Kai caressed her thighs and calves. His fingers snaked around her ankles and pushed her legs up, bending her knees. He aligned his body with hers and entered in one swift hard thrust. She cried out and he stopped. What the hell? She was tight. Tighter than he’d have imagined. There was no way! Emma squeezed her eyes shut. Her face was tight and she sucked the corner of her lower lip between her teeth. A single tear rolled from the corner of her left eye and clung to the edge of her lashes.
Stunned, Kai stared at Emma’s scrunched face. How could this be possible? She’s in college for crying out loud! Who made it to college still a virgin? He still struggled to absorb what his brain was telling him and pulled back. Emma gripped him with her thighs, refusing to let him leave her. “No! Please don’t move.”
Worried he’d hurt her, he stopped. He watched her relax and the precariously suspended tear fell onto her cheek. “Em, why didn’t you tell me?” He knew she wasn’t very worldly, but he’d never expected this. It was rare to find a virginal female in her twenties in this century. In this country, it was almost unheard of.
“I didn’t think it mattered,” she didn’t meet his eyes.
“Of course it matters. I’d never go this far if I’d known.”
“Then I did the right thing!” she admitted. She met his questioning stare. “Maybe that’s why I didn’t say anything. I told you I want this.”
“But now I’ve hurt you.” He didn't say it, but at the back of his mind, a voice shouted…You’re not worthy of this gift!
“Yes, it hurt. But I always expected it would hurt the first time. It’s just that there’s no way to prepare for how much. It’s just the way it is. I’m okay. It’s fine now.”
Kai tried to draw back again. She’s a virgin for crying out loud. Well not any more thanks to him. Emma stopped his retreat from her body. She locked her legs around his hips. “No. We’ve come this far. Don’t stop.” She rolled her hips. He gritted his teeth “Please Kai, this is what we both want.” She kissed the pulse pounding steady and fast beneath his skin and swiveled her hips again.
She’s made her choice. It didn’t take much to persuade him. He’d accept any excuse she gave him if it meant he could have her. He was darkness, she was light. And she wanted him with a hunger that matched his own. He kissed her again and swallowed her gasp at the renewed rolling movement of his hips. He pushed entirely through the barrier; her soft whimper did nothing to dampen his desire. Instead it ignited a possessive streak in him he didn’t even know he had. Tonight she was his and his alone.
His previous hesitation vanished like a distant memory. He rocked back and forth in her body’s tight sheath. The slick heat of her inner walls tightened and squeezed his sex. He pushed harder and faster building momentum. Emma cried out as her inner muscles clenched and pulsed around him, milking his release. Kai gave a final thrust and held himself motionless. He would’ve collapsed on top of her but being mindful of her diminutive stature he shifted to his back and rolled her on top of him. He wasn’t ready to break the intimate connection.
“That was … amazing,” Emma huffed, breathless. “I never guessed it would be like that.”
“It isn’t always.”
“But it was incredible and intense. I’ve never felt anything like it before.”
Kai lay there breathing heavily with one corner of his lip tilted up in a lazy smile. He’d never imagined feeling so complete nor had he ever felt so satisfied from a sexual encounter. He brushed a kiss on the top of her head and hugged her tighter. She’s really something.
They lay on the floor, drained of all energy and content to simply breathe each other in. Their heavy panting slowed to a healthy regular rhythm while their sweat-slicked bodies remained locked together.
Emma lay draped over him, sleepy and exhausted of all energy while Kai lazily stroked her back and considered what happened from there. He feared this new hunger might consume him. He’d struggled with the idea of letting her go before. Now he was even less willing to let her go. There’d been a strange connection since the moment he found her. Denying the feeling didn’t change its truth. Someone, somewhere, created this angel just for him and he’d be forever grateful.
The memory of her near-rape and resulting blindness intruded, reminding him of the near miss. He didn’t regret killing her attackers. They got what they deserved. He tightened his arms around her. Emma stirred from her semi-sleeping state to protest. Kai relaxed his hold. He wouldn’t let angry emotions intrude on this perfect moment.
The protective surges he felt with her baffled him as much as the instant electrical tension between them. He’d been a stranger and he felt humbled by her innocent trust. Especially after the traumatic events she’d suffered. He’d heard in rare situations, like after her attack and resulting blindness, necessity created an accelerated intimacy and formed an instant bond.
He tipped her sleepy face up and brushed her lips with a kiss. Her eyes fluttered open and she kissed him back with satisfying results. She was fully awake now. Who was I kidding? Satisfied? There’s no way one time will be enough to satisfy this craving. Already he could feel his body stirring to life. His sex swelled between their bodies.
“Again?” She looked surprised and delighted with the idea.
“Unless you have any objections?” He ran his hand down her back to grasp her bottom and rolled his hips against her body.
She shook her head. “I don’t.” She lifted herself up from his chest and straddled his hips.
“I hoped you’d say that.”
Chapter 14
Heat from the late morning sun woke Emma, bathing her face in light. She yawned and stretched then snuggled her back against the heater behind her. She stiffened. Suddenly aware the warmth on her backside was not a what, but a who.
“Good morning.” Kai’s sexy rumble sent a shiver sliding down her body. Heat filled her from her toes to her cheeks. Last night was the most uninhibited night of my life.
“Good morning.” It felt a bit awkward. This was, after all, the first time she’d woken up in the arms of a man she’d spent a night with. Any discomfort she felt was a direct result of her amazing night. She had no regrets. But if he had any, they’d be her fault. If anything that’s what led to any morning awkwardness. He’d tried to give her an out. She’d refused to back away and had even begged him. He must think I’m a pushy sex crazed maniac! She smiled. I kinda was.
She half turned to look at him over her shoulder. The moment she glimpsed his sexy morning stubble and his lazy dimpled smile, she was a goner. Her insides melted and pooled low in her belly. How long had he lain there watching her? His head rested on the curve of his hand and he gazed down at her with a lazy smile.
Kai closed the gap between them and kissed her lips. It started sweet then snowballed. Emma deepened the kiss and rolled towards him nestling her entire length snug against him. Kai didn’t seem to mind. He ran his hands down her back to her bottom and squeezed her cheeks before lifting her leg over his hip.
“Don’t make me wait,” she demanded. His lips descended to her neck as he thrust into her. She was wet and ready for him. Still, she gasped at the sudden pressure in very tender areas. She’d lost count how many times they’d come together in the night.
Kai stilled inside her. “Are you okay? Tell me I didn’t hurt you.”
“I’m fine. Just a little tender this morning.”
“We’ll stop. We can wait if you’re too sore.” His concern was sweet, so was the offer, but unnecessary. She was so hot for him it would take a lot more than a bit of discomfort to hold her back now that she knew what awaited them.
“I’m gonna get a complex if you keep offering to stop.” Emma teased. “I’ll start thinking you don’t want me.” She didn’t really mean it. It was good between them. He’d been insatiable throughout the night. Still, doubt niggled at the back of her mind. Anything that seemed too good to be true probably was. They’d known each other for such a short time. Their relationship
had rapidly evolved to a physical one in a matter of days. She’d never given herself so fully to anyone. It was natural to feel somewhat insecure.
“I’d sooner stop breathing than stop.” Any lingering feelings of insecurity or rejection stopped in their tracks. She felt her heart yo-yo in her chest. “I only suggested we stop because you’re sore. We have all the time in the world. When you’ve had time to rest we can take up where we left off.” His desire to be with her again thrilled her as much as his consideration. She wasn’t willing to miss an opportunity to share another soul-shattering experience with him.
“And I don’t need rest. I need you.”
Kai buried his face in her hair and breathed muffled words of thanks into her neck. He crushed her to him and plunged into her, again and again, this time allowing a steady rhythm to build. Emma couldn’t stop her hands from roaming to his buttocks and pulling him tighter into her core, gasping her pleasure as they reached an explosive climax and collapsed together in an exhausted heap of tangled limbs.
Kai rolled from the low bed still panting. He strode to the narrow stairs of the loft and turned when only his upper body was still visible over the edge. “Don’t go anywhere,” he commanded. “Just wait right there, I’ll be back,” The rest of him disappeared below the ledge.
Content for the moment to do as he asked, Emma stretched her well-used limbs. Exhausted, she could barely lift her arms, they were the consistency of rubber. Her body ached in places she'd never expected. The feeling wasn’t terrible; quite the opposite. The aches were a pleasing reminder of the sensual haze she’d experienced. She’d shared everything with Kai. And he was worth every second of her current discomfort. Given a chance she’d do it again over and over and over… Smiling to herself, she closed her eyes.
Emma drifted in and out and was startled out of her pleasantly exhausted dreams when Kai lifted her into his arms, sheets and all. “Hey, where are you taking me?” She asked sleepily.
He arched a brow and said, “You’ll see.” He carried her down the steps and the short distance to the bathroom. He pushed the door open with his bare shoulder and set her on her feet inside the tiny room.
Kai had lugged the bathtub into the center of the washroom and filled it with steaming water while she lay upstairs daydreaming. She must have dozed a while if he had the time to do all this. Hauling enough water to fill an antique claw foot tub and heating it over a wood stove was no small task.
Kai stood next to her and tugged on the sheet she was wearing. His eyes gleamed as the cotton fabric pooled at her feet, baring her body to his appreciative gaze. He dropped the towel draped around his hips and stepped into the tub. His rested his back against the high end of the tub and held his hand out to her, inviting her to join him. She settled her bottom between his thighs and leaned her back against his chest. Heat flamed in her cheeks. It was silly with all that had passed between them, but somehow sharing a bath seemed the ultimate of intimacy.
“Relax,” he soothed. “I’m not gonna bite. It’s just a bath. The hot water will help ease your muscle aches.” To prove he had no other motives than to help her relax, he began massaging the tension in her shoulders.
“Mmm…that feels good.” She lifted the hair from her nape, giving him better access to her neck. The kneading was hypnotic. Before long he traded the gentle massage for bathing her. He dipped a soft cloth into the water and using a fragrant bar of soap he lathered every inch of her. He washed her hair, massaging shampoo into her scalp much the same as he had the rest of her. When satisfied he’d rinsed all the soap from her hair, he piled it on top of her head and fastened it with a clip.
Emma had never felt so pampered or cherished in her life. She’d thought she’d basked in luxury when she soaked in the tub back at the hotel. That was nothing compared to having him bathe her from head to toe, deftly massaging her tension and soreness away. He might’ve missed his calling as a masseuse. Emma took the cloth from his hand and tried to return the favor. “My turn.” Kai refused her.
“No, I think for your sake, we’ better leave that for another time. You’re body needs to recuperate and letting you run your hands all over me while you bathe me won't help either of us. It was hard enough while I bathed you. If you touch me right now, I'm doomed.” Kai took the soapy cloth from her and quickly ran it over himself.
Emma watched him rinse the suds away while she climbed over the edge of the tub. She held out one of the big fluffy towels Kai had ready and waiting for them. Kai took it from her and they towel dried each other. The towel play turned into something more despite Kai’s good intentions. This must be what addiction feels like.
Chapter 15
Kai did his best to keep his hands to himself over the rest of the day. He took Emma hiking up a mountain path where they stopped to admire a nearby waterfall. Kai cupped his hands under the spray and drank from the fresh water. “You should try it. It doesn’t get any fresher than this.”
“Are you sure it’s okay to drink?” Emma copied Kai catching the fresh mountain water in her hands.
“It’s straight from a mountain waterfall. Of course it’s fine.” Emma sipped the water from her cupped hands.
“That is good. I can’t believe people pay good money to buy plain filtered water from a bottle.
“We won’t tell anyone.” Everything felt so natural and easy between them. It was a shame they’d eventually have to return to civilization.
The lovers spent the rest of the day exploring the different trails in the woods and over the next few days they hiked regularly, never getting further than a miles radius from the cabin. They simply enjoyed the peace of the forest and the fresh mountain air. They had a surprisingly natural camaraderie between them even when performing mundane chores side by side. Despite their intense physical relationship, they didn’t spend all day in bed even though that is where they often ended up. They talked and laughed and played together. Kai showed Emma a side of him that he never got to indulge. His life was all too serious and dangerous. There was no room for play or fun. It felt good to be just an ordinary guy even if it couldn’t last.
Emma asked a lot of questions. She wanted to know everything about him. He held back. What choice did he have? All he could answer were the trivial questions. Like places he’d seen, places he’d been. He wasn’t ready to share on the same level she could. She’d shared everything, her body, her aspirations, her laughter and even the pain of her past as a child in the system. Kai now understood her fiery response to the underhanded methods he employed to keep her safe. She was amazing.
And the nights…He had no words to describe what they did to him. What she did to him. Kai was usually a loner. He never engaged in romantic relationships. When it came to women he offered sex and nothing more. And they knew it. But this time alone with Emma was different. And he didn’t hate it. Every day they spent together Kai learned more about her and every new thing made him want her even more. How the hell had he let this happen? He’d avoided any sort of emotional connection for more than a century now. And in one night she’d changed everything.
By the end of the week, Kai was getting restless and antsy. When you were a guardian, you didn’t get vacations. There was too much activity happening in the city and Garrick knew he was here. The quiet couldn’t last.
“Why don’t we take a walk after we clean up breakfast?”
“Sounds good to me. I’d love to hike up to the waterfall again.”
***
Kai and Emma dressed in warm outerwear for their hike. The chill from the previous night still hung in the air, leaving the forest crisp and cool. He led Emma up an old deer trail carved into the mountain. While Kai travelled the path with ease, Emma’s labored breath puffed out in wisps as they climbed higher and higher up the steep terrain. Kai waited beside a rock that jutted over the path a few steps ahead and held out a helping hand. “Do you need to stop and rest?”
“I could use a minute or two to catch my breath.” She took the proffer
ed hand, happy to take a break. Hiking was hard work. “I don’t know how you do it without the slightest trouble breathing.”
“Just used to it I guess.” Kai removed his lined denim jacket and laid it on the outcropping of rock. He lifted her and set her on the jacket. The ledge was high enough she sat almost at eye level with him.
“I could happily stay here in the mountains forever. “It's very peaceful.” She leaned back on her elbows, tipped her head back and her eyes closed. The sun warmed her face as she basked in the light dappling through the poplar leaves.
“You could?” Kai seemed surprised by her statement. “I thought you’d be bored out here by now.”
Emma sat up and looked at him. He stood between her knees watching her as he often did. “I could hardly be bored with you here to entertain me.” A playful smile tilted her lips. She grasped the edges of his shirt and tugged him closer. She pressed a searing kiss to his lips then pulled back as heat crackled and sizzled immediately between them. Seduction wasn’t her intent at the moment. They’d never make it out of the woods if she pushed things further. She continued the conversation as if the kiss had been nothing more than a peck. “You know, I’ve never really enjoyed living in the city. It’s a means to an end. I wanted to go to school, and there aren’t many good ones in rural areas. I didn’t have much choice about moving to the city if I wanted to go to the university.”
“What are you taking?”
“Nursing, I couldn’t afford med school. I would’ve preferred that. I figured if I worked hard and stay focused I’d graduate early. I’m usually in school all day, home right after to study then off to work. My schedule is the main reason I don’t have a life.”
Out of Darkness Page 9
