When Angels Fall by Melissa Jolley

Her body flexed and erupted in goose bumps. The cube made patterns on her stomach as the silk had done before it, this time a watery trail left in its wake. Then something warm and equally wet followed the trail—Alec’s tongue.
    Melody opened her mouth and a deep sigh of blissful longing escaped her. His mouth caught up with the ice at the cleft between her breasts, and she felt the cube dissolve between his tongue and her skin.
    Another chink, another cube. Alec used his mouth to maneuver this piece straight to her nipple; the skin surrounding her peak, so sensitive already, seemed to constrict in exquisite agony. Again, a moan escaped her lips at the intensity of the sensations, hot and cold.
    She was about to explode and he had barely touched her. Her breathing seemed to emanate from the depths of her stomach, the same place that was tightening with the most delicious craving to feel Alec fill her.
    As if he read her mind, his hand traced her hips. A shiver ran through her body. He lightly brushed over the curls that guided him to his destination. Two fingers slid inside her, while his thumb gently circled her clit.
    Melody licked her lips, then bit gently at the lower, little sighs and moans of intense pleasure escaping her, as fire and ice continued to bathe her breasts. Another ice cube had melted against her skin, but when Alec returned this time, she felt his body move lower against hers and cried out as his ice-filled mouth enveloped her core. She squirmed against his mouth as his warm, rough tongue tasted her and vied for position with the ice that tempered her desperation to come.
    All Alec’s caresses disappeared and she was a breath away from crying out for him to come back, when she felt his weight above her hips.
    “Yes!”
    As he slid into her warmth, he leaned down, kissing her like he never had before. It was as if he were surrendering to her and claiming her all at once; loving and tender, yet fiercely passionate.
    She wasted no time in lifting her bound arms around his neck, and wrapping her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. She pushed her body toward each thrust he plunged into her, though she couldn’t hold out very long. Her arousal had already been near its pinnacle before he’d entered her and she knew the surge was only inches away. He thrust, shuddering, as she cried out in ecstasy, every muscle in her body clasping him closer to her.
    Alec’s weight collapsed upon her and she held him close, not wanting to let go, hoping that this time he had completely surrendered to her. Some of his weight lifted and her arms stretched up, though neither of them attempted to remove them from his neck. The gentle tug at her blindfold returned her vision and she blinked at the afternoon sunlight cascading into the room.
    “You really are the most amazing woman, Melody.” His smile was soft, still lopsided, but not his usual cheeky grin.
    It spurred her to ask the question she was terrified of hearing the answer to.
    “Am I amazing enough for you to want me on a more permanent basis?” She held her breath and waited for an answer. The last time she’d trusted a man had been two years ago and it had ended...badly. Now here she was, laying herself on the line after less than two days, yet she knew she was made for Alec, and she wasn’t willing to take this slowly.
    He brushed tender fingers down her jawline. “You know the price for being with me.”
    “I know, but it’s a price I’ve already paid.”
    Alec’s brow creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”
    “My ex-boyfriend, Simon, didn’t think it necessary to be careful during sex, even outside of our relationship.” She knew her tone was bitter, but she also knew that was never going to change. “By the time I found out I was infected, it was too late; the disease had done its damage and I was left infertile.”
    “I’m sorry, Melody.” He cupped her face in his hand and it had the effect of a wave washing over her whole