Page 9 of Raven’s Claw (Raven’s Cliff #2)

Chapter Four

Jordan had lost her mind.

That was the only explanation for why she was standing in Kash’s living room, half-naked, staring up at him and telling him she wanted a future, too. That whatever forever looked like, she’d choose to spend it with him.

Not that wanting to be with him was crazy. The man was sexy and smart, with more honor than anyone she’d ever met. And the way he kissed…

She was surprised they hadn’t started another fire. Set off all the smoke alarms in the place because she was definitely burning up. But knowing it was only a matter of time before Rook found her — that she’d be lucky if forever lasted beyond tonight…

That was certifiable.

And had she really asked him to make love to her?

She’d never used that term. Never thought about sex as anything other than physical. But this was different.

He was different.

Kash narrowed his gaze, looking as if he’d followed her internal monologue — knew exactly how far she’d fallen.

He leaned down — claimed her mouth. Only, it felt different, now.

More intimate. As if he’d found that one loose thread and started pulling, unraveling her defenses until all that remained was the part of her Scythe hadn’t taken.

He dropped his mouth to her neck, licking and sucking as he tugged at the cord holding up those oversized sweats.

A yank and a pull and they dropped — pooled around her ankles.

His jeans and boxers hit the floor a second later, leaving them standing there with nothing between them but the weight of their expectations.

What felt like the start of the rest of her life.

She reached down — took him in her hand. Wanting to feel all that power flow into her. His breath caught, one arm lifting to brace against the wall. As if he wasn’t quite sure he’d survive what she’d hinted at without some kind of anchor.

She went to her knees. She didn’t just want to taste him. She wanted to devour him. Know that he trusted her. Was willing to make himself vulnerable. Even if just for tonight.

Kash fisted her hair. Whether to pull her back to her feet or give him a better view she wasn’t sure.

She paused for one agonizing heartbeat, then moved along his length — took him deep then slowly drew back.

He made some sort of primitive guttural sound.

Not quite pain, but not quite pleasure. More like a heady mixture of both.

The kind that suggested he was already gone.

That had her smiling around his length. Moving faster, deeper. Whatever it took to push him over. Have him shooting down her throat in record time.

He lasted several minutes before he started moving with her.

Doing his best to meter his thrusts but failing.

His hand in her hair flexing then releasing.

As if he couldn’t decide whether to hold her still or pull her away.

She’d gotten him to the brink when he grunted, then stopped.

His breath practically growling out of his chest.

She looked up, and she was lost. The way he stared at her, as if she held far more than just his body in her hands. That he was as wrecked as she was.

He tugged, and she stood, eating at his mouth, all but climbing him in an effort to get closer. He wrapped his arms around her, lifted, then spun. She didn’t know where his bedroom was, but anything more than a foot away was too far.

He seemed to agree because he took a step then all but fell across an oversized ottoman.

What looked as if it doubled as a padded coffee table.

They didn’t quite fit, her ass riding one edge as her head fell off the other.

But it was perfect. Just enough room he could pound into her without having to bridge any of her weight.

He loomed over her, his massive shoulders eclipsing all but a hint of the wooden ceiling above them.

That soft lighting accentuating the streaks of gold in his hair.

He settled between her thighs, clenching his jaw as if simply staring at her tested his control.

Pushed him farther than if she’d finished him still on her knees.

She threaded her fingers in his hair, dragged him down. Needing all that weight grounding her. “Kash…”

“Condom.”

The word rasped between them. Not quite a question, but not really a statement.

She met his gaze — said the only thought that formed in her head. “Implant.”

Not that she’d ever trusted it before. There’d been no place in her life for doubt.

Both Scythe and Rook had made that brutally clear.

That she belonged to them, and any complications would be met with extreme consequences.

But here, now, she didn’t want any part of her past intruding on the present. Didn’t want anything between them.

He froze, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard her reply.

Then, he moved. Slid one hand under her ass, then thrust inside.

She wasn’t sure if it was his size, the force or just the sheer magnitude of the moment that stole her breath — tipped her head back.

The muscles in her neck straining as she tried to suck in some air.

Kash shoved his other hand under her head, held it up as he claimed her mouth. Kissing and moaning as he set up a punishing rhythm. Every stroke pushing her higher. Binding them together in a way she feared she’d never undo. That future he’d wanted on the table.

She clung to him, clawing at his back as she wrapped her legs around his hips. Anything to get him closer. Have more of his skin touching hers.

Kash was obviously on board, using that one hand to lift her hips more fully against his. Change the angle a bit. Somehow allow him to go even deeper.

She bit at his shoulder, needing something to stop her from screaming his name. Begging him for more. For the life he’d painted with those few words.

“Damn. Jordan. I can’t…”

His voice was raw. Desperate. And the mere sound of it crushed the last of her defenses. Had her chanting his name. Arching into every thrust.

He shifted his hips — hit that sweet spot.

Everything exploded.

Her head. Her heart.

Shattering outward until there was nothing left but his body strung tight above her. His mouth latched on her shoulder.

He managed a few more jerking strokes, then he collapsed on top of her. Chest heaving. His breath rasping in her ear.

She clung to him, body shaking. Lungs barely working.

Nothing left of the walls she’d spent a lifetime building.

She’d never reacted like this — given so much of herself — and she wasn’t sure whether to scream or cry.

Maybe see if he was up for another round because once had barely eased the need still burning beneath her skin.

Kash pushed onto his elbows, any tension from earlier no longer straining his muscles. He smiled, then dipped down for a soul-searing kiss. It was soft. Coaxing. And her heart damn near burst, pounding against her ribs as if trying to break free — to join his.

He shifted so he could brush one hand along her cheek. “Damn…”

She laughed, praying her voice didn’t crack when she tried to speak. “At least, you’re consistent.”

“I’d say it was amazing or mind-blowing, but those don’t even come close.” He glanced at their position, shaking his head as his shoulders drooped. “Unlike my choice of venue. But the bed seemed too far away.”

“You don’t hear me complaining, do you?” She ran her hand along his shoulder then down his chest. “But if you’d like to try, again…”

His eyes rounded, then he moved. Practically fell off the side of the ottoman before scrambling to his feet, scooping her off the top.

He headed for the back, took the hallway near the far-right wall and continued all the way to the end.

She wasn’t sure what the other doors hid — bedrooms or bathrooms. Maybe some kind of battle-ready weapons arsenal.

Didn’t care when he stopped in the middle of the master and gently placed her on her feet.

He cupped her jaw — kissed her.

It was just as intense as before. Maybe more so now that they’d gotten a taste of how it could be.

An explosive mix of lust and something she wouldn’t label.

Something far more dangerous than the men she knew lurked in the shadows, waiting.

Maybe not here, but the threat lingered in the background like a hum she couldn’t turn off.

Kash tilted his head to the side, frowning. “Are you okay? Because some of the color just drained from your face.”

She smiled, pushing the riotous thoughts aside.

There was time to worry about Rook later.

To agonize over the decisions she knew would eventually break her.

But not here — not now. This was her time.

Her one chance at being human. And she wasn’t going to waste a second of it. “Probably still chilled from the ride.”

His lips pursed, and she knew he didn’t believe her. But he didn’t push. Instead, he took her hand — led her into the adjoining bathroom. “Sounds like another quick shower might help.”

Kash had the water warming and two towels on the counter a few heartbeats later. She leaned against the counter, savoring the play of his muscles beneath his skin. How the thick bands created dips and shadows along his chest and abdomen.

He turned. Smiled. “Trust me, the view’s much better from where I’m standing.”

“I find that hard to believe because… damn.”

He laughed, the sound light and easy. “Teasing me already.”

He closed the scant distance between them, running his hand along her skin. He looked down, sighing at the obvious scattering of scars across her body, the ones from the compound still pink.

She placed her hand over his, waiting until he raised his gaze to hers. “Those are my past.”

He traced along some of the more prominent ones. “I’m more worried, they’ll become your future.”

“It’d be nice if they didn’t.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.” He tugged her toward him. “C’mon. I owe you a shower then another shot at getting this right.”