In the elevator, she braced her hand on the metal wall, and as she slipped off her stilettoes, she tried not to think of the last time she’d done this, the night that had changed her life.
Her feet hurt, but she far preferred this pain to the one riding her chest.
Hooking the straps over her gloved finger, she massaged her temples with her other hand.
“You okay, honey?” Brenna stroked her arm.
“It’s all right, Bren. I’m fine, really.” Or she would be after this weekend. How difficult would it be for immortals to track down the Stone in a city the size of New York?
The elevator pinged and the door rolled open. Reynner stood there, waiting to enter. His gaze zeroed in on her.
A redheaded fury stormed up to him. Kataya snapped, “Stay away from Eve. She’s coming home with us.”
Shocked, Eve stared. She really hadn’t expected Kat to attack him.
Reynner didn’t say anything but stepped back. His unwavering gaze held hers, and Eve knew he wouldn’t let her leave without him.
“Kat, I’ll be okay.”
Furious, Kataya swung back to her, her mouth tightened at whatever she saw on Eve’s face. Then she stormed out. Brenna gave her a quick hug and hurried after Kataya.
Eve didn't look at Reynner as she followed them, wishing she could leave as easily as her friends had.
Out in the street, she inhaled the oppressive air along with the faint fragrance of exotic spices. It made her heart bleed, knowing that woman had to have been in his arms for him to retain her scent. Eve put more space between them as they headed for his car. The heat from the sidewalk added to the suffocation in her chest.
“You didn't have to come back.”
“Don’t, Eve.” His low, angry tone broke the fragile hold on her control.
“Don’t what, Reynner?” She spun around to face him. The bitter pain she tried to hold back spewed out. “Don’t get in your way? Don’t make this harder?”
“You think this is any easier for me?” His gaze turned fierce. A nerve pulsed furiously in his jaw.
“I don’t see why it’s difficult. I'm nothing to you. Just a tool for what you need. So don’t pretend otherwise. I made a promise, and I’ll get it done. I’ll get you your Stone”—she pulled in a trembling breath, stiffened her spine with resolve—“but I don’t want you with me any longer. Ask another. North, Aerén—I don’t care who, to take your place.”
“Don’t push me, Eve.”
“You think I pushed you to do this?” Outrage flooded her. “I didn’t force you into anything, not now, certainly not in the groves of Exilum. I wish that never happened. I wish–I wish fate had chosen differently for me.”
She turned away and realized she’d stopped beside his car. Her gaze dropped, and she stared dully at her feet. Tears swam in her eyes. Her blue nail polish wavered like dark holes, waiting to suck her into an abyss.
God, please don’t let me break down in front of him.
Reynner opened the door for her, and she slid inside. Slamming it shut, he headed to the other side, his expression dark and frustrated. Pulling her gaze away, Eve brushed at her tears and dropped her stilettoes to the floorboard as he got in and shut the door.
The other woman’s perfume overrode the smell of the leather seats. Eve closed her eyes. Just as well he didn’t want a relationship with her. He would destroy her every time he came back with that scent on him. He may not trust women, but he certainly seemed to want that one.
Christ, what was she thinking? She could never hope to compete with someone who looked that beautiful. And had perfect hands.
Eve slid hers under her thighs.
***
The moment Reynner parked the car outside her apartment building, Eve reached for the door, wanting to disappear into the sanctuary of her room. He caught her arm. “Eve, wait—”
She snatched her arm away. “Don’t touch me. Not after you’ve been with her. I had to smell her on you the entire trip trapped in this car—that was her, wasn't it?” God, how much more pathetic could she get? She shook her head. “No, don’t answer. It’s none of my business.”
Before she burst into tears and disgraced herself further, Eve turned blindly for the door. Only she didn’t get far.
“Don’t touch you?” He grasped her arm again. “I had to watch every fucking male in there touch you.”
“So that was your payback? To kiss her in front of the entire gallery?”
“Dammit, I didn’t kiss her—it’s not what you think.”
“I don’t care.” She yanked free. “We’re done.”
A furious growl echoed through the interior of the car. He hauled her onto his lap and captured her lips in a mind-shattering kiss. She barely registered her thigh hitting the gears, her elbow banging against the steering wheel, or the pain shooting up her knee and arm.
Eve pushed at his chest, tried to free her mouth, because if she didn’t, she’d be begging him to love her. She didn’t want to sink any lower than she already had.
But there was no place for her to move, trapped between Reynner’s body and the steering wheel. He ripped off her gloves, tossing them both over his shoulder then shackled her wrists in one hand.
“Why are you doing this?” Her chest heaved from her struggles, her bitterness spilling free.
His anger died, tortured blue eyes met hers. “Because if I don’t, Eve, I’m afraid of what I’ll do. If you send me away like this…” He inhaled a ragged breath. “I tore down half of Hell and that was just to break free. Without you, I’ll do far worse.”
She closed her eyes, wanting to believe but too scared to hope. Reynner had so much darkness in his soul. It was clear he felt the physical connection of their bond, why he couldn’t keep away, but would he ever let himself feel deeper emotions for her? Ever trust her?
She would accept nothing less than his love, and that brought her right back to her current situation.
His finger brushed her nipple. Her eyes snapped open. His intense gaze sent shivers down her spine. Slowly, he pushed up the hem of her dress and his palm slid along her bare thigh.
“Don’t,” she pleaded, unable to stop his stroking hand with both of hers trapped. His caressing slowed.
“You don’t want me?”
“Every time I allow myself to care, I hurt more later. I’ve accepted that you don’t feel the same way I do—”
“Don’t feel the same way?” A tormented sound escaped him. “Without you, I cannot breathe.”
“Then why? Why do you always push me away?”
“Because I thought I was protecting you. But I messed up. Badly. I hurt you...” His eyes became an abyss of desperation. “Forgive me, Eve. You are all I’ve ever wanted. I’ll make it right, I promise, just don’t leave me.”
She swallowed a broken breath, too scared to believe him. “Reynner—”
He shook his head, stopping her. “Everything inside here”—he pressed a fist against his chest—“is so fucking empty, an endless darkness without you. I cannot survive the tomorrows if you're not in it—I just can't…”
He took her mouth in a desperately tender kiss. A tremor darted through her. And the shaky walls she’d erected around her heart splintered.
How could it not, when he was her everything? Eve kissed him back.
His groan of relief had yearning surging through her. Needing to touch him, she freed her hands and pulled the tie from his hair, tangling her fingers in the silky strands. He left her mouth to trail his lips along her jaw in tender little nips and kisses down to her bare shoulder.
He tugged at the tight bodice. “How do you open this thing?”
Breathing hard, Eve reached to the left side of her dress. He took over, unzipped and freed her breasts then lifted her up to straddle him. Her knee hit the door. She forgot the pain the moment his mouth closed on her nipple. Desire like hot molasses pooled between her thighs as he licked and sucked. Darts of pleasure uncurled, streaming through her body
.
She pushed at his coat. Letting go of her nipple, he moved his seat back and freed his arms. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over the warm muscled contours of his torso. She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his chest.
“Gods, Eve—” His hands tightened in her hair. “I need you so damn bad.”
***
A visceral hunger tore through him. He had to have her. All of her—had to reclaim her.
This evening had showed him the simple truth. He could never walk away from her. She was the one his heart beat for. Without her, he might as well just hand himself over to Inanna.
Unable to resist her, he took her mouth in another intense kiss. He slipped his hand under her dress and ripped off her panties, too impatient to wait. Then he stroked down her dampness, found her clit and rolled the tiny nub with his thumb. She pulled her mouth away, a breathy moan escaping her. He nipped her jaw as he eased a finger inside. She was too tight—the space too cramped for movement. He shifted and pushed a button on the side to recline his seat.
Eve fell forward and gasped, taking his finger in even deeper. His gaze fixed on her beautiful face, he added another, working her slick passage. Her back arched, her pale breasts and pouty, tan nipples a sensual provocation.
An invitation he couldn’t resist. He suckled on the sensitive nub then growled against her flesh, “I want to taste every inch of you, but this damn car makes that impossible.”
“Let’s go inside, then,” she breathed.
“No. Can’t wait. Need you.”
She reached between them, fiddled with his leathers, and the loud rip of his zipper filled the confined space. She paused, her gaze rushing to his. He knew it was because the last time he hadn't let her touch him.
Now, he simply took her fingers and wrapped them around his rigid sex.
And she damn near unmanned him. Her hand tightened around him, her gaze lowered. She ran her palm up and down his length in wonder.
He almost came in her hand. “No,” he rasped. “In you. Now.”
She shifted and guided his erection to her wet, heated center and slowly pushed down. Her silky sheath fisted him, bringing an erotic pain. He tightened his grip on her hips as she sank over him. Her eyes closed in pleasure, echoed by the husky moan that left her lips.
“Look at me, Eve.” At his gruff demand, her eyes flickered open, settled on him. The familiar blue sparks brightened her gaze again. To know she was joined to him in such an intrinsic way, a primal possessiveness took hold. He cupped her face and covered her mouth in a scorching kiss.
Her palms slid over his shoulders in a rough caress then tangled in his hair. He wanted her touch all over him, wanted it branded in his heart.
She broke free of his mouth, breathing hard. Her nipple so close to his face, he captured it with his lips and sucked on the perky little nub. Another whimper left her, her grip tightened on his hair. She looked down at him.
“Your eyes—glowing,” she panted.
“The mating bond—it’s what you do to me,” he grunted, letting go of her nipple and thrusting harder into her.
“I don’t have it anymore.”
A rough laugh. “It’s there—we’re bonded. Can never be broken. It will always glow when we make love, fiyae.”
“Feeya?”
Reynner groaned, his body tight, hovering on the brink. “Gods, baby, later—later, I’ll tell you all you want to know. Hold—” He took her hands and put them behind her on the steering wheel.
Helpless, she stared at him as he grasped her hips and thrust into her, surging harder, faster now. He slipped his hand to where they were joined. His thumb applied pressure on her clit as he rolled it.
“Oh!” she cried out, her body bowing. Her inner muscles squeezing him so tight—fuck! His groin tightened and his release hauled him over. Indescribable pleasure scoring through his body, he spilled himself into her.
Emotions crowded him as the light of their mating bond flared and strengthened. Then he simply held her, his face buried in her neck.
By the heavens, nothing felt this complete. Ever.
After his long, endless life of nightmares and darkness, he’d found his light. His happiness. His peace. Eve.
***
Their heavy breathing filled the car. Eve collapsed against him, her dress in a tangled heap around her waist, his erection still buried deeply within her. The moment too transcendent, she didn’t want to move—heck, didn’t know if she could move. Or if she’d ever want to.
He stirred, his lips gently caressing her cheek. “You think if we slept here, like this, anyone would notice?”
A husky laugh escaped her. “We’d certainly entertain the early risers of New York.”
“I love you, Eve.”
The words were the softest whisper against her ear. Something inside her shifted, and the last flimsy guard around her heart—one she didn't even know was still there—crumbled.
He went motionless. Then cupped her face in alarm as his gaze searched hers, his eyes back to that sexy night-sky shade, the mating glow no longer visible. “What is it?”
She shook her head, a tremulous smile taking shape. “Nothing. It’s just that I never believed this moment would come.”
He kissed away her tears. “Is that all?”
“Yes.”
He continued to examine her face, then those indigo eyes fixed on hers. His grip tightened. “Eve.” A demand.
She knew what he wanted and found it hard to suppress her smile. Brushing his lips in a tender kiss, she whispered, “I love you, too. You know that.”
He exhaled roughly as if his heart had settled. “My Eve.”
Chapter 22
After several blissful minutes, Reynner pressed his lips to her shoulder. “We need to talk.”
Why did those words sound so ominous? Eve shifted on his lap. His sex twitched inside her, his sharp indrawn breath an intoxicating whisper on her senses.
“You move like that, and we’ll definitely give your neighbors a show to remember,” he rasped.
She didn’t care, her body so ready for another bout of lovemaking, even in these cramped quarters. Except her knees were starting to spasm, and the steering wheel dug into her back. With a sigh of reluctance, Eve moved off him. His erection slipped free as she slid back to her seat. Pulling up the top of her dress, she covered her breasts and tugged up her zipper.
Reynner refastened his pants then realigned his seat. Ignoring his open shirt and the coat crushed behind him, he rested his hands on the steering wheel. He seemed to be studying her in the dark. Aware he could probably see her blushing, she hurriedly leaned forward and searched for her torn panties. “What do you want to talk about?”
The silence in the car became heavy. Oppressive.
Anxiety taking hold, Eve turned to him, her underwear forgotten. “Reynner?”
“She was the one who had me trapped in Hell.”
Eve knew instantly whom he meant, the woman from the gallery.
“Why,” she asked, shocked.
A shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Because I refused to stay and become her long-term play thing.”
Jealousy ate at her to know that the woman had been his lover. And just as fast, it fizzled out; anger taking its place that she would do such a horrific thing.
“It meant nothing,” he said quietly. “It happened once, eons ago.”
“Then why won't she leave you alone?”
“Inanna doesn’t like being told no. In a rage, she cursed me to a year in Hell, hoping time there would teach me not to refuse her. In her haste to teach me a lesson, she forgot that a year outside is a damn century in Hell…” he broke off. Then a telling pause. “All that you saw when you touched me…happened. That’s when Kalinin got ahold of me.”
He turned to stare through the windshield, his jaw hardening. “Without light of any kind, I weaken. It was easy for her to take control with constant attacks from her pets. She wanted the same thing Inanna did, t
o own one like me. Only with Kalinin, she wanted more, an eternal supply of my blood.”
His fingers clenched the steering wheel, knuckles white. But the pain in his voice had Eve’s own heart hurting. “My blood gave her the best high she’d ever experienced. She thought feeding me hers would make me dependent. I may have lost my powers in the pits of Hell, but I refused to give in to her. Vengeance was what drove me. At the time, I’d still thought to find and make Inanna pay. It angered Kalinin that I was able to resist…”
Eve laid a hand on his, pulling him back to her when he stopped speaking. His haunted gaze met hers, cutting deep into her soul.
“How did you escape?”
“After another attack from her pets for refusing her, I lay in the filth, torn and bleeding, unable to move. A demon brought water into the cell. He said something, I didn’t respond. He probably thought I was unconscious. He opened a vein of fire in the wall—better to see the Empyrean Kalinin had imprisoned for nearly a century.” Anger darkened his voice.
Eve longed to wrap her arms around him but didn’t interrupt, let him get it all out. She realized this was probably the first time he’d ever spoken about his capture.
“The natural energy of the fire that lit the cell was all I needed. Within seconds, my strength rebuilt. The demon ran when he realized what was happening.
“I couldn’t let him get away, alert the others I had escaped. I killed him then found my way to Kalinin’s abode of orgies and sin. I grabbed a sword and slaughtered them all. She was in her chambers with her lovers. I skewered her to the bed, massacred her lovers before I decapitated and incinerated her. I brought down the place of depravity to rubble and escaped to this world…
“That’s how Michael found me, crazed and killing demoniis like the insane…” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I'm sorry…”
He was apologizing for what had been done to him?
Because no words could make up for his torture, his debasement, Eve simply reached across and hugged him. If she got ahold of Inanna, she’d rip her apart for what she’d done to him. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
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