Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

I looked around in the night, barely able to see the trees in the distance. I could leave. This was my chance. I could gather enough supplies and walk away. I could leave… but I didn't want to. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay and wait for Erik. Pray for Erik. Beg the fates for the man I loved to return to me safely. Please. Please. Please.

I would have stood on that porch until he returned, had it not been for the chill air forcing me back inside. Inside to an empty house. As I stood in defeat, I heard the roar of the engine driving toward me. I looked over my shoulder, wondering if I had been imagining what I so desperately wanted to hear, and was surprised to see Erik riding back to the house.

Pasco was not behind him.

An intense level of joy replaced my tears. "Erik," I said in relief as I turned fully and waited.

Taking the steps of the porch two at a time, he wrapped me in his arms and crushed my body to his. He held me so firmly I struggled to breathe, but I didn't care. I would have allowed him to break every bone in my body if it meant him staying with me and not only returning to give me a proper goodbye.

I pulled back my head just enough so I could look up into his face. "Where's Pasco?"

"Heading to rob the boat, is my guess."

"And you?" I held my breath, scared of what his answer would be.

"I'm here. With you." He cupped the back of my head and pressed my face to his shoulder, hugging me tightly. "You were right. I am a better man. I guess I needed to be reminded of that fact."

"You're staying?"

"I'm staying."

Erik scooped me in his arms, cradling me securely against him. He carried me across the threshold into the house as a groom would carry his bride. I looped my arms around his neck and never wanted to let go.

"I'm sorry, Maya," he said softly.

I didn't know what to say. A man had never apologized to me before. So many firsts when it came to Erik.

He carried me into our bedroom, laid me down on the bed, and began to remove his clothes with a sadness about him. He looked tired, almost beaten.

"Erik?" I asked as I touched his bare back gently when he sat down to remove his boots. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "I'm failing you. I'm failing me."

"No, you're not. Had you returned to your demons tonight, then you would have been failing yourself. But you didn't. You stayed strong and fought off the temptation."

"My brother is right. The land has potential, but I worry it won't be enough."

"It will be. We'll make it work out here," I said as I stroked his back lovingly.

"You deserve jewels and fine dining."

"What I deserve is you."

He stood and lowered his pants. His naked form before me was a pure masterpiece. Long and lean, tanned from the Pacific Northwest sun that rarely peeked out from behind the clouds, but when it did, Erik clearly stole it all for himself. Godlike.

My God. My God to worship.

Erik stood motionless, saying nothing for several long moments. He smiled then sat down on the bed beside me. He took hold of my chin and gently kissed me on the lips. "I'm not sure I deserve you."

I broke the kiss and regarded him. "You do. We deserve to be happy, and that's all that matters. I'm glad you turned around. I was terrified you'd die." I didn't wait for him to assist me but started to remove all my clothing as well.

"I probably would."

"Do you really think your brother will fail?"

"Yes. It pains me to think of it, but as we rode off, I knew I was riding into a suicide mission. That boat will be heavily guarded. There's no way he'll walk away alive. Plus… I couldn't leave you."

"Why?" I asked, hoping to God I'd get the answer I wanted to hear.

He took hold of both my hands and held them to his chest. "Because I love you, Maya. I love you for the strong woman that you are. I love you for your past. I love you for your present. And I want to love you always for your future."

Not waiting for a response, Erik lowered me to the bed. Taking hold of his cock, he guided it to my opening and gently pressed in. He captured my moan with his mouth as he kissed me with more tenderness and intimacy than he had ever done before.

After driving deep inside of me, he paused. "What would you have done had I not returned tonight?"

I clung to his back as he resumed his motions of making love to me. In and out, he moved. Taking all that his body had to offer, I answered, "I would have waited."

"Why?" he asked with another thrust of his large cock.

"Because I love you."

"I don't know what the future has in store," he said, burying his cock balls-deep, "but I know I want you in it," Erik whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

I arched my back, meeting his thrusts with my own. Our bodies moved together in perfect synchronicity, a dance we'd perfected over countless nights. Yet tonight felt different, charged with an electricity I couldn't quite name.

"Erik," I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders. "I need you. All of you."

He responded by increasing his pace, his hips snapping against mine with increasing urgency. The tension was building within me, a coiling spring ready to release.

"Look at me, my good girl" he commanded softly, and I opened my eyes to meet his intense gaze. "I want to see you when you come undone. Come for Daddy."

His words, combined with the relentless rhythm of his body against mine, pushed me over the edge. I cried out, shuddering with waves of pleasure.

Erik held me close as I rode out my climax, his movements slowing but never stopping completely. As the aftershocks subsided, he kissed me deeply, his tongue exploring my mouth with passionate reverence.

"You're so beautiful when you come," he murmured against my lips. "I could watch you like this forever."

I smiled up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "Then don't stop," I whispered back, rolling my hips to encourage him. "Keep fucking me, Daddy ."

"That's my good girl."

With a low growl, Erik resumed his earlier pace, driving into me with renewed vigor. I could feel him swelling inside me and that he was close to his own release.

"Daddy…" I repeated the word that made my pussy throb with fresh desire. "I want to feel you. Please..."

His rhythm faltered, becoming erratic as he neared the edge. With a final, powerful thrust, he buried himself to the hilt and let out a guttural groan. I felt the hot pulse of his release deep inside me, triggering another small orgasm of my own.

For several long moments, we lay there, tangled in each other's arms, our breathing slowly returning to normal. Erik's weight was comforting on top of me, anchoring me to this perfect moment.

Finally, he lifted his head to look at me, his eyes soft with affection. "I meant what I said," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I'm going to always keep you safe."

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. "I know you will," I whispered back, running my fingers through his hair.

Erik rolled to the side, pulling me with him so we lay facing each other. He trailed his hand down my side, letting it come to rest on my hip as he smiled that rare, genuine smile that never failed to make my heart flutter. Then he pulled me close again, tucking my head under his chin. I breathed in his scent, feeling safe and cherished in his arms.

"I know our relationship isn't conventional, or at least it didn't start off that way," he said. "And I know there are challenges ahead. But I want you to know that I'm all in. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together."

I nodded, feeling a surge of love and determination. "Together. Always."

"You know," he murmured, his voice a low rumble against my ear, "I think my good girl deserves a reward for making me want to change my ways."

I shivered at his words, anticipation coiling in my belly. "What did you have in mind, Daddy ?" I emphasized the word, loving how it made my body feel.

"Call me that again," he commanded.

"Daddy."

"I like that."

Without warning, Erik flipped us over, pinning me beneath him once more. His eyes gleamed with mischief and desire as he looked down at me.

"I think," he said, slowly trailing kisses down my neck, "that I'm going to taste every," a kiss to my collarbone, "single," another between my breasts, "inch of you."

I gasped as he continued his journey downward, his facial stubble scraping deliciously against my sensitive skin. When he reached my navel, he paused to look up at me with a wicked grin.

"And then," he continued, his breath hot against my lower abdomen, "I'm going to make you come so hard you'll forget your own name. Over and over again."

I whimpered, already trembling with need. "Please," I begged, not caring how desperate I sounded.

Erik's eyes darkened with lust at my plea. "Such a good girl, begging so prettily," he purred.

He resumed his downward path, peppering kisses along my inner thighs. I squirmed beneath him, desperate for his touch where I needed it most. But Erik took his time, savoring every inch of skin as promised.

When he eventually reached my aching center, he paused, his hot breath teasing me. I whimpered again, my hips lifting involuntarily.

"Patience, little one," he chided gently. "I'm going to take care of you."

With agonizing slowness, he ran his tongue along my slit, gathering my arousal. I gasped at the sensation, tangling my fingers in his hair.

"Mmm," he hummed appreciatively. "So wet for me already. Such a good girl."

He set to work then, his talented tongue exploring every fold and crevice. When he found my clit, I cried out, arching my back off the bed. Erik threw an arm across my hips, holding me in place as he continued his sweet torture.

"That's it, baby," he murmured against me. "Let me hear how good he makes you feel."

I obeyed, my moans growing louder as he built me higher and higher. When he slid two thick fingers inside me, curling them just right, I nearly screamed.

"Please, I'm so close," I panted, teetering on the edge of bliss.

"Come for me," he commanded, his voice rough with desire. "Come on my tongue like a good girl."

His words pushed me over the precipice so that I came with a cry of his name, my body shuddering with waves of pleasure. Erik worked me through it, not letting up until I was limp and oversensitive.

As I caught my breath, he crawled back up my body, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. I could taste myself on his tongue, and it sent a fresh wave of arousal through me.

"Ready for more?" Erik asked, his eyes gleaming wickedly.

I nodded eagerly, already anticipating the night ahead. "Yes. Please."

He grinned, positioning himself between my thighs once more. "That's my good girl."

The End

Curious about the secrets of HEATHENS HOLLOW ? What dark and dirty tales lurk beneath the fog of the island?

Heathens is next!

* * *

She invited the darkness in, so she had no one else to blame…when I came for her.

It was a sinister game of submission. The Hunt.

She'd run. I'd chase.

And when I caught her...

Primal. Untamed. Merciless.

I've been watching her. Stalking her.

I will become the beast from her darkest fantasies.

Hunting her from behind a stag's mask made of bone.

Preying on her secret need for primal play.

I should be protecting her, but I'm not.

Instead… I am a Heathen.

And she is an innocent who chose this.

And if she made a mistake?

If she wants to try and escape me? Escape The Hunt?

It's far too late.

She's mine now.

Run.