The Cirque (25 page)
Authors: Ryann Kerekes
He thrust his pants and boxers down around his hips and continued pushing them down until he could kick them off the end of the bed. I looked him over in all his manly goodness and suddenly got a little nervous. But then he was back to kissing me and I forgot about everything else. I worked at the button on my jeans and felt Gabriel’s warm hands join mine. I lifted my hips and he slid my jeans and panties down my legs, and left them in a heap on the floor. The warm length of his hard body against mine caused my skin to ignite in anticipation. I loved looking at the contrast of his ink-decorated skin against mine. He was perfect.
He ran his fingers across my stomach and hips, slowly driving me crazy. “I love you Ariel,” he murmured against my lips.
“I love you too,” I said. We kissed until I felt like I couldn’t handle any more. “Gabriel,” I breathed against his mouth.
He must have seen the need in my eyes and kissed me once on the forehead. “Are you sure?” His eyes met mine. I nodded. I felt him fumble around with his jeans at the side of the bed. He rolled a condom on and was back on top of me,
the weight of his firm body on mine, kissing and nipping at my mouth. While his tongue moved against mine, I felt him position himself at my entrance, then anchor his hand firmly against my hip. I whimpered lightly as I felt him push against me and then he began to ease inside of me. My breath caught at the sudden fullness of him and I kissed him back harder, trying to balance out the sensations.
“Are you okay?” Gabriel asked, his brow knitted in concern.
“Yes,” I whispered softly against his lips.
He was slow and careful with me and never took his eyes from mine. We found our rhythm and moved together. I lost myself in the sensation, the tenderness of his touches, the soft gasps that punctuated his thrusts,
the damp kisses he rained across my throat, and the way his eyelids drifted closed with pleasure.
“Oh God, you feel too good,” he groaned. He cradled my head in his hands, brushing
loose tendrils of hair back from my face, as he continued moving his body against mine. His eyes were dark with desire and his eyelids drifted closed. He kissed a wet path up my throat, nipping and licking the tender flesh.
“Gabriel….” My moan died on my lips as I heaved in another breath. Pleasure exploded deep inside me
and I tightened my hold around him.
He captured my mouth again and my tongue swirled with his, dancing and pirouetting in perfect harmony.
Afterward we lay together, warm and breathing hard, nestled together between the sheets. While we caught our breath Gabriel held me, running his hands along my arms and playing with my hair while we talked in the fading light. Everything about this moment felt right, from the way Gabriel made me feel cherished, to the way our bodies fit together, like two halves of a whole.
A few minutes later, he rolled over on his side to look at me. “I forgot to tell you, Del said that we’re welcome to come back next summer. I’m not sure I would want to, but something to think about, I guess.”
I was quiet while I thought it over.
“What? You wouldn’t want to go back?” He tucked my hair behind my ear.
“I don’t know, maybe. But…our act?”
He shook his head. “No. If we do it there’d be no more knives. I’d rather be designing sets and props. And you should be dancing.”
I nodded, agreeing. My days as a target girl were done. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew it was suddenly looking bright.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I admitted.
He brushed my hair back from my shoulder so he could run his fingers along the back of my neck. “Me too,” he whispered and leaned over to plant a damp kiss on the column of my neck.
The sweetness in his kiss told me everything I needed to know. We were done running from our pasts, done dodging the future. It was time to live. And there was no place I’d rather be. I closed my eyes and nestled into Gabriel’s arms, the smile on my lips refusing to fade.
~The End~
Ryann Kerekes writes young adult novels with a strong dose of romance. She lives in Minnesota with a super cute husband and two puppies, one of which may be part monkey. When not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, laughing and day dreaming about kissing scenes.
For more information and news about upcoming titles, please visit: www.RyannKerekes.com
Acknowledgements
To the boy who shares my name and so much more, every dream, every prayer, every wish for an amazing life. You love me with endless patience and cheer me on despite my silliest dreams. You pretended I was completely normal all the nights the bluish glow from my laptop illuminated my face and transformed me into a giddy, grinning puppet master as I plotted conversations and scenes in my head. Best. Husband. Ever. I am lucky beyond measure and thank God for you every day.
To my family for believing that anything I tried was possible, even though those first drafts made it seem highly improbable. My little sister, Kelly Perez who is my dearest fan and yet also my toughest critique. Thank you sis for always cheering me on while also shooting me straight
– a crazy-hard balance you strike perfectly. I wouldn’t be here without you. I hope you never stop challenging me to be better.
I also need to thank my life coach, my biggest fan and girl crush, Sammy Rae. You read all my drafts with joy, and provided endless inspiration and YA goodness. I strive to write books worthy of you. You are my muse. Love ya like a sis!
To my early readers for your enthusiasm and thoughtful critiques: Kaleen, Yasemin, Rachel, and Amanda, and most especially my writing buddy, Liz.