Page 86 of Behind the Shadows

“That’s my girl,” he praised. “You’re not allowed to break unless it’s for me. You hear that? I own the pieces of you.”

Without warning, Kip grabbed my thighs, yanking me to the edge of the mattress. The cross slipped out and landed on the bedspread. He lined himself up and shoved his cock inside, so hard I cried out. Pain and ecstasy braided together, almost too much, almost perfect.

His hands locked on my hips, and he thrust into me so hard I nearly screamed.

I barely adjusted to the size of him, the stretch and fullness, before he was pounding into me, chasing his own darkness, pushing me into the mattress. I wanted it all. The pain. The bruises tomorrow. The way he’d leave his mark on me from the inside out.

He fucked me punishingly, each thrust relentless, owning every inch of me. He grabbed my throat, squeezing until my vision blurred, and I clawed at his wrist, desperate for more, not less. My hand flew to my clit, two fingers rubbing fast and frantic as he drove into me.

“That’s it. Take it,” he growled. “You’re mine. Say it.”

“I’m yours,” I cried, and he squeezed tighter, forcing the words from me like a confession wrung out in a church confessional. “I’m yours, Kip. Fuck. Please.”

“Good girl.”

“You want to come, little ghost?” He found my hair, twisted it tight, and bent my head back so I looked up at him, helpless and pinned and desperate.

“Please,” I whispered.

With a grin, he pulled out and slapped my pussy with his cock, hard enough to make a wet sound. “Earn it,” he said. “Beg better.”

I let go of all remaining pride. “Please, Kip. I need you. Fill me up, ruin me.”

He shoved back inside and fucked me even harder, his rhythm brutal. At the last moment, he pulled out and pressedthe crucifix against my clit. The cold metal made me scream, my whole body locking up, and my release so intense black dots danced before my vision.

“Look at me,” he demanded, and I did, meeting the wildness in him.

He kissed me hard, teeth clashing, and when he bit my lip, I tasted blood, and the world spun. I was a live wire, burning through every nerve ending.

He let go of my throat and snaked his hand between us, rubbing my clit with two rough fingers, forcing another orgasm out of me. I broke against him, tremors racking through me as I came again, my vision turning white at the edges. He fucked me through it, cruel and perfect.

Kip watched me shudder and writhe, then pushed deeper into my spent, spasming cunt and finished with a guttural moan, flooding me until I felt full to the brim. He stayed there, forehead pressed to mine, breathing shallow and ragged.

After a long minute, he withdrew. His warm and sticky cum leaked out of me, and he smiled with proprietary pleasure as it smeared down my thigh.

“You’re so much better awake,” he said softly, almost kindly. “Stay with me, Holland.”

I didn’t know if he meant the moment or forever.

37

KIP

I’d had a lot of sex in my life, but nothing like that ever. I pulled out of Holland, then climbed off the bed and headed to the bathroom. Once I located a washcloth in the cabinet under the sink, I turned on the hot water. Once it was the perfect temperature, I saturated the cloth and returned to her. Gently, I cleaned her off as I kissed the inside of her thigh.

Her eyes glistened as she watched. “I’ve never had anyone do that before.” Her voice was soft as if she was trying not to fall apart.

I returned to the bathroom and placed the cloth in the sink.

“I plan on you having a lot of firsts.” I climbed in next to her and kissed her mouth, savoring the taste of her pussy on her tongue.

She placed her hand on my cheek, a blur of emotions flashing in her expression.

I pressed my forehead against hers and whispered, “I love you, little ghost.” I looked away, unwilling to see her reaction as my throat constricted. I hadn’t ever said those words to a woman before. I hadn’t ever loved anyone like I did Holland—an all-consuming obsession and devotion.

“Look at me.” Her words were gentle yet commanding, and I did as she asked, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and fear, bracing for the impact of her next words.

“I love you too, Kip.” Her confession was a beacon, piercing through the murky shadows of doubt and despair that had clouded my mind, illuminating everything with a single, brilliant light.