He caught her gaze. I’m here for you, Elle.
She didn’t look away until the cry tore from her lips and she shuddered against him. He continued his gentle torment, wringing every last twitch from her. At last, he pulled back and licked the evidence of her climax from his mouth. She’d claimed him in her own way. He could get used to her scent and her warm wetness all over him.
“Angelo…” Her smile endeared her to him, sinking into his heart.
“Did you enjoy—”
“Oh, my, yes. Now, come here. Let me pleasure you.” Her gaze bore into him. Without a doubt he’d discovered what he’d searched for…love.
Elle’s body tingled in places she never knew existed. The intensity of her orgasm had built under Angelo’s tenderness, but what had really sent her over the edge was the passion in his gaze. He’d held on to her, both in body and in spirit, and the pure adoration in his eyes was what finally sent her over the edge into an climax unlike any she’d ever experienced. Even now, her heart pounded.
Still on her back, she tugged on his arm and drew him to her. He wrapped her in his embrace and brought his mouth to hers. The taste of her still lingered on his lips and that only sparked her desire once again. This time, however, she wanted to please him.
His firm erection pressed against her abdomen, and she longed to have him inside her. A shiver of anticipation started deep within, culminating into a thin film of sweat along her arms. She stroked her fingers over his shoulders and down his back, and his hard muscles bunched beneath her touch. His reaction sent a thrill between her legs. This wonderful man had burned his way past her defenses and into her heart.
Their fevered kisses only stirred the flames brighter between them. She slid her fingers down his chest, and pressed against the hard muscles of his abdomen, encouraging him to give her access. He obliged, and she scooted her hand lower until she could get a firm grip on his length. A fleeting bit of worry crossed her mind. Could she take him? The moan that eased from his throat was one of pure bliss, chasing away her doubts.
She stroked him, up and down, rubbing her palm against the soft skin that covered his hardness. A rush of wetness coated her sheath, as her desire for him solidified the bedrock they had built, forming a firm, unbreakable foundation.
She nipped his earlobe, tugging on the soft flesh with her teeth.
A shiver racked his body, and he groaned. “You tease me, Elle.”
“I want to please you, as you did for me,” she whispered, tickling him all the more.
Still cradling her in his arms, he pulled back enough to watch her. “I would love that, but what I really want is to join with you.”
She bit her lip. Caught in the grasp of her unease at his size, she couldn’t speak.
His features darkened, and creases formed around his eyes. “Elle?”
He thought she was rejecting him. That was the last thing on her mind. She kissed the tip of his nose, and gave him a gentle shove. “Roll over.”
He blinked, and then a broad smile brightened his face. With a quick flip, he rolled onto his back. His erection was long and firm. She ran her fingernail from his base all the way to the tip.
He groaned. “Elle, you’re killing me.”
She giggled and straddled him, placing one knee on either side of his hips. As if it had a mind of its own, his shaft strained toward her. She grasped him tight and centered herself over him. A low groan escaped his lips. He gripped her thighs, and his face tightened. His control was razor thin.
With slow circles she rubbed herself on him, dipping him between her slick folds, teasing him. The muscles in his abdomen tightened, and a moan rumbled in his chest. She smiled, happiness filling in the empty place in her heart.
Slowly, she lowered herself, taking him in. He stretched her, and she stopped, giving herself time to adjust to his size. Working her way down his shaft, she kept her gaze on his. He didn’t rush her or try to control what they did. His patience and tenderness had earned her trust, and she loved him all the more.
When she finally adjusted to him, she moved her hips and he picked up on the rhythm. Their tempo increased, along with her heartbeat. Before she knew what happened, an orgasm hit her again, sending a celestial round of stars through her vision. He cried out, his grip on her thighs tightening as his own release crested.
He opened his arms, welcoming her into his embrace. She lay on his chest. This was where she belonged, in his arms.
“Angelo…” She delighted in the tender way he stroked her hair. As her heartbeat calmed and she soaked up everything that was Angelo, she closed her eyes.
In the ensuing silence, the muscles in his chest and arms tightened.
She raised her head to glance at him.
His brow furrowed. “Elle, why do you call me that? My name is Angelo Thirteen.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Did he not see that he was unique? She traced her finger over his marking. “This isn’t you. You’re more than just a number, more than a clone. You’re one of a kind, Angelo, and I refuse to call you anything but your real name.”
His gaze penetrated into her, reaching deep into her soul. “Thank you,” he whispered.
CHAPTER 11
Elle woke to Angelo’s distinctive scent of cool rain. A smile played along her lips, and she rolled over in the bed. Instead of his warmth, only the cold sheets caressed her back. She tensed. What time was it?
She sat up and glanced at the vid-screen display. Good lord, she almost overslept. After her time with Angelo, she hadn’t intended to fall asleep, but she’d felt so good cradled in his arms. The knot in her gut tightened. She had just enough decitons for a shower before heading to the bridge.
“Angelo?”
She threw back the covers and headed for her private bathroom. The door was open a crack, but only darkness greeted her. She pushed open the door. The dampness of his shower still lingered, condensation droplets coating the mirror, but Angelo was nowhere in sight.
She didn’t have time to dwell on his whereabouts. With a quick wave over the array, she opened an audio channel to the bridge. “Montoya, any word from Malachi?”
A soft huff echoed through the connection. “No, Elle, but I’m glad you called. I was worried about you. When you left so suddenly… Is everything all right?”
Elle’s nerves were shot, and she was a hot mess, but she wouldn’t tell her friend that. “Thanks, Montoya. I’m fine. Tell Adalyn I’ll be on the bridge shortly.”
“Yes, Captain.” Even through the vid-screen’s audio, Elle could hear the discontent in Montoya’s voice.
Elle couldn’t worry about her friend right now. She needed to get cleaned up and back on the bridge for the meeting with Malachi. If she weaseled him down enough in price, and with the extra coffee from Angelo, they might pull off this transaction. She could only hope.
After grabbing a fresh towel from the closet, she headed into the shower. As the water sluiced over her body, visions of Angelo touching her, caressing her, making love to her filtered through her mind. Why had he left? Where did he go? Why hadn’t he woken her? The questions tormented her, and as she dried off, a restlessness burned inside.
Still towel drying her hair, she walked into her bedroom. The scent of cool rain intensified. Her heart picked up speed, but she was still alone. With more force than she’d intended, she tossed the towel onto one of her chairs. The slight breeze of the movement stirred something small on her table, pushing the object off the edge. As it fell to the floor, she focused on the tiny piece. Details emerged—a small, folded green Lipidite Ornithium.