32. Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Roman

" M aster! Where have you been? We thought…" Chester blurted, trying to keep up with my pace after running into us in the corridor. I hadn't bothered calling for him or checking on the others. I didn't care if the world had ended while we were gone. All I cared about was that Celeste was back with me, that I could count her heartbeats through our intertwined fingers, and that I could feel the bond tying us together. "Master, are you hurt? You're covered in blood and—"

Celeste tugged my hand, and I finally stopped, holding back my snarl as I turned to face the human. He was panting, and for the first time in a while, he looked unmistakably old.

"We are not hurt, and the blood is not ours. Is anyone dead or dying?"

Chester's brows creased together. "No, but—"

"Then it can wait," I said in a tone that allowed no objections. "We are going to shower and we are not to be disturbed, understand? We can all reconvene in the morning." I looked him over again, noting the deep shadows under his eyes and the distant, bleary look of his gaze, and added, "Get some rest. That's an order."

We walked the rest of the way in complete silence. The moment we were alone in the darkness of my room, my restraint vanished. I didn't care about the blood on us. I didn't care about my healing injuries or the bruises and cuts on her body. I didn't care that we had just watched demons fight for dominance in the heart of Hell and survived. I needed to feel her, to taste her, to kiss her. I needed it now, before we ran out of time again, before she was torn away from me or… I from her.

She kissed me back with the same urgency, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me against her. Her breathy moan got me so hard, I squeezed her tighter so she could feel exactly what she was doing to me. I didn't even bother breaking our kiss as I strode into the shower and turned the water on.

I snarled in frustration when my fingers got tangled in her soaked top, so I dragged my nails through the fabric, ripping every piece of cloth off her. Angry welts appeared on her skin where I pressed with more strength than I should have, but she just groaned while she stripped my half-torn shirt. Discarding my clothes faster than I had ever done in my life, I trapped her between me and the wall. My hands roamed over her naked body before my mouth followed, lips tightening around one of her hard nipples before giving the other the same courtesy. As I moved lower, her fingers tangled in my hair and she arched her back until my breath ghosted her core.

An impatient whimper tore from her, but I ignored it in favor of trailing my teeth teasingly over her hip. Her blood brought back the hunger I had been suppressing for weeks and I hummed in delight as I slid my hand under her thigh, raising her leg to rest on my shoulder. I pressed my lips over one of the larger veins before tapping it with my finger.

"Here," I whispered, looking up to make sure she heard me. She was already staring, eyes half closed and mouth parted while her heart sang the most beautiful song in the world.

"Yes," was all I heard her say before I bit into her flesh. Her blood tasted divine, the power and sweetness so strong, they almost burned my tongue. My head spun with the pleasure we shared as I sank my fangs deeper, trying to be careful not to tear her flesh in my frenzy. I had missed this so much… feeling her body react to my touch, hearing her cries of ecstasy. My overwhelming worry seemed like a fading memory now that I had her with me.

Strong. Eager. Alive.

Celeste cried out, arching her body against my cheek while I sucked another mouthful.

The smell of her arousal intensified, and I pulled back, only to move my mouth between her thighs. Her fingers tugged my hair as I ran my tongue over her center, flicking her clit until she was dancing on the edge. When I glanced up, her eyes were closed.

Her wanton expression was all I needed to feel like the world was right again.

I rose to my feet faster than I intended and she gasped in surprise, but when I wrapped her legs around my waist, she immediately angled her hips so my cock was at her entrance. A smirk fought its way to my lips as I thrust inside of her, kissing her neck while she dug her nails into my skin and screamed. The water continued to beat over my back, steam filling the space. I leaned her against the cold tiles and a shudder passed through her body, but she continued to move in the same rhythm, her moans rising to a crescendo with every hard thrust.

"Roman, don't… stop…!" she cried out just as I tapped her neck and bit into it. Her orgasm rippled through her at the first gulp, her legs tightening around my torso. I withdrew my fangs and kissed the two small puncture wounds, keeping still while she came down from her high.

She felt different from before, and yet she was the same. Or maybe I had changed somewhere along the way and didn't realize it. One thing was for certain, though. I didn't want this to change. I didn't want us to change.

I pushed her wet hair behind her ear, smiling when her eyes fluttered open. Most of her bruises and cuts had healed, leaving just my bites visible over her pale skin. The drain ran clear too, washing away the last traces of Hell from us.

When her gaze finally came into focus, I turned off the water. Celeste moved to unwrap her legs, but I grabbed her thigh and squeezed while my cock pulsated impatiently against her tight walls.

"Uh-uh," I shook my head and her lips pursed in a poorly concealed smile.

In a single heartbeat, I was climbing into my bed. She didn't let go of me even when I set her down on the cold sheets, kissing and sucking at my neck as her heels dug into my ass and dragged me deeper inside. My body shook with need, but I tried to stay focused on what I wanted to say before our bodies did the talking for us.

"When the mark disappeared from my chest, I thought I lost you," I whispered, and she froze, holding her breath. She said nothing, but I could tell she was listening, so I kept going. "I was so lost and heartbroken, I couldn't function. The pain and horror I felt in that moment…" I rested my forehead against her chest, listening to the rhythmic thuds of her heart. She was back, she was safe, and she was with me .

"Roman." Her voice shook as she hooked a finger under my chin, tipping my face up. "I promised never to leave you, and I stand by that promise." Her smile was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, even when it was sad. "I had no choice."

"I know," I sighed, leaning into her touch. "That made it all the more terrifying." I pressed my forehead against hers. "It made me realize that there are things I cannot protect you from, no matter how hard I try or how strong I am. I would die ten times over to shield you from them, but it might still not be enough."

Celeste gave me a pointed look before a smirk made its way to her lips. "Only you can say something so sweet and insult me in the same breath. I'm no longer weak, Roman. I can take care of myself now, no matter who stands in our way."

I didn't resist when she cupped my cheeks and pulled me closer. Her kiss was gentle and slow this time, like she was enjoying the sheer touch of me, and I wanted to melt into her softness.

"I love you," she whispered, sliding her arms to my back and hugging me tightly. I moaned, both from the pure bliss of her caress and the way her words made me feel like I was floating high in the clouds. "I'm back now and I'm not going anywhere. Stop with the gloomy thoughts. We just survived Hell, quite literally. If anything, we should celebrate the best way we know how." Her fingers intertwined behind my neck and she bit into my lower lip until I tasted my own blood. "With lots and lots of orgasms. We can always call someone to help if you need an extra hand…" She wiggled a brow suggestively, the edges of her mouth twitching as she added, "Or a cock."

A prick of jealousy woke under my skin while I stared deep into her eyes, but no matter how long I searched, I saw only lust there and amusement and… nothing else. Relief swept over me. I didn't mind giving her what she wanted, but every once in a while, I was allowed to be a little selfish. And after everything that happened… I needed that now. I needed her for myself.

Leaning my arms beside her head, I rolled my hips until she groaned quietly. I waited for her to open her eyes before I said, "Not tonight, darling. Tonight you're all mine."

The smile that blossomed on her face was downright wicked. My fingers wrapped around her throat and I squeezed just hard enough to slow her airflow, watching her gaze grow unfocused. There was nothing that could quiet my worries and calm my mind quite like the look in her eyes as she relinquished her hard-earned power to me and trusted me with her body and mind .

"Now you will do exactly as I say, or this night will end very badly for you. Understood?"

She tried to inhale, but I tightened my hold. "Yes," she rasped, and I slowly released her, running my fingers up the column of her neck until I caught her chin. Goosebumps spread over her skin where I touched, her heartbeat speeding the closer I drew to her.

"Good, little witch," I murmured against her lips. "On your knees. Hands on the headboard."

Sitting back on my heels, I stared expectantly as she rose to her elbows and grinned.

"And here I thought I could get some rest while we're at it," she sighed dramatically but still pushed herself up. Despite the taunt in her voice, she turned her back to me and reached for the bedpost. "I…"

Covering her mouth with my hand, I pressed her back against my chest.

"Did I say you can talk?" I whispered in her ear before nipping at it. A shudder rocked her body, her breath burning my palm as her heartbeat raced under her skin. I smirked when she dug her nails into the upholstery of the bed, the smell of her sweet arousal growing so potent, I had to stop myself from foregoing our little play and just fuck her already.

But I needed more, I needed this to last and most of all, I needed to feel like I was in control again, even if it was just for this, just for tonight.

"You remember what happens when you talk back, don't you?" I whispered while I traced slow, light kisses over her shoulders. My other hand slid between her legs, brushing against her swollen clit. With a sigh, she thrust her hips against it, but I pulled back. I chuckled when she whined against the denial then grew still, waiting… for me to make a move. For me to decide what to do with her. The tightness in my stomach lessened a fraction.

Her white knuckles relaxed on the headboard as she took several deep breaths through her nose. Her heart rate slowed even before she nodded, and I pressed my lips against her nape, right beside the bite mark that permanently marred her skin there.

She didn't move when my tongue swirled down her spine, nor did she speak when I released her mouth. She stood still and waited patiently, her beautiful body on full display. I drew back, tracing the path I made with my fingers while her skin bristled at the cold touch.

The faded scars, the healing bruises, the marks even time and magic couldn't erase… I knew and I loved them all. I had tasted each as I learned its story, then tried to replace the memory with one that would negate the pain etched into her skin.

I must have spaced out, lost in those reminiscences, because when I focused my gaze again, she was looking at me.

"Everything alright?" she whispered gently.

I studied the graceful ridge of her nose, her high cheekbones, and full lips, which she was now biting nervously.

"Everything's perfect," I replied before claiming them. Her eyes closed, mouth opening in invitation, and when my hand returned between her legs, she moaned. She didn't move this time, allowing my fingers to touch however I wanted while her desire built up like a tidal wave.

I withdrew my hand to her stomach just before she fell over the edge, but a small, tortured sound was all that left her mouth. Despite the way my cock pulsated with need, I took my time as I slid it between her thighs, rubbing the tip of her most sensitive part. Another muffled groan and I broke the kiss, wanting to hear all of those sounds loud and clear.

"So fucking wet," I teased when I finally slipped inside of her, moving ever so slowly while her walls contracted around me. "Just how I like it."

Her mouth opened as if she was going to say something, but then just an approving "Mmm" came out. My smile widened in amusement and delight, my chest growing even lighter. There was no better feeling than watching the most powerful witch in the world hang on every word I say and do whatever I ask. Except maybe having the woman I loved trust me so completely, she put in my hands not only her life but something equally important to her—her pleasure.

Placing my hands on the headboard on top of hers, I drew back and thrust. Hard. A surprised scream echoed through the room, but I didn't stop. She wasn't going to fall, she wasn't going to falter, not with me behind her. I wouldn't let her.

I bit her neck—just enough to sting—and kept driving myself into her while my head drew dizzy with pleasure. Another cry of pleasure tore from her lips and when her legs started to shake, she tried to close them. I pushed my knees wider between hers, keeping her open for me .

Pain shot through me as I held back, prolonging the bliss while my body begged for release. Just one more minute, I could stay in this moment for one more minute.

When I finally came with a shuddering groan, I leaned on her shoulder. She stayed quiet, still, unwavering while I gathered myself. The soft caress of her fingers over mine grounded me and I slid down into bed, pulling her against me.

She draped a leg over mine, resting a hand on my chest with a hum of contentment. Within a few minutes, she was passed out. No words needed, no questions. Peace.

Trying not to wake her, I pulled the covers over us and finally, I rested.