Chapter 73

Ryker

I brokethe kiss again to admire her body as I tugged her pants down her long, shapely thighs. She was all toned muscle from riding, working the manor, and traversing the woods. Unlike me, her creamy skin was flawless.

I didn't miss the stark differences between us, but instead of driving me away, they only drew me closer. She was inexperienced, and while the world had been tough on her recently and she'd lost her father, she'd grown up in a loving, accepting family.

Despite working at the manor and her adventures in the woods, nothing marred her skin, whereas mine was a roadmap to the atrocities of my past. She hadn't seen them yet, but more scars crisscrossed my legs, feet, and ass.

I also had some on my face, but those were faint and from the war. My father had always avoided my face; for some reason, the ophidians did too.

Sometimes, when I looked at the scars, I knew they were no match for the ones on my heart. Looking at her, I knew her heart was as spectacular as her body.

Yes, she had scars on her heart too, but she hadn't allowed them to harden her like I had. She also hadn't endured as much as me, and I would ensure she never did.

I would do whatever it took to protect her from Ivan, my father, and whatever else they planned. And I would defend this realm.

I lost myself after Leo's death, but I'd found myself again in these woods, on a new mission, and… with her.

I couldn't help marveling over her beauty while I ran my hands up her legs to part her thighs. Bending, I placed a kiss against her knee as she watched me with wide, curious eyes but didn't try to stop me.

I saw the increased beat of her heart in the vein in her neck, and she tensed, but she didn't tell me to stop or try to pull away. Curiosity kept her riveted as her eyes darkened with desire while I moved up her leg.

As I traversed steadily up her thigh, her breath caught. Her legs started to close, but I gently held them open.

"You can tell me to stop at any time, and I will," I assured her, "but let me taste you."

I hadn't considered it possible, but her eyes widened further, and her mouth parted.

"I promise you'll enjoy it."

She gulped, but her legs loosened and opened further again. I watched her, savoring her splendor before bending my head between her thighs.

Her fingers dug into the mattress, and she stiffened again, but when I licked her clit, she issued a small, "Oh."

And that was all I needed to keep going. She tasted of honey and warmth, of pleasure and sin, as I licked and fucked her with my tongue and finger.

I kept waiting for her to tell me to stop. However, as her breath came faster and her fingers tugged at my hair, she didn't. Sliding my hands under her taut ass, I lifted her hips so I could delve deeper into her.

Her fingers in my hair pulled me closer as her head fell back, and she emitted a sound that nearly had me coming in my pants. I couldn't wait to be inside her.

She'd be so tight and was already wet and ready for me, but I restrained myself from taking her too fast. I was sure she'd never been here before, and I would do everything I could to ensure I didn't hurt her when the time came.

Ellery cried out, and her ass tensed against my palms as she came against my tongue. I licked her a few more times before lowering her to the mattress.

With impatient, nearly fumbling hands, I undid my pants and shoved them down my hips. I kicked off my pants and crawled forward to plant my fists on either side of her head.

Her face was flushed, and her glorious hair spilled across the mattress and pillows. Her eyes twinkled as she offered me a lazy smile before draping her arms around my neck.

When she drew me down to her again, I kissed her as I grasped my dick and slid the head of it inside her. She was so wet and inviting I had to grit my teeth against shoving into her as she drew me deeper.

She felt better than I'd ever believed possible, considering the countless times I'd had sex before. But she didn't feel like those other women; being inside Ellery was like finally finding my way home. After many years of searching, I knew where I belonged.

I was broken and battered; she was beautiful and giving, and she was mine. Her legs tightened against my sides as I claimed her.