Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

G emma stirred from a deep sleep, her body deliciously sore in all the right places. She reached across the bed, seeking Yede’s warmth, but found only cold sheets. Her eyes snapped open, and she pushed herself up on her elbows.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting silver shadows across the empty space beside her. Her heart squeezed. After their passionate night together, had he withdrawn again?

The furs slipped from her bare shoulders as she sat up fully, shivering in the cool night air. Their discarded clothes still lay scattered across the floor where they’d fallen in their rush to touch each other. Her cheeks warmed at the memory of his hands on her skin, the way he’d whispered her name.

But now the silence of the house pressed in around her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and pulled on his shirt, the fabric swimming on her smaller body. The hem brushed her knees as she padded to the door.

She paused at the threshold, torn between giving him space and following her heart. The memory of the vulnerability in his eyes made her decision. She wouldn’t let him retreat behind his walls again.

The stone floors were cool beneath her bare feet as she moved through the darkened house looking for him. His workshop was dark and empty and Liam still slept peacefully in his new bed. Moonlight poured through the main room’s windows, painting silver paths across the floor, and she finally spotted him through the glass. He stood motionless on the edge of the cliff in front of the house, big body outlined against the star-filled sky. Even from here, she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his horned head tilted up toward the heavens.

He looked both powerful and exposed, like a warrior who’d finally laid down his shield.

She grabbed her cloak from its hook by the door, wrapping it tightly around herself before stepping into her boots. The door opened with barely a whisper, and the crisp mountain air rushed to meet her, sharp and clean in her lungs.

Above them, the night sky stretched endlessly, more stars than she’d ever seen scattered across the inky blackness. They sparkled like scattered gems on black velvet, casting their cold light down on the snow-covered ground.

Her boots crunched softly as she crossed the distance between them, but he didn’t turn, lost in whatever thoughts had drawn him out here. She reached out, pressing her palm gently against his broad back, feeling the warmth of his body through the thick fur.

To her relief, he immediately put his arm around her and drew her against his side. She leaned into him, grateful for his heat against the biting cold. His fur tickled her cheek as she nestled closer, breathing in his familiar scent.

“Storm’s passed,” he said, his deep voice vibrating through her.

Her heart stuttered, then clenched. The original agreement echoed in her mind—they could stay until the storm ended. She’d thought that what had happened between them had changed that but had she been wrong?

She swallowed hard, steeling herself. Better to face it head-on than wait in uncertainty.

“Does that mean you want us to leave?”

The words came out barely above a whisper, carried away by the night breeze.

His arm tightened possessively around her, pulling her even closer against his broad chest. His silver eyes caught the starlight as he shook his head emphatically.

“I never want you to leave. Either of you,” he said, his voice was rough with emotion. “You and Liam belong here with me.”

Her heart soared at his words, but she caught the undercurrent of pain in his tone. She reached up to stroke the soft fur on his cheek.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Nothing lasts.” His eyes closed briefly, leaning into her touch. “Everyone I’ve loved is gone. The thought of losing?—”

He broke off, but she could feel the tension in his body. She pressed closer, sliding her other arm around his waist.

“We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. None of us do. But we’re here. Together.” She stroked his cheek again. “Every moment is precious—why waste them worrying about what might happen?”

He took a shuddering breath, then nodded, the tension beginning to ease from his body. His hand came up to cup her face, thumb brushing across her cheek with infinite gentleness.

“Now come back to bed,” she whispered, and the heat in his gaze made her breath catch.

He followed her willingly back through the quiet house to their room. The moonlight spilled through the windows, casting everything in silver shadows.

He reached for her, his strong arms drawing her close. She tilted her face up to his and he kissed her. It was a slow, passionate kiss that sent heat curling through her body. His tongue slid into her mouth, seeking hers. She clung to him, letting herself get swept away in the kiss, in the promise it held. His hand slipped beneath her shirt to cup her breast, teasing her nipple.

He broke their kiss to pull the shirt over her head and then sat down on the bed, settling her in his lap so that she straddled him. His mouth immediately sought a taut peak, his hot tongue swirling over her nipple. The pleasure was so intense that her body shook, and her fingers tightened on his horns

“More,” she panted.

He sucked eagerly and she cried out, her body already arching towards him as his cock sprang free of its sheath. The feel of his thick, hard length throbbing against her slick folds sent her arousal soaring even higher, and she rubbed herself against it as they kissed frantically.

“Now,” she demanded. “I want you now.”

He laughed, the sound deep and joyful, and lifted her over him, his mouth taking hers as the broad head of his cock teased her entrance. She slowly sank down over him, the stretch almost unbearable in this position. Almost. She paused, letting herself adjust to him, then sank down a fraction more.

“So fucking tight,” he groaned.

“Is that bad?”

“It’s incredible,” he growled, and she smiled.

She rose up, then sank down even further. His fingers flexed on her hips and she knew he was trying to restrain himself. She gave an experimental squeeze of her inner muscles and his whole body jerked.

“I don’t know how long I can control myself if you keep doing that.”

“Then don’t,” she said softly.

He growled and flipped them over so she was on her back on the bed. He hooked her legs over his shoulders, and she whimpered. The angle let him penetrate even deeper, and he drove into her with long, hard strokes. All she could do was hold on as his massive body pounded into hers.

“So perfect,” he panted. “So tight. So mine.”

His eyes blazed with possessive heat and she shivered, already on the verge of climax. Her nails dug into his arms, her body quivering as she hovered on the edge of ecstasy.

“Say it,” he demanded. “Say you’re mine. That you won’t leave.”

“I’m yours,” she said breathlessly. “I won’t leave.”

His teeth fastened on her neck as his cock swelled impossibly thicker and he roared his climax. Her body shattered with him, shaking helplessly as she felt his hot seed pouring into her in endless waves. He finally collapsed down over her, his head on her breast, his cock still buried inside her. She managed to raise a hand and stroke it over the thick fur that covered the nape of his neck, and he shuddered.

“I love you,” she whispered. “You’re mine too.”

He raised his head to meet her eyes, then gave her a slow, serious smile.

“Yes. Always.”