Page 21

21

MALLORY

K ieran’s arms tightened around her, and before Mallory could process what was happening, he lifted her effortlessly off his lap. She let out a surprised laugh, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

"You’re very… commanding," she teased, her voice breathless as he carried her toward the bed.

"Only for you," he shot back, that trademark smirk playing on his lips. He laid her down gently, the plush comforter soft beneath her back. His hands braced on either side of her, caging her in as he leaned down to kiss her again.

Her heart raced as his lips moved against hers, slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world. His hand slid down her side, tracing the curve of her waist, and she shivered at his teasing touch.

"Still okay?" he murmured against her mouth, his voice low and steady, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"Yes, keep going," she breathed, her fingers tangling in the soft fabric of his shirt.

He growled softly as his hand drifted lower, his touch possessive but reverent. His fingers grazed the hem of her sweater, and he paused, raising an eyebrow in question.

"May I?"

She nodded, her breath hitching as he tugged the sweater over her head, leaving her in just her bra and jeans. His eyes darkened as he stared at her, his gaze raking over her body like she was something precious and beautiful.

"You’re stunning," he said, his voice rough with desire.

She blushed, heat creeping up her neck. "You’re not so bad yourself."

He grinned, that playful glint returning to his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her again. His hands worked quickly, undoing the clasp of her bra, and tossing it aside. Her breath caught as his lips trailed down her neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

She trembled when his mouth found her breast, his tongue swirling around her nipple. A soft moan escaped her lips as he lavished attention on her breasts, his hands roaming her body with a confidence that left her weak. When he finally moved lower, kissing a path down her stomach, she couldn’t help but squirm.

"Kieran," she breathed, her fingers threading through his hair as he settled between her thighs.

He looked up at her, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief and something deeper, more intense. "Should I keep going?" he asked, his voice a low growl.

"Yes," she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

He didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled down her jeans and underwear in one fluid motion. His mouth soon found her most sensitive spot, his tongue sliding against her in slow, deliberate strokes. Her back arched off the bed, a cry escaping her as pleasure shot through her.

"Oh, God," she gasped, her fingers tightening in his hair.

"That’s it," he murmured, not slowing down.

She laughed breathlessly, the sound turning into a moan as he worked her toward the edge. When she finally fell apart, her body trembling with pleasure, he didn’t stop. His tongue continued to lap at her, drawing out every last shudder until she was a boneless heap on the bed.

He kissed his way back up her body, his lips brushing against her heated skin. "You doing okay?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with concern.

"More than okay," she said, her voice shaky.

He smirked, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked over at her. "Good. Because I’m not done with you yet."

Her breath hitched at the promise in his tone. "What did you have in mind?"

He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "I’m going to make you forget everything but me."

"Bold words," she teased, her heart pounding.

"I’m a bold man," he replied as he quickly removed his clothes, and moved his body on top of hers.

Her laughter turned into a gasp as his lips found hers again, his body pressing firmly against hers. She clutched at him, her mind spinning with a mix of desire and something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to name just yet. But for now, she didn’t need to think. She just needed to feel. And with Kieran, she felt electric.

He pulled back from her lips, hovering over her. His auburn hair fell slightly into his eyes as he looked down at her with a mix of desire and intensity. His body was warm and solid against hers, the weight of him grounding her in the moment. She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her.

His eyes locked with hers, searching for any sign of hesitation. "Still sure about this?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly, sending a shiver down her spine.

She nodded, her breath catching in her throat. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He didn’t need any more encouragement. She felt the tip of him press against her, and then he was slowly, deliberately pushing into her. She gasped as he filled her, inch by inch, until he was buried deep inside her. The stretch was intense, overwhelming, and yet so incredibly right. She could feel every ridge, every pulse of him as he held still, letting her adjust to his size.

"You feel amazing," he murmured, his voice thick with need. His hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he began to move.

At first, his thrusts were slow and deliberate, each one drawing out a breathy moan from her lips. Her fingers clenched the sheets beneath her, her body arching into his as he set a steady, unhurried pace. She could feel the pleasure building with each stroke, a delicious tension coiling in her core.

"More," she gasped, her voice trembling. "Faster, Kieran."

He growled in response, his thrusts quickly picking up speed. The sound of skin against skin filled the room, mingling with their ragged breathing. Her head fell back against the pillows, her body rising to meet his with every powerful thrust. The pleasure was overwhelming and consuming, and she felt herself teetering on the edge.

"Let go, Mallory," Kieran growled, his voice rough and primal.

Her body obeyed without hesitation. She cried out as the orgasm tore through her, waves of pleasure crashing over her in relentless succession. The room seemed to pulse with her release, and somewhere outside, a crack of thunder echoed her heightened state of ecstasy.

Kieran’s movements became erratic, his breath hitching as he thrust into her one final time. She felt him shudder above her, his release spilling deep inside her as he let out a low, guttural groan. For a moment, they stayed like that, connected, their bodies trembling with the aftershocks of their shared climax.

When he finally pulled out, he collapsed beside her, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. She turned to face him, her body still humming with pleasure. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close so that her head rested on his chest. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a stark contrast to the wild storm that had just passed between them.

"Are you okay?" he murmured, his hand gently stroking her hair.

"Better than okay," she replied, her voice soft and content.

She nuzzled closer against his chest, her body still tingling from their shared passion. His steady heartbeat beneath her ear and the warmth of his arms around her created a cocoon of safety she hadn't felt in years. Outside, the night was peaceful - no storms, no thunder, just the gentle fall of snow. Her magic, for once, felt completely at peace.

"You've given me such a magical Christmas," she murmured, tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "I never thought I'd feel this way again. Thank you."

His arms tightened around her possessively. "I should be thanking you." His voice rumbled through his chest. "Do you know how empty this place felt before you came here? How incomplete I felt?" He shifted, tilting her chin up to meet his intense blue gaze. "You've made everything whole."

"Even with my storm-causing baggage?" she teased, though there was a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

"Especially with your storms." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "They're part of who you are, and I want all of you. Besides," he said, his lips curving into that signature smirk, "I like a little thunder with my lightning bolt."

She laughed softly, the sound muffled against his skin. "That was terrible."

"Made you laugh though, didn't it?" His fingers traced down her spine, making her shiver.

Her body hummed contentedly, feeling sleep start to pull at her consciousness. "You're impossible sometimes."

"Impossibly adorable," he corrected, pulling the blankets up around them.

As she drifted off in his arms, Mallory realized that for the first time in years, she wasn't afraid of what tomorrow might bring. The loneliness that had been her constant companion seemed to have vanished, replaced by something warm and bright and hopeful. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was that maybe she wasn't cursed after all - maybe she had just been waiting for the right person to weather her storms with her again.