Page 31 of How to Trust a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #4)

“So beautiful,” Wilder murmured again, and then his teeth were sinking into my neck, the pain bright.

It was like there was a wire between my neck and my dick and my ass, because everything just became pleasure again, and a second orgasm swept through me, taking me out of myself, making tears leak from my eyes at the intensity of it. Too much. Too good.

Wilder was still inside me, his body pressed against mine, not moving. He wasn’t so impossibly big anymore, and as he gently slid out, I made a noise of protest.

“Shhh. I know, Mei Ume,” he murmured, and he rolled off me and left the bed.

I closed my eyes and rolled onto my side, facing the wall. I felt… I wasn’t sure what I felt. I took a deep breath in through my mouth, and then let it out quietly. I’d just had really good, really fulfilling sex, and I was going to enjoy this moment and look forward to more like it.

I heard Wilder come back, and then his arm reached around, and I felt a warm cloth gently cleaning up my cum before he moved to wipe my hole. I made a little sound of protest, though I tried to hold it in.

Yeah, I had liked the idea of Wilder’s cum still being inside me and on me.

“Next time, Mei Ume,” Wilder whispered, like he knew what I was thinking.

Then he was gone again, but only for a second before I felt him come back and lay down behind me.

He pulled me closer and shifted me until I was facing him and nestled into his chest, his arms wrapped around me, one hand gently caressing my back.

Shit. I was gonna start getting all emotional.

I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to cry.

It was idiotic that I felt this way. No one liked when someone just randomly cried after sex.

Talk about killing the mood. Rick had always hated it when I got emotional after sex, and it was easiest if he just didn’t even know about it.

I was pretty good at holding it together for a few minutes until I got privacy.

I tried to pull away, mumbling, “I’m just gonna go shower,” but my voice sounded a little wobbly.

Wilder only held me tighter.

“I’m fine. I just need a minute.” I pulled again, but his hold didn’t loosen, and I realized that I probably sounded awful, like the sex hadn’t been good or something. I added, “You were perfect. That was probably the most amazing sex I’ve ever had.”

“Mmm, on that we agree.” His hand came up to cup the back of my head, and the totally gentle, caring gesture made my eyes fill up.

Fuck. I was not going to be able to hold my tears in. Nothing like crying after sex to chase someone out of bed and ensure there wasn’t a repeat.

I lifted my hand up to wipe at my eyes, hopefully discreetly, and I patted Wilder’s chest afterwards, like that was my aim all along. My fingers threaded through his chest hair and reached up until I got to his beard.

“Did he never hold you after sex?” Wilder asked.

I froze, unsure what to say. All I could do was shake my head no.

Wilder’s arms squeezed so tightly I could only get a shallow breath in. I rested my face against his chest, the tears falling freely now. Maybe he wouldn’t notice if I was quiet enough.

“I will always hold you. You are strong and resilient, but the tree does not weather the storm alone. The earth keeps it in place, cushioning and nourishing its roots. Let me be the ground for your roots, Mei Ume. Let me hold you safe.”

The tears came faster, and I couldn’t help the sniffles that came along with them. I kept my head buried in Wilder’s chest, and he held me against him, softly rumbling.

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” I finally muttered. “It really was perfect. Everything. I’m just being silly.”

“Experiencing your emotions is never being silly, Josh. Sometimes we just… feel too much, and our bodies need a way to get it out.”

“Yeah, but most guys don’t cry when they feel too much,” I mumbled, still sniffing.

Wilder made a contemplative sound, then said, “Some get angry. They might scream or shout, or they might lash out at those around them. I’ve seen overwhelmed people say some very hurtful things.

Some people withdraw into themselves, unable to communicate.

Some cry, even if they hide their tears from others.

You feel passionately, and that comes out in tears. ”

I huffed, but my tears were slowing down. I was running my hand through Wilder’s beard, marveling at how soft it was.

“What do you do?” I asked.

“I suppose it depends. If I’m angry, I hunt.

I know that we can all be fiery, and although age has taught me how to control myself, I do still get angry on occasion.

When I’m worried or happy, I suppose I seek out those I love.

I like physical contact. That’s one of the things that grounds me.

” As if to prove his point, Wilder ran his hand through my hair again.

We lay there quietly for a few moments, and I felt more peaceful because of it. Wilder kept up a soft, low grumble that I wasn’t going to ask about, and I kept petting his beard while he caressed my back and occasionally ran his fingers through my hair.

It was soothing, and I felt my thoughts drift to the last few weeks. It felt like it was a year ago when I’d stood in that kitchen with Rick yelling at me.

“Sometimes I just feel like I’m an emotional wreck,” I muttered. “Like I can’t get my bearings on everything.”

“You’ve had to deal with a lot, and this latest news only adds to that. Are you sure having Thea here won’t be too much?” he asked. “There are plenty of places for her to stay.”

“No, I want her here. I don’t know why, but I do.” I paused, pulling back. Wilder let me this time, and I looked into his eyes. “I want you here, too.”

His eyes lit up, quite literally, and I blinked.

He leaned down to kiss me, and we gently explored each other’s mouths, our hands wandering over each other’s body.

Before the kiss could get too heated, Wilder pulled back.

He gave me light kisses on the corner of my mouth and squeezed my ass with his hands.

Eventually he sighed, pulling back. “She’s nearby, I think. Still plenty of time, but not that much time.”

“Well, then, let’s get ready to welcome our guest.” I grabbed hold of his beard and pulled him in for one final firm press of our lips.

He gave my ass a squeeze and then smacked it lightly, and I groaned in response. He smiled against my lips, and I couldn’t help the smile that lit up my own face.

I could do this. I could do anything I needed to. Hellhounds, asshole exes, cults, immortal bad guys—I could just go with the flow. I could bend with the wind, because Wilder would be there to hold onto me. I didn’t know why I had so much faith in him already, but I did.

He wouldn’t let me go.