The Cottage by the River

Part III

As the fabric moves over my hips and butt, he kisses the arch just above and exhales over my panties, he skims past my thighs, his lips brush against my silky skin, and, lastly, he glides down my knees and calves-his lips trailing kisses from the back of my knee along my calves. One of his hands grabs my thigh as I step out of my bottoms. Still on his knees behind me, he unhurriedly plants tiny kisses on my thighs and bottom while his hands stroke my legs. I moan as my back arcs at his tender touch. His supple lips graze up my back to each shoulder blade then the nape of my neck. Luke pulls the elastic band from my hair then combs his fingers through; the strands whisper above my shoulders. My eyes close.

Then his hands move to the front of my t-shirt, stretching under it while his hungry mouth nibbles my neck. Pressing against his chest to my back, Luke takes his time; his hands travel along my belly then feels each rib before he arrives at my heaving, naked bosom. I'm trembling now-anticipating his next move while his warm hands are filled with me, my hands resting on his hips.

He runs his nose along my neck then behind my ear. "Nathalie."

My blood quickens again at the sound of my full name on his lips. Luke lightly squeezes my breasts, testing the weight of them in his palms. A soft groan simmers in my throat as his fingers begin to play with my nipples. His breath washes over me before he kisses my neck once more. With open eyes, I turn my head and sweetly kiss him on the mouth.

"I want you," I pant hotly, placing a hand behind me to grip him.

Luke slyly smirks while one of his hands stops kneading a breast and whispers down my stomach. Our gazes lock as he daringly moves past the lining of my panties, I start to fondle him. His fingertips explore through a tuft of hair, finding my clitoris, and I moan in delight. Then he trails further south, pushing one finger into me. I gasp and release my hold on him.

"I want you too," Luke murmurs then withdraws his finger.

Slowly, I turn completely around, grab the hem of his shirt, peeling it carefully over his head and toss it aside. Luke's upper body is medium build and shaped in the right places-arms, shoulders, pecks, and abs. He kisses me again and his erection pokes my thigh. I pull away and shed my t-shirt; Luke pauses like he's in awe.

I tease, "Like what you see?"

"More than you know," he mutters then jerks me to him.

As we slowly, deeply kiss, my fingers play with the elastic of his boxers. The realization that we're far from the path of childhood friends sinks into my mind. Now, we delve into a salacious escapade that could potential ruin any future friendship.

I peek up at him under heavy lashes and utter across his lips, "If we keep going, we'll mess up our friendship."

Luke skates a hand down my back and grasps my bottom. "Why can't we be friends and lovers?"

"You know all too well that that kind of thinking ends in tragedy." My hands rest on the small of his back. "We won't have anywhere to go if we do this," I warn.

His hands move to my arms and then he gives me a bemused look.

"Nathalie, I don't plan on making this a one-time thing. I want more with you," he says, sincerity ringing in his voice. "Unless you don't."

I swallow. I have trouble believing what he's saying. The heartbreak of the past has weighed on me and I want more, more than he can ever know. I want to trust in him-his words-more than he can understand. I want more than anything to fall in love again.

Luke senses my hesitation and affirms, "I used to be hurt beyond repair, too, Nathalie. And then I came to the realization that I couldn't hide for the rest of my life." He cups my face. "I'm not those guys, Nathalie. I'll handle your heart with extreme care because I want to make you my home."