Brothers of Paradise Series

His hand comes up to rest on the side of my neck, a thumb stroking across my skin. In the near dark, it’s difficult to see, but it’s not impossible. And I see well enough when he turns his head to mine.

“You want someone to explore with.”

“Yes,” I murmur.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

“And you enjoyed kissing me.”

“Mhm.”

He rests his forehead against mine, and my hand on his shirt grows into a fist. “Let’s explore, then.”

I don’t know if he’s the one who closes the gap between us or if it’s me, but then his lips are against mine, warm and soft. Expert, but leashed.

He’s thinking about the comment I made about men and tongues and rockets. It almost makes me smile, but I can’t, my lips pre-occupied.

He breaks apart for a second, lips a hairsbreadth from mine.

“Still good?” he murmurs.

I don’t answer-I kiss him instead, catching his lower lip with my own. He groans softly in the back of his throat, deepening the kiss. His tongue sweeps softly over my lower lip before slipping in, and it’s delicious, sending heat dancing down my spine.

He lifts his head again.

“I could get used to that,” I whisper, and even I can hear the dreamy quality to my voice.

“Keep going,” he whispers back. “My ego isn’t big enough.”

I chuckle, but it dies the second he presses his lips back to mine. This time, I slide my hand up his neck and into the thickness of his hair. His curls are like coarse silk through my fingers.

Rhys rises up on an elbow, moving until he’s half-above me, his lips never lifting from mine. It makes it easier to wrap both arms around him, and I use the newfound liberty to explore. His hair, his shoulders, his neck. Down to the solid strength of his chest.

I don’t know how long we kiss for, because kissing time seems to run on its own clock, but I’m breathless when he lifts his head again. “This is good,” he murmurs. “You’re practicing.”

“Mhm,” I agree. “Great practice. Great exploring.”

“Definitely.” What are we even saying?

Slowly, he tips my head back and presses his lips to my neck. Oh.

Oh.

“I didn’t know that would feel like… this.”

Rhys keeps kissing my neck. The jacket he’d given me is tossed to the side, so there’s nothing stopping him from continuing further down. He doesn’t, though.

I look up at the dark ceiling of the Jeep and try to form thoughts. To find the apprehension I should be feeling. But there isn’t any.

I bend a knee, and he fits more naturally against me.

“Neck kisses are great,” I say. “Why didn’t I know that before?”

“A shame,” Rhys murmurs, “but I’m happy to rectify it.”

I run a hand down his arm, the one he’s bracing himself on. His bicep is like a rock to the touch, and I wrap my fingers around it, unable to circle more than a third.

“Rhys?”

“Hmm?” His lips pause at my collarbone.

I find his other hand, the one that’s still curved over my waist, and slide it upwards. “Perhaps I should get used to being touched, too.”

He laughs against my skin. “You’re more than welcome to give me orders.”

“Just a suggestion.”

His lips begin to move again, his right thumb grazing the underside of my breast. I shiver, but it’s not from the cold now. My body feels like it’s gathering electricity with every touch, every kiss.

His hand slides up to cup my breast entirely. My nipple is hard and he must feel it through the thin silk, because he curses softly. “Ivy…”

“Yes?”

“You’re going to have to talk to me.”

“Okay.” I arch my back a little, because the pressure of his hand on my aching nipple is magical.

“You’re not feeling buried under expectations right now, are you?”

“No. In fact…” I reach up and push the thin shoulder strap down. He slips his hand underneath and then there’s nothing but skin against skin.

Rhys presses his lips to mine as he gently worries my nipple between his fingers. I’m caught between the two sensations and the third one, the one that’s growing between my legs.

And I don’t feel scared.

I reach down to his shirt, tugging at the buttons. His skin is hot to the touch beneath.

Rhys rests his forehead against mine again. “You can tell me to stop whenever,” he says. “We’re just exploring.”

“I know.”

And then he’s gone, bending his head to my chest. His lips close around my nipple and dear God I did not know that would feel like it does. It’s sensitive and sensual and I make quick work of my other shoulder strap, tugging it down too.

Rhys takes my cue and switches, tending to them both, and I keep my hand buried in his hair. How did we end up here? How did I get to experience this?

And how do I make sure it doesn’t stop?

Rhys rakes his teeth over the underside of my breast before lightly biting down on a nipple. I gasp, and he chuckles. “Good?”

“Good,” I agree. “Rhys, I want you.”