by Quinn Loftis
Aviur’s eyes widened. “That, however, is not the same.”
“We have”—Ra pulled his phone from a pocket of his cargo pants and glanced at it—“three hours left.”
“What?” Shelly asked “We weren’t in that office for four hours.”
“Time moves differently in the underworld. We lost some time before we even came back. It didn’t occur to me to clarify his given time frame. I wasn’t thinking very clearly.”
Shelly gave in to her need to touch him and rubbed his back. “I can’t imagine why. You hadn’t just given me half your soul or committed yourself for life to a girl you hardly know.”
“I know enough,” Ra said as he looked at her.
“I will go to your headmaster and headmistress and explain things”—Aviur looked at Shelly—“with decorum and request you be allowed the time you need. Please be at the meeting tomorrow. That’s all I will ask of you for now.”
“Of course,” Ra said.
Aviur stood and opened a portal but looked back at Shelly. “Welcome to the family, Shelly.”
She smiled and nodded.
“One last thing, my lord,” Ra said quickly. “We need to go to her parents as soon as possible.”
“Certainly,” Aviur said. “We will discuss it immediately after the meeting tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Shelly said.
Aviur bowed his head to her and then disappeared through the portal.
When he was gone, the room was quiet and full of tension. She didn’t know what to say or do.
“Would you like to take a shower?” Ra asked as he stood and looked at her.
Shelly was frozen.
“By yourself, Mery,” he added quickly.
She blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I mean, it’s not that I wouldn’t want to take a shower with you because, come on, look at you.” She motioned to him. “I mean, only a blind chick wouldn’t jump at the chance, but then all you’d have to do is open your mouth and speak and she’d be begging to be the next contestant on The Price Is Right for Ra’s shower buddy.” When Shelly ran out of steam, she sat there hoping the ground would open up and suck her in.
Ra took her hand and pulled her to her feet. She couldn’t look at him, not after the word vomit she’d just spewed all over him.
“I told you I would ignore you if you didn’t look at me when we spoke,” he said gently.
When she didn’t raise her head, he placed his finger under her chin and lifted it for her. Had that been her plan when she refused to look at him? Maybe. Did she do it because she adored his touch? Pretty much.
“You’re in control of this, Mery.” His voice was so soothing that she wanted him to keep talking.
Then his words hit her. “Wait, what? The control freak is giving me control?” She frowned, unsure how she felt about that.
“I already feel like you’re being forced into this. I don’t want to make it worse,” he admitted. “If I can make this easier, or less awkward, I will.”
“Do you feel awkward? Because you don’t seem like the type that’s ever awkward. Like, ever.”
His lips twitched like he wanted to smile. “I think it might be a little different for a male, and I’m a little older.”
Her heart sank. “More experienced, no doubt,” she mumbled. She wanted to drop her face so badly, but he was still holding her head up.
He suddenly took her face in his large hands and stepped closer to her. His forehead dropped to hers, and she felt his heart pounding in his chest. It was beating in perfect rhythm to her own.
Without saying anything, he dropped his head and pressed his lips firmly to hers. It was commanding, bold, and possessive.
He bit her bottom lip and she gasped. Ra didn’t hesitate as he slipped his tongue into her mouth without giving her time to wonder what the hell to do because she’d never kissed anyone. He tilted her head and deepened the kiss as his tongue wrestled, licked, and danced with hers.
Shelly wrapped her arms around him until she gripped the back of his shoulders. She wanted to get closer. She wanted to crawl inside of him and stay there forever.
His hands left her face. They ran down her hair until one was on her neck and the other at the small of her back, pulling her tighter against him. Shelly heard a soft moan and realized the sound was coming from her. Wow, I’ve never made that noise before.
“Shelly,” he whispered as he lifted her and began moving. She felt herself being lowered back, and then she was lying on his bed.
Ra covered her body with his as his mouth continued its assault on hers. After several more minutes of him driving her insane with his taste, he pulled back enough that their lips weren’t touching, but she could still feel his breath against hers.
“That was my first kiss,” he whispered.
“No.” Shelly shook her head. “I don’t believe you. Nobody who’s never kissed kisses like that. Sorry, not buying what you’re selling.”
He grinned at her, and her heart stuttered at how beautiful he was. “You don’t have to believe it for it to be true. You’re the first woman, and the only woman, I have ever tasted.”
Okay, if he kept saying things like that then she’d be very embarrassed tomorrow morning because her inner slut was about to show itself. “Really? No one else? How could that be true? You’re hot. Like ridiculously, only happens in books and movies, hot.”
He shrugged. “You’re beautiful, sexy, and desirable. Why haven’t you been kissed?”
“I told you, I’ve never been asked out, and I refuse to ask a guy out.”
“I’m glad,” Ra said.
“I love that you’re so honest,” Shelly said as she lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair. His eyes closed and he shuddered. She liked that she could cause that with only her touch.
“I said I’d let you be in control, and then I took control. That wasn’t very honest of me.”
“And if I told you I didn’t want to be in control?” She bit her lip and forced herself to hold eye contact with him. “What if this would be easier for me if you took control?”
“Are you sure?” His voice was its usual even tone, but she saw the desire in his eyes.
Shelly nodded. “If you keep kissing me like that, I’ll be too drunk on lust to be embarrassed.”
Ra chuckled. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” He glanced down at her, and there was a rumble in his chest as he groaned.
Shelly remembered that she was still in the black silk nightgown and robe. “Osiris did that.”
“Did he touch you?” Ra asked, and the desire in his voice had turned to anger.
“No,” she said quickly and pulled his face back to her. “Not like that.”
Ra frowned. “Then in what way?”
“Completely non-sexual. I can explain later. I’d like you to do the whole control-kissing thing now before I start freaking out in my head again.” The heat of their kiss was fading, and she remembered that more than kissing had to happen. Not that she didn’t want Ra, because she absolutely did. But something so intimate was scary, regardless. It made her vulnerable. What if he didn’t like what he saw? What if she was bad at it? Bloody demon babies, what if he hated it?
“Shelly.” His firm voice made her gasp and brought her back to the here and now. “You won’t do this wrong. It could never in a million years be bad with you. And I am going to like what I see.”
“Dammit, did I say that all out loud?” Someone shoot me now.
“You did, but I can also feel your fear. I don’t want you to be afraid or feel insecure.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips and then whispered against them, “Trust me. You gave your soul up for me. I gave you my soul to save you. We were made for each other, beloved. Trust me to care for you.”
She looked into his eyes as they begged her to believe him. All of a sudden, the fear she’d been feeling was overridden by an intense d
esire that started a fire in her stomach. The want and need were so strong it was difficult to breathe. Her eyes widened as she realized she was feeling what Ra felt—for her. “I trust you.”
As soon as the words were out, Ra kissed her. He explored her mouth and bit her lips until she gasped. Then he had mercy on her lungs as he kissed her face, her neck, and her chest.
Shelly felt his hands pulling at the belts on the robe and briefly felt the cold air hit her skin, as the only thing covering her was a thin nightgown. His mouth did wicked things with his teeth and tongue so she was oblivious to the straps on the nightgown being pulled over her shoulders and then down her arms. When the cool air hit the bare skin of her breasts, reality cleared her brain, and she tried to raise her arms to cover herself, but Ra grabbed both her wrists and held her so she couldn’t move.
Her eyes snapped up to his. He was looking straight into hers and not down at her exposed flesh, as if he knew she was going to freak out.
He leaned down and ran his tongue across her lips. “You’re beautiful. Please don’t try to cover yourself from me.” He paused and licked her lips again. “Or I will have to tie your arms to the bed.” The words were spoken softly but with so much heat that Shelly was pretty sure she was going to pass out.
She forced herself to focus and then did what she always did when she was nervous. Talked. “That’s kind of kinky. And controlling.”
His eyes filled with humor, though he didn’t smile. “You gave me permission to be in control,” he reminded her.
“We might have to have some clarification on what that entails. Some rules, per se.”
“No rules,” Ra growled. “Not between us. You are mine and I am yours. That is all that needs to be.”
She tried to speak after that, but the nightgown was there and then gone the next second. Ra didn’t give her any time to think about the lack of clothing on her body. He whispered words in a language she didn’t recognize as his hands and mouth moved over her naked form.
He covered her body with his. Now, she felt the skin of his chest against hers. She felt his thighs pressed to hers with no material between them. He continued to assault her senses with touches and kisses. He spoke to her about what he thought of her body and what he wanted to do to it. This was quite interesting because it was the most words she’d ever heard him say … and none of the types of things she’d ever thought would come out of his mouth.
“Shelly. Mery, answer me.”
“What?” she asked, realizing he was asking her a question. He didn’t stop kissing her neck or touching her as he spoke.
“Before this goes any further, birth control?”
She groaned.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Talk to me.”
“I take the shot because of bad monthly cycles,” she finally admitted.
“Thank you, Mother Gaia,” he breathed against her ear.
“You didn’t have anything?” she asked, unsure why he was saying that.
“In the spirit of maintaining honesty between us, I’ll tell you I didn’t like the idea of anything between us.”
Okay, then. And then her thoughts fled as he pressed closer to her.
“My soul mate,” Ra whispered in her ear. “I am honored you are mine and humbled you want me as yours.”
As he joined their bodies, Shelly didn’t know if there would ever be words to describe the feelings flooding her mind, heart, and soul. The emotions filled every inch of her, from her toes to the top of her head. His fingers entwined with hers as he lifted her arms above her head.
Shelly’s back arched as her eyes closed, and sensations she didn’t know she could ever experience overwhelmed her.
Ra stared down at the woman he’d been blessed with. He was lost in her. “So beautiful.” Ra breathed out and pressed his lips to hers. As he made love to her, he could feel his soul tethering itself to her. The emotions coming from her and mixing with his was awe-inspiring.
“I’ll never get enough of you,” he said. He hadn’t been able to keep the words to himself. He’d been speaking to her in the ancient language of his people, and in English, and several others because the words were exploding out of him without conscious thought. She amazed him. Why anyone could give themselves to someone that they weren’t completely devoted to was beyond anything he could understand.
He ran his fingers down her shoulders. Her skin was softer than the silk gown he’d removed from her body. His nose trailed across her collarbone, and he breathed in her intoxicating scent that blended with his.
“Ra.” She whispered his name like a prayer with a touch of uncertainty in her tone.
He lifted his head so she could see his eyes. His hand cupped her face as he took her in. “I’ve got you,” he promised. “Trust me.”
He kissed her deeply as he felt the bond between them snap into place as his beloved let go and trusted him to hold her together. The world could have been crashing down around them, and Ra wouldn’t have noticed or cared. This woman whom he’d gone into hell to save had given him the greatest gift. He could feel her love as it settled deep into the marrow of his bones and wrapped tightly around his heart. He’d protect her, provide for her, serve her, and love her until his dying breath.
Elias shut his dorm room door behind him and watched Tara turn to face him. She bit her lip and fidgeted with the bottom of her shirt. She was adorable and beautiful, and he wanted her fiercely.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he walked over to her and ran his hands down her arms. The need to touch her was overwhelming.
“It wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be,” she said as her face burned a bright shade of red.
“We can wait,” Elias said. He wouldn’t push her into anything, not even to save the damn world.
“Josie said we’re mates.”
“Yes.”
“She said you’d never want anyone else.” She didn’t sound like it could possibly be true.
“How I feel for you, Tara, is raw and intense. It rips the breath from me when you walk into a room, luv. My hands practically shake to touch you like I’m a bloody addict and you’re my drug.”
Tears swam in her eyes. Damn, he wasn’t trying to make her cry. “You’re killing me, luv. Tell me what to do. How can I make this better?”
“I feel so stupid. But I’m scared.”
“What are you scared of?” He pulled her over to the bed and sat down. He drew her between his legs, putting his hands on her hips.
“If I give you everything and you decide at some point it’s not enough, or the spark is gone, or whatever the hell people say when they bail, it will destroy me. I can feel it, Elias.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “My heart beats for you. Every breath I take is for you. You’re in my blood. I crave you. I long for you until my stomach physically hurts. And that’s with you right here,” she yelled. “What the bloody hell would I feel if you left?”
“Tara.” Elias shook her a little to get her attention. “Remember what Josie said. Much of that is because the bond isn’t complete. It’s like a defense mechanism to push us together because the only way we’re safe is bound tightly together. My soul is yours, baby. You need me and I need you. What did Josie say? Tell me.” He already knew what the other woman had said, but he wanted Tara to say it so she could hear the message again.
“She said that once the soul bond is complete, the crazy shit gets much better.” Tara’s lips turned up as she remembered how blunt Josie was. She liked the other woman, and Elias had been glad that Josie and Miles had been so down to earth.
“Tell me what you want and it’s yours,” Elias said, meaning it with every cell in his body.
“I want you. I want the crazy stuff gone. I want the world to not freeze. I want to know what the crap is going on with Shelly and Ra. I want you.”
“You already said that,” he said as he ran his hands down her thighs and back up to her hips.
“I’m pretty sure all you can handle right now is the
first two,” she said as she placed her hands on his shoulders.
“For now,” he agreed. “I can give you myself. Together, we can make the crazy stuff go away.”
Elias pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. “I know words don’t always mean much, but they’re said at weddings for a reason, right? Vows, promises, covenants made between people who love each other.” He kissed her again and grabbed the bottom of her shirt as he slowly drew it up. “I promise you, Tara, that I will always be faithful to you in thought, word, and deed.” She lifted her arms so he could pull the material up and over her head. Elias tossed it to the floor and kept his eyes on hers. “I’ll love you until I’m no longer breathing and probably after that. I’ll protect you. I’ll give you everything that I can. I’ll do my best to be what you need. I’ll never let you go. That’s more of a warning, I guess.”
“Creeper,” she whispered as his hands reached around to undo the clasp of her bra.
“You can’t say you didn’t know,” he teased.
“True,” she said breathlessly as Elias pulled the straps down her arms until the garment was forgotten at her feet.
She tugged at his shirt, and he smiled as he quickly pulled it off.
Elias pulled her close. “I’ll never leave you.” He wiped away the tears rolling down her cheeks and then stood.
He turned her and layed her across his bed. When his hands settled on the clasp of her cargo pants, he met her eyes. She nodded as she said, “I love you, too.”
Elias felt his heart soar as he finished undressing them both. As he laid over her, she wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled him down to her face as her lips sought his.
Tara gasped as Elias brushed his tongue against hers. She ran her hands through his hair and down his back. His muscles bunched and rippled as he moved over her.
His hands ran down her side, skimming the sides of her breasts. Heat and electricity danced over her, and she knew Elias was using his magic on her. Suddenly, he was everywhere. One hand gripped her hip while the other wrapped around her wrist and lifted her arm, but she could feel heat on her calves and thighs like he was running his hands over them even though he wasn’t touching her there.