Page 52

Chapter fifty

Forest

H is hands brace the wall behind me. My back slams into his door, his lips exploring my own, barely letting either of us up for air. Keeping me wrapped around his waist, he fumbles with the locks on his door. I grow impatient, urging the slide of each lock forward with nothing more than a blink of my eyes. The energy, once a steady undercurrent between us, now surges like an unstoppable force, blazing through our veins like an inferno. I feel the firm flex of his muscles as he slams the door closed behind us, barely breaking contact. He moves us to the bed in the corner of the room, lowering me down gently until my back rests against the soft gray sheets.

As I move to yank up his shirt, he pushes my wrists back down, the bright gleam of his canines flashing as he gives me a devious smile that sends a thrilling shiver down my spine.

“You have no idea how tortured I’ve been by the thought of your touch. How tormented I’ve been knowing that I couldn’t have you like I want when I want.” He shifts to hold my wrists in one hand above my head, using his free one to grasp the bottom of my shirt. “You don’t get to touch me until I’ve gotten time to explore you,” he whispers, the heat between my legs nearly unbearable. Words are caught in my throat. The other part of me is silent, anticipating where this will lead. He presses his lips to mine again, touching my chin with his fingers, his eyes hungry with desire.

“Look at me,” he commands, my eyes snapping up to his.

Slowly, he moves down my body, stopping at the bottom of my shirt. He uses the hand still holding my wrists to pull me up, dropping them once I’m seated. His breathing is heavy as I watch him unlatch the buttons on my pants, jerking them down my legs towards the floor at his feet. He pauses, taking in the sight of my exposed body, his gaze feral as it sweeps across my black underwear. I clench my legs together, unable to hide the growing wetness between my legs. Kneeling at the end of the bed, he drags my thighs closer to him, his finger brushing over my mark. He trails kisses up my leg, running his tongue along my inner thigh. My arms struggle to support me as I watch him move closer to my core. Keeping eye contact with me, he uses his teeth to take the top of my underwear into his mouth, dragging the lace down my legs, exposing my sex to him.

“Perfect,” he whispers, bringing his fingers up to meet my warm center, the pleasure from his touch enough to make me implode. I bite back a moan as he reaches the aching bundle of nerves there.

“Let me hear it all,” he begs, as his fingers run gentle circles over my clit.

I feel my wetness coat his long fingers as he slips inside me, my back arching from the feeling.

“Fuck,” I whisper, keeping my eyes on him. He smiles at the reaction, his body towering over me, pumping his fingers in and out of me. Jumbled curses escape my lips each time he hits all the right spots. His fingers stretch me, my walls clenching tightly around him.

“Already so wet, Little Dove,” he says, his pupils blown wide, a wicked expression on his face.

He lifts my legs over his shoulders, keeping his fingers moving inside me.

“Fallan, please-”

I beg, ready for release

His mouth lands on my folds, his tongue exploring every part of me with slow, dragging motions. My back arches against his sheets, my moans of pleasure leaving me freely. His fingers continue pumping in and out of me as he works my clit with his tongue. I thrust my hips up, wanting more. He lets out a low growl of approval as he continues to work, sending a jolt of pleasure up my center. I force my head back down, watching him taste me, savoring the intensity and focus written into his expression. Clenching his head with my thighs, I feel my body ready to burst, the pool of warmth in my stomach almost at its breaking point.

Pulling his mouth away, he smiles, rolling his thumb between my folds.

“Let it happen, beautiful,” he urges. At his command, I cum. My release sending wave after wave of pleasure through my body. My walls clench around his fingers as I cry out his name in pure ecstasy, my hands gripping the sheets to ground me.

Slowly, he pulls his fingers away and up to his mouth, licking them clean.

Still feral for my taste, he moves back down to my warmth, cleaning up what's left of my release with his tongue, taking his time sucking and licking like he’s been starved, and I’m the only thing that can satisfy his hunger. My legs shake around him, another release threatening to tear through me as he continues. As if he can sense what’s coming, he lifts his head, throwing me a sinful grin.

Watching him rise to his feet, I see the bulge pressed against his pants, its length intimidating. My mouth starts to water as he grabs his belt and begins to undo the buckle. My lips curl into a smile as I force his hands down with my mind, taking over the process of removing it for him.

Letting his belt clatter to the floor, I run my hand along his front, feeling him beneath the material of his pants. He groans, his frustration growing at his inability to use his hands.

“So, using our gifts is not off the table?” Fallan questions. My fingers fidget with the buttons of his pants.

I look up to him, my smile growing.

“I want it all. Anything goes,” I whisper, his eyes lowering at the response.

Walking into my mind, he urges me to lay back down on the bed, his ability to sway my thoughts far greater than mine. As my back meets the mattress again, I release his hands from my mental hold, and they drop to his sides. My hands claw at his shirt on the way down his body, tugging the material free from his chest. Marveling over his body, I see his strong front and his mark branding the skin of his side. I run my finger over each divot on his stomach, feeling the v-line of muscles beneath my touch. Moving over me, he slips my shirt up, gently pulling it up and over my head, exposing my breasts. His desire for me cascades through our mental connection at the sight of me fully exposed to him. Continuing to touch his hard length, I pull down the waistline of his pants, letting him do the rest.

“Nothing compares to how you look right now,” he mutters, his knee propped on the bed supporting his body, his hands running up and down my frame, feeling every part of me.

“You’re a work of art,” he continues, lowering his head, pressing his lips to my lower stomach, only to move up.

I run my hand through his hair, letting out a shuddered breath.

“Fallan,” I whisper, pulling his chin up to meet me, his eyes filled with lust.

“Please, let me feel you,” I push, his mouth brushing over my breasts, pausing after he’s had a taste.

“Are you sure?” he questions, rolling his thumb over my cheek.

Biting my lip, I nod and lean forward to capture his mouth with mine. I channel feelings of pleasure through our connection, our kisses turning from sweet and sincere to something hungrier. Biting at my bottom lip, he moves away from the kiss, lowering himself to my breasts, gently taking time to explore each one. His thumb swirls over one nipple as he takes the other in his mouth, sucking hard, devouring me as he kneads my other breast in his palm.

Dragging his lips down to my mark, he kisses the skin, lingering on its roughness. He smiles against my stomach.

“There's beauty in this,” he whispers. “You're the one who taught me that,” he murmurs, running his fingers along the waistband of his boxers.

“There was never anything wrong with you,” I begin, leaning forward, touching his mark with my hand. “It was always just about control,” I push, the feeling of admiration swarming me.

Helping him slide down his boxers, his length is finally exposed to me. I take in the sight of him, a gasp escaping me at the sheer size of him. I peer up at him, letting my hand run down his base. He laces his finger through my hair, pulling it possessively into his fist as he guides us back down on the bed. His length brushes my inner thigh before aligning with my already wet entrance.

“I’ll go slow,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my own. “If you need me to stop, Dove, tell me, and I will. I’ve heard the first time can sometimes be... painful.”

“You've never done this before?” I question, feeling a hint of embarrassment pass through our connection

“No. I waited for you,” he starts, smiling into a kiss. “Call me old-fashioned.” His tip nudges into my warmth, teasing the entrance. “If I feel any pain from you, we’ll stop,” he says, my body alive with anticipation.

“I’m not opposed to some pain,” I say without thinking, his eyes going wide.

“I’ll be gentle,” he whispers, his lips pressing against my cheek.

With a slow thrust, I feel myself stretch around him, pain and pleasure mixing as we come together. I stutter before a loud moan escapes me, calling his name, feeling the connection running through us, locking into place. I can’t help but glide my hands down his scarred back, latching with possession as Fallan moves in and out of me. My name falls from his lips. His eyes flutter closed as he satiates himself with the feel of my body. He moves deeper, and I feel something within me tear. I force my head back and into the sheets to work through it, wondering if I should make him stop from the sudden pain. He pauses, trailing a hand up my side, the other supporting his body over me.

“We don't have to go any further.”

“How did you know to stop?”

“I can sense your feelings,” he says, my smile growing at the realization of the connection we now share.

Feeling myself wrapped around him, I take a deep breath, relaxing my body.

“Keep going,” I whisper, his lips pressing to my own.

I moan into his mouth as he starts thrusting into me again, feeling nothing but pleasure as he drives deeper, finally becoming fully seated to the hilt. Starting a slow rhythm, he moves in and out of me, the intensity and power of his thrusts building as he continues.

I place a hand on his chest and push him to the side, rolling on top of him, careful not to unsheathe him while I change our position. He lets out another savage moan, smiling up at me like an idiot. I straddle him, rocking my hips in gentle motions, feeling him grasp my sides, guiding me back and forth. The pool of warmth between my legs swells as I feel his cock throbbing inside of me, his hands gripping my waist tighter.

“Do you see how beautiful you are?” he questions, turning my head, my eyes snapping to the visual of me riding him in the mirror propped next to his bed. His strong arms wrap around me, our bodies flush. He presses his lips to my chest. I move my chin back to look at him. The pressure in my center builds, my body anticipating another release.

“You’re all I have left,” he whispers, keeping his pace.

“Then don’t let go,” I whisper, feeling the sweet release of pleasure ripple through my core, my walls tightening around Fallan’s cock as I come for the second time. I throw my head back, crying out at the feeling of him still inside me. He moves his hip and flips me back while I'm lost in lust.

“I won’t,” he says through a groan, suddenly pulling out of my wet center, the abrupt exit painful, leaving me feeling utterly empty.

I feel his release trail along my lower stomach, Fallan fisting his cock as he takes in my body. There's a moment of silence between us, both of us panting, doing our best to catch our breaths. He gets up from the bed and goes into the bathroom, returning seconds later with a warm rag. He runs it over my skin, cleaning up his mess and taking extra time to focus on the center. As I watch him finish up, I notice my nail marks tracking down both of his muscular arms and shoulders. Drawing my legs to me, I search for my underwear, pulling it back on while watching him do the same. Covering my body with my arms, I watch as he moves back toward the bed. His arms wrap around my torso, pulling me down beside him on the mattress.

I seat myself on top of him again, letting my head rest on his chest, his hands running through my hair and down my body. He holds me close, peppering me with soft kisses. The steady beating of his heart is enough to draw anyone to sleep.

“I hope it was all you wanted it to be,” I whisper, feeling him chuckle at the words.

“Everything and more.”

Running his fingers up and down my thigh, he pauses.

“I can never let you go…. I won’t,” he whispers, a tremor in his voice.

Looking up at him, I see the pain in his expression, his eyes wet with tears.

“Then don’t,” I start, pulling my achy legs back over his lap so he can hold me closer.

“From now on, I can promise you one thing,” I begin, holding up my pinky. “No matter what, I’m with you,” I say, keeping my hand between us.

He smiles, looking at me with playfulness.

"Even if I have to act like I hate you?”

“Especially then,” I start, moving myself closer. “Now I know a way for us to make up after fighting,” I say, his smirk growing.

“You're with me, Blackburn? Truly?” he questions, raising his pinky.

“For as long as I draw breath,” I whisper, feeling our fingers latch, solidifying a promise now safeguarded in our hearts.

My legs are shaky as I dress, Fallan standing next to me so I can lean on him for support. Looking around, I see how much damage we did to his headboard, the sheer force of our combined power creating chaos in the space around us. Stumbling, he smiles at his handiwork, pressing his lips to my own, before bending down to lean me over his shoulder. Letting out a wild, childlike laugh, I hit his back, letting my legs flail in frustration as he moves us across the room.

“Put me down!” I squeal, unable to hide the smile that consumes me at the sound of his rare, genuine laughter.

It meets my ears like a gentle song. Nothing can match the joy it brings me.

“I think I could get used to carrying you around like this,” he says, moving us closer to the door.

He puts me down gently, and I grasp his collar, my fingers meeting the small chain wrapped around his neck. I tug it free from his shirt, the tiny gold ring catching the dim light of the room and illuminating its band, a wreath of gold vines holding a small white stone. Fallan carefully runs his fingertips over the ring, looking over it lovingly, the last piece of his mother he has left.

“She gave this to me before she passed away,” he whispers, pulling the chain free from his neck. He holds it out in the space between us so I can inspect it more closely. “She said my father gave it to her just a few days after meeting her,” he whispers, smiling at the fond memory his mother shared with him.

Touching the small band, I feel the memories the item holds, a small reminder of a life no longer with us. Helping him put the chain around his neck, I gently pat his chest, leaning my forehead into him.

“She would be so proud of the man you are now,” I say, his arms wrapping tightly around me.

“I hope you're right,” he mutters, pulling my chin up so that he can look at me.

“Now let's go see a proper Unfortunate social.”

Moving through the side streets, we follow the glow of the bonfire to guide us back to the party. Taking one of the longer routes back, he holds my hands, running his thumb over each of my knuckles. My legs are deliciously sore, and my core still aches from having to adjust to how big Fallan’s length is. I lean into him, not arguing once he pulls me closer to his back, urging me to hop on. Wrapping my arms around his neck, he grabs my thighs, pulling me onto him, supporting my weight effortlessly. Resting my head atop his own, we walk in blissful silence, the warmth from our connection warding off the chill.

“I wouldn't have gone all the way had I known how much it would be hurting you,” he says, my grasp tightening around his neck.

“I wanted everything that you did-”

A scream breaks through the air, our heads snapping down the alleyway. Men and women begin yelling. People pass the opening of the alleyway, frantically running in every direction. A figure looms ahead of us, grasping the wall, watching me and Fallan from the shadows. I see Xavier’s blonde curls in the crowd. Fallan slowly lowers me to the ground, keeping me behind him. Xavier sprints towards us, his face unreadable as he meets Fallan’s gaze. Xavier pants heavily, his eyes wide with concern.

“Xavier, what-”

“A Shifter breached the ward,” he says, giving us both a long look. “And it's come for blood.” He turns away, guiding us in a sprint down the alleyway.