Page 24 of Dormeo

ROSE

A sh looks pale, or as pale as a demon can be.

I’ve chosen to stay in my room as much as possible, afraid to get any closer to the giant man. He seems to have a way of making me forget that this cannot be, whatever it is between us. Ash may like me, but it’s down to the power I can give him that he seems to find so appealing.

Whereas what I feel for him, longing and desire, is infinitely more dangerous to my heart.

Today is my father’s last day to deliver on whatever he promised to the devil, and I’m not sure whether I want him to succeed or not.

Stockholm syndrome is alive and kicking in hell it seems.

Heavy footsteps tell me my guardian is home.

For the last week, he’s been leaving meals at my door or giving me my space when I come out to the living area to eat or get some fresh air on the balcony.

Bronx, the gargoyle, has given up the pretence of being a statue, and yet he still barely moves, only giving me a slight nod in greeting when I emerge.

Clearly, he takes his job very seriously, never taking his eyes off the bleak landscape below.

Given this could be the last time I see him, I push my shoulders back and prepare myself to say farewell to Ash.

To his credit, I haven’t had any more dreams of the erotic nature, although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed. And he has kept me safe, no mean feat, it seems, judging by the frequent fights I hear in the corridor outside his suite.

Emerging from his room, I stand awkwardly on the threshold, unsure what to do or say. This man has seen me come. He’s seen my deepest desires.

A quick hug and an awkward goodbye don’t seem right.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, deciding that even if I embarrass myself, I’m going to tell this brooding giant what I want to get off my chest. “I know I haven’t been much company lately, but I appreciate you accepting my wishes. I couldn’t… I couldn’t get in any deeper.”

Ash stands in the kitchen, his broad back to me, naked to the waist, as is his norm. The muscles in his shoulders bunch and flex as he leans forward, his long fingers curling around the dark marble.

“Did you think I wouldn’t?”

Shit. I didn't mean to insult him when he’s been nothing but good to me.

“I just… No, you know I think highly of you, Ash, that’s the problem.”

He turns to look at me, bags under his eyes, and his red gaze duller than I’ve seen it before.

“It wasn’t just your power, Rose,” he says, uttering the words I wanted to hear a week ago. “But you’re right, you deserve better than this .”

He gestures to the slate walls and the pitch black outside his windows, the sky illuminated only by the faint glow of fire in the distance.

My heart stutters as his lips twist, and he closes his eyes, pain written all over his expression.

“Keeping you here would be selfish, even if my reasons for desiring you are not.”

I stand tall as he takes me in from head to toe. It’s as if he’s taking one last look.

“Your father met the terms. He’s due to arrive shortly to take you home.”

I feel light-headed as his words sink in, the prospect of going back to my old life feeling like a death sentence. My fight or flight response kicks in, and panic grips me. I know that despite what I said, I’ll never be able to live the life my father has planned for me.

Being here has changed me.

Once I return, I’ll get Clara to help me escape. If anyone knows how to avoid a marriage, it’ll be her.

Ash’s hard gaze softens. “I told you, I won’t let anyone hurt you. That extends beyond your father’s deal. Trust me.”

Longing swells inside me. Why does he have to be so perfect?

I cross the room, my breathing rapid, as I stand in front of him. His fingers ball into fists at his side as I reach up to rest my palms on his scorching hot chest. If I wasn’t still sleeping most of the day, it would have been impossible to stay away from him.

“Do you understand that I’ve had to hide for the last week because I’ve fallen for you? Not because I don’t trust you. Not because I don’t want you.” I take a deep breath, knowing I’m in grave danger of humiliating myself. “Those weren’t just dreams to me. I wanted it to be real.”

He winces, capturing my two hands in his and stopping me from sliding them higher onto his shoulders.

“I’ve arranged safe passage for you back to the human realm. With a man named Ivan. A good man. He’ll set you up with a new life if you want it.”

Apparently, my powers are not as desirable as he’s led me to believe. Deep down, I’d hoped he’d fight for me to stay.

Things have changed, for me at least. I didn’t like being away from him. My cheeks flush, and I squeeze my eyes shut, shame flooding me.

He doesn’t feel the same, and he told me as much.

I was the only one pining away for the last week.

“Very good,” I say stiffly, tugging my hands from his grasp. Struggling against the urge to snap at him just because my feelings are hurt, I clear my throat and look at the floor. “I appreciate the offer of safe passage. I have no way to repay you though, and I don’t want to be indebted to anyone…”

Gripping my chin, he forces his head up and slams his lips down upon mine, taking me in a bruising kiss.

“You don’t owe me anything, Rose, damn it,” he growls. “I just need you to be safe and to live a full life. Even if I hate the fucking thought of it.”

His hands roam my body as I stretch up on tiptoes, my fingers wrapping around the back of his neck to pull him down closer to me.

Frustrated with our height difference, Ash lifts me, with exhilarating ease, and plonks me down on the island, immediately stepping between my legs and cupping my face as he claims my mouth once more.

“I’m not marrying some man my father picks for me?” I whisper, my brain slowly accepting the gift that Ash is giving me.

“No,” he grits out against my mouth, his tongue thrusting inside to shut me up as a new future expands within my mind.

I could be anything. Go anywhere. Marry anyone.

Yet all my imagination can conjure is the dark demon standing between my thighs.

“So, my purity is no longer a bargaining chip. I can give it to whomever I choose,” I mumble when Ash finally lets me come up for air.

He growls loudly as he shoves aside my gown and dips his head, capturing one stiff nipple in his mouth and sucking as he plays with my other breast.

Curling my fingers around his horns, I stroke them up and down, smiling as the hardness pressed against my sex lengthens and thickens, his hips rocking forward with each pass.

“What if I want to give it to you?”

Ash’s growls turn into a thunderous roar as he lifts his head, and my hands fall away as he shoves me back, putting some distance between our bodies.

“Don’t joke about something like that.” With another hard kiss, he nips my bottom lip. “You think your dreams are potent? Mine have been tormenting me all week, and that’s been top of the list.”

My head spins.

He’s been dreaming of me.

“I don’t want it to be anyone else. I want to feel it for real. With you.” I shimmy forward so my clit rubs against his hard cock again. “Please, Ash. Before you send me away, give this to me.”

I’m not sure what part of that pressed his buttons, but suddenly, he’s not fighting me anymore. Instead of pushing me back, he drags me closer to him and wraps those huge, thick arms around me.

“Tell me that you’re certain. That this isn’t a whim.”

I'm panting when he stares down at me, barely able to comprehend his words, I’m so addled by lust.

“Not a whim. I’ve been thinking about it, non-stop.”

I whimper as something slides between my legs. It’s not his hands, they’re currently busy holding the nape of my neck and cupping my breast. When I look down, I see his dark tail snaking up my inner thigh.

“Ash…” I look up at him, suddenly nervous, but seeing the heat in his gaze, I feel more confident.

“You remember. This is just to get you ready.”

I tense as the tip strokes through my wetness and teases my entrance.

“You can still change your mind. Any time.”

Shaking my head, I know I’m not going back.

I want this. If I’m going to face my father one last time, I want to do it knowing I’ve taken a stand myself, not just that Ash has set things up for me to get away from him.

And if this is my last time seeing Ash, I want to make sure we’ll remember it forever.

As his tail enters me, twisting and stretching, I gasp against Ash’s mouth, and he soaks up each breathy moan and whimper of pleasure with his satisfied rumbling.

While his fingers find my clit and spread my juices, rubbing and teasing, he stares down at me, possessiveness burning in those fiery eyes.

“You’re going to be mine forever after this. Wherever you go, whatever you do.”

I close my eyes against the swell of emotion surging up inside me. I don’t want to go, but at least we’ll have this.

Feeling the loss as his tail slips from inside me, I whine and grip his bulging biceps, urging him closer.

The blunt head of his cock presses against me, and I gasp at the size of him. It’s much more daunting in real life to think something that big is going to fit inside me.

“I’m yours already,” I whisper against his soft, full lips, and he curses, his hold on me tightening as he rocks his hips forward, the head of his cock sliding slowly inside my needy body.

“Fuck, fuck, that’s so good.” Ash rests his forehead against mine as he stares down at where we’re connected, fascinated by the sight.

“More,” I demand, suddenly needing him inside me urgently, like I can’t bear another second apart. “More, Ash. Now.”

With a strangled groan, he pushes deeper, pausing momentarily as he meets my resistance. Both holding our breaths, our gazes lock as he shoves forward, burying himself as far as he can go inside me.

My nails bite into his thick skin when he throws his head back and shouts to the ceiling as my pussy convulses around him, adjusting to the size and the pressure.

Every muscle in his body is tight, and I feel like he might explode if he doesn’t relax.

“I’m okay, Ash. I’m okay. Do what you did in my dreams. Please, I want it.”

With what seems like great effort, he pulls back slightly and pulses forward, over and over, until we’re both more at ease. Each drag of his cock against my inside sets off waves of tingles, and soon, I’m floating, chanting his name as he pushes me higher and higher.

“Wait for me, Rose,” he mutters, nipping my neck to keep me grounded as his thrusts become harder and faster.

But it’s like asking a drowning man not to breathe.

I’m not in charge of my body right now. It’s doing what’s natural, and as he rolls his hips, his pelvis rubbing my sensitive clit, I shatter into a million pieces, warmth spreading through my limbs as I curl into him, clinging to him as a wave of pleasure washes over me.

“Rose!” He roars with one last brutal thrust, and goes still, his grip on me tightening, holding my hips to his as his muscles flex, his cock twitching inside me, as spurt after spurt of hot liquid coats my insides.

I nuzzle his neck, kissing and rubbing my cheek against his skin, as I absorb his scent. Because I know the end is coming.

“They’re here,” he whispers sadly.

“I know,” I mutter, pressing one last kiss to his shoulder before pulling away and gazing up into his intense gaze.

“Are you okay?” he asks, pulling out but dragging me into his arms and stroking his hands up and down my back.

“More than okay. I just wish this wasn’t it.” And I mean it.

The human realm is going to seem so dull and ordinary without Ash in it.

“Me too, Rose. Me too. But it’s time for you to go.”