Bound (World of Shadows Book 2)

by Kensie King

  “This does make me feel better. You being here.”

  He laughed. “Wait, hold on. Isn’t it usually me trying to reassure you? What’s going on here? And weren’t you trying to get me to leave not so long ago?”

  I gave a sly smile. “You want to leave?”

  “No.” He pulled me close, burying his face in my neck and breathing in deep. “No, I want to be here with you. I want to take care of you—”

  “Gage,” I whispered, my lips touching his ear. I was undone by the emotion in his voice, the vulnerability there. “I was just joking.”

  “I don’t want him to hurt you.”

  “Your brother? Kane?”

  He visibly flinched.

  I did the only thing I could think of. I kissed him. I parted his lips with my tongue, dragging a low moan from him. It stirred my insides, making me press closer so I was crushed against him. My dick jabbed against his stomach while I slid my fingers into his hair, fisting at the back. He groaned this time and ran his hands down my bare back before gripping my ass and hauling me even closer.

  “Stay with me,” I said. “Stay with me tonight.”

  “Of course.”

  He kissed my lips, then my jaw, and moved to my chest while his hands roamed over my back, heating my skin everywhere he touched.

  My breath hitched when he stood with me still in his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him while the rest of my body slid the length of his. His dick pressed hard into my hip, and suddenly the rest of the world was forgotten. The blackbird had vanished from my mind, and all I could think about was Gage.

  He moved faster than I could see, undoing my jeans and pulling down my boxers until I was completely naked. And he hadn’t removed a stitch of clothing. There was something so sexy about being completely bare before a fully clothed man.

  His eyes traveled the length of my body, hunger dancing in their depths. He looked at me as though I was the only thing in this world. His words from earlier came back to me. I love you.

  I stepped up to him and set my hand on his chest. His breathing was steady, but his heart was racing out of control.

  “I need you,” I told him. It wasn’t I love you, but it was the best I could do. Like Gage had said before, I was invested. He was part of my life now, as crazy as it seemed, and I couldn’t imagine not having him here.

  His eyes burned with desire and he moved at the speed of light again, movements I couldn’t keep up with, as he undressed.

  In a flash, he had a condom on and stood before me like a god. A vampire god. His thighs were toned and strong, arms bulging with muscle. His abs were hard as a rock. Every piece was like it was carved out of granite.

  I pushed him back to the couch. He could have resisted. He was a dozen times stronger with me. But he just smiled and sat down, letting me have my way.

  “Stay there,” I told him.

  He only narrowed his eyes and watched as I walked from the room. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time until I vanished into the hallway. I grabbed a bottle of lube from the bedroom and returned, loving the hum of longing that rushed through my body.

  Gage took the bottle from me, unwilling to entirely let me take the lead. I could tell he, like I, was losing his patience. I wanted him to be inside of me.

  But Gage proved that he was more patient than I was by opening the bottle and putting some on his fingers before gripping my hip with his free hand. He pulled me in front of him, so my dick was level with his face. My hands clenched on his shoulders when his mouth closed over me.

  He sucked on the end of my dick while moving his hand with the lube around to my ass. I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of his tongue sliding over the rough underside of my shaft and his fingers sliding down my ass crack.

  He found the hole and smoothed his fingers around the rim while he continued to suck.

  I gripped his hair in the back and looked down at him, waiting for him to meet my eyes. “I need you inside of me.”

  He eased back and let me climb onto his lap. I poised myself over his cock, my heart thumping in anticipation. Gage gripped my hips as I lowered myself, letting him enter me inch by inch.

  He groaned as he filled me full, and then squeezed his hands on my hips. He bowed his forehead against mine, holding still a long moment. His voice was hoarse when he spoke again. “God, Link. I don’t deserve you.”

  The utter vulnerability in his voice hit me right in the heart. I didn’t know much about Gage’s past or who he was before this, but I knew the kind of person he’d chosen to be when I first met him. And it seemed like he was still beating himself up over it, even though I doubted that was the kind of man he was otherwise.

  He’d shown me that wasn’t who he was, and I trusted him utterly, without question.

  I could love a man like him. I could be happy with a man like Gage. I knew it in my heart even if I couldn’t say it out loud.

  Gage’s lips seared mine with a long kiss. He seemed restless now, hands moving everywhere, trying to claim every inch of my skin. I started to rock, sliding up and down on his cock.

  He groaned and thrusted his hips to meet mine. The friction and his speed and agility had me coming apart in his hands.

  “Gage, that feels so good.”

  He didn’t stop, only kissed me harder and continued to move against me until pressure built inside.

  The flames were buried deep. For once, I wasn’t worried about hurting Gage, only about enjoying myself. And enjoying him.

  Using this moment of intimacy to reassure him that I was here with him just as much as he was with me. I might not have the words to show him, but I had this.

  “Bedroom,” Gage said, shifting under me.

  Before I could blink, he stood and lifted me in his arms. I missed the contact, but only briefly before he lowered me to the bed in my bedroom.

  “Roll over,” he suggested, standing at the end of the bed.

  I moved to my stomach. My breath caught when he pulled me down to the end of the bed, positioning me the way he wanted me.

  Fuck, he was so strong. I kept forgetting because he was always so gentle with me.

  Gage pulled my hips up, so he had better access to my ass, and he ran his fingers down the crack. I shuddered at the motion, then moaned when he entered me again.

  “Gage.” My voice nearly cracked. I could barely hold it together because he felt so good.

  “I’m right here,” he assured me.

  And then he began to pump his hips against me, gaining momentum as I pressed back against him.

  Damn, he was good at this. And he seemed to have endless energy. It must have been a vampire thing.

  “Keep going,” I grunted.

  My arms were shaking with the strain of holding myself up, and the rest of my body was ready for release, but I held on, gritting my teeth as Gage pounded me from behind.

  “Link,” he said, voice just a whisper before his body tensed.

  He curled over the top of me, arms around my waist as he found his release. One of his hands reached around to grip my cock, and it only took one stroke before I exploded as well.

  Gage held me tight as we both climaxed, his body absorbing my shudders.

  “Fuck,” he murmured, voice muffled against my back.

  I lowered myself down, so I was flat against the bed, my cheek mashed into the covers.

  Gage eased off of me. I felt the coldness of his missing body before I heard the soft sound of water running. He was back in a flash.

  “Link,” he murmured, his lips at my ear. “Roll over so I can clean you up.”

  “Can’t,” I told him. “I’m too tired.

  He chuckled. “I’ll help you.”

  My body was boneless, fused to the bed. “I could probably stay here forever.”

  “I wish we could. I love you.”

  My stomach sank even as my heart squeezed with tenderness for him. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, rolling over.

  He propped
himself on one elbow, looking down at me with dark, dark eyes. “I understand you can’t say it back. I just… I need to know if the shifter is still in the picture, or…”

  I smiled. “His name is Dylan.”

  “Right.”

  But Gage’s face stayed serious. I reached out to touch his cheek, but he caught my hand in his and pinned it by my head, leaning in to kiss me.

  “I need to know.”

  “It’s just you now,” I told him seriously. “Only you.”

  Tension released from his shoulders. He slid his hand all the way down my body, over my stomach, and over my dick that was still so sensitive before he used the wet rag to wipe me.

  When he was finished, he urged me to get under the covers, and then joined me.

  I curled up next to him, laying my head on his chest and my hand on his heart. “Do you think maybe you could…”

  “What?” He dipped his chin to look at me when I didn’t answer. “Anything. I’ll do anything.”

  “Do you think you could keep your distance a little tomorrow?” His jaw clenched, and I rushed to continue. “Savannah is going to know something is going on. I don’t want her to try to make me hurt you. But if she does—”

  “No.”

  I tried to sit up, but he held me tight, keeping me trapped against him. “You said you’d do anything.”

  “Not that.”

  I frowned. “She’s going to try to stop us.”

  “Which is why I’m going to be right there with you. The whole time. Just in case.”

  “Except when I’m in the cave. You can’t come in there.”

  “I can.”

  “No, Gage.” I squirmed out of his grasp when he tightened his hold again. “If you don’t promise me you’ll be careful and keep your distance, you’re not coming.”

  His eyes flashed with amusement in the darkness. “You’re cute when you’re threatening me.”

  “Gage.” The tips of my fingers flamed, lighting the space between us.

  He stayed calm. “You can put the fire away, sweetheart. It’s not going to make any difference.”

  “I didn’t mean to,” I said quietly. Then I shrugged. “Okay, maybe I meant to a little.”

  “I’m coming—that’s not negotiable. But I’ll be careful.”

  This placated me some. “Will you?”

  “Come here,” he said, holding back the covers. “You’re cold.”

  I settled on his chest again. He brushed his thumb over the bandage on my shoulder and his lips found my temple. “I need to be close to you,” he said, voice deep near my ear. “I need to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I understand. But you don’t need to come into the cave. If we get that far, let me see what I can do.”

  He kissed my lips. “When we get that far, I trust you to do what you need to.”

  I blew out a breath and closed my eyes. “Good.”

  I needed his trust. I needed everyone to trust me because Savannah wasn’t going to make this easy. And if we all couldn’t work together and do what was necessary, someone was going to get hurt.

  Chapter 24

  Gage and I arrived at the hotel before everyone else. I lounged against the outside of his car, sipping my coffee and watching while Grace pulled up with my mom and Dylan arrived just after in his truck.

  I saluted them with my coffee. “Morning.”

  “You look calm,” Grace said.

  Dylan’s eyes wandered over my face and traveled to Gage briefly before returning to me. “You do.”

  I shrugged. I was actually nervous, but I didn’t want to show it. I wanted everyone to think I was confident about this. To believe it was going to work out as well as we planned. Walk to the cave, walk inside the cave, find the Book of Shadows and then get the hell out of there. Easy as pie.

  Helen’s eyes meet mine and she gave a small smile. I doubted she could tell how I felt, but she could probably read it on my face.

  I turned to Gage. “Where’s Audrey? She should be here by now.”

  He gripped my fingers tight in his. “She’ll be here. Don’t worry.”

  “Now you don’t look calm,” Dylan said. His eyes dipped to my hand, still linked with Gage’s. “What’s going on? Something happen with Audrey?”

  “Gage’s brother is here,” I said. “And I think you’re right about the blackbird being a shapeshifter. It tried to attack us last night and I had a vision—about Kane.”

  Grace’s mouth opened but nothing came out. Finally, she said, “Link, I can’t leave you alone for ten minutes. I go home and look what happens. You get attacked by a bird, have visions…” She smiled at Gage. “Get kidnapped.”

  Dylan smirked, but he controlled it quickly. “Just what we need. More vampires to deal with.”

  “I don’t want to argue, I just want to make sure Audrey is okay and then tell you all to be on the lookout. Once we deal with Savannah, we’ll need to figure out how to redo the spell. And quick.” I saw Audrey’s car pulling into the parking lot and blew out a breath. “Good, she’s here.”

  When Audrey stepped out with a wide smile, I figured she hadn’t had any problems. Gage filled her in as we started to walk.

  “So, what’s the plan again?” Helen asked.

  “Get inside the cave and find the book,” I said.

  Grace walked on my other side. “So, not much of a plan.”

  I scowled at her. “What else is there to do?”

  “I’m not putting down the idea. I have no idea what else to do. It just seems a little…simple, is all.”

  “And dangerous,” Dylan added.

  The air was warm as we started into the trees. Clouds blocked the sun today, giving us some reprieve from the heat. So far it felt nice. And normal.

  “It is simple—and let’s hope it stays that way. As far as dangerous…” I met Dylan’s eyes. “That’s why you’re all here.”

  Helen nodded. “And I’ll be in there with you.”

  “No.” I smiled at her, grateful for the back-up. But I wanted to do this on my own as much as possible. To keep it simple, like Grace said. “Just stay outside the cave if you can. So, there’s one of us inside and one of us out, just in case.”

  “But then you’ll be in there alone,” Dylan said.

  I flashed him a grin. “I’ll be quick.”

  He didn’t seem to find that amusing. I shot Grace a look, and she walked ahead with my mother, understanding right away that I needed a moment with Dylan.

  “You know this has to be done,” I said when it was just us walking side-by-side. I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, though. I met Gage’s eyes. He gave me a smile, though I could tell it was forced.

  Dylan nodded. “I know. Doesn’t make it any easier, though.”

  “But you know…if we can finish this with Savannah, and then do something about the spell, maybe things will be different. Maybe instead of just putting the spell back in place we can do more.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Make a new spell. Make it so you’re not stuck in Knob Creek anymore.” I smiled. “If that’s what you want.”

  He kept walking, but his gaze stayed on me for a long moment. “Where would I go?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Anywhere.” I grinned at him. “Everywhere.”

  He laughed. “Sounds like your kind of thing, not mine.”

  “You don’t want to leave? Or travel? Get out of here?”

  “I don’t really care about all that. I just want…”

  “What do you want?” I prompted when he didn’t continue.

  “I want all of this over. I want to walk outside without worrying I’m going to see an animal and shift into something else. I want to have a normal relationship with someone.”

  He stopped talking and a muscle flexed in his jaw. He glanced back to the rest of the group and sighed. His eyes met mine briefly before dropping to watch his feet as we crossed the forest floor.

  “So,” he said quiet
ly before I could answer. “You and Gage, huh?”

  I lifted my chin but bit my lip. This was what I need to tell him, right? But the resignation in his eyes was hard to see.

  “Yes.” I spotted the cave up ahead. “He understands me.”

  Dylan flashed me a quick smile. “You don’t have to explain.”

  I felt like I did. I felt like I owed him something for being here for me—and for trying to keep me safe from Gage when we actually thought he was a threat.

  But before I could turn and say anything else, the earth started to shake beneath my feet. Dylan grabbed my arm and we both turned to the rest of the group. Grace’s eyes widened.

  “What’s going on?” Helen asked, hand fumbling for a rock or something else to steady herself with.

  “Is someone else coming into Knob Creek?” Audrey grabbed a tree trunk as the ground continued to tremble.

  Branches cracked overhead and then rained down on us. We ducked, covering our heads.

  Leave now!

  The voice rang loud in my ears, and I gasped, looking up. It was Savannah. She was trying to get us to leave.

  I’ll kill them all!

  “Did you hear that?” I asked, standing again. I stumbled and pitched to the side, grabbing a tree branch to right myself.

  You’re going to die!!

  Gage started toward me, but I spun in the other direction. “Did you hear that?”

  “I don’t hear anything,” Audrey said. “Just the trees. What is it, Link?”

  I whipped around when hands closed on my shoulders. It was Gage. He peered into my face, eyes full of questions.

  “It’s Savannah,” I whispered

  More tree branches cracked overhead. A huge one fell above Helen, and both Dylan and Audrey stopped it from crashing down on her head.

  “You need to get out of here,” I told Gage. I clutched his forearms as the earth tipped. “She’s going to try to hurt you. Get them out of here, Gage, please.”

  “If we go, you’re coming with us,” he said.

  “No.” I tried to pull from his grasp. “Gage, listen—”

  “Let’s do this,” Helen said, nodding at me. “Let’s get it done and get out of here.”

  I held her gaze for another moment and then swiveled. “Okay. We’re almost there.”