| 23 |

~ Banks Woods ~

I don't know what happens next except that things escalate way too quickly. His hands grip my waist and mine wrap around his neck. He lifts me and plants my ass on the counter before stepping between my legs and claiming my mouth. He kisses me hard and fast, proving to me how long he's waited for this. My legs lock around his narrow and toned waist, pushing myself closer to him. My stomach erupts for a thousand different reasons as he angles my head to kiss me better.

My hands glide over his chest, a feeling of disappointment coming over me when I feel the layers of clothing on him. Lance must've sensed it because he starts unbuttoning his suit jacket. I take over the task for him so that his hands can return to my body. My fingers fumble but I get it done fast enough and slide it over his shoulders and down his arms, letting it fall to the floor.

My hands ache to feel more so I go ahead and reach for the buttons on his shirt. I wait for him to give me a sign that he doesn't want me to, but when he doesn't, my fingers hurry. Once the buttons are off, I slide his shirt off too.

My hands touch his smooth and hard skin and a moan rips from my throat at how amazing he feels. My palms glide up his chest, feeling the hard counters, before moving down to feel his abs. He shivers beneath my touch despite how hot his skin is. I tentatively feel more of him, wanting to commit this to my memory for life.

I'm still feeling his skin when his hands slip beneath my shirt, touching my waist and running across the length of my midsection. I suck in a breath at the feel of his strong and large hands spanning my skin.

Looking up at his eyes, he gives me an inquiring look. I know exactly what's he asking so I nod. His eyes flare with an emotion so deep and intense. Before I can say anything, he scoops me into his arms, making me gasp in surprise. He carries me to the couch and lays me down before climbing on top of me with his knees on either side of my hips.

He grabs the hem of my t-shirt, tilting his head. "Are you sure?"

I nod, because I'm more than sure. My skin is beyond heated with anticipation and excitement of what might happen. My legs subtly rub together at the wetness gathering between them, and my nipples tighten with arousal.

Slowly, he lifts my t-shirt, taking his time as if giving me a moment to object. I don't though, because I want it just as much as he does. When my shirt is finally over my head, leaving me in just my bra, then do I realize how exposed I am.

Reflex kicks in and I immediately move to cover myself but the look on Lance's face halts every movement and thought. Even my breath. Desire like no other rages in his eyes as he stares at me. He swallows thickly, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He doesn't move for a long time, as if he's become a statue.

Then he slowly curses under his breath.

My insecurities take on the highway, thinking that he's disappointed or something. I'm this close to pushing myself up and stumbling off the couch to cover myself when his head dips.

My stomach dives when his mouth nears my midsection and he bites the curve of my waist. I gasp. He licks the spot, making me moan at how ticklish yet arousing that feels. He continues kissing my skin, biting and licking. The more he spends his time kissing me, the more my brain descends into a haze. My pulse thrums between my legs and I shift my hips a little so that the spot can get a little friction. Instead of satisfying the ache, it increases, wanting more than just a subtle rub.

Lance doesn't pay attention to it though. His mouth moves higher and higher until they're at my ribcage, just underneath my breasts. His nose touches the underside of them, and then he tilts his head up, rubbing the side of his face against my bra.

My breaths turn erratic when he stares at my chest, deep emotions swirling in his eyes.

"Please tell me I can see you naked. I'm going to have a serious case of blue balls for months if I don't."

I bite my lip to stop the sudden blush that erupts on my face. Just to toy with him, I say. "Maybe some other time."

He groans, dropping his head between my chest which almost makes me whimper at the burst of pleasure of just having him this intimately close.

"You're killing me." His voice reverberates into my skin, adding to the aching need between my legs.

"I was kidding," I whisper.

He lifts his head. "Are you sure?"

I nod.

His hands come on my shoulders, fingering the bra straps. Staring into my eyes, gently, he pulls them down my arms, exposing my breasts to the cool air. A shudder goes through me as my nipples harden painfully. His eyes fall to them as he swears under his breath, a starved look appearing on his face.

My breasts are not big but they aren't too small either. They definitely fall under the small category, but the way Lance stares at them makes me feel as if they're perfect.

His hands come on my waist, running from the bottom, up until his fingers reach under my tits. He continues the motion a few times, not directly touching the place where my body aches for his hands the most. When his hands move upwards, I arch my back so that he gets the hint.

The corner of his lip lifts, but I'm too desperate to feel embarrassed.

"You look so needy under me that it's making me feel insane. Especially with these."

He stares at my tits again, then finally, bends his head. Cupping the side of one, his mouth latches onto my nipple making me gasp as pleasure shoots through every part of my body. A whimper escapes my lips, as he sucks it into his mouth. He bites onto it, then licks the throbbing spot before sucking it back in. I squirm under his hold, feeling too much as he kisses and sucks one nipple while he pulls the other one between his fingers. I can't stop moaning.

He shifts his mouth to another nipple to give it the same attention. My hands shove into his hair to hold onto him, and to keep his head in place. I never realized how sensitive my tits are until now.

He twists my nipple between one hand while his mouth turns rougher on the other. His thigh slips between my legs, parting them before his knee connects with my core and he starts rubbing me there.

"Oh..." I moan, my neck arching with how good that feels.

"More?"

I nod, eagerly.

His hand snakes down my stomach, to the waistband of my leggings.

"I'm going to slip my hand underneath and feel you." His deep, throaty words make my eyes pop open. Alarm flashes through me but all thoughts halt when I see the look in his eyes. They're open, aroused, and comforting. 

I didn't realize I needed him to spell it out because the assurance that comes over me makes me feel a lot better. Damn him. He knows so much about me without me even telling him. I don't like surprises and he knows that.

He's still waiting for my confirmation and I nod. Wasting no second, he slips his hand underneath my underwear and his finger touches the pulsing need. He rubs over my opening. A breathless cry escapes my lips while he moans.

"Fuck. You're so wet." Bliss covers his face as he continues feeling me, running his middle and index finger from my core to my clit. Back and forth, spreading my wetness until his fingers glide easily.

My legs part more to give him better access. My clit throbs harder but he doesn't pay it any attention as if on purpose to keep me on edge. My legs feel heavier than stone, waiting.

Then he pulls his fingers out, making me whimper at the loss of his hand.

I lift my head. "What are you—"

My words fall silent when he brings them up to his mouth, wrapping his lips around them. His eyes fall shut in content as he sucks, tasting me as if it's the best damn thing he's ever tasted.

"Yup. I'm definitely going to go even more insane by the time I'm done with you." His eyes open and he stares at me with carnal need. "I need to see more of you. To taste more."

"Do it then." My voice comes out as a whisper.

His hands come on the waistband of my leggings and he pulls them down to my knees along with my underwear. Cool air assaults my core, making me squirm. I hold my breath. He looks away from my eyes at the neediest part of me. His lips part open.

His eyes remain there for a long time before he slowly lifts them, staring at my stomach, my exposed breasts, and then finally my face. He takes in all of me, lying beneath him naked and bare. Self-consciousness lingers in the deepest part of my brain but I will myself to let go and trust him. I trust Lance not to hurt me. To not degrade me or make me feel worse.

And he shows me exactly why I should when he grabs my thighs, parting my legs open to expose my core further.

"How can you complain about this fucking body when you look like this? Just look at you." His eyes hungrily roam over me.

"Don't flatter me," I mumble, fighting a blush off my face.

"Don't flatter you?" His tone gets serious.

A yelp escapes my mouth when he grabs my breast. He squeezes before bringing my nipple between his fingers and twisting them, making me squirm.

"Have you looked at these tits? I want to mark them all for myself." His other hand snakes down my stomach, down to my core. I whimper when his fingers brush against my wetness. "I want to bury my face between these legs and never come up for air."

His thumb finds my clit and a moan escapes my lips as he slowly circles it. A need like no other overcomes me and I shift my hips for him to go faster. He continues kneading my breast while tweaking my nipple, sending bursts of pleasure down to my core until there's no mistaking how extremely wet I am.

My eyes fall shut, as I feel something low in my belly. It's been so long since I've had an orgasm. Would it be embarrassing if I came already?

Since my eyes remain shut, I don't register when Lance's hand shifts around. Something long and hard thrusts into me. A gasp escapes my lips and I open my eyes to see his fingers inside me. For a moment, I'm stunned, watching his fingers deep inside my core, my wetness coating his palm. The sight warms every inch of my body.

He starts moving them, in and out. My legs melt as he creates a slow sensual rhythm. If I thought that was too much, then I'm not the least bit prepared at all when he curls his fingers, nudging a part deep inside of me that has my neck arching. I moan so loud that I'm scared I'll wake Caleb up.

Lance picks up on my reaction and curls his fingers on the same spot, making me gasp. I slam a hand onto my mouth to keep the noises to a minimum. He's torturing me in the best way possible, and I love it.

"Like this?" He keeps going, thrusting his fingers in and out, curling them and hitting the same spot.

"Oh...yeah..." I can barely breathe.

I'm staring at the ceiling lost in bliss, when something flat and wet parts my core. Shock slams into me and by the time I lift my head to see what's going on, Lance wraps his lips around my clit and sucks.

My thighs jerk both in surprise and arousal as his tongue flicks across the sensitive nub. He pulls it back into his mouth and sucks. My mouth drops open and my eyes fall partway shut as he continues fingering my spot while nibbling on my clit as if he's having a feast. My body feels on fire and underwater at the same time. He's making me feel so good like I've never felt before. My back sags against the couch, unable to do anything while he does wonders to my entire body just by working on my center.

Pressure builds in my lower back and I know I'm not far behind. Each movement of his tongue brings me closer and closer to an orgasm. His hot breath falls onto my skin, flipping my stomach. Fireworks shoot through my body as his nibbling and sucking gets harder and faster. My fingers clutch at his hair to hold myself together, but it's of no use because he's melting my entire being. It happens then. Out of nowhere.

One moment, I'm sagging against the couch, trying to breathe, and the next, I'm in the air, my back arched so high that I'm afraid it might snap. My voice gets lost over the loud pounding of my heart. I'm not sure if I'm screaming or pleading or both. All I know is that Lance is still thrusting his tongue in and out of me, and my hands are fisting his hair to ground myself. He licks all of me, circling my clit with his fingers and dragging out my orgasm. I'm coming like I've never come before. I don't know how to feel about that except that it feels so damn amazing.

It stretches out for too long but ends just as quickly. My body drops to the couch, breathing heavily and loudly as if I was the one who did all the work. With one final lick, Lance lifts his head to look at my face.

I don't even know how to look at him at this point. I'm sure my face is all red and flushed, with my eyes drooping low and my parted lips that refuse to close. Our eyes meet, and all of a sudden I don't want to look away. His face resembles something out of an erotic film. The way his hair falls over his forehead, and how his sharp nose complements his high cheekbones. He looks too unreal, but I know deep down that he's mine.

I don't care what anyone says. He knows me like no other person and even if he doesn't, he tries his best to understand. He takes care of me like no one else and not because he has to but because I know he cares for me deeply. He's always been right there even when I pushed him away. My chest feels too full, too expanded then a sudden realization slams into me.

I can't...

I can't possibly be...falling for him, can I? 

No. No. That's insane. That's way too early. I can't be falling for him this soon.

Who says this is too soon though? What events mark something as "too early"? What if this is just the perfect time? What if I'm being irrational again and letting my head block my heart?

A warm pair of lips meet my temple.

My eyes fall shut on their own accord as I relish in the sweetest way he kisses me. He lifts his head and then brings up a hand to my face, caressing my cheek.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes, you are."

"Stop accusing me."

"Stop hiding from me." He grabs my chin, making me look into his eyes. "You promised."

The intensity of his gaze renders me speechless. I can't tell him that I'm falling for him and that the thought is freaking me out because then he'll try to tell me that it's okay. But what if it's not okay because he's not falling for me in return?

Instead, I open my mouth and ask, "Are we continuing what we were doing?"

An amused smile lifts his mouth. "You want to?"

I do. Very badly.

I nod, shyly, biting my lip. His eyes fall onto the motion and his thumb comes on my lower lip, pressing down until my mouth parts.

"Then let's not waste any time, shall we?" Saying that he reaches into his back pocket. My eyebrows furrow when he pulls out his wallet.

"Are you paying me?" I ask in disbelief.

He pauses, his hands frozen in the air before he bursts out laughing.

"What?" I cross my arms. "I'm not a hooker."

His shoulders shake with how hard he's laughing.

"Stop laughing before I kick you in the balls."

That does it and he eventually stops laughing. Shaking his head in amusement, he opens his wallet and pulls out—a condom.

"Oh."

My cheeks flare in embarrassment.

"I can still pay you if you want." The corner of his mouth lifts in a smirk.

"Keep it." I scoff.

He throws his wallet aside, before placing the condom on my belly and then reaching for his slacks. My embarrassment vanishes within a second as he unbuckles his belt, pulling it out. The sound of the leather heightens my senses and I'm aroused again within seconds.

He unbuttons his slacks with such slow movements that my skin crawls with anticipation. Once it's unbuttoned, he unzips them then pulls them down his legs along with his boxers in one go. My eyes widen.

I knew he was going to be big by how much I felt while making out. But seeing it in actuality makes me rethink my definition of big. He's long and thick and currently, extremely hard that it looks painful.

"You weren't going to be kidding about the blue balls," I note.

"No, I wasn't."

I gulp. "Damn."

An amused smile crosses his face.

He picks up the condom and then rips it open with his teeth. My nipples harden as he rolls the condom on, before grabbing my thighs. He pulls my legs apart and settles between them, his hardness touching my center. The reality of everything washes over me at once and my heart picks up its rate. We're going to do this. Fuck. Me and Lance are going to have sex. Double fuck.

"Are you sure?" Lance's question pulls me back.

My eyes meet his and an even heavier realization settles in my chest. I'd do this with Lance more than any other man in the world. No man ever will come close to being anything like him. At this moment, we're both wrapped in a bubble that we made for ourselves. A bubble of deep emotions and something so much more intense.

Slowly, I nod, because this is what I want. What I really want. For the first time, I'm choosing something for myself and I'm not feeling guilty about it.

Lance's eyes take on a softer, deeper tone as if he can read my mind. He always can. He always proves my point about how much he knows me already.

His palms rub my thighs, sliding them from my hips down to my knees, and then bringing them back up. His eyes fall on my body and an intensity flares in his gaze.

"Fuck those who spoke shit to you, Banks." His voice sounds low. Desperate. He bends his head, and just before capturing my mouth in a searing kiss, he breathes against my lips. "I'm going to worship this body like it deserves to be worshiped."

His tongue sweeps against my lips, coaxing it open. He doesn't jump to take the chance but instead takes his time, kissing me slowly and earnestly as if wanting to commit my skin to memory. My eyes fall shut as he gently explores my mouth with his tongue, swirling it against mine. I'm submerged deep into bliss, that's why I don't realize when Lance reaches down between us. He pushes into me.

My eyes fly open with a gasp. He groans into my mouth. I barely register the pain as he continues kissing me, relaxing my body to succumb to his. He's not fully in yet, maybe just an inch. His hand comes on my thigh, running across the inner side and coaxing me to loosen further. I'm barely there when he pushes in another inch.

My center pulses wildly and suddenly I don't need him to take this inch by inch. I lift my hips to get more of him and he gets the hint. Slowly, he pushes in further and further until he's deeply and fully inside me. My lungs had stopped working but the moment he bites onto my lip, I exhale loudly, releasing the pent-up tension.

My mouth is open in a silent cry at the feeling of his full length inside me. It feels unbelievable and I feel insatiably stretched. My heart beats erratically and sweat breaks across my skin. he waits for me to adjust to his size, kissing my temple and my forehead.

When my core pulses with pleasure instead of pain, I nod at Lance to continue. He gently pulls out of me, making me feel everything before pushing back inside with the same speed.

"Faster."

"Are you sure?"

My arms wind around his neck and I nod. "Definitely sure."

A different emotion crosses his face as he looks down at me. I'm not sure what it is, but it must be something similar to mine, because I can hear how loud his heart is beating, just like mine. His hand slides up to behind my neck, snaking through my hair and holding the back of my head. He's using his other hand to hold himself up. His mouth lowers to kiss my neck and at the same time, he pulls himself out then slams into me in one go.

A gasp tears out of my mouth. He does it again and a deep throaty moan rips from my mouth. I have to bite my lip to keep myself quiet. He keeps going, thrusting into me with a new energy that makes my legs tremble.

When I can't contain my moans any longer, he latches his mouth to mine, swallowing any noise. My stomach nearly explodes with the new sensations. Lance doesn't just kiss my mouth. He devours it. He laps at my tongue vigorously as if he's desperate to have more of me. The thought that he wants me just as much as I want him makes my chest swell.

His hands slip down and grab my hips, lifting them off the couch. The new angle allows him to hit new depths, to go even deeper and find new spots. I cry into his mouth when he starts going faster. He's taking everything from me but giving me so much in return. It's maddening.

My cries turn into indecipherable pleas and moans. My body feels like it's soaring, like it's about to drop off a cliff at any time. Heat pools in my stomach and I know I'm close. Lance must be close too because his legs tighten and he increases his pace as if trying to get as much as possible before it's all over. I know it won't be over though. This thing—the thing that me and Lance have—it's never going to end. For the first time, I have full confidence that what me and Lance have is special and that nothing can take it away from us.

I bite onto his tongue, tightening my arms around his neck and he groans into my mouth,

"Fuck." He whispers, kissing me passionately. "I want to tell you something but I don't want you to punch me."

"I'll punch you if you don't tell me." My voice sounds breathless and shallow.

All traces of humour vanish from his face when his eyes meet mine. His eyes turn serious, soft. "I...I think I'm falling for you and it's happening really fast. it feels perfect though. This." He runs his fingers through my hair, before caressing my cheek. "This feels perfect. You're perfect."

Emotion clogs my throat and I don't even know why. Guess I'm not the only one who's falling tonight. Since I'm not good with words, instead of replying, I pull him back down and kiss him fiercely. He kisses me back with the same energy, pouring all his feelings and thoughts into this one single kiss. We kiss harder and harder, meeting each other's hips with a violent vigour, and then we're soon falling some more as we shatter apart in each other's arms. I cry into his mouth and he still kisses me as he jerks his hips into me once more before coming inside of me. My walls tighten around him, and every inch of my body surrenders to his. We hold each other through it all. He grips my waist while I clutch him by his back until we're both breathing heavily, trying to catch our breaths after the wave has passed away.

Our eyes meet, and this time, there's no mistaking the new promises held between our gazes.

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How was this chapter?? I'm not really good at writing smut but I'm trying ToT

Words: 4,300

Date of publishing: 27th June 2024