Searching his face, she tried to find the telltale signs of understanding that she was accustomed to seeing there. Something that let her know he would grant her wish, that he understood this was bigger than human vanity. Yet there was nothing there, no, that wasn’t right, there was a “something” lurking in his eyes, that was just as foreign as his new otherness, and she didn’t even begin to try and understand it.
“You wish to have a life with me?” he asked with a calmness that both frightened her as it also gave her hope.
“Yes, a chance for something I didn’t think I could have before,” she whispered.
“I gave you a choice once,” he replied with the same detached coolness to his tone.
Sighing, she pulled on a curl of her hair. She was losing him. Augusta didn’t know how best to explain the complexity of living to a being that never had to worry about life ending.
“If I’m to grant your wish Augusta, you must explain it better than you just didn’t make the right choices. Human regret means nothing to me. It is a condition of your mortality I do not suffer from,” he stated with a tone no less cool but a degree softer than before.
Feeling her own temper begin to rise at the way he was reacting, his inability to understand her, she threw her hands up in frustration.
“You aren’t listening to me. This isn’t about regret, well not the way you are thinking about it. I’ve loved my life and all that I’ve accomplished. This is about the fantasy of “what if”. You are my “what if” and it doesn’t detract from my “what was” but it still exists. It may be a condition of my mortality but you have the ability to make that fantasy a reality without erasing all that I call my life.”
Feeling tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, Augusta looked up at Dáire, exposing herself more completely than she had ever done with another person.
“Maybe I am a selfish, grasping little human, but I want it all. I want you and what I had, and I want it in a body that can move and slide against all the glorious planes and valleys of your body without pulling a muscle or having a heart attack,” she finished with a shy smile.
She hoped it would be the humor of her last statement that spoke to him if the intensity of her first part was lost. Dáire often grappled with most human emotions, and she feared what she was asking of him may be hard for him to compute, but humor, like their anger, was so vibrant between them it would be hard for him to miss, even with subtleness.
“Do you love me?” Dáire asked, staring at her intently.
The question was so abrupt that Augusta was silenced by her shock. She’d never thought about loving Dáire before. Looking into his inhumanly beautiful face, she felt as if she was seeing him for the first time.
“Does it matter?” she responded, feeling confused by his question and the intensity of his gaze.
“Yes, yes it does,” he replied with a perplexed expression.
His perplexity seemed to tug at something deep within her. Reaching over, she gently took his hand in hers. When she was younger, she may have drawn out what she was going to say, played a game of emotional cat and mouse, not wanting to give more than she was getting. She wasn’t young anymore and didn’t have the luxury of time, of feeling the world would stop spinning if she only requested it. Holding his warm, smooth hand in hers, she looked down at the golden skin that seemed to glow from within. Rubbing her thumb over the back of his hand, gently caressing each finger, she looked up into his eyes and said, “Yes, yes I love you.”
Augusta watched as a myriad of emotions flickered across Dáire’s face, too fast for her to process. Gathering her up in his arms, he gently cupped the back of her head in one of his strong hands and looked deep into her eyes.
“I love you too,” he said with a shy smile.
“Does it surprise you?” she asked with a smile of her own.
“Yes and no. I can’t begin to explain it,” he replied with a furrowed brow.
“Then don’t,” she whispered, leaning forward just enough to place a soft kiss upon his lips.
Chapter Six
Closing his eyes Dáire savored the feel of Augusta’s lips pressing against his. He had always wanted this but until the moment she was in his arms; soft, warm, and open to all that he had to give, he’d never known how much he’d wanted it. Opening his eyes he looked into hers and saw the wanting he was feeling reflected and knew what he had to do. Bringing her as close as their bodies could ever be, he kissed her with all the longing and passion he’d kept checked over the several decades of knowing each other.
Calling up his magic, powers that were as much a part of him as breathing, he gave her all that she’d asked of him and more. Breaking their kiss, he let his lips trail along her jawline. Feeling the skin tighten and firm under his mouth. Nibbling his way to her ear and down toward her neck and collarbone he could feel his magic working. Letting his hands roam down her back to her lovely bottom, he kneaded muscles that had become taught and firm.
As his mouth and hands began to explore her body, Augusta let out little sighs of pleasure that had Dáire on the very brink of losing his control. Pulling back, he looked into a face that was like the one he’d seen so many years ago. Pushing a soft brown curl from her forehead, he smiled down at her. He hadn’t lied when he’d said earlier that he would have her as she was, but as he looked into her now young face he knew that it was important that he had her as she wanted.
“It’s done,” he said, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“Okay,” she replied, twining her hands in his hair.
“Don’t you want to go see?” he asked.
“I already know what I look like Dáire. I didn’t have you do this so I could gaze at myself in a mirror all night,” she chuckled, pulling him down for another kiss.
“That’s what I did this for,” she whispered against his lips as she pulled away from their kiss.
Dáire didn’t need to be told twice. Scooping her into his arms, he walked quickly to Augusta’s bedroom. Giggling, she kissed along his jawline and nibbled his ear. The simple, sweet simplicity of the act made his body flare with sexual awareness. He’d wanted this for so long, wanted her for so long that it was almost too good to be true. Making his way into her room, he placed her down gently on her Mission style bed. There was a sort of static electricity in the room that made him think about how the air feels before a storm.
This was a storm he found himself firmly in the center of and he couldn’t wait to be taken for the ride of his life. Pulling his shirt over his head, he began to shift back into his more human glamour and was stopped by the husky sound of Augusta’s voice.
“Don’t do that. Don’t change how you look for me.”
Smirking, he halted his magic and looked deeply into her eyes and replied, “But you did it for me.”
Sitting up on the bed she began to pull her clothes off slowly, exposing more and more of her beautiful brown skin.
“Dáire, trust, this was for my own selfish reasons.”
Reaching out faster than he thought she could possibly move, Augusta snatched him by the front loops of his jeans and had him on his back straddling him. The look of triumph on her face and the little bounce she did right over his groin caused him to growl out with pleasure. At this point it didn’t matter to him why she was doing anything, she’d said she loved him and he was more than happy to live with that. They were words that he’d never thought could ever be spoken to him nor did he ever dream he’d be able to return them in kind.
Letting his hands explore the smooth contours of her skin, he pulled her gently toward him and kissed her pillow soft lips. Running his tongue against their seam he moaned with pleasure when she opened for him and began to duel her tongue with his. Her taste was the nectar of life that the gods coveted for their own.
“More,” she whispered against his lips.
Flipping her quickly beneath him, he helped her divest herself of the rest of her clothing and his own. Pressed skin to skin i
t was almost too much for him. She felt like fire wrapped in silk and he couldn’t wait to bury himself so deeply in her that he was consumed by the fire she was creating. His hands couldn’t seem to touch her enough and his tongue couldn’t seem to taste her enough.
Laughing, she flipped him over and began her own exploration. Trailing soft kisses down his torso, running her tongue along his abs and finally taking his hardened length into her mouth—it was heaven. Her hold on him was firm as she brought her mouth up and down, sucking and pulling him to ecstasy.
“Enough,” he rasped, pulling on her hair that was wound tightly in his hands.
Reversing their positions he wanted to have his turn with her body. With either a fae or mortal lover he prided himself on his stamina but Augusta’s clever little mouth was going to finish him before he’d even started. Sliding down the soft planes of her body, he found himself at the center of all creation. Running his nose against the moist flesh, he inhaled deeply and felt an awakening down to the very depths of his soul. She was his and he was never going to let her go.
***
Augusta didn’t know what Dáire was doing but he was driving her crazy with anticipation. In her youth she’d never had many lovers that put their mouths down there but when they had she’d enjoyed it. Looking down at Dáire’s head nestled between her thighs she held her breath. When he leaned down and gently nudged her folds with his nose, taking in a deep breath, she felt her body shudder with arousal. Her other partners had never been as reverent with her body as Dáire was. It made her ache with need even more.
“Please,” she begged, tugging on his silky hair.
Looking up at her with a Cheshire grin, he winked before he bent his head down and devoured her. No, Augusta thought, that wasn’t a good description. What Dáire was doing between her thighs couldn’t possibly be described with her limited vocabulary. Hell, it probably couldn’t even be best described with his fae one. What she did know was that it was magical and she felt as if her body was being taken apart and mended back together after each swipe of his tongue.
As an orgasm built from the very base of her core and spread through her body like wild fire, she arched her back eagerly awaiting her release. But Dáire wasn’t going to let her come that easily. He teased and tugged until she was panting and moaning like a mad woman. It was too much and not enough, but when he gently nipped at her clit and tugged with the right amount of pressure one last time, she came with a howl of pleasure.
She didn’t have time to bask in the after-glow of one of the most explosive orgasms she’d ever had before Dáire was over her and in her with one quick thrust. It’d been so long since a man had lain between her thighs that she was initially shocked by the intrusion. It was both foreign and familiar to her and as he began to glide ever so slowly in and out of her, she found the rhythm she’d had so many years ago when seeking her pleasure. It really was like riding a bike and she was going to pump and pump until her body couldn’t ride anymore.
“So beautiful, so soft,” Dáire murmured against her skin as their sweat slicked bodies glided against each other.
Running her hands down his muscled back, she grasped his firm butt and pulled him even deeper inside of her. She didn’t know if it was his magic or the fact that she hadn’t had a man for so long, but it felt as if he was pulsing even larger within her. Moaning into his shoulder, she licked and nipped at his skin, feeling as if she would never have her fill of him. Was this what he’d warned her about, when he said mortal women could become addicted to fae sex? In her youth would she have become a slave to his magical dick, always waiting for any opportunity to ride it?
As he flipped her so she was on top and taking him even deeper into her body, she sighed with pleasure. This was her second chance, a new beginning all in one night, and if she was going to be strung out, she’d take in all that he had to offer.
“Yes, like that,” she shouted in a voice gone hoarse from screaming.
Augusta felt so wanton. She’d never been prudish when it came to sex but the wisdom of time and the comfort of knowing who she was and what she wanted had her directing and receiving pleasure at a level she’d never known before. She was powerful and vulnerable all at once and she was about to come again and she knew it would be greater than anything she’d ever known.
“Augusta,” Daire shouted, thrusting up with quick, deep strokes that sent her over the edge.
She felt pleasure wash over her body as he flipped her onto her back and glided in and out of her at a frenzied pace that almost seemed manic. With one final push deep into her core, he came with a roar that caused delicious little quakes to flood her body.
Pulling her into his arms, she nestled into his embrace and listened to the sounds of their labored breathing. Smiling, she lightly ran her hand against his forearm wrapped around her middle and thought about what a great idea this was. It was better than she could have ever imagined.
“How do you feel?” Dáire asked, placing a soft kiss in her hair.
“I’d say great but I’m afraid that you’ll gloat,” she replied, pulling his body closer to hers.
Chuckling, Dáire pulled some of her curls back and kissed the outer shell of her ear.
“The sound of your voice hoarse from screaming your pleasure is reason enough for me to gloat,” he whispered, causing little fissures of electricity to travel through her body.
Moaning, she arched her body into his and felt the excitement of anticipation take hold as he grew hard and heavy behind her. This must be another perk of a Fae lover, quick recovery period.
“Well aren’t we a greedy little puss,” he cooed in a husky voice as he slipped his fingers into her wet folds.
“Again so soon, my love?”
The tenderness of his question caused Augusta’s breath to catch. She’d known Dáire for so many years and had heard him use so many endearments, mostly to annoy her, over those years but never said in a voice like that. Tears began to prick at the backs of her eyes and she couldn’t really say why. No, that was a lie. She knew why, but the knowing was too sad for a moment that could only last this night. This was better than she could have ever imagined and when she woke up tomorrow she wanted it to be better than any regret she could have ever had.
“Yes, again so soon, my love,” she whispered softly to him, turning into his embrace and what he had to offer.
Chapter Seven
Augusta stretched and yawned, feeling muscles not used in a very long time protest with satisfaction. She felt good, no, she felt so beyond good that great couldn’t even describe the pleasure that seemed to be locked into her body at the very cellular level. Pushing a tangle of curls out of her eyes, she turned and looked at Dáire sleeping peacefully next to her in bed. Reaching out, she pushed a lock of hair from his forehead and smiled. Gently tracing the lines and angles of his face, she didn’t know how she was going to ever thank him for what he did. He’d given her a chance at her “what if” and it was far better than her imagination could have ever conjured.
Slipping slowly out of bed, she tried to be as quiet as possible as she made her way to the bathroom. She was going to shower and get ready for her day so she could make him the best breakfast he’d ever had. Feeling particularly energized, she bounced a little as she went into the bathroom thinking that after the marathon sex-a-thon they’d had into the wee hours of the morning, she deserved a good old fashioned southern breakfast.
Shutting the bathroom door behind her, she hummed as she reached to open the skylight in the room and opened the blinds to the small window that looked out onto her backyard. She wanted the room flooded with natural light, as she got ready. Turning toward her mirror, she felt the smile she’d been wearing so proudly freeze on her face. Stifling a scream, she turned quickly and flung her bathroom door open and stormed into her room.
“Dáire, wake up right now!” she yelled pulling on the covers that were covering the lower half of his body.
Looking at him lying in
her bed naked and semi aroused, she realized that she probably didn’t make the best decision. Searching the floor of her room she began picking up his clothes and throwing them at him.
“What is wrong with you woman?” he growled now fully awake, having been smacked in the face with his pants.
“Look at me and ask me that question again,” Augusta shouted, placing her hands on her hips in a defensive stance.
The slow perusal he gave her made Augusta very aware of her nakedness. His going from semi hard to fully hard as he looked at her was also a glaring endorsement that having an argument while naked probably wasn’t the best idea. Sighing, she went over to her closet and pulled out one of the housedresses she wore when she was lounging around.
“Pity,” Dáire said with a smirk on his face.
“Don’t be cute. Look at me. I didn’t change back,” she said feeling unsettled.
“I don’t understand what you mean?”
Augusta squinted her eyes at him because the question was asked in such a benign, detached manner that she knew Dáire was avoiding the truth. Watching him put his pants on, leaving the top buttons unfastened; she pinched her lips together and tapped her foot. When he walked toward the bathroom she jumped into his path.
“You’re lying,” she stated bluntly.
“No, my love, I really don’t understand what you mean. I don’t know what this ‘change back’ you’re referring to is,” he replied with a raised brow.
She hated that superior look he got when he thought she was being foolish. Over the years she’d often fantasized about snatching it right off of his face.
“I’m still young. That’s what I’m talking about. Look at me, I’m still young,” she shouted, feeling panic rising up inside.
She’d only asked for one night and even though at several points in their love making she’d secretly thought about what it would be like to wake up the next day and be able to continue as they were, she’d placed it in the category of another “what if” that could never be explored. Now, she didn’t even know what the hell was going on. But whatever it was it needed to stop because there was no way she could explain to her friends and family how she’d become a thirty something young woman again.
Life in Two Parts Page 3
