Page 24 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)
Chapter Twelve
Liam
T he ride to the river will take two days if we ride hard during the day and rest only at night, but I fear that’s a grueling pace for Birdie and even tough on Wren.
They are my responsibility, and for the first time in my life, that means more than just keeping them alive.
I want them healthy, and as happy as possible.
My entire way of thinking has shifted since they came into my life.
If I could spare Wren this journey, I would.
Safe in the human world is where she should be, but even the idea of her leaving me burns a hole in my heart.
Honestly, I never considered I could feel anything so intense for anyone. Even so, I’ve closed off our mental connection. Now that I know she can break through the walls I’ve put up, I know that if she needs me, she can reach me.
Curiously, she’s managed all that she has these last few days, never having used magic before.
We stop in a young wood. The trees here are only forty or fifty suns old.
Compared to the forest where the centaurs lived, where the trees had stood for hundreds or maybe a thousand suns.
Trees like those can communicate with each other.
Their souls have evolved. These young trees are silent but afford good cover, and there’s a stream nearby where we can wash and replenish our supply.
Several centaurs have gone hunting. Birdie insisted on going with them, claiming she is a fair shot with a bow and arrow.
I set up bedrolls for Birdie and Wren, then hesitate before setting up my own a few feet away. There are more critical things to worry about, but every moment away from her is torture.
Walking to the stream, I find Jadar standing with his back to the water about twenty feet away. He blushes. “Wren wanted to bathe.”
My body’s instant reaction is no surprise. “You can go. I’ll keep watch.”
Jadar looks more relieved than I would have thought. Perhaps he knows this is one woman who is not for him despite his attraction. He trots toward the camp.
I hold my desire in check and step closer, keeping the row of low shrubs between me and my view of where she’s splashing. “May I join you?”
There is a louder splash, then silence.
“I can remain here if you prefer privacy, love.” Even if my desire screams something else, it must be her choice, this attraction between us.
“I thought Jadar was keeping watch.” Her voice is soft but without fear.
“He’s gone back to camp.” My blood rushes through my ears and to other places as well.
The water gently splashes. “You can join me.”
I round the shrubbery. She’s on the opposite side of the small but deep stream and facing away from me.
Her bare shoulders peek out of the water, smooth and pale against the shadows on the water as the sun begins to set.
I untie my boots and toe them off before stripping out of my shirt and trousers.
“Why did you send Jadar away?” She keeps facing away from me.
“I didn’t want to be put to shame by the sight of an aroused centaur. They are half horse after all. He looked ready to die from being so close to you and knowing you’re naked.” I step one foot into the water.
“That’s not true.” She spins, and as soon as she sees me, her gaze shifts to my painfully hard cock. Cheeks bright red, she doesn’t look away, but her stare moves back to my face.
I sink into the cool water and swim toward her. “Are you telling me you never noticed that the very handsome, young, warrior centaur has a crush on you?”
She stays in place, probably because her feet touch the bottom, and if she comes toward me, the water is too deep for her to stand. “Jadar knows that you and I are…together.”
Her hesitation tightens my chest. “Knowing it and stopping his attraction may be two different things. He looked very relieved to be allowed to get away from your naked and unavailable body.” I stress the word to make sure she knows I have no doubts about our status.
She takes one step toward me, and her shoulders sink beneath the water. “I have not encouraged him.”
“No. I know. I also know that you are beautiful, brave, powerful, brilliant, and irresistible. I hardly blame the man for wanting you.” A few feet away from her, I stand on the soft sandy bottom and step closer.
When I touch her upper arms, she looks at the water rather than meet my gaze. “What’s happening between us is as terrifying as it is wonderful.”
I wrap my arms around her and back her up so that it’s easier for her to stand. “I know. I also know that it’s gone too far to back away. I don’t think I exist without you anymore.”
Pressing her cheek to my chest, she wraps her arms around my waist and caresses my back with those soft fingers. “I’m glad I’m not alone in that.”
“You’re not alone in anything, Wren. I’m with you in all ways.” Despite the cool water, my shaft is still on alert, and with her in my embrace, it’s pressed thick and hard between our bodies.
“I thought cold water had the opposite effect on men?” She runs her foot along my calf to my knee, bringing her center closer.
I slide my hands down her back, squeeze her full, luscious ass, then grip her thighs and lift her.
My cock splits her slit making me groan with need.
There’s a lot of satisfaction when her initial yelp of surprise is followed by a mewing and rubbing for more.
“You are more enticing than the cold water is a deterrent.”
“Is this a bad idea?” Her crystal-blue eyes are full of worry mixed with need.
I walk us to the creek bed and place her atop the steep embankment. “You’re right, this will be more convenient.”
Cocking her head, she’s holding back a smile. “That’s not what I mean.”
I kneel on the damp sandy soil and place her thighs on my shoulders.
Looking up into her sweet face and seeing both worry and longing there, I choose.
“I know what you mean, but I can’t let you go.
Not now, Wren, not ever.” I bury my mouth in her sweet center and press my tongue to her sensitive bud.
Placing her hands behind her on the soft grass, she lifts her hips and digs her heels into my back.
Tasting every inch of her, I come back to the pearl that makes her bite her bottom lip to keep from crying out. “One day, we’ll make love in a place where you can scream as loud as you want. I want to hear you cry my name.”
Opening her eyes, she stares into mine with desire burning in the depths of her. “Liam.”
“Anything you want, my love.” I lick her and suck until she’s lifting her ass from the grass to get closer and feel more.
I slide two fingers inside her wetness and my cock jumps painfully as she lets a soft cry escape, her body clamping around my digits while she pumps hard and fast with her release.
As she relaxes, she opens her eyes. “One day, I’m going to return the favor, but right now, I need you inside me, Liam. ”
The love in her voice as she says my name shoots into my heart like an arrow set aflame. Releasing her thighs, I stand. Whatever she sees in my expression, she backs away from the edge and gives me room to climb out of the creek. I cover her body with mine. Our damp skin rubs together.
Wren bends her knees to accommodate the width of my hips and opens herself fully.
Notching my head at her wet slit, I press inside slow and steady, and it’s like coming home. This woman, her body, everything about her was made for me.
She moans with the stretch, and I cover her mouth with a deep kiss.
Her tongue meets mine at every sweep as if this is a dance and we are perfectly matched.
Holding still, I wait for her to move her hips and let me know she’s ready for more.
She tips her pelvis to take me deeper, grips my hair with strong fingers, and mews into my mouth.
Her other hand scratches along my shoulders, her nails scraping my biceps.
I pull out to the tip, then press forward, filling her again and again, until our bodies are moving as one, and light in her eyes is all I see. Breaking the kiss, with my elbows holding most of my weight, I hold her head in both hands and stare into her magnetic eyes. I need to see her come.
Her core pulses, and her mouth opens, though nothing comes out. Passion and pleasure reflect back at me. She pulls me over the edge, and I moan against her lips as I spill my seed deep inside her. I can’t pull out. As wise as that would be, I can’t bring myself to leave her perfect body.
As the orgasm ebbs, I break the kiss and pepper small ones along her jaw and cheek. “I love you, Wren. You are my home. I will do whatever I must to keep you safe and stay at your side.”
“Liam.” The corners of her lips tip up, and she closes her eyes. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Despite her words, she lifts her hips, giving us both an extra shudder of pleasure.
My cock is so sensitive to her flesh, I ease out of her. Wren’s cry is soft, and I can’t tell if she’s tender or missing the connection as much as I do. However, staying buried inside her until I’m hard again is not an option, even if it’s an alluring prospect— one day.
Wordlessly, we climb down the embankment and swim across the creek. I wash quickly and help Wren, which nearly sends us back to the beginning. With a laugh, she restrains herself and lifts her exquisite body out of the water. She dries without taking her gaze from mine.
I remain in the water until she’s clothed, hoping the coolness and the fact that I was sated a few minutes ago will be enough to quell my need. “You are driving me crazy, and I think you know it.”
Her sweet smile and round eyes make me laugh. “You just had me. Surely, you don’t want me again.”
I step from the creek with my cock in my hand. It’s satisfying when her eyes widen at seeing how much I still want her. “There is nothing that will stop me from wanting you, not even having you.”