Page 104 of Cavern of Silence

She closes her eyes. "You'll heal. I'll always be like this."

"You and I will always have a memory of what I did. The beast you saw, you'll never forget, no matter how fast my bruises heal."

The truth hangs in the air. She can't deny it. And I hate pointing it out to her. But I'll do anything to make her see her magnificence and not let Jonas Torres win.

I kiss her, deep and desperate, leaving both of us breathless when I pull back. "Don't question how much I want you or feel shame when I touch you."

Her lip quivers, and my hand on her back returns to caressing up and down while my lips shimmy on her neck, sucking on her pulse. And I revel in how her body molds into mine.

Soft whimpers roll out of her luscious mouth.

We shed our remaining clothes, and she flips on her back, pulling me over her. She whispers, "I need to feel you on top of me."

I slide into her heat, groaning as she tightens her legs around me.

Her fingers grip me then relax. "Sorry. Forgot about your bruises."

"Don't let go of me." I kiss her. "Forget about them."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Dig into me. You make me feel like a man, Julieta. And I need it." It's the first time I've admitted out loud how lost I've felt.

Her eyes lock on mine, full of understanding. And she grasps me again.

"That's it, baby. Harder," I growl.

She obeys me without hesitating, digging her fingers into my shoulder.

The lightning streaks in the sky, lighting up the barn, and the thunder booms so loud the structure shakes. Animal noises fill the air and mix with our carnal ones.

Her body trembles beneath my flesh, and she matches my thrusts. "Oh...oh...ohhhhh," she cries out.

"Fuck, you feel good, baby," I murmur against her lips.

"Yes. Oh…"

Our glistening skin becomes hotter. Lips, tongues, and teeth graze on bodies bubbling with fire. Breaths tingle and tease.

I fist her soft hair then sink my mouth on her neck and breasts, tracing the edge of her pebbled nipples.

"Ryker," she cries out, which only makes my dick pulse in her harder.

I lift my head from her chest in time to see her eyes roll and her mouth in an O. Her spasms send me over the edge, and I orgasm, calling out her name and collapsing into the curve of her neck.

The aftermath of her tremors only further entice me to please her. I pull out, dip my hand to her clit, and make her soar again.

"I love watching you spiral," I murmur, intently staring at her face, not wanting to miss any expression as I give her several new highs.

When she's spent, and deeply flushed, I tug her into my arms and taste her some more.

The storm cracks again, and she shivers. I remove the blanket from my backpack, put it over us, then drag her back into my arms.

"Are you sure I'm not hurting you?" she frets.

I hold her tighter. "No, baby. And I'd take more bruises if it meant holding you in my arms."

She traces my jawline. "I don't want you to suffer more."