Death of Darkness

by Dianne Duvall

  “I know that now. Does the fact that you’re a lot older than me bother you?”

  “No.”

  Taking a chance, she rose to her knees and slung a leg over his.

  He sucked in a breath and gripped her hips as she settled herself on his lap.

  “Then what the hell are we doing?” she asked softly. “What are we waiting for? I want you. You want me.” She glanced down at the erection his pants did little to conceal and scooted forward to rub against him. When pleasure shot through her, she released a shaky breath. “Let’s take a chance. Let’s take this to the next level.”

  His hands slid around to grip her ass and press her more firmly against him. “Take care, Leah,” he whispered. “I don’t think I can resist you tonight.” I came too close to losing you.

  Her heart melted at the involuntary words he spoke in her head. “Then don’t. I know you aren’t looking for a relationship, but—”

  “I only said that because I was trying to protect you. I thought if I kept things casual between us, it would keep you safe.”

  “But it didn’t. Tonight made that clear. Was that the only thing holding you back—a desire to protect me?” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t say he still mourned his wife too much to pursue anything romantic with her.

  “Yes,” he admitted hoarsely. “That was it.”

  “Good. Because I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time.” Leaning forward, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his.

  Leah wasn’t sure what she had expected. Another protest? Another warning? A reluctant capitulation? A first tentative kiss? All of the above?

  Instead, Seth shocked the hell out of her by clasping the back of her head in one strong hand and holding her to him while he opened his lips beneath hers and slid his tongue inside to stroke her own. Her breath caught as he devoured her, kissing her as though they had just spent the past hour grinding on each other while they danced.

  Holy shit, he could kiss! Her whole body went up in flames and began to pulse with need.

  He reached between them with his free hand and tugged at the robe’s sash. As soon as it loosened, he parted the soft material and pushed the thick robe off her shoulders.

  Leah felt a moment’s qualm and drew back. Unease took the edge off her desire. The accident that had cost her so much had also left her scarred. Seth, on the other hand, was perfect in every way. She didn’t like feeling self-conscious about her flaws but couldn’t help it.

  Seth’s eyes, however, weren’t on the scars that marred her abdomen. They were on her breasts. Leaning forward, he drew a taut nipple into his mouth and sucked hard.

  Her head fell back as heat seared her, melting away uncertainty. “Yes.” Spearing her fingers into his thick hair, she urged him closer.

  He growled and nipped the sensitive bud.

  Leah moaned, wishing he were as naked as she was.

  One big hand palmed her other breast, kneading and teasing and tweaking her nipple. He slid his other hand down her bare back, over her ass, and squeezed, urging her to rock against him. She did so eagerly, already close to coming.

  “Seth,” she breathed.

  Those long fingers of his continued down and slipped beneath her to find her entrance. “You’re so wet for me,” he murmured against her breast.

  “Yes.”

  He slipped a long finger inside her. “So tight.”

  She moaned. “Yes.” Every time she rocked her hips forward, her clit slid against his hard cock, still constrained by his pants. Every time she rocked backward, his finger thrust deeper. His lips and teeth and tongue continued to tease and torment her breast. His growls of pleasure rolled through her like thunder.

  He slid another finger inside her, stretching her and stroking her. Her breath came in gasps as the pleasure built and built until an orgasm crashed through her. So good. The ripples of ecstasy went on and on until she collapsed against him, her heart slamming against her ribs.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Seth buried his face in Leah’s hair as need rapidly eroded what little remained of his self-control. She felt so good against him, her body tight and wet and warm around his fingers, squeezing him with every rhythmic pulse of her climax.

  He desperately wanted to unfasten his pants, free his erection, and plunge inside her. Every muscle was tight and tense as he eased his fingers from her warm passage and cradled her close. His breath came nearly as quickly as hers. His heart pounded in his chest.

  Leah straightened in his arms. When her eyes met his, he could see the brilliant glow of his own reflected in them. Reaching down between them, she began to tug at the hem of his shirt.

  “Take it off,” she demanded.

  Hell yes. He wanted to feel her bare breasts against his chest.

  She smiled. “I heard that.”

  Seth shook his head. “You rob me of all control, Leah.”

  “Good.” She dragged the soft T-shirt over his head and took a minute to untangle his long hair from it. “Now the pants,” she said as she slid a hand down his stomach and began to stroke his shaft through the thick cotton material. Leaning forward, she kissed him. “I want more.” She teased his lower lip with her teeth. “I want you inside me.”

  Swearing, he drew her into his arms, stood, and strode to the bed, barely stopping himself from using preternatural speed. He telepathically sent the covers hurtling backward, most falling to the floor. As soon as he lowered Leah to the sheets, Seth reached for the button on his pants.

  Leah scooted over to the center of the big bed and rested her hands on her lightly muscled abs as she watched him with hungry eyes. She was so damned beautiful and had felt so good coming apart in his arms as her inner muscles had clenched around his fingers.

  Seth ditched his pants.

  Her eyes widened.

  “Don’t say it,” he warned as he knelt on the edge of the bed.

  “Don’t say what?” she asked, still staring at the hard length that strained toward her.

  Grasping her delicate ankles, he eased her legs apart. “Big hands, big feet…”

  Her lips twitched as she met his gaze. “Fine. I’ll just think it.” Her heartbeat picked up, matching his as he moved forward. “Lucky me. Come here, handsome.” Bending her knees, she planted her feet on either side of his hips.

  Seth stretched out above her, letting her take some of his weight.

  She sucked in a breath when he slid his cock against her clit.

  Supporting his upper body on his elbows, Seth dipped his head and nuzzled her neck. He loved her scent. Would never get enough of it.

  Leah wound her arms around him and slid her hands across his back.

  Palming one of her full breasts, he drew a thumb across the tight peak as he rubbed his hard cock against her clit again. Her skin was soft as silk, her body wonderfully responsive.

  Moaning, she caressed a path down to his ass and arched up against him. “I mean it. I want you inside me, Seth. Please.”

  He wanted to do more. He wanted to taste her first. Everywhere. To use his lips, teeth, and tongue to drive her to another orgasm. He wanted to draw out their first time together and make it perfect. But his whole body shook with need after thousands of years of celibacy and restraint.

  Reaching between them, he positioned his cock at her entrance. “Look at me,” he murmured.

  Her eyes met his, glinting with desire.

  He pressed forward, entering her damp heat.

  She bit her lip, pleasure flushing her cheeks.

  He groaned, muscles tense. She was so tight. So hot.

  Seth withdrew, then thrust deeper, stretching her a little more. Withdrew, then thrust deeper, withdrew, then thrust deeper, giving her body time to adjust until he was finally buried to the hilt.

  Both moaned as he ground against her.

  Her fingernails dug into his ass. “You feel so good,” she whispered. Then she circled her hips and squeezed her inner muscles around him
.

  Seth swore. Withdrawing all the way to the crown, he plunged inside her again.

  “Yes,” she moaned. “Harder. Don’t hold back.”

  He couldn’t, not anymore, not with her body squeezing him tight, not with her hands stroking him and her legs wrapping around him, urging him on as she stared up at him, her face flushed with passion. Propping his weight on his hands, he drove inside her with deep, powerful strokes, making sure he hit all the right places to enhance her pleasure.

  “More,” she moaned as her hands on his ass urged him on.

  “Leah,” he whispered. He needed her so much his body shook with it. Or maybe it was the bed rocking from his thrusts and slamming into the wall. Or the ground itself. Seth didn’t know and didn’t care. He was too busy losing himself in her beautiful body as Leah arched up to meet him thrust for thrust, tantalizing cries escaping her, passion rising, muscles tightening until an orgasm crashed through them both, the pleasure so sharp it stole Seth’s breath, going on and on until both collapsed.

  Rolling onto his back, he brought Leah with him and settled her atop him—their bodies still joined. His heart raced as madly as hers. Little ripples of lingering pleasure continued to tease him as her tight sheath delivered light squeezes in the aftermath of her orgasm.

  “Wow,” Leah exclaimed breathlessly as her body went limp atop his. “That was amazing.”

  Seth smoothed his hands up and down her back, then hugged her tightly. “Yes, it was.”

  The doorbell rang.

  Seth loosed the foulest curse Leah had ever heard him use.

  Frowning, she lifted her head. “Is that someone at the front door?” It had sounded as if the bell had rung inside the room with them, not out in the living room or hallway.

  “No,” he grumbled as he reached up to rub his eyes. “It’s someone at this door.” He sounded pissed. Looked it, too.

  When he started to sit up, Leah planted a hand on his chest and used her position on top of him to push him back down again. “Ignore it.”

  “I can’t.” Easing her off him and over to his side, he sat up again. “They’ll kick the door in if I do.”

  Rising to her knees, Leah straddled him once more and pushed him back down. “No they won’t.” The two of them had just shared something amazing, something Seth had both needed and enjoyed. She wasn’t about to let whoever was ringing the doorbell drag him off to work. He deserved some time to himself, damn it.

  And with her core resting atop his length, she could feel him already hardening again beneath her. So the quicker she sent the intruder on his or her way, the quicker Seth could make love to her again. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

  Some of the irritation left his face as he arched a brow. “You will?”

  Smiling, she scooted down to the foot of the bed and hopped off. “You think I can’t?”

  “I think I won’t let you if you plan to do it naked.”

  She blushed as his heated gaze swept over her.

  The doorbell rang again.

  Grabbing Seth’s black T-shirt off the floor, Leah pulled it over her head. The neckline was too big, exposing one shoulder. But her breasts were covered and the hem reached halfway down her thighs. “You see? No longer naked.”

  His eyes flashed brighter with desire.

  Leah drew her hands down her body. “You like seeing me in your shirt, don’t you?”

  “Hell yes, I do. It makes we want to peel it off and—”

  She pointed at him. “Hold that thought.” Crossing to the door, she swung it open… and looked up. At least a dozen or so males—all with black hair, brown eyes, broad shoulders, and a lot of muscle—were crowded into the hallway outside. And not one of them stood less than six feet tall.

  “Wow. He wasn’t kidding,” she murmured, remembering David’s words the night he and Seth had come to her store for the first time. “You guys are tall.”

  For some reason, her words made them tense.

  “Who was right? Gershom?” Roland demanded. He and Marcus were closest. “What are you doing here, Leah? Where is Seth?”

  Leah was a bit surprised he remembered her name from the store but gave it little thought. Every one of the men appeared tense and held weapons. Swords. Short swords. Daggers. Sais.

  What exactly did they think the two of them had been doing in here?

  The thought made her smile. “Seth is unavailable at the moment. May I take a message?”

  If anything, the polite words made Roland’s brows draw down farther. “Not good enough. Let us see him.”

  Leah glanced at Seth, who lounged—gloriously naked—on the bed, beyond their sight. She faced the men once more. “I don’t think so.”

  “I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist,” he retorted. When he would’ve moved forward and pushed his way inside, Marcus grabbed his arm.

  “Roland,” he cautioned.

  Roland turned on him. “The ground was shaking just moments ago, Marcus, and you know that only happens when Seth is pissed.”

  The ground really had shook? “I knew it!” she exclaimed in triumph. “I knew I felt the earth move! I just didn’t want to say anything because it sounded so cliché.” Then she frowned. “Wait.” Roland thought that only happened when Seth was pissed? “What exactly do you think has happened?”

  “I think you’ve harmed Seth,” Roland declared furiously.

  Leah stared at him in astonishment, then motioned to herself. “I’m naked under this shirt!” What the hell harm could she do to Seth while in the nude?

  Roland’s face darkened. “And my wife was naked when she stabbed me in the heart with a dagger. Step aside.”

  Leah gaped at him. “Sarah stabbed you in the heart with a dagger?” She had only met the woman a few times in her store but had liked her.

  “No. My first wife did.”

  “Oh. Did you cheat on her or something?”

  “No. She cheated on me.”

  Leah frowned. “She cheated on you, then stabbed you in the heart? What a total bitch!”

  The statement seemed to take him by surprise.

  “You see?” Sarah called from somewhere out of sight. “I told you your first wife was a bitch!”

  Marcus leaned forward and caught Leah’s eye. “We all know Seth is here. We all know he’s in that room. A minute ago the ground was shaking and it was storming so badly outside that the wind nearly peeled the shingles off the roof. The fact that Seth didn’t answer the door himself has only heightened our concern. Please, step aside and let us see him.”

  Sighing, Leah looked over at Seth. “Well, I guess you’d better cover up, buttercup,” she said with resignation. “We have company.”

  But Seth no longer seemed annoyed. In fact, he seemed amused as he dragged a corner of the sheet over his lap.

  Backing up a step, she swung the door all the way open.

  The men in the hallway tensed as though readying for battle.

  Several gasped, eyes widening as they noted the scattered clothing, comforter, and pillows on the floor, then located Seth’s long, muscled form reclining on the bed. Though the sheet covered his goods, it left his chest, arms, and one leg bare. His long hair was mussed from her fingers. A fine sheen of perspiration glistened on his bare skin. He looked sated and relaxed. Only a complete imbecile would fail to guess what they had been doing.

  Stunned silence engulfed them.

  Leah shifted her weight as she waited for someone to break it. Seth looked positively edible, sprawled out before her like a banquet, and she was eager to partake again.

  When the quiet stretched, she tilted her head to one side and met Seth’s gaze. “It storms when you make love?”

  His eyes still held a golden glow as he sent her a sheepish smile. “Apparently. I think because it’s been so long.”

  After thousands of years of celibacy—and considering how powerful the man was—she supposed it shouldn’t surprise her that he had rocked the very earth and sparked a sto
rm when he had finally unleashed his passion.

  Turning back to the large warriors in the hallway, Leah flashed them all a grin. “Well then, boys, you’d better put your rain boots on. Because monsoon season is coming.”

  Their mouths dropped open just before she shut the door in their faces.

  Seth burst out laughing.

  Skipping over to the bed, she hopped up onto it.

  “I can’t believe you said that.”

  Chuckling, she knelt beside him. “I know. Did you see their expressions?”

  That sparked another round of laughter.

  Leah swung a leg across his hips and straddled him once more.

  Seth smiled up at her as he settled his hands on her hips. “You’re such a delight.”

  “I like to see you smile,” she told him softly.

  His smile turned tender. “No one makes me feel the way you do, Leah.”

  Her heart leapt.

  “No one makes me so happy.” He slid his hands down her thighs to her knees, then back up to her hips in a caress that heated her blood. He tugged the T-shirt over her head, then settled his hands at her waist. His thumbs slid across her stomach in a caress. When they encountered the thick scars that marred it, she casually brushed his hands aside and brought one to her lips for a kiss.

  His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Nothing she wanted to talk about anyway.

  “Don’t lie to me,” he implored gently. “I felt the change in your emotions and want you to be able to speak freely with me when something upsets you.”

  Silently, she swore. She had forgotten about his empathic ability and all it probably revealed to him.

  “Please, Leah.”

  Unable to deny him, she nodded, though she felt—for the first time with Seth—a reluctance to talk. “I don’t like you touching them,” she admitted, having to force the words past her lips.

  “Your scars?”

  Again she nodded. The backs of her eyes began to burn.

  His gaze fell to the ridges on her abdomen, then the ones on her knees. “Do they hurt?”

  Swallowing hard, she shook her head.

  “Then why does it bother you when I touch them?”