I force them aside to focus on her request. She’s a beautiful soul, inside and out. I know that because my soul recognizes that in her. She deserves much better than what she’s gotten.
“It’s my pleasure,” I murmur against her lips. “All my pleasure…”
I step away just long enough to grab a heavy blanket from the back of the sofa and spread it on the floor in front of the fire. Then I take her hand and tug her down onto it.
“Lie on your back,” I tell her, unbuckling my jeans.
Her eyes go wide but she does as she’s told.
I lower my jeans, then reach down to grip my huge erection. “Do you see what you do to me? You’re the sexiest, most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen, Stephanie. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.”
She licks her lips, her gaze glued to my bulge. I tug off my tight boxer briefs, letting my thick cock bounce free. Then she moans a little, and I swear I could blow my load just from the sound.
“I want all that inside me,” she says, panting lightly. “So bad.”
I smirk. “And you’re going to get it. But first…” I crawl over her as she leans back, her smooth, ample thighs parting automatically for me. I grind my heavy dick right against her lace-covered pussy as I lower my mouth to hers, dipping in tongue-first. “First I need dessert.”
I pull the little scrap of lace she calls a bra over her head. Her tits are glorious—full and soft, her nipples pink and pert. I waste no time helping myself, teasing and suckling each one to an even harder point. The glisten of my saliva shines on her nipples in the firelight.