by Morgan Fox
He kissed her forehead and flashed a devilish smile that always had her agreeing to just about anything. “You want your sister back, right?” She nodded. “Then have a little faith in me, mate.”
She laid her cheek against Walker’s chest as his arms came around her again. She breathed in his masculine scent and that somehow gave her clarity. She did have faith in Walker’s abilities, but it still didn’t change that traveling into another realm was dangerous.
Lance cleared his throat. “Walker, would you mind running out to my truck and grabbing the first aid kit out of the back?”
With a stiff nod, Walker left to get it.
Lance extended his hand. “Give me your hand,” he told Silence, and as she did, he used it to press down on the bandage that covered a section of Gavin’s stomach. “Once I get him taped up…it will be all I can do.” He met her gaze head-on. “He can’t very well travel in this condition. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
Silence swallowed the dryness in her throat. “But he’ll heal, right? He’s a lycan. He has to heal.”
The lines around Lance’s eyes deepened with an expression of sadness she’d never seen before. “Even supernatural beings have their limits,” he told her plainly. “I want you to let Walker help you find this other world. If Julian’s people have magic maybe they’d be willing to help Gavin.”
She sniffled. She couldn’t believe what was happening. It was all too surreal.
Lance kissed her tenderly. “I need you to be brave. I want you to be the hard-edged, tough as nails woman I know you to be. Gavin needs you, baby. He needs you real bad.”
“But I can’t leave you here alone. What if the demon comes back?”
Lance brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Why would he? Shadow’s gone and he left Gavin for dead. There is nothing here for the demon to come back to.”
Lance had a point. She nodded, kissing him again. “Okay,” she whispered. Closing her eyes, she leaned against his side. It was time to suck up the emotions that could easily cripple her if she allowed them to. “You’re right, babe. I can do this.”
Walker entered the room carrying a large white first aid kit. He placed it on the floor beside Lance. Using what they had available, he finished bandaging up Gavin and made him as comfortable as he could.
Silence rose to her feet and locked eyes with Walker. “Okay, honey, you’re up next.” Her hands dug into her hips. “Show me what you got.”
Chapter 7
Julian closed his eyes as the sweetness of her kiss consumed him. He’d waited a lifetime for Shadow to open up to him, to finally accept him. I love you too. Her words would forever echo in his mind and drive his heart to beat only for her.
He pulled back to gaze down at her. The depths of her blue eyes were an endless sea of passion and desires he longed to satisfy. Her fingers trailed down his hard stomach and teased along the waist of his tan coverings. His body erupted, tremors of need firing deep in his belly.
He brushed his thumb over her chin and cheek. “I want to show you something,” he whispered, softly nibbling on her bottom lip. “I think it’s time.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. She knew exactly what he wanted to show her. “The sanctuary?”
He grinned. As children he’d shared with her a place among his people that was off-limits to most. He’d described a world that was breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil. A spot reserved for only those in love.
Those stories he shared had fevered her adolescent fantasies of love. He’d seen the passionate curiosity that had filled her youthful gaze. Now more than ever, he wanted to show her exactly what she’d imagined.
Growing up, he’d heard the stories himself. Married couples often spoke of an Eden, a vibrant warm place where inhibitions and fears were set aside and only the deepest of passions could be expressed. His soul had recognized Shadow as his one true love and even if that marriage bond had not been arranged by his and her parents, he was sure he would’ve somehow found a way to her.
If not in this lifetime then in the next.
She quivered in his arms and he suddenly feared she had a change of heart. “Are you all right?” he asked, rubbing her shoulders.
She smiled, her eyes still consumed by the magic of their connection. “Yes,” she breathed.
She hugged him, placing her cheek against his bare chest. He instantly circled his arms around her, holding her tight. His heart beat heavy with apprehension.
“Then why do I get the feeling that something’s wrong,” he asked, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair.
She glided her fingertips over the firm ridge of muscle on his chest and met his gaze. “I do love you, Julian, but it wouldn’t be fair to you if I didn’t tell you that I’m also in love with Gavin.” She swallowed hard. “We’re mated and that means I will forever be bound to him. He holds a piece of my heart that no other can ever possess.”
Her fingers dug into the flesh of his back. Her action made it seem as if she were holding on for dear life.
He wasn’t thrilled that she’d chosen a mate other than him. He could never lie to her about that. He would never be able to hide the jealousy that burned inside him whenever he replayed how she and Gavin made love to each other. Twice.
Julian sighed. “I saw you with Gavin,” he admitted. “I know how much he means to you.” He cupped her face in his hands, his body shaking with the need to have her. “I would never tell you that you couldn’t have him in your life.”
Groaning inwardly, he wished he could. More than that, he wished she’d listen to him if he did make that demand.
Shadow watched him in awe. Her eyes glistening with unspent tears, she bit her lower lip nervously. Then a wild gleam sprung from her gaze just as she poked him in the ribs.
“Ouch!” he moaned, grabbing her hand and tucking it behind her so she wouldn’t do that again. “What was that for?”
Shadow rolled her eyes. “For making me wait, idiot.”
He chuckled, and caressed her cheek. He lowered his mouth to hers in a tender kiss. Julian cupped her face in his hands, drinking in the love he saw reflected in her gaze. The fevered rush of desire slammed against him with a force he’d never felt before. He kissed her hard, pulling back only to say, “Let’s not wait anymore.”
He quickly moved to his closet. If they were going to leave, he needed her to be covered in something more than his blanket.
The sound of the blanket dropping to the floor drew his attention toward her. Shit. His cock hardened. We’re never going to leave.
He raked her feminine curves with a fevered stare. He licked his dry lips as he devoured the sight of her supple breasts and erect rosy nipples. Nipples he’d sucked and kissed a hundred times in his dreams. Slowly, his gaze lowered to the delicate curves of her hips and finally settled on the groomed patch of hair between her legs.
She stepped away from the gathered material at her feet and he sucked in a sharp breath. Shifting his stance, he told her, “You really could use a little modesty.”
Shadow arched a brow, keeping her hands at her sides. He appreciated that she didn’t make a move to block his view. His cock jerked.
“It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve seen me naked.”
Without looking away from her, he reached into the closet and pulled out a dark brown robe and draped it over his arm. “No, but it is the first time you’ve been naked in front of me…for me.”
He closed the distance between them and brought the robe to rest on her shoulders. His fingertips skimmed over the warm flesh of her breasts, down her waist, and greedily slid between the damp folds of her pussy. She gasped as he gently massaged her clit. Her hands reached out for him, anchoring her trembling body to his. He leaned closer, pressing his mouth to her ear as he played with her body.
“All I can think about is tasting every inch of your body,” he told her in a deep raspy tone.
She moaned in response.
Everything that was masculine in him had him
wanting to throw her down onto the floor where he could finally be buried deep inside her. But he wouldn’t. Not yet. When he finally made love to Shadow, it would be in the one place he’d always fantasized about.
His hands left her body as he asked, “Do you remember what it was like to orb with me when we were younger?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
He kissed the tip of her nose, wrapping her in his arms. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Then he envisioned the sanctuary and all the wonder that it held. The warm winds blew past him and the sound of crashing water filled his ears. As he leaned back from Shadow, she still had her eyes closed. Her sweet, delicious mouth called to him, beckoning him to take her.
“Open your eyes,” he said softly.
She sucked in a breath, realizing where he’d taken her. She twisted about, drinking in the magnificence of the most breathtaking place ever conceived. Of course everything around them was built on the foundation of magic. Nothing about it was real, but Julian would never tell Shadow that. He could never ruin the joyful expression that lit up her face, the wide-eyed stare, the gleeful smile. This was the one place that was as close to perfect as he could provide for her.
“Oh, Julian,” she breathed. “It’s even better than I had imagined.” She moved, dragging her hands over the tropical plants and trees that surrounded them. She paused a moment. “Is that water?”
She didn’t even wait for his answer before rushing to inspect the area. The crashing of waves upon a white sandy shore had her giggling like a little girl. After the death of Shadow’s parents, he’d watched as she’d slowly died inside. Now, as he studied her, he never would’ve guessed that this was the same woman. She was alive again and the sanctuary was renewing the warmth he’d felt inside her so long ago.
With just a thought, he orbed to her. The tips of her toes rested along the end of the shore where the water met the sand. She smiled up at him and the sight nearly took his legs out from under him. She was gorgeous. The most beautiful woman he’d ever beheld.
“Are we alone?”
He nodded. “No one else can bother us here.” He brushed a fallen strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “This is our time.”
A wicked smile curved her lips. “Good.” The robe she wore fell to the ground as she charged into the water.
Her sweet laughter had his chest boasting with pride and joy. He found it odd how closely their happiness was linked. When Shadow was happy, so was he. When she was worried or frightened, there was also a part of him that felt that way. The connection between them was uncanny.
He marveled at the way she freely moved in the water. The glow of something wonderful reflected in her eyes. Never had he seen something more exquisite.
Seeing her happy now was the most wonderful experience of his life. But as he watched her frolic like a child at play, he knew their time was limited. Even tucked away in the sanctuary, they weren’t safe. The magical realm would only keep them hidden for a short time. Once their window closed, he’d be forced to take her back to his home where he’d have no other choice but to tell her the truth.
A truth that could shatter everything I hold dear.
“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been to the ocean?” She threw her arms in the air, scooping up a handful of water, and letting it cascade over her. “I’ve missed this,” she told him, turning to face him. With an arched brow, she looked at him curiously. “Are you afraid of the water?” She laughed, splashing in his direction.
Smiling, he swallowed the fears that threatened to ruin the time he had left with her. “Fae don’t normally swim. We’re more land dwellers.” He winked at her.
She swam toward the shore, stopping several feet from the water’s edge to stand. When she did, he groaned at the sight of her sensuality. All the blood in his body rushed south as his eyes followed the water that streamed down her body in erotically charged droplets. Her hands moved to her damp hair, pushing it back from her face. Her breasts were pressed forward in invitation.
Her body was a teasing work of art that had his cock harder than a rock. His breath caught in his lungs as he admired the way the sunlight glided upon her smooth skin. Before he even realized what he was doing, he orbed to her. Shadow’s delightful giggle snapped him out of his sexual haze.
As he stood before her knee-deep in the water, she cupped him. Her tight grip on his cock and balls robbed him of breath. He hissed, closing his eyes.
She licked the seam of his lips. “Is it the thought of sex that has your land dwelling ass risking it all?” Her sultry voice was turning him on.
He groaned, opening his eyes to gaze down at her. He shrugged slightly. “It might’ve helped.”
She giggled again. The melodious sound of her voice had him wrapping his arms around her, pulling her against the firmness of his body. Her breasts pressed against him and the heat of her skin had his pulse racing. He took her mouth, capturing her lips in a tender but possessive kiss. If this could be their only time together, he was prepared to make the most of it.
“I want you,” he breathed. “I’ve wanted you for as far back as I can remember.” He knew there was a certain level of desperation in his voice, but he couldn’t help it. If this was their one perfect moment, then he would hold nothing back.
Her nails bit into his flesh. Her hold on him was just as possessive as his on her. “I want you, too, Julian.”
She nipped at his chin, gliding her teeth and lips over his skin. Her warm mouth pressed a delicate kiss to his throat, and as he stared up at the newly twilit sky, he knew he had to have her.
Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her hard. Everything inside him bubbled up like an inferno of need, burning hotter than anything he’d ever experienced. His body was on fire and Shadow was the cause. Her sumptuous mouth and exquisite body was his undoing. Nothing would stop him from loving her tonight and always.
He orbed them out of the water and with the magic he possessed brought them to a clearing. A soft bed of green grass tickled against their feet. A gentle whispering wind blew past them, circling and swirling with the trees that surrounded them. Paradise was the place he created, a safe haven that only he could provide for her.
* * * *
Shadow wondered if she was dreaming. The world around her, the euphoria of passions, the magical energy, everything seemed too perfect. But she wasn’t willing to care. Her childhood came rushing back to her as she stood inside the protective circle of Julian’s arms.
So many nights he had comforted her after waking from a nightmare. How he’d known she needed him, she may never know. But feeling the heat of his body pressed against hers and inhaling the masculine scent of his skin had her wanting nothing else but to be with him.
The fantasies that had plagued her mind for so long could finally be explored, and the fae prince who was the cause of those fantasies could finally love her the way she’d always dreamed he would.
As Julian kissed her, her toes curled into the soft grass beneath her. She was no longer standing thigh deep in water. Easing back, she glanced around, taking in the area where he’d relocated them.
The accuracy of the sanctuary stunned her. If she could’ve forged a place she considered perfect, this would be exactly that. Returning her gaze to Julian, she felt the blood thicken in her veins. The hungry look in his eyes was spine tingling.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment,” he told her, his voice low.
“Me, too.”
Julian kissed her so tenderly. His mouth glided over her skin in a soft exploration. Nibbling at her chin, his heated lips moved down her throat, settling on her breasts. She held him close as he sucked on her nipples. His gentle touch had her pussy throbbing with need. She wanted him to touch the heart of her, to fill her completely.
Julian lowered himself to his knees, kissing the thin patch of hair between her legs. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, running his hands over her hips and thighs
.
As he stared up at her, she couldn’t speak. The blood rushed to her ears and all she could hear was the fast beat of her heart. Her body warmed and quivered with the prospects of what was to come.
Slowly, he raised her leg to rest over his shoulder. His eyes never left hers until the final moment where his tongue slid between the folds of her pussy. As if savoring the taste of her, he closed his eyes. A fluttering moan caught in her throat as he sampled her body. His fingers gently dug into the flesh of her hips and thighs, parting her wider. With his index finger and thumb he opened her like a flower, bringing her clit more fully into his mouth. She ran her fingers into his long white hair, holding him as her balance tittered. Shaking from the pleasure rippling through her, she closed her eyes, crying out to the heavens.
Before she even felt the movement, she was lying in the grass. Opening her eyes, Julian was between her spread legs. His light eyes were filled with an animalistic hunger as he continued to feast. His finger slid into the wet depths of her body, pumping slowly as she rocked her hips.
“Julian,” she gasped, clawing for him to join her.
She arched as he moved up to take her nipple into his mouth. The pulsations of his hand against her clit, his finger inside her, and his tongue swirling around the hardened peak of her nipple had her body heating deliciously.
“Oh, God,” she cried. Her mind was reeling from the passion flooding her.
Again her body pulsed and shook with the tremors of release.
Julian brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked on them, closing his eyes with a groan. “You taste like ambrosia.”
Her pussy clenched tight at his words.
Moving over her, he placed his cock at her entrance and slowly sank as deep as he could. She gasped as his thickness filled her. His body pressed against her, unmoving.
She held him tight, gazing up to see him watching her intensely. His eyes were filled with an expression she hadn’t seen before and she struggled to make heads or tails of. A flutter of nerves overwhelmed her.
