27. Chapter 27

Darick

I stand motionless in Rowan's living room, watching as she enters and turns to close the door. The moment she spots me, her entire body goes rigid. Her eyes widen, and her lips part in a silent gasp. The keys slip from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

For what feels like an eternity, we're frozen in place, our gazes locked. I can hear her heart racing, smell the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

"Rowan," I say.

She blinks rapidly as if trying to clear her vision. I take a step forward, my movements slow and deliberate.

"You're…you're dead." Her voice is husky. "I saw…the explosion…the sun…"

Her hand reaches out tentatively, hovering inches from my chest. I remain still, allowing her to come to terms with my presence.

"It seems I'm harder to kill than we thought." I give a small smile.

Finally, her fingertips make contact with my shirt. A small sob whisps past her lips as she realizes I'm solid, real. Her hand presses flat against my chest, and I cover it with my own.

"You're really here. You're alive." She sounds as if she still doesn't believe it.

I nod. "Yes, beautiful."

"How?" she breathes, her eyes searching mine for answers.

Instead of responding, I gently pull her into my arms. She collapses against me, her body shaking with silent sobs. I hold her tightly, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other wrapped securely around her waist.

"I'm here," I murmur into her hair. "I'm real. You're safe now."

Her arms encircle me, clinging desperately as if scared I might disappear. I can feel her tears soaking through my shirt, her breath coming in ragged gasps against my chest.

Eventually, as the heaving of her shoulders subsides, she pulls away a little and looks up at me. "How?" she asks again. "I saw you burn up. Again." She swallows hard, a flicker of guilt in her eyes.

"I made a choice." My smile feels tentative as I battle with how much to tell her.

Is she ready?

Am I ready?

I don't know if either of us will ever be, but what we have is right now, and I want to revel in it.

"What kind of choice?" she presses.

"You," I say, stroking her downy cheek with my fingertip. It's damp with tears. "I chose you. And it saved me."

"But I don't—"

"Shhh." I trace my finger over her lips. There's a flicker of confusion in her expression that is quickly replaced with relief.

I cradle Rowan's face in my hands, my thumbs gently wiping away her tears. The vulnerability in her eyes stirs something deep within me, an emotion I thought long buried.

"I thought I'd lost you," she whispers, her voice cracking. "When that light exploded… I felt like my heart was being ripped out. How could you do that to me?" Her words are laced with accusation, but I hear the underlying anguish.

"I'm sorry," I say softly, resting my forehead against hers. "I never meant to cause you such pain. But in that moment, your safety was all that mattered to me."

Rowan's hands grip my shirt tightly. "Do you have any idea what it felt like? Thinking you were gone forever? I couldn't breathe, Darick. It was like a part of me had died with you."

I pull her closer, enveloping her in my arms. "I know, beautiful. I felt it, too. Every second I was away from you was agony."

She buries her face in my chest, her body trembling. "Promise me you'll never do that again. Promise me you won't leave me."

The weight of her request hangs heavy between us. In my immortal state, I've always known the cruelty of such promises. Now, looking into her tear-filled eyes, I find myself nodding.

Because it's a promise I think I can keep.

"I promise, Rowan. As long as I exist, I will always find my way back to you."

She lets out a shaky breath, her fingers tracing the contours of my face as if memorizing every detail. "I was so angry with you," she admits. "For sacrificing yourself, for making me leave you behind. But mostly, I was angry that I never told you…"

I hold my breath, waiting for her to continue.

"That I never told you how much you mean to me," she finishes, her voice almost too low to hear.

"My God, you mean so much to me too." The words feel like they're torn from me. I gaze into Rowan's eyes, seeing the vulnerability and desire swirling in their depths. My hand cups her cheek, brushing away the last remnants of her tears.

Unable to resist any longer, I lean in, capturing her lips with mine. The kiss is tender at first, a gentle exploration, but quickly deepens as longing and fear melt away. Rowan's hands slide up my chest, wrapping around my neck to pull me closer.

I trail kisses along her jawline, savoring the softness of her skin. When I reach her throat, I pause, my lips hovering over the faint scars left by my previous feedings. Rowan tilts her head, offering herself to me in a gesture of complete trust.

Instead of biting, I press a gentle kiss to each tiny mark, my tongue tracing the silvery lines. Rowan gasps in surprise, her body trembling against mine.

"Darick," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "You're weak. You need to feed."

I lift my head, shaking it as I meet her gaze. "You're everything that I need, Rowan Blackwood. Everything."

Her eyes well with fresh tears as she pulls me back in for another passionate kiss. With hands that rove feverishly, she traces the lines of my shoulders, my arms, my back, as if confirming that every part of me is present and accounted for. Her fingers find the hem of my shirt, tugging it up; I help her by pulling it over my head, and it's discarded in an instant. Then her exploration begins again, over bare skin this time. Every touch leaves a trail of fire in it is wake.

I trace my hands down her sides, marveling at the silk of her skin, the curve of her waist, the swell of her hips. With a gentle tug, I pull her against me, needing to feel the length of her body pressed to mine. Her hands skate up my chest, sliding over my shoulders, and I shiver as her touch sets my skin alight.

"Oh God, I can't believe you're here. That you're okay," she breathes as she continues to explore every inch of me. I respond by closing my mouth over hers, inhaling her sweet scent, loving the warmth of her.

"Come here," I say against her mouth and then step back, drawing her with me, our bodies never parting. My hands roam over her as I guide her toward the bedroom. We stumble, our mouths never breaking contact. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I angle my head, deepening the kiss. Her lips are soft and pliant beneath mine, and I taste the sweetness of her mouth.

I walk backward, never taking my eyes off her. The backs of my legs hit the bed, and I sit, pulling her with me so she straddles my lap. Our kiss intensifies, becoming hungrier, more demanding. My hands move to the buttons of her dress, working them open. I want – no, need – to feel her skin, to taste every inch of her.

"God, you're so beautiful," I say hoarsely as the front of her dress falls open, baring her breasts. And I mean it in a thousand different ways that go beyond her lovely eyes and perfect skin and gorgeous body.

Her hands find the muscles of my shoulders, her fingertips tracing the contours of my collarbones. I groan, the sound vibrating between us. My hands slide up her thighs, under the soft fabric of her skirt, and her legs part, inviting me. I slide my hands higher, my thumbs brushing the lace of her panties, and she arches into my touch.

I pull away from her mouth, my breathing ragged. "Let me taste you," I murmur, my voice hoarse with desire.

She doesn't respond, just nods, her eyes dark and hooded.

I lower my head, my lips brushing the pulse point at the base of her throat. I savor the rapid beat of her heart, my tongue tracing the path of her pulse. Her hands tighten in my hair, guiding me where she wants me. I skim my lips over her collarbones, my breath ghosting over her skin, and she arches her neck.

I nip gently at the sensitive skin, my teeth grazing her flesh. She gasps, her hands clutching at my shoulders, and I feel her body respond to mine. I trace a path down her neck with soft, wet kisses, feeling her heartbeat under my lips.

My hands slide up her thighs again, under her skirt, and this time, I don't stop. I glide my palms over the smooth skin of her ass, pulling her closer, grinding the thickening length of my cock against her. I slip my fingers under the elastic of her panties, and she lifts her hips, helping me slide them off.

Her eyes are heavy-lidded, her lips swollen from my kisses. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, and I know she's feeling the same urgent need as me. My gaze travels lower, drinking in the sight of her. The pale globes of her breasts are a temptation I can't resist.

I lean forward, capturing a tight nipple between my lips, swirling my tongue around it. She moans, the sound sending a bolt of desire straight to my groin. I suck gently, drawing the sensitive bud into my mouth, and her fingers tangle into my hair, holding me to her. I worship one breast while my hand cups the other, my thumb brushing the taut peak.

"Darick," she breathes, her hips rocking against me.

I switch my attention to her other breast, lavishing it with the same attention, my hand roaming over the soft curve of her waist, down to her hip. I feel her shiver as I slide my hand between us, and my fingers dip lower, tracing the line of her sex, feeling the soft bristles of the hair covering it.

"So beautiful," I murmur against her skin. "All of you."

Her hands move to the fastenings of my pants, fumbling slightly in her eagerness. I lift my hips to help her as she tugs them down, freeing my straining cock.

Rowan's eyes widen slightly as she takes in the sight of me. Her gaze rakes over my body hungrily, and I feel a surge of masculine pride at her obvious appreciation. She settles back onto my lap, the heat of her core pressing against my length. I groan at the sensation.

"God, Rowan," I breathe. "You're perfect."

My hands glide up her sides to cup her breasts. I brush my thumbs over her nipples, watching in fascination as they pebble under my touch.

"Oh God, yes," Rowan moans, the sound sending a jolt of desire straight through me.

I lean in to capture her mouth in a searing kiss. Our tongues tangle as passion builds to a fever pitch. When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily.

"Darick," she whimpers. "Please…"

Her hips rock against me, seeking friction. I slide a hand between our bodies, my fingers seeking out her most sensitive spot. When I find her clit, I circle it slowly with my thumb. Rowan gasps, her body jerking at the contact.

I continue my ministrations, alternating between light, teasing touches, and firmer pressure. Rowan's breathing grows ragged as pleasure builds within her. Her fingers dig into my skin as she grinds against my hand.

"That's it, beautiful," I murmur encouragingly. "Let go for me."

I increase the speed and pressure of my movements, sliding a finger into her slick channel and then watching in awe as Rowan comes undone above me. Her head falls back, exposing the graceful line of her throat. A flush spreads across her chest as she nears her peak.

"Darick!" she cries out as her orgasm washes over her. I feel her body tremble against mine, her inner muscles clenching rhythmically. The sight and scent of her pleasure is almost overwhelming.

As the aftershocks subside, Rowan slumps against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, pressing tender kisses to her hair. For a moment, we simply hold each other, basking in the intimacy of the moment.

But soon, the ache of my own arousal reasserts itself. Rowan must feel it, too, because she shifts her hips, aligning our bodies. The head of my cock nudges against her entrance, and we both groan at the contact.

"Please," Rowan whispers again, her eyes locking with mine. "I need you inside me."

I grip her hips, guiding her as she slowly sinks down onto my length. We both gasp as I fill her completely. The tight, wet heat of her body envelops me, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to thrust up into her immediately.

We stay still for a second, soaking in the intense sensation of our joining. Then Rowan begins to move, rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I match her movements, our bodies finding a perfect harmony.

As our passion builds, our movements become more frantic. Rowan rides me harder, her nails raking down my back. The slight pain only adds to my pleasure. I thrust up to meet her, driving myself deeper with each stroke.

I can feel my release approaching, but I'm determined to bring Rowan to climax again before I let go. I slip a hand between us once more, my fingers finding her clit. I rub it in tight circles, timing my movements to match our thrusts.

Rowan cries out, her inner muscles spasming around me. The added stimulation pushes her over the edge.

"Darick!" she cries as she comes again. The pulsing of her body around mine is too much to resist. With a final, powerful thrust, I follow her over the edge.

Wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me as I empty myself inside her. For a timeless moment, there is nothing but blinding sensation, and the feeling of Rowan's body joined with mine.

As we come down from our shared high, Rowan collapses against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as our breathing gradually returns to normal. I press tender kisses to her forehead, her cheeks; anywhere I can reach.

"That was…" Rowan trails off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Incredible," I finish for her. "You're incredible."

She lifts her head to meet my gaze, and the emotion I see in her eyes takes my breath away. There's a vulnerability there, an openness that I've never seen from her before. In this moment, all of her walls are down.

"I love you," she whispers, the words so soft I have to strain to hear them.

My heart, that cold, hard thing that's served little use to me for so long, seems to stutter in my chest. For centuries, I've guarded myself against this very thing. Love is a weakness, a liability that immortals can ill afford. But now, I can feel it, and hearing those words from Rowan's lips, I feel anything but weak.

"I love you too," I respond. "More than I ever thought possible."

Rowan's eyes fill with tears, but she's smiling. She leans in to kiss me softly, pouring all of her emotion into the gentle press of her lips against mine. When we part, I rest my forehead against hers, savoring our closeness.

For the first time in longer than I can remember, I feel truly at peace. Whatever challenges lie ahead – and I have no doubt there will be many – I know that we can handle them. Rowan has become my anchor, my home.

Sliding out of her reluctantly, I sink back onto the bed, taking her with me. As we lie there, tangled in each other's arms, I allow myself to hope for a future I never dared dream of before. A future with Rowan by my side, facing whatever comes our way. It won't be easy – nothing worth having ever is – but I know with absolute certainty that she's worth fighting for.

I've given everything for her, after all.

I tighten my arms around her, inhaling her familiar fragrance. There will be time later for explanations, for sorting through the complexities of our situation. For now, I'm content just to hold her, marveling at the miracle of feeling her in my arms.

How the hell did we make it this far?

I watch Rowan's chest rise and fall with each breath, marveling at the peaceful expression on her face. The tension that had lined her features earlier has melted away, replaced by a serene calm. My fingers trace lazy patterns on her skin, loving the warmth and softness I find there.

"I still can't believe you're really here," Rowan murmurs, her voice thick with contentment as she nuzzles against my neck. "I thought I'd lost you."

I press a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm here, love. I'm not going anywhere."

She snuggles closer, her body molding perfectly against mine. I breathe in her scent, committing it to memory. There's so much I want to tell her, so many questions I can see burning in her eyes. But for now, I'm content to bask in this moment of peace.

Rowan's hand comes to rest over my heart, and I wonder if she can feel the steady, strong beat beneath her palm. It's a sensation I'm still getting used to myself.

"Darick?" she asks softly, her voice hesitant. "How did you…? I mean, the sun…"

I swallow hard, knowing I owe her answers but unsure how to begin. Nor do I want to change this moment. There's a lot to say, and I'm still not sure how she'll respond. "It's…complicated," I say finally. "There's a lot we need to talk about. But not now. For now, just rest."

She nods, seemingly satisfied with this reply for the moment. Her eyes drift closed, and soon, her breathing evens out as she slips into sleep, curled against me.

I watch her, marveling at the trust she places in me. The pendant that saved me lies forgotten on the bedside table, its purpose fulfilled.

As the first sounds of birdsong start to hang in the predawn air, I feel no fear, only a sense of wonder at this new world opening up before us.

I just pray that she'll be willing to share it with me once she knows what it will bring.