chest, dragging her fingertips across his flat stomach, reaching lower to hold him, stroke him, when his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"AJ..." His voice was a harsh whisper, barely more than a hissing breath. He lay still, not moving for a full minute, then heaved a heavy sigh and opened his eyes, capturing her gaze with his. A dark look crossed his face and he pulled her roughly to him, his mouth crushing hers as he shifted, moving to a sitting position, cradling her in his arms. He swung his legs to the side and swiftly stood, lifting her with him, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck to keep from falling.
He strode across the balcony and into his room, their bodies dripping water as he walked toward the bed and eased her onto it. She lifted herself on one elbow, watching him, her heart stammering at the sight of his sudden intensity. He pulled open a nightstand drawer and rummaged through it, cursing under his breath until he pulled out a foil packet and ripped it open. Still standing, he sheathed himself with the condom then lowered himself next to her, turning so they were face-to-face. His hand reached out and stroked her cheek, tucking a strand of wet hair behind her ear, then cradling the back of her head in his palm and leaning forward to kiss her, deeply, intensely. AJ's stomach flipped and rolled in anticipation, her hands reaching up and gripping his broad shoulders as he rolled over her, resting the hard length of his erection between her legs, pressing gently against her opening.
He broke the kiss and looked down at her, fire in the darkness of his eyes as he searched her face. "You have no idea what you do to me, no idea how much I want you right now." His voice was harsh, and she imagined that he sounded not only determined, but confused as well. As confused as she felt, stunned by what had already happened, by what was about to happen.
She shook her head, not knowing what to say, and lifted her hips to meet his, to encourage him, welcome him. He groaned and dropped his head, his mouth closing over hers in a fierce kiss as his hands closed around her hips. He shifted her slightly under him, then drove his entire length into her in one fluid move. Her body arched under him, driving upward to meet him as a sigh of pleasure escaped her lips.
Heat built quickly inside her, a spontaneous rekindling of the earlier fire. Each thrust forced her closer to the edge, each stroke inside her, each touch of Alec's hands along her skin. He grabbed her hands and held them over her head, his dark eyes boring into hers before he leaned down and claimed her mouth, hungry and possessive. He thrust deeper into her, once, twice, and she exploded, shattering around him, her back arching, her hips grinding as his name was ripped from her lips.
Alec groaned and sat back on his heels, grabbed her hips and pulled her more tightly against him, his head tilted back as he thrust again. Again, harder, burying himself, a harsh groan signaling his own release.
Time stopped, silent except for long minutes of unsteady breathing. AJ's body slowly came back to itself, the pieces collecting and reassembling in the quiet semi-darkness. She reached out with one hand and smoothed it over Alec's damp chest, feeling his heart beating rapidly under her touch. He breathed, a heavy sigh, and gently lowered himself on top of her, moving slightly to the side, still buried inside her. His arms tightened around her and he lowered his head to her chest, his breathing deep and steady.
AJ curled one hand along the back of his neck and rested the other along his arm. A warm feeling of deep contentment flowed through her, a slight smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep, secure in Alec's hold.
**
Gray morning light filtered through the open curtains, casting the room in a shadowed glow. Sounds drifted in through the open balcony doors: noise
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