Chiromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 8)

by Charmaine Pauls

  The helicopter lifted an inch off the ground before a malfunctioning alarm sounded. The craft tipped. Another, smaller explosion ripped the blades apart. The automatic locking system would prevent them from opening the doors.

  Satisfaction etched on his face, Godfrey got to his feet. When she made no sign of moving, Doumar grabbed her arm and jerked her up, pushing her behind Godfrey to land. As they approached the craft, Joss pointed a weapon in their direction and pulled the trigger, but the bullet did no damage to the bulletproof glass. The fuel tank had been emptied to avoid the craft from blowing up. The instruments wouldn’t have picked up the malfunctions, because Godfrey’s technician had manipulated them.

  Bono turned his head toward her. Yellow aviator glasses obscured his eyes, making it impossible to read his expression as he realized her betrayal, but his lips mouthed, “I love you.”

  The scene she’d seen reading Joss’s palm unfolded. People with Medusa posters stormed the craft and threw rotten food at the windows. A few who carried pesticide spray tanks opened the nozzles, drenching the metal in fuel.

  Godfrey laughed as he fitted the earpiece that connected him to the aircraft communication system. “Hello, Cain. I don’t have much to say, but I’m going to enjoy hearing your screams.” He flicked a match and threw it on the ground near the craft.

  The glass and metal were fireproof, but the temperature inside would rise to a level that would cook the occupants alive.

  A flame leapt into the air and ran toward the helicopter. She pinched her eyes shut, but Doumar’s fingers cut into her arm.

  “Watch,” he said, removing his earpiece and fitting it in her ear, “and listen.”

  She fixed her gaze on Bono’s face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  The last thing she saw before Doumar and Godfrey led her to the safety of an armored vehicle was Bono’s hand as he pressed a palm against the glass, as if reaching for her.

  With a jerk, she came back to the present. Her body shook with cold shivers. Pressing her palms on her eyes, she willed away the images lingering in her mind. She saw what she had to do with crystal clarity.

  She used the phone Godfrey had given her to dial Doumar.

  He answered with a brusque greeting. “What do you want?”

  “To see my son, one last time, and then I’ll give up Bono.”

  His voice shook. “You’re in love with him.”

  “How can I not be? He’s everything I ever wanted in a man.”

  “No.”

  “After everything you’ve put me through, you’ll deny me even this?”

  “You can see him when your black knight is dead.”

  “So be it.”

  “I’m with my wife and son. Don’t call me again.” He hung up.

  She threw the phone aside. She’d tried. That was what mattered.

  Kneeling in front of her bed, she lifted the lid of the trunk she kept at the foot-end. Carefully, she took out the stuffed bunny. It had floppy ears and a lopsided smile. Her fingers trailed over the soft fur that had never been touched by the dirt and chocolate smeared hand of a toddler. The stitches were not coming apart like in the case of favorite, comfort-bringing toys. A tear dribbled down her cheek as she put it to one side on the rug.

  The next item was a fire truck. It had a siren and big, sturdy wheels made for little hands. She ran it over the floor, imagining the noises boys made when they played with cars. Placing the truck next to the bunny, she reached for the book. The tales had never been read to a child. No little boy had drifted off to the magical stories. She used to do voluntary work at the orphanage, reading to the children at night, but Doumar had put a stop to it when he’d found out. She’d taken many books, except for this one. This one was a silent prayer of hope. When the pages were turned, it would mean her prayer had been answered. It appears the book would remain closed.

  She followed the same ritual with the wooden train and Batman action figure. It was Niels’s favorite. Five gifts, one for every year of his birthday. Her hands traced every item lovingly, imagining moments that had never been. Sniffing away her tears, she packed the gifts back in the trunk and sat down to write a note. After sealing it in an envelope, she placed it on top of the pile of letters she’d written to Niels, closed the lid, and turned the key in the lock.

  It took all her strength to lift herself off the floor. Turning to the mirror, an old woman in a young girl’s skin looked back at her. What she saw was the ugly, the scars, and the failure, but most of all the end of the road. She wiped off the dark eyeliner and red lipstick. For tonight, only, she would discard her mask.

  Tonight was for the truth.

  Tonight was for Niels, but also for herself.

  As her resolve strengthened, a weight lifted off her shoulders. Her guilt vanished. She was doing the right thing. There was no other way.

  She took fresh water from the tank, washed, and dressed. When she was ready, she sent a text message to Bono’s phone, asking to see him. While she waited, she cleaned the caravan and put freshly laundered sheets on the bed. It was almost midnight when a knock sounded on her door. She opened it to find Bono standing there, smelling like he’d just taken a shower.

  He cupped her face and kissed her. “I came as fast as I could get away.”

  “I’m sorry if I messed up your plans.”

  “My only plan was to come here.” He stepped inside and closed the door. “I brought you something.” Reaching inside his pocket, he took out a ring, which he held to her on the palm of his hand.

  She looked at him in surprise. “What’s this?”

  “It was my mother’s.”

  “I can’t possibly take it.”

  “You’re the only woman I want to have it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because one day,” he brushed a thumb over her cheek, “I’m going to marry you.”

  The words bowled her over. The sentiment was beautiful, pure, futile, and wrong.

  “We don’t even know each other. You don’t know me,” she corrected.

  “I know everything I want to.”

  “And that is?”

  “That I want to spend all my days with you. I know by average standards I’m moving too fast, but I know in my gut you’re the one for me. It may not happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year, but it will happen. I’m prepared to wait as long as it takes.” He watched her with a hopeful expression. “Say you’ll take it.”

  She reached for the ring. “It’s beautiful. What stone is it?”

  “It’s only a moonstone. It’s not worth much, but it means more than all the diamonds in the world to me.”

  She slipped it onto her finger. “Then it’ll be rude to refuse it.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers. “Thank you.”

  Rubbing her hands up his back under his jacket, she whispered, “I need you.”

  “Just say the word, beautiful.”

  “I need you to love me.”

  Concern laced his expression as he studied her. “There’s nothing I won’t do for you, but I think we should wait.”

  “No. We only have now. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Please, Bono.”

  “Shh. You don’t have to beg.” He lowered his head to brush their lips together in a tender kiss. “I’m yours. Anything you want.”

  She took his hand and led him to the edge of the bed. Holding his eyes, she sat down and reached for his belt. This time, he didn’t stop her as she undid the buckle and unfastened the button of his jeans. Moving his underwear aside, she freed his erection. He was gloriously male. For all the strength of his body, his soul was the perfect balance of gentle kindness. She stroked his length, feeling him twitch in her hands. He inhaled sharply when she ran her palm over the broad head, catching a drop of pre-cum and spreading the moisture down the underside as a lubricant for her palm. A few hard strokes and he was rock hard. Looking up at him, her eyes demanded permission as she flicked her tongue over
the taut skin.

  “You’ll be the death of me.” He stared down at her with possessive pride. “You’re mine, Sky. Mine, alone.”

  She didn’t break their eye contact when her lips stretched over him. She reveled in the way his breathing spiked and his knees dipped as she took him deeper. Cupping her face between his palms, he stroked his thumbs over her cheeks, moving with shallow strokes in and out of her mouth. His face was distorted with concentration as he watched her take him.

  “Yes, beautiful.” He groaned. “Your mouth is so hot.”

  His breaths turned to pants as she started sucking, caressing the root of his shaft with her hands.

  She released him with a pop. “Will you come for me?”

  “Any way you want.”

  There was no more holding back. She took him to the back of her throat while she ran a nail down the sensitive line between his testicles and anus.

  He shuddered. “That’s it. I’m close, baby. Stroke me harder.”

  She increased the pressure of her hand, watching him come undone. With a shove of his hips, he released his seed in her mouth, grunting as his climax contracted his balls.

  He didn’t take a second to catch his breath. In a flash, she was flat on her back with her skirt hitched up over her hips. There was a sound of fabric ripping, and then her underwear fell to the floor. She pushed up on her arms to watch him kneel between her knees. Hooking her legs over his shoulders, he watched her with heated intent as his head lowered to her sex. She cried out when his tongue teased her naked folds, running up and down her slit to finally taste her clit.

  “I’ll get addicted to this pussy,” he said on a groan, dragging his tongue through her opening. “I’m glad you shave.”

  Her hips jerked of their own accord, searching deeper penetration, but he parted her with his fingers and pulled back to study her sex.

  “Beautiful, just like the rest of you.”

  His gaze went back to hers, reading her reaction as he slipped a finger inside. When she moaned, he started moving, stroking her with shallow pumps.

  She gripped the sheets. “More.”

  “My greedy girl,” he said with a note of approval. “I won’t deny you.”

  Another finger joined the first, stretching her. He increased his pace, taking her deeper with every thrust while his free hand stroked her clit.

  “So wet for me,” he hummed. “That’s a good girl. We’ve got to get you wetter still if I’m to fit my cock in this tight pussy.”

  Her head dropped back as he bit down lightly on her clit. Holding it in the vice of his teeth, he flicked his tongue over the sensitive bud.

  “Bono.”

  He lifted his head to drag his chin over her mound. His stubble left a delicious prickling heat on her skin. “Say my name, beautiful.”

  “Bono.”

  “Now scream for me.”

  There wasn’t even enough time to drag in a breath of air. He resumed his assault on her clit, nibbling and sucking while pumping his fingers inside her and pressing on the underside of her sex with his thumb. She exploded in his mouth with the scream he’d demanded, her channel tightening around his fingers. Her thighs gripped his head as spasms of pleasure rippled through her. He drank in her pleasure, tasting every aftershock as it detonated from her clit. Only when her legs fell open in exhausted surrender did he let up.

  A smile played on his lips as he looked at her, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “That was only the beginning.” Pushing her legs wide open, he said, “Stay. Don’t close them.”

  He got to his feet and started to remove his clothes, all the while watching her. In the exposed position that displayed her most intimate parts to him she was vulnerable, but she felt safe. There was only worshipping on his face as he towered naked over her. His body was perfection. Every muscle was defined with deep lines. His shoulders were broad and his hips narrow. Between his muscular thighs his cock was erect again. The size should have her shiver in fear—surely, he’d tear her—but she knew he’d be gentle.

  “Take off your clothes,” he said, “and keep your legs open. I like to look at you.”

  She undid the buttons down the front of her blouse and pulled her arms from the sleeves, managing to obey his command.

  “Now the bra.”

  She had to lift her upper body to reach the clasp at the back. She pushed the straps from her shoulders to free her breasts.

  “Lie back.”

  His instructions were firm, but gentle. She did as she was told. For a while, he only looked at her, running his gaze up and down her body. Leaning down, he dragged a finger from the hollow of her throat to her navel. The broad head of his cock brushed against her inner thigh. The shaft twitched as he ran his finger back up to trace a nipple.

  “Your breasts are perfect.” Keeping his weight on his hands, he lowered his body over hers and closed his lips over the hardened tip. He sucked it into his mouth, making her back arch. “Delicious, just like your pussy.”

  There were no words to describe the sensation. It was heaven. His tongue was hot and wet, laving the sensitive skin in a way that had her need climb again. Desire pulsed in her clit, flooding her folds with moisture.

  “I want you,” she whispered.

  He sat back on his heels and dragged her hips toward him until her legs dangled over his. “That’s good. Perfect. I want you open.” Using her wetness, he coated her folds before placing his cock at her entrance. “I’m going to take you with every inch I’ve got.”

  A whimper fell from her lips as he pushed forward, parting her an inch. He stretched her wide with a burn that excited rather than hurt. Slowly, he penetrated her another inch while rubbing a thumb over her clit and massaging her breast with his other hand.

  “More,” she moaned.

  “Soon.” He shifted his hips, going deeper.

  “Ah. Oh God. Yes, like that.”

  “Relax for me.”

  She made a conscious effort to soften her inner muscles, and he slipped in more.

  “We’re doing good, beautiful.” His hand moved to her other breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers. “Take a breath.”

  When she inhaled, he slid deeper still and then stopped. Instead of pushing forward, he rotated his hips, making more moisture coat her inner walls. “How are you doing?”

  “Ah. Oh God.”

  “Are you ready to take more?”

  “Yes. Please.”

  He pulled out slightly and plunged deeper than before, stroking her stomach and breasts. It burned in a good way, but he was too big.

  “I need you to dilate your hips, baby. Relax for me.”

  She guided his hand from her breast to her clit. “Touch me here.”

  Using his thumb, he rubbed a slow circle over the aching nub.

  “Harder,” she moaned.

  A pinch had her back arch off the mattress. “Yes. I like that.”

  “Come here.” Cupping her head, he lifted her to have access to her mouth, sealing his lips over hers. His hands ran over her back in soothing circles. He kissed her gently, until she started to rotate her hips.

  “Your watch,” she said, breaking the kiss. “It’s scratching me.”

  “Hold on.” He released her to remove the wrist pad, placed it on the bed stand, and searched her lips again. “I’m going to make this good for you,” he said into the kiss. “I promise. Take a deep breath and hold it.”

  With the next shove, he was buried inside her to the hilt, her upper body cradled against his. He stilled when she cried out.

  “Tell me when to stop,” he said.

  “Never. Just don’t stop fucking me.”

  “I’m not fucking you. I’m making love to you.” He pushed her down and placed her arms above her head. “Lie back and feel. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll take care of you.”

  He pulled out a fraction and inched back inside, repeating the action with a few shallow pumps until her wetness slicked his cock.
r />   “God, yes,” he groaned. “Fuck, woman. You’re so tight. How long has it been?”

  “Five years.”

  “From now on, mine, and mine only. Say it.”

  “Yours.”

  He started moving with deeper thrusts, causing a slow release to build in her abdomen.

  “Bono.”

  He stilled again. “Close your eyes. Let go.”

  “Harder. I need more.”

  “Anything you want.”

  When he started moving again, it was in all earnest. Her orgasm came hard and fast, exploding around him as he gripped her hips harder and lifted her another inch. He pounded into her, slamming their bodies together, and still it wasn’t enough. She could never have her fill of him. He kept on going until another orgasm started building.

  “God, I’m coming again.”

  “Yes, beautiful. Give me everything.”

  She screamed as her muscles contracted, sending her flying over another edge. Boneless, she couldn’t summon the energy to move. She could only float on a cloud of bliss as he continued to take her harder and faster, perspiration glistening on his body.

  He grunted loudly, rotating his hips. “It takes a long time for me. I’m afraid I’ll wear you out.” Pulling his cock free, he used her legs to turn her onto her stomach. “Close your legs. It’ll be faster like this.”

  He pushed in from behind, the friction almost unbearable.

  “Fuck, Sky.”

  The sounds he made as he took her were beautiful. Grunts of ecstasy filled the room as he glided over her body, going deeper than before. “Can I come inside you?”

  “I’m on birth control.”

  He turned her face to the side and kissed her temple and neck. Sucking at the skin of her shoulder, he quickened his pace. Sparks popped in her vision. She didn’t want to pass out, but his rhythm was grueling. Her insides felt raw. Another orgasm broke over her. She whimpered as the invisible band held her in a limbo of dark pleasure before it crashed her onto the rocks of an unbearable high. Unable to utter a word, she relaxed her muscles, allowing him to mold and shape her with his cock, hammering a pattern into her body that made her reach another crescendo. Barely holding onto consciousness, she floated into a space she’d never known before. Pleasure and pain mingled to create an exquisite sensation of freedom and bliss. She couldn’t handle another orgasm, but the more she tried to hold back, the more intense the sensation became.