Page 18 of The Last Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #5)

“I cannot stop thinking about you. Please do not send me away.” When he closed the distance between them and claimed her mouth, she was lost.

When she took his hand and pulled him to her bedroom, Audrey refused to think, to consider this could be the biggest mistake of her life.

All she knew was that this man had claimed her entirely since the first time they’d met.

He was to be hers, and consequences be damned.

For the last months, she’d devoted her time and energy to the studio, to her friends and to this house.

She’d always been the last priority. This time, she would not deny herself.

Once in her bedroom, she closed the door and turned to him.

Clashing against each other with unspoken knowledge that their time was limited, they kissed and tore at their clothing, removing and tossing the items aside. Some landed on furniture or the floor.

Fully nude, Gunther stood before her; utterly, devastatingly real.

His body was beautiful, powerful, but it wasn’t perfection that stole her breath, it was the story etched into his skin.

Faint silver lines crisscrossed his chest, brutal reminders of horrors survived.

A rough, uneven scar near his lower abdomen spoke of pain endured without mercy or proper care.

And when her gaze met his, her eyes drifted to the jagged scar that ran along the side of his face, a wound that should have dulled his looks, but nothing could distract from his attractiveness.

He stepped closer, the heat from his body enveloping her before his arms did. With effortless strength, he lifted her, holding her as if she were something precious.

“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in lifetimes,” he murmured, his voice a low, reverent hum against her ear. “After so much darkness…to look at you feels like a sin, I’m not worthy of you.”

He laid her down with a care that contradicted his size, his body following hers onto the bed.

“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice roughened by hope and restraint, eyes searching hers with uncertainty.

Aubrey didn’t speak. Instead, she pressed her lips to his chest, where his heart beat steady and strong beneath her touch.

Her kisses wandered slowly across the canvas of him, each mark, each scar.

Her hand traced down his side, softly skimming over hard muscle, teasing, exploring, igniting.

Her body responded to the feel of him, to the desire coiling between them.

Undeniable, unstoppable.

And still, he watched her as if she were the miracle he never thought he’d find.

He was already aroused, his member jutting proudly from between his legs. Aubrey waited, acknowledging it had probably been a long time since he’d been with a woman.

“I want this very much,” she whispered against his ear. “When you get to know me, you will learn, I am strong-willed and fight for what I want. Right now, I really want you.”

A soft moan escaped his parted lips, and he pulled her against him, his mouth once again claiming hers. Aubrey threw her leg over him, offering her body to him, needing to be taken fully.

When Gunther grasped her hip, she noted his hand trembled. His breathing was shallow, and he swallowed once, and then again.

Of course he was nervous.

Aubrey covered his hand with hers, waiting until he met her gaze. The uncertainty in his eyes melted her heart. She smiled at him. “I want to be with you Gunther, but if you are not ready, I completely understand.”

“It has been a very long time since I’ve been with a woman…” He stopped speaking and kissed her lightly. “I am ready, perhaps much too ready.”

Understanding dawned, he hoped he’d not finish too quickly and not satisfy her or something along those lines. “I only expect to be like this, touching, feeling your body against mine. Nothing more.”

He gripped her hip tighter and with his other hand guided himself, searching until prodding at her entrance. His eyes met hers for just a moment before he plunged.

With precise and energetic movements, they soon found the perfect rhythm. Gunther nuzzled into her hair, his body thrusting forward, pulling back and delving again deeper, harder.

Aubrey clung to his midback, her nails digging into his skin, her head thrown back.

She’d made love before, but this was different, it was as if their bodies recognized the other and had come together after a long separation.

She’d never be able to describe how consumed she was in that moment.

The myriads of sensations colliding, overwhelming.

In that moment Gunther was the only other person in her world.

The feel of his body, the sounds he made from deep in his throat, the touch of his lips on her skin.

It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before.

As cresting threatened, she found his mouth and took it, needing to be fully consumed.

The climax hit with so much strength, Aubrey let out a scream. Her entire body shuddered, her sex tightening around his.

In the haze of release, Gunther’s hoarse moans echoed in her ear. The sound so sensual, a second pulse exploded in her.

“Ahhh!” Audrey raked her fingers down his back, stopping at his hips and holding him still. “Don’t y-you dare m-move,” she breathlessly demanded.

For his part, Gunther collapsed over her.

It was a long moment later that he stirred, pulled out and held himself up so not to crush her. He studied her face and slid a finger between her breasts, stopping on her stomach. “The color of your skin is rare. A creamy brown satin.”

“We are definitely a contrast,” Aubrey said holding her hand over his much lighter one. “You are the color of rich cream, but not pale.”

He studied their hands, then took hers and lifted it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to her palm and met her gaze. “I do not know how to feel. You have given me a gift that I will always treasure.”

Aubrey could feel her cheeks redden. “It was amazing,” she finally replied. “You are very good in bed. You’re very attractive and your body is amazing.”

A frown crossed his features. “My face and body are nothing close to perfect.”

Cupping his face, she kissed him. “I can’t imagine what all you’ve been through but believe me when I tell you. You are very handsome. You’re the hottest guy ever. And when not consumed by evil, you seem decent enough.”

“Hot?” Confusion crossed his features. “What does hottest mean?”

She’d forgotten he lived in another realm. For some reason, the thought that she’d just had sex with a guy who ruled in another world seemed comical.

Aubrey giggled. “It means very attractive.”

A smile played on the corners of his lips. “You are hot too.”

Again, she giggled and caught sight of the time. “I hate to say this, but we need to get up and dressed. Erin and Padriag will be home soon.”

They dressed in silence, sliding glances at one another in a way a couple does when they have moved to another level in a relationship. Except they were not in a relationship. The sex was totally a one-time thing.

She was enthralled watching him pull the shirt on and button it, the garment fitting perfectly over the muscular arms and across broad shoulders. Even clothed, she wanted to touch him.

“Will you continue to search?” he asked. “I can return and help.”

Aubrey raked her fingers through her curls, finding that, as expected, they’d exploded into a wild bush. “I will continue the search. I only have a couple boxes left to look through and then I’ll search my grandmother’s chests. If I find something, I will take it to the others.”

“I only ask that you use it wisely. I don’t know what whatever you find can do, be careful.”

Pulling her into an embrace, he held her tightly and they kissed once more, so passionately, her knees almost gave out.

His breathing was ragged when he broke the kiss and met her gaze. “Until I see you again.”

Then he was gone.