27. Karn

27

KARN

I cup Mira's face between my hands, her skin soft against my calloused palms. My heart still pounds from earlier, the fear of something happening to her lingering in my blood. Her green eyes search mine, reflecting the lamp light.

"We need to talk from now on. About the important things." My thumb traces her cheekbone. "I can't—I thought—" The words stick in my throat, but I force them out. "When I couldn't find you, my mind went to the worst places."

Her hands come up to cover mine, delicate fingers wrapping around my wrists. "I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing."

"I know. Just—no more secrets about things that matter. You don't have to tell me everything, but..." I press my forehead to hers, breathing in her scent. "I need to know you're safe."

"Deal," she whispers, her breath warm against my lips. "And so you know…I never left because I wanted you to."

"No?" I ask softly, needing to hear it.

She shakes her head, leaning forward toward me. "No. I don't want to be anywhere else but right here with you and our girls."

This time when I kiss her, there's no holding back. My fingers slide into her dark hair, tilting her head as I deepen the kiss. She makes a small sound in her throat, her hands gripping my shirt. I back her against the wall, my body caging hers. Her lips part under mine, sweet and yielding, and the last threads of my control snap.

My hands roam down her sides, mapping every curve. She arches into my touch, her fingers finding their way under my shirt to trace the muscles of my back. I break the kiss to trail my lips down her neck, and she gasps my name.

The sound shoots straight through me. I capture her mouth again, harder this time, more demanding. Her response is just as fierce, her nails scraping lightly across my skin. The slight sting only fuels the fire burning through my veins.

I lift her up, and her legs wrap around my waist. My fangs graze her bottom lip—not enough to break skin, just enough to make her shiver. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling it free from its tie. The copper strands fall around my face as I press closer, drowning in the taste of her.

I sweep Mira into my arms, her body light against mine. The shower room is already filled with steam, the hot water cascading down from overhead. I step into the spray, the water soaking us both, plastering my clothes to my skin. She tilts her head up, a soft gasp escaping her lips as the warmth hits her.

Her fingers find the hem of my shirt, tugging it up. I take over, pulling it off in one swift motion, tossing it to the side. Her eyes roam over my chest, lingering on the scars that mark my skin. She reaches up, tracing the lines with her fingertips.

"Gods, I never get tired of looking at you," she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the sound of the falling water.

I capture her mouth with mine, swallowing her words. My hands roam over her body, letting my touch and the water erase what others tainted. I want to feel her, all of her. I want my touch to be the only thing she feels.

Her body presses against mine, her breath hitching as I trail kisses down her neck, across her collarbone. I cup her breast, my thumb brushing over her nipple. She arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her. The sound sends a surge of desire through me.

I continue my exploration, my mouth and hands moving lower. Her fingers tangle in my hair, guiding me, urging me on. I kneel before her, looking up at her face. Her eyes are closed, her lips parted, water droplets clinging to her lashes. She's the most stunning thing I've ever seen.

I drape one of her legs over my shoulder, then the other. Her hands grasp my shoulders for balance, her nails digging into my skin. I lean in, my breath warm against her. She shivers, her grip on me tightening.

"Karn," she whispers, her voice filled with need.

I don't make her wait any longer. I press my mouth to her, my tongue exploring, tasting. She gasps, her body tensing. I grip her hips, holding her steady as I work her with my mouth. Her breathing grows ragged, her moans echoing off the stone walls.

I can feel her getting close, her body trembling, her muscles tensing. I redouble my efforts, wanting to push her over the edge, wanting to feel her come apart under my touch. Her fingers tighten in my hair, her body arching as she cries out, her voice filling the room.

I slow my movements, gentling my touch as she comes down from her high. Her body relaxes, her breath evening out. I press a soft kiss to the inside of her thigh before standing up, pulling her into my arms. She leans against me, her body warm and pliant, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Gods, Karn," she whispers. "I love you."

My lips curl up. "And I love you." I kiss her lightly. "And I fucking love hearing you say that."

I pull Mira back against me, my mouth finding hers in a deep, hungry kiss. She kisses me back with equal fervor, her body melting into mine. When we break apart, her eyes are dark with desire, lips swollen from our kiss.

"I want you, Karn," she whispers, her voice husky. "I want to feel you."

A growl rumbles in my chest as I spin her around, planting her hands against the stone wall. I tilt her hips up, my hands gripping her waist. She gasps, arching her back, presenting herself to me. Fuck, she's perfect.

I trail kisses down her spine, my lips brushing against every scar, every imperfection that makes her uniquely her. She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching. I smooth my hands over her ass, squeezing gently. She whimpers, pushing back against me.

"Karn, please," she begs, her voice a soft plea. "Stop teasing me."

A chuckle escapes my lips, low and throaty. I love seeing her like this, desperate and wanting. I position myself at her entrance, rubbing the head of my cock against her wetness. She pushes back, trying to take me in, but I hold her hips steady, teasing her a little more.

"Patience," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

She huffs, and I chuckle again. I slide into her slowly, inch by inch, feeling her stretch around me. A low groan escapes me as I seat myself fully inside her. She feels fucking amazing.

I wrap one arm around her front, pulling her back against my chest. My hand finds her breast, pinching her nipple between my fingers. She gasps, her body arching into my touch. I slide my other hand down, finding her clit and massaging it gently.

She moans, her head falling back against my shoulder. I tilt her head to the side, capturing her mouth in a kiss as I start to move. I thrust into her slowly, deeply, my body pressing against hers with each movement.

"I love you," I whisper against her lips, my voice rough with emotion. "I'll do anything for you, Mira."

She reaches up, her hand cupping my cheek. "I love you too," she breathes, her eyes meeting mine.

I continue to move, my body claiming hers, my heart beating in sync with hers. Each thrust is deliberate, slow, meant to drive her wild. She meets each one, her body moving with mine, her breath coming in short gasps.

My fingers continue to work her, circling her clit, pinching her nipples. Her body tenses, her muscles clenching around me. I can feel her getting close, her body trembling with each thrust.

"Come for me, my love," I murmur, my voice a low growl. "Let me feel you."

Mira's body convulses around me, her climax gripping me tightly. A groan tears from my throat as I pull out, spinning her around to face me. Her eyes are glazed, her lips parted, breath coming in ragged gasps. I grab her leg, hiking it up and wrapping it around my hip, opening her up to me completely.

I thrust into her again, a growl rumbling in my chest as I sink deep. Her hands clutch my shoulders, her eyes locked onto mine. I hold her gaze, refusing to look away, wanting to see every flicker of emotion, every spark of pleasure in those green depths.

"Karn," she breathes, her voice barely a whisper. It's a plea, a prayer, a secret between us. I capture her mouth with mine, swallowing her gasps, her moans, every sound she makes feeding the fire inside me.

I thrust harder, deeper, my body claiming hers. Her back presses against the stone wall, her body arching to meet mine. My fingers dig into the soft flesh of her thigh, holding her steady as I drive into her.

"You feel incredible," I murmur against her lips. "So fucking perfect."

A soft whimper escapes her, her eyes fluttering closed. I growl, nipping at her bottom lip. "Eyes on me, Mira. I want to see you."

Her eyes snap open, pupils dilated, desire burning bright. I can see her soul in those eyes, the strength, the resilience, the love. It's all there, bare and raw, just for me.

I reach between us, finding her clit and circling it with my thumb. Her body tenses, her muscles clenching around me. I can feel her building again, her body trembling with each thrust. Gods, she is so perfect, made for me to make come apart and please.

"Come with me, Mira," I demand, my voice rough with need. "Let go. Let me see you come apart."

Her breath hitches, her body tensing. I can feel her on the edge, ready to fall. I thrust deeper, harder, my own climax building, ready to spill over.

"Karn," she gasps, her voice a breathy moan. "I'm—I'm?—"

"That's it," I growl, my thrusts growing erratic, my control slipping. "Come for me, Mira. Now."

Her body convulses, her muscles milking me as she comes. A groan rips from my throat as I follow her over the edge, my climax tearing through me. I bury my face in her neck, my body shuddering with each wave of pleasure.

Her arms wrap around me, holding me close, her breath hot against my ear. We stay like that, bodies entwined, hearts pounding in sync, as the water cascades down around us, washing away everything but this moment.