Kestrel (Hart Briothers #3) (13 page)

“Okay,
under one condition.”

“What’s
that?”

“Never
ever call me a pet name.”

This
strikes me as odd and I laugh. “Why’s that?”

“I
read a book once where the guy called the girl a pigeon. I don’t want to be
called a nasty assed bird. Or some other stupid name.”

I
howl. She looks at me quizzically.

“What’s
so funny?”

“My
brother calls his wife ‘kea’.”

“So?”

“A
kea is a bird.”

“Oh.
Sorry.” She wears a contrite expression.

“And
did you know that a kestrel is actually a bird?”

“Oops.”
Her sheepish look intensifies and her face becomes mottled with red.

“Yeah,
it’s a small falcon to be precise. But hey, it’s okay. It’s not like you
intentionally insulted me. But why the aversion to pet names?” I run my finger
down her cheek.

“I
think they’re demeaning. Like honey, sugar, kitten. I don’t meow, and sugar! I
mean, come on! If you’re going to give me pet name, it better be a damn good
one is all I’ve gotta say.”

“All
righty then. No pet names for Carter. Anything else?”

“Nope.
That’s it. What about you?”

“I’ll
have to tell you when the time comes. My list is too fucking long.”

“Can
you tell me about your tattoos?”

“Yeah.
Someday. Not today though.” I move over her and murmur against her mouth. “Right
now, I want to bury myself in you and make you scream. Tell me how you like
it.”

Her
face suddenly flushes scarlet. I wipe my finger across her cheek again. Then I
kiss it. Her inexperience is very endearing to me. Afterwards, I move to her
neck, then her shoulder. I want to assuage the awkwardness.

“Kestrel,
I don’t really know.”

“Hmm.
I have an idea.”

“What?”

“How
about we find out?”

She
chuckles. “How do you propose to do that?”

“We’ll
test out a few positions and you tell me which ones you like the best?”

As
I speak, my fingers slide out of her and play with her clit again. She emits a
little mewling sound. “Is this the plan then?” she asks, in a breathy voice.

“Mmm.”

I
reach into my nightstand and pull out a condom. She watches me with curious
eyes as I put it on.

We’re
on our sides, so I pull her leg over my hip and stroke her entrance with my
tip. Then I slowly rock into her, little by little. The creases in her brow
deepen as I move, and I ask, “Is this okay?”

She’s
silent. Too silent, so I stop.

“Carter?”

“It’s
been quite a while for me.”

“That
doesn’t mean it’s supposed to hurt.”

I
pull out and roll her on her back. Moving between her legs, I enter her again.
This time, she grabs my ass and pushes me while she thrusts her hips up until
I’m fully seated.

“Why’d
you do that?”

“It’s
best to just get it over with.”

When
I move to pull out, she stops me.

“Now,
Kestrel. Make love to me.”

Her
eyes plead with mine. Moving slowly at first, I do as she asks. But soon I’m caught
up in the rhythm and things escalate. I lose myself in her and much too soon
I’m climaxing.

“Was
it okay?” she asks, tentatively.

I
look at her in confusion. And then it hits me. I rub my face and get up. Once
the condom is disposed of, I get back into bed and pull her into my arms.

“Carter,
we need to get something clear. This wasn’t about getting me off. This was
supposed to be about mutual pleasure.”

“What
do you mean?”

“The
sex. Did I hurt you?” It troubles me deeply to think that I did.

“Not
really.”

“Not
really isn’t good enough. Jesus. Carter, I was going to take it slow. So you
could enjoy it, too. That’s what sex is supposed to be all about. Not just me getting
off. I’m sorry I got carried away and let it go too far. It’s been a while for
me, too.”

She
visually examines me.

“I
believe you.”

I
snort. “I would hope so. I’m not playing games with you. Making love, having
sex, fucking, whatever you call it, is about mutual pleasure. Not you laying
here, enduring an unpleasant experience.”

“Oh,
it wasn’t all unpleasant.”

“Do
me a favor.”

“What?”

“Let’s
do this again. My way. So you can get off.”

“Get
off? During sex, you mean?”

“Yes,
goddammit.” I run my hand through my hair.

“Okay.”

“Listen
to me. I want to do this the right way.” I lean over her and lick her nipple
until it hardens to a peak. Then I suck on it and tease it with my teeth. I
check the other one and see it’s stiff as well. My fingers roll it and then I
move to it for a little tongue teasing, too. My mouth hits various points on
her body, ones I think will arouse her further. My teeth gently sink into her
soft flesh and she moans, grabbing my hair. Her sweetness and heat nail me.

“Oh,
God, Kestrel. What are you doing?”

“Showing
you what mutual pleasure is all about.” Then I roll her over on her stomach and
continue with my teasing, licking, and biting her. My mouth and hands cover
every inch of her and by the time I get to her ass, she’s whining. When I
release her, she turns on me like an untamed tigress. She mimics everything I
did to her and has me tied up in knots in no time. She’s sweet and spicy all at
once.

When
her warm, wet mouth slips over my cock, I really want to scream. But I don’t.
Every muscle clenches with each tentative lick and swirl of her tongue, and I
restrain myself until I finally tell her to stop.

“Carter,
I want your sweet mouth on me but what I truly want more than anything is to
make love to you again … the right way this time.”

“Where
are your condoms?”

“Top
drawer. Nightstand.”

She
scrambles over to get one. “How do I do this?”

“Take
it out and roll it on.”

She’s
so tentative I grab her hand and say, “Just do it. I won’t break.”

That
gets a grin out of her. She grabs my cock and rolls the cover on it. Then she
moves to lie down, but I stop her.

“No.
Ride me.”

“What?”

“Climb
on top of me and ride me.”

Her
gaze drops to my erect cock and then to me.

“You’ll
love it. I promise.”

She
makes her move and I assist. When she starts to slide onto me, I say, “Slow
this time,” I remind her.

Once
she’s fully seated, I hold out my hands and she uses them for leverage. It’s
not long before she has the hang of it and I can see by her face that this is
right. A woman’s body changes when she is aroused. The color of her nipples
becomes rosier, her spine curves inward, her hips undulate, her breathing
deepens, her scent changes, her pupils dilate, and don’t get me started on her sex.
Carter has reached the maximum state of arousal. I move her hands to my hips
and use my free ones to play with her. At first I brush and tug her rock-hard
nipples. Then I move to her clit. She’s been rocking up and down on my cock and
I’m about to come, so I want to speed things along for her. My thumb massages
her tiny bud and that’s exactly what she needs. Her muscles begin to tighten
and she throws her head back, giving me a view of her neck—the neck I
want to lick and suck all day long. Her mouth opens and she calls out my name
when her orgasm hits. I can feel all of her inner muscles tightening,
then
contracting around me, squeezing me, allowing me to
release my control. When my orgasm hits, I let it go and she knows. She watches
me come and then she collapses on top of me with a loud gasp.

Afterwards,
she lifts her head off my chest and says, “Now I get what you mean.”

We’re
both slick with our combined sweat, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. “Well,
we’ve established one position you like.”

She
laughs and says, “I think the possibilities are endless.”

Chapter
Nine

Carter

When
I wake up, I really have to pee. I lift up my head, not wanting to disturb
Kestrel, but he’s not in the bed. Not wasting a second, I hop up and run to the
bathroom. After I finish, I notice a thick terry bathrobe hanging on the back
of the door. Cocooning myself in it, I decide to brave it out and hunt for him.
But wait! What will I say? Oh, God! I’m immediately assailed with a million
regrets. No, not regrets. Doubts. What if he didn’t have as much fun as I did? Last
night was pretty damn amazing, and I can only hope he feels the same way. But
what if he doesn’t? Then what? Oh, hell. Did I fuck up by sleeping with him? I
don’t know. I never do this type of thing. Well, almost never. The two times I
did it ended up in catastrophes. One was with Simon and the other was with some
jerk in college. Well, I can’t stay in here forever. I’m going to have to walk
out there sooner or later. It might as well be sooner. Stiffening my spine, I
head for the door.

The
living room is silent, so I turn toward the kitchen and spy him sitting at the
counter, a mug of coffee in hand, engrossed in his laptop. I can’t help but
admire him. Black messy hair and his face heavy with scruff, he looks like a
damn model posing for a coffee ad. And he has no idea I’m standing here staring
at him, practically drooling. Bare feet peek beneath a pair of old faded jeans
that are ripped in various places, and tattoos stand out across his back, the
very same ones my hands and tongue were all over last night. My hand reaches
for my neck as I recall the way his mouth kissed me and sucked my nipples. Air
gets trapped in my lungs as I feel myself respond. He must’ve heard me because
he turns in his seat and I’m glued to the floor, ogling him like a dork.

He
puts his mug down and stands. Then in a couple of long strides, he’s in front
of me, hands on my face, kissing me, and I can barely stand on my own feet. I
am so aroused; all I want is to be naked again.

He
must’ve read my mind. His hands push the robe off my shoulders and I get my
wish.

I
practically tear his jeans off, and we stand there facing each other. When I
move to touch him, he takes my hand.

“Last
night was perfect, Carter. I want you to know that.”

“It
was for me, too.”

Then
we kiss again, and end up in the living room. He bends me over the couch and I
feel his fingers inside of me. He not only makes love to me with his body, but
the things he says are unbelievable. They may all be crap, but he makes me feel
so alive. I haven’t felt this way in so damn long that I don’t really care if
they’re true or not. His fingers leave and I cry out. I want them back inside
of me. He bends over and whispers, “I’ll be right back.”

I
hear noises from the bedroom and when he returns, I can hear him opening a
condom. I’d forgotten. Soon he’s inching inside of me from behind and it feels
different from last night. It’s fuller, deeper, and it drowns out everything
I’ve ever known.

“Ah,
Kestrel.” I moan.

His
fingers press into my hips as he slowly slides in and out. Then an arm wraps
around me and he pulls me against him, and grinds himself into me. There’s
something so primal about the way he holds me, the way he pushes deep inside of
me, that I find myself wanting even more of him. How is that possible?

“Jesus,
Carter. Tell me you’re going to come because I’m not going to last.”

I’m
close, at the brink, but it’s difficult to speak. “I …”

“Lift
up your leg.”

His
command goes unanswered. I am boneless, unable to move. I don’t have to worry,
because when I don’t do as he tells me to, he lifts my leg for me. I’m bent
over the arm of the sofa with one elbow resting on the back. He places my knee on
the arm of the sofa, and proceeds to fuck me. Then his hand slides that thigh
out, spreading my legs wider, and I feel his fingers find my hot spot. They first
touch my clit and then massage it. His hips thrust up, hard and fast.

“Ahh,
yessss
.”
Soon after that I orgasm.
He follows. I know because I can feel his cock throb, and the arm that’s around
me hugs me even tighter to him. A deep growl emerges from him and the one hand
that holds my hips digs into me.

Then
he pulls me to my feet, turns me around to face him, and kisses me as he walks
me to the bedroom where he stretches me out on the bed. He disappears in the
bathroom, where he rids himself of the condom and returns. I think he’s going
to lie beside me, but I’m wrong. Boy
am
I ever wrong.
 

Kestrel
meant what he said about mutual pleasure and he sure keeps his word. He spreads
my legs and says, “You have one gorgeous pussy. And I’m going to make sure I
have tasted every single inch of it.”

Mega
shock factor hits me. His face presses into me and as he commences to taste me,
his eyes look up at me. He sees the shocked expression I’m wearing.

He
stops and says, “What? Did you think that our little romp was it? I have news
for you sweetheart. That was just the appetizer.”

“Then
what’s this?”

“My
small plate.”

“What
comes next?”

“Oh,
I don’t know. Soup?”

Then
his lids shutter closed, and his tongue delves back into my most secret places
as I gasp, sigh, and then moan. I have to wonder what’s in store for the main
course. I only hope I can hold out that long. Leaning on my elbows, I can’t
stop watching him.

“What
has
you so enthralled?”

I
don’t dare tell him it’s his mouth attached to my sex.

“Carter,
don’t get shy on me now. I’ve seen all your bits and pieces and happen to love
every one of them. Why are you staring so?”

“I
just want to.”

“Has
anyone ever done this to you before?”

“No.”

“Good.”
Then he goes back to my sex. And I’m thankful he does. I’m not sure exactly
what he does down there. I almost wish I had a mirror so I could see, because
fuck me, it’s amazing. He’s all tongue, lips, and, fingers. And soon I have to
abandon watching him and drop down on the bed, because my arms won’t even hold
me up. Fire shoots through my veins and I grab a pillow and bite down on the
corner of it to stop from screaming. The other hand ends up in Kestrel’s hair,
pulling it, and I’m thrusting and flexing my hips against his mouth as if I’m
fucking it. Shit, this is good. No, it’s fan-fucking-
tastic
with chocolate, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

“I
want to fuck every part of you … the hollow between your breasts, your luscious
ass, your sweet mouth, but right now, I want to bury myself in your warm, wet pussy.”

He
reaches for a condom, puts it on, and slides into me. When he does, I moan,
because it feels so damn good. His mouth blazes a hot path down my neck and
heats me even further.

“Wrap
those luscious thighs around me. Your legs are so sexy; I want to feel them
behind me when I move inside of you. Move with me, sweetheart.”

 
Sliding my hands down his back, I grab
his ass and start rocking to his motion.

“That’s
it. Christ, you feel so damn good. You okay?”

I
can’t speak.

“Carter?”

“Yeah.”
It comes out as a groan almost.

His
hands slip under my ass and he thrusts faster. Holy fuck. I’m about to explode
wide open in another orgasm.

“Let
it go.” He keeps the pace steady, never letting up, until I scream his name,
raking my nails across the cheeks of his ass. I arch my back and then collapse.

He
still moves, but lifts himself up to his hands and looks down at me. Then he
leans down and kisses my neck and cheek gently. “All okay?”

“Oh,
God, Kestrel.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He
smiles, all the while still pumping in and out and rotating his hips, but then
picks up the pace a little.

“You
are gorgeous when you come.” His hand moves between us and I feel it rub my
clit. Then he brings it up to my mouth and says, “And so damn sweet.” He pushes
his finger in my mouth for me to taste. “Now you know why I like it so much.”

Then
his hand is back on my clit, teasing me again.

“Just
one more for me, sweetheart. One more.”

“I
don’t think …”

“You
don’t have to think. Let me do the work here.” His hand massages me as his hips
rock in and out, tilting back and forth. Not long, I’m right there, and he
knows.

“Come
on, Carter. One more. For me, sweetheart.” He dips his head and sucks and bites
my neck and soon my inner muscles are clenching and I’m calling out his name as
I climax. And that’s when he lets himself go. He’s rough, fast, and hard. He
fucks me like a wild beast. Intensely, with a passion he must’ve held in
restraint. Sweat drips off both of us, as I match him movement for movement. My
hands hang on to the headboard as he plunges into me repeatedly. I look at his
face and am momentarily suspended in time. His beauty captivates me. But all
too soon, he climaxes with a loud groan, and then he collapses next to me on the
bed.

A
minute passes before he speaks. “I believe that was dessert.”

“Oh,
I think that was the main course. You’re going to have dessert just as soon as
you’re able.”

A
deep chuckle fills the room.

“Well,
I’m certainly up for it. Or I will be if you give me some time.” Then he turns
to me and says, “You are amazing.”

I
pull his mouth to mine and say, “I think you’re the amazing one.”

We
lie together for a time when he says, “Let’s shower together.”

“Yeah.”

It’s
a large shower, big enough for both of us. He gently washes me everywhere, and
I mean everywhere. My face burns with embarrassment when he moves between my
legs. I don’t know why. The man’s face was buried there a little while ago, for
Pete’s sake, and I watched him do it. Then he washes himself and shampoos my
hair.

While
he’s doing this, I notice his dick has come back to life, so I decide to make
good on my offer of dessert. I only hope I can please him. I’ve never sucked
off a man, other than what I did to him last night, and I don’t want to look
like an idiot. So I stand before him and wrap my hand around his cock.

“I
think it’s time for your dessert.”

His
brows shoot up. “You sure?”

“Only
if you guide me. You’re my first.”

A
huge grin spreads across his face. “I’ll be happy to.”

He
tells me about the tongue, teeth, and sucking stuff, so I take his dick in my
mouth and go to town. A few times he tells me either to go harder or softer.
But eventually he taps me on the head a few times. When he comes in my mouth,
it’s a little shocking. I can’t say I’m in love with the stuff, but it isn’t
the end of the world either.

I
stand and say, “Well, it definitely doesn’t taste like chicken.”

He
laughs and says, “That’s why I tapped you on the head. That’s the signal.”

“What
signal?”

“To
stop so I can pull out. You know, so I don’t come in your mouth.”

“Hmm.
Didn’t
know
there was such a thing.”

“Are
you okay?”

“Well
yeah. It wasn’t like eating a hot fudge sundae or anything, but it wasn’t liver
either.”

“Jesus,
Carter, you’re a freak.”

“Yeah,
I know.”

He
grabs me and kisses me. “And to think you swallowed.”

“Who
knew?”

He
laughs. “I’m sorry. I should’ve said something.”

“Kestrel,
I liked it. I liked making you feel good. It’s a huge turn on. When I see and
hear you come, it’s the sexiest thing ever. And the next time I suck you off,
I’ll swallow then, too.”

“Jesus,
Carter. Don’t say shit like that or you’ll have to do it again.”

We
walk out of the shower and he wraps me in a fluffy towel.

As
he twists my hair in another, I say, “I have a hair appointment at one today.”

“Do
you now?”

“Uh
huh. I’m going to get it cut and straightened.”

“Can
I come with you?”

“You
want to?” I would think a man would hate that.

“Sure.”

“Okay.
But won’t you be bored?”

“No.
I’ll be with you.”

While
we’re talking, he rubs lotion all over my body.

“You’re
very kind to me.”

He’s
crouched down, putting lotion on my legs. He looks up at me and says, “Carter,
I’m not a kind person.”

I
choose to ignore this statement. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes as green as
yours. They glitter like emeralds. Not that I’ve seen many, but my mother used
to have a pair of emerald earrings and they remind me of them.”