Branded (Strand Brothers Series Book 1) (25 page)

She went boneless in my arms. Once she was somewhat coherent, I stood and devoured her sexy as hell mouth. I wanted her to taste herself on me, so I dove deep. She moaned a protest when I picked her up and made my way to the bedroom. No matter how sexed-up I was, I would not take her against the wall for our first time as husband and wife. I would do this properly. I laid her on top of the bed while she looked up at me and whispered, “Your turn.”

I stepped back and gave her a show. Slowly I removed my clothes, gazing into her eyes. When my boxer briefs hit the floor, she sat up and gripped my painful erection. “Oh…yes…just like that,” I approved.

She worked me from root to tip, and back again and again. I stilled her hand and then crawled over her body. She was more than ready for me, spreading those lovely thighs wide so I could see her sex glisten. That sight alone was enough to send me over the edge. With deep concentration, I held back. Just. I settled my large, heavy body over hers, feeling like the brute I was. She looked so tiny underneath me. Then I entered her and reverently praised, “So damn tight, little one.”

She hissed as I sheathed my dick inside her. I had died and gone to heaven. For a moment, I held still to get myself under control. That was when she locked her legs over mine to rub her clit against me.
Oh, I can take a hint.
I pulled myself up a little further, so the top of her head was under my chin. Then I began to pump, knowing full well that in this position, my cock rubbed that sweet, little nub. And as she gasped, “Oh, yes, Nik,” I knew I was hitting her just right. That was when I fully unleashed, and pounded into her with all I had. I took her over the precipice once more, before I followed.

I slumped against her and nuzzled into her silken hair as I whispered, “I should move before I crush you.”

“Don’t you dare,” she warned while she wrapped her arms around me.

I chuckled, “Baby, I could stay like this forever.”

Her satisfied, “hmm,” said so much more than words ever could.

I reluctantly pulled out of her wet heat and then lay on my side, tugging her onto my chest. I stroked her back, up and down, soothingly as we drifted towards sleep. The last thought I had was,
my wife forever.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Aimee

I was still not sure how many times Nik had woken me up through the night to make love. When my heavy lids lifted, there he was staring down at me, humming. I stroked his shadowed jaw and mentioned, “Aero Smith. We like a lot of the same music.” I propped myself up on one elbow and kissed the corner of his mouth, then reached over for my iPod. Once I hit one of the play lists, I directed, “Sing for me.” He winked as he sang along with “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Yep, his deep, raspy voice alone could absolutely send me into eternal bliss.

I had put the song on a loop. So once it ended that first time, I mounted my husband and sank down on his sizeable penis. Sure, I was sore, but I couldn’t have cared less at the moment. Afterwards, I gently eased off of him and made my way to the bathroom. He followed, swatting my butt as he said, “Hustle up. We have a plane to catch.”

I grinned, “What, you’re not going to join me in here?” I let my fingers travel down to my wet sex as I held his gaze.

On a growl, he joined me in the shower. Once we were temporarily sated, we cleansed one another. I had a feeling, no matter how many times either of us orgasmed, we were never going to be completely satisfied. Fine by me. There was nothing in this world I wanted more than my body joined with his. While those thoughts passed through my mind, I licked my lips. His eyes met mine in the mirror. “We have the plane as well as the entire weekend to make love, insatiable wife of mine.”

“It’s your own damn fault.”

He cocked a brow. “How’s that?”

“You’re just too fucking good at making me come.”

His grunt of satisfaction, along with the deep grind of his hips into my backside, was all I needed to know I’d just made him a very happy man. Then he kissed the side of my neck and murmured, “Goes both ways, little one.”

For some reason, him calling me “little one” brought back the masquerade. Why did Nik remind me so much of my mystery man? What was the connection? I had planned to ask, but suddenly my mouth was invaded by a most persistent tongue. All thought left, in a whoosh of sensation, as he devastated me once more with his oral talents. Hot damn! The man’s expertise knew no bounds.

*****

We were late arriving to the plane. Not that it mattered. I mean, Nik owned the darn thing, so it wasn’t as if we held up other passengers. Once onboard and seat-belted properly, we took off. Tired, I closed my eyes as Nik’s thumb rubbed soothingly along my wrist. My intention was to make love to my husband on our five hour journey; however, sleep prevailed. I didn’t budge until we landed in St. Lucia.

I awoke to gentle lips on mine and whispered, “Hi.”

He chuckled, “How was your rest, Sleeping Beauty?”

I blinked several times to clear the fog from my brain. “I suppose it was fine.” When my stomach grumbled, he smiled, “We’ll eat as soon as we arrive at the resort.”

My eyes widened as I leaned forward to look out the window. “Crap. I slept the entire flight here?”

“To be fair, so did I.”

“No way!” I exclaimed. “Some honeymoon couple we are.”

He nuzzled my nose with his. “We barely slept last night,” he purred. “I think rest was foremost this morning. Besides, we’ll be busy later.”

Oh, my. The promise that went with the statement was unmistakable. I brushed my lips against his softly and declared, “Then, I think we better get there. Like, now.”

He stood and proffered his hand to assist me.

*****

The spectacular island made our drive beautiful, at times breathtaking. But Jade Mountain itself was phenomenal. The galaxy sanctuary was remarkable. It was one thing to take in the fifteen-foot high ceilings and the eclectic furniture; however, the awe-inspiring infinity pool, where the fourth wall should’ve been, was nothing short of magnificent. A full two-hundred-and-seventy degree view of the Caribbean Sea was not a sight I would soon forget. If ever.

When hard, muscled arms enveloped my waist, I leaned back and enjoyed the feel of his body pressed against mine. He whispered, “You like?”

I turned in his arms and locked eyes with him. “Nikko Mathias Strand, you have outdone yourself,” I praised. “This place is incredible.” I pulled his face to mine. “Just like you.” Then I proceeded to show him exactly how appreciative I was.

Once we came up for air, he murmured, “I love the sound of my full name on your lips.” To prove his point he licked his way around my mouth.

Wow, his attention to detail could not be matched. As if he needed to show me just how meticulous he could be, he began to work lips, tongue, and teeth down my body. All the while, his equally gifted fingers undressed me until I stood fully nude: he remained clothed. Now that was freaking hot! He laid me down gently on a chaise lounge as he fell to his knees, and then continued his sinful ministrations over and around my core. The orgasm crested, strong and proud, as he proceeded to show me my body was more than capable of multiples. Good Lord, I wasn’t sure I would survive. Oh, but the la petite mort was so damn worth it.

Once I’d recovered from the dizzying climax, my stomach rumbled. Embarrassed, I laid my hand over the loud beast. Nik shook his head and announced, “Right, time to eat.”

Well, it looked as if my plans for him were going to have to wait.
That’s fine.
Later, I would show him he was multi-orgasmic as well. A sly smile played at the corners of my mouth, which caused Nik to question me. “Now, what is that expression all about?”

While I slipped on a sundress, I replied, “For me to know, and you to find out.”

He placed his hands on my shoulders and growled, “Don’t tempt me, woman.”

I bit my bottom lip and then teased “Or what?”

He spun me around so fast I would’ve lost my balance if he hadn’t pushed me up against the wall and held me in place with his hard body. As he licked my ear, he cautioned, “You’re playing with fire.”

Holy crap. Torn between my angry stomach and the desire to push him further, I wasn’t at all sure which one I wanted more.

He made the decision for me when he stepped backwards and chuckled, “We need food to keep our strength up. Let’s go.” Then he tugged me out the door.

As I looked at him sideways, I confirmed, “You’re right.” Then I promised, “Afterwards, I have plans for you. Wouldn’t want you passing out from all I’m going to do to you.”

“Oh, little one, I can’t wait to see you try,” he rumbled.

*****

We ate alfresco beneath the romantic canopy overlooking the exquisite Caribbean Sea. I inquired, “Will this be all we see of this beautiful island?”

His brow arched. “If you would like to explore, I’m fine with that. If not, I’m more than okay. The decision is completely yours.” He grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth, where his wicked tongue began to dance along the sensitive skin between my fingers.

Wow, it was as if those spots had a direct line to my clitoris. Never had a man been able to arouse me like Nikko. Hmm, I wondered if he let me call him that. ‘Cause honestly, the name was as sexy as the man. Time to find out. I whispered, “Ah, Nikko, you’re beyond insatiable.”

As he rested his forehead against mine, he groaned, “Say it again.”

Along the seam of his mouth, I breathed, “Which one?” Even I could hear the desire drenched quality to my voice.

He licked the outside of my lips before he answered, “My name.”

I susurrated, “Nikko.”

His hand fisted my hair as he took my mouth with a hunger I so easily matched.

Our server interrupted us, “Erghm. Would you like dessert?”

Nik broke our kiss, keeping his eyes on me. “Yes. But not here.”

She blushed profusely as she answered, “I see. Then I will take my leave, sir.” She winked at me. “Ma’am.”

Once she left, we did as well.

*****

Intention didn’t always mean follow through. In other words, we were headed for our sanctuary, but our passion refused to wait. Exhibitionism had never been something I’d aspired to. Although when the obscure hammock presented itself on our walk…well, you could do the math. And, yeah, I admit, my curiosity regarding sex swings had just ramped tenfold. Goodness, he was buried deeper inside me than ever before. No wonder those things were so effin’ popular. Thankful we had just climaxed and were fully clothed, because we were suddenly not alone. After quickly putting ourselves to rights, I buried my head in Nik’s chest as he greeted our intruders. “Hi.”

The other couple stared wild-eyed for a moment before the guy responded, “I hope we didn’t…”

Nik was fast when he replied, “No, not at all. I apologize if we have embarrassed you.”

The guy expediently answered, “’S all good, my man.”

Nik gave a self-satisfied grin. “Yes, it was.”

I gasped as I caught the other man’s gaze go from the hammock to his woman, and back again. Oh, looked as if we weren’t the only ones who would enjoy exhibitions alfresco.

As we walked away, I stifled a giggle.

Nik reproached, “Stop that.” Then he smiled.

Dear me, would I ever grow accustomed to that heart-stopping grin of his. No, probably not. I reached over to caress his sculpted lips.

He cocked a brow. “What?”

I honestly answered, “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

He stopped and hauled me against him. “Always.” Once more, he took my mouth with his. After a few moments, he whispered against my lips, “And you are
mine.
”

The possession was an aphrodisiac. I clasped his hand and drew him along the walking path. “I need
more
,” I stated when he shot me an inquisitive glance.

He responded on a growl, “Fuuuuuck.”

He really had said it best. That one word meant a dozen different things at the moment.

I coyly replied, “And then some, baby.”

All of sudden, I was in his arms, and then he began to jog back to our own private haven.

Chapter Thirty

Nik

Good God, I wasn’t sure I could’ve gone another round. We’d been at it for hours. And I had lost count of how many times I’d come—which, that right there, was a damn miracle in and of itself. Before Aimee, I had only managed to climax twice in one night. But my siren had me fully erect and ejaculating on command. So. Fucking. Hot. Spent and exhausted, sleep finally won the battle.

The next day when we awoke, it was well past lunchtime. After we grabbed some food, we headed out to do some snorkeling. Although I would much rather have been buried inside her welcoming body, I was glad to enjoy a couple of hours of fun. We were still getting to know each other in many ways, so having some downtime was necessary. Unfortunately, we had a plane to catch. Though, I mentally made plans to come back here for at least a week, soon. Very soon.

*****

Before Aimee fell into a deep sleep on the flight back, I informed, “We’re stopping in Chicago for about twenty-four hours.”

“Hmm. What for?”

“The business we spoke of earlier.”

“Together?”

“Yes, my little one. I plan on us staying together.”

She smiled before fully losing consciousness.

While I hated that Franco was unable to handle his cousin, and that the situation had escalated, I was excited I would be able to tease Aimee’s memory. Silently I prayed,
Please, let her remember me from that night at the masquerade.
Somehow I knew, once she connected the dots, things would be much better between us. Not that they were bad. Oh, hell, no. On the contrary. But I hated having knowledge about something she didn’t. It felt like lying. And the last thing I ever wanted to do was lie to her. Never her.

I glanced over at my precious wife. No, she wasn’t perfect. By far, she was too good for me. Yet, something about her lit up my soul in a way no other ever had or would. To cherish her would never be a burden. I gently kissed the top of her head and then drifted off myself.