by Jaye Shields
She was too weak to show any signs of response at his endearment. But she nestled her face against his hand gliding through her hair. “I’m so cold. Will you lie with me? You’re so warm.”
“I would do anything for you. And I’ll kill who did this to you. Was it the blacksmith?”
She shook her head, a look of fear twisting her gaze. He’d drop it. Reza didn’t want his beloved thinking of anything dark. He just wanted to see her smile; he wanted to take the pain away.
Reza stood from the bed and pulled the tight black fabric of his shirt over his head. His gaze immediately found hers and he saw the look of torment replaced with admiration. Her beautiful blue eyes traced the hard lines of his stomach and, for the first time, he truly cared if the sight of his body pleased someone. There was no longer arrogance, only desire to please the one woman he craved more than anything. And if the sight of his body took away her pain, he was humbled by it.
Next, he unfastened the leather from his waist and let the pants slide down his legs. He wore no underwear and under her gaze he hardened. Always hard for her. But he disregarded the evidence of his arousal and climbed into bed next to Emmerie. Her body was freezing cold beside his, but her trembling stopped. He’d never been more grateful for the hot body temperature that came with being a sex demon. Reza began massaging her shoulders, relaxing her as he pulled her clothes off.
“Skin to skin would be fastest.” He let his voice be soft so she would know his intentions were honest. She nodded and Reza thanked the gods for her trust.
When she was fully nude, he hugged her close to his body. The curve of her butt rested against his groin. He was still hard, but she seemed comfortable against him. Her breasts pressed against the arms he wrapped tightly around her. Reza rested his face on her shoulder and let the heat from his body seep into hers.
“You’re like a really…hard heater,” she mumbled weakly.
Only Emmerie could make him smile through his anger and fear. There was no way he was ever leaving her side.
“Hey, Reza?” Her soft voice was an angel’s whisper.
She wrestled in his arms so that she could turn to face him. Her sapphire gaze branded him like eternal blue skies and endless sunshine. His body immediately released its anger and tension and soaked up the angel’s beauty.
Then she whispered the words that changed his life forever. “I believe you now.”
She laid her cheek against his chest and fell asleep. Reza was fulfilled.
Chapter 6
The next morning welcomed Emmerie with a warmth that she had never felt before. It wasn’t just the feel of Reza’s body next to hers, it was a fuzzy feeling cradling her heart as well. She realized she wanted to wake up next to this man for the rest of her life. She barely knew him and yet his arms healed her, took away everything bad in the world.
It would be hard to say goodbye to Lennox, to hurt him so, but she had to do it. It wasn’t fair to anyone to continue living a half-life.
“You’re awake.” The low sensual burr of her personal heater spoke gently from next to her. His amber eyes were liquid sunshine of the brightest yellow and orange. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.” More than good actually. Her cheek barely hurt anymore and her body buzzed with the excitement of continuing with her life in this new direction. Reza wanted her. She knew he did, and together, they could be free. Every day she’d wake up to sunshine, and the adventure of being with him, and most of all, being herself. “I’m stiff from the ride. But I’ll be fine.”
“May I ease you?”
“Ease me?” This was all happening faster than she was prepared for.
He smiled at her and sat up in bed, pressing her down into the mattress so that her cheek met the pillow. He climbed on top of her, but she trusted him. Soon his hands found her skin and grabbed the flesh of her shoulders softly, rubbing. The warm friction caused her muscles to loosen under his gentle massage. His hands smoothed their way down her spine, pressing her deeper into the mattress. Relaxation washed over her in waves. Her traumatized body came back to life under his hands. She smiled against the pillow, basking in the touch of his warms hands gliding up and down her back in slow, methodic sweeps. He was strong, commanding her muscles into submission, and yet gentle enough to have her nearing sleep once more.
When her back was thoroughly relaxed, Reza resettled above her knees. His massage dipped lower to the bottom of her spine. Her breathing halted. She could only imagine the view he had of her derriere. Lust caused raw heat to flood the space between her legs, and she smothered her face in the pillow so he wouldn’t witness her blush.
Reza’s hands continued the relaxing massage. The gentle, sweeping gestures kneaded lower until finally, his talented hands caressed her womanly curves. His palms gripped the soft flesh of her backside and rubbed. She’d never had this kind of attention focused on her body, especially her bum. But his talented massage released the tension pulling her muscles tight.
“That feels so good. I want you to know, Reza, I…I went to the town to tell Lennox that I wanted a divorce.”
The massage halted. “Is that how you got the bruise?” The low growl was the reply of a man ready to go to war.
“No, no, he’d never hurt me. Lennox is very gentle. I couldn’t find him. I went to the inn where he was staying, but all I found was trouble. But the reason I’m telling you is because…”
Reza climbed off of her and cradled her cheek with his hand. His eyes burned into her with obvious adoration, and Emmerie wondered if he already knew what she was going to say. “Come here.” Reza swept her into his arms and took her lips in a slow, passionate dance. Her breasts heaved against his warm naked skin and she became more of a woman than she’d ever been. This time she tasted him with her own tongue, exploring the inside of his mouth. The moan that escaped him sent a fresh round of excitement coursing through her. For once, she tried to give herself completely. And she was succeeding.
Reza gripped her bottom and picked her up off the bed. She reflexively wrapped her legs around his hard torso and they continued to savor the taste of each other. The kiss lingered as they both explored unspoken words through silent passion. Emmerie grabbed hold of Reza’s warm shoulders and didn’t let go. The fact that her core was spread wide open against his skin only barely registered. Instead, she was lost in the frenzy of his lips expertly seeking out her own. When he seized her bottom lip with his teeth, Em shuddered, recalling what he’d already done to her with his mouth once before.
“Gods, Emmerie. You’re driving me mad. Please let me pleasure you. Let me have you completely.”
“No.” Her firm tone surprised even her. But the bold intentions she had in mind were even more shocking. “Let me pleasure you.”
His gaze became embers smoldering with desire. His eyes sought out hers, questioning her. “You’re still injured. I can’t let—”
“Shh.” She put a finger to his lips. “I’m not breakable. I want to explore you.”
As she moved in to capture his bottom lip with her teeth, she was rewarded with a hearty groan. She kissed him with years of pent up passion as his rock hard erection pulsed against her stomach. Uncoiling her legs from around his waist, she sank to her knees on the bed. He moved to join her, but she gripped the hard muscles of his thighs and held him in place. Emmerie looked up at him as butterflies of excitement took flight in her stomach. His erection bobbed before her eyes, but for the moment, all she saw was the erotic fire burning in Reza’s gaze.
Never taking her eyes from his, her tongue escaped past her lips in a slow, deliberate motion, inching toward his cock. Reza’s gaze burned with anticipation. Her mouth closed around the large, round head of his penis, and the taste of his hot flesh melted against her tongue. She slid down the smooth mass, letting her tongue pass over every centimeter of his skin. He was enormous, but she was dedicated, and soon her entire mouth was wrapped around him.
She withdrew, keeping her eyes focused up on Reza
’s expression of sheer desire. His gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips sliding up his cock and back again to her eyes. For the first time since she’d met him, Reza looked overwhelmed. Satisfaction caused liquid heat to swell between her legs when she realized he didn’t know whether to enjoy the erotic massage or take her right then and there. Taking a moment to fantasize about the very image, Emmerie slid the warmth of her mouth up and down his shaft, wondering how it would feel inside her core.
“Gods, I can feel your desire.” Reza arched into her and began threading his fingers through her hair.
He stroked the back of her head, and Emmerie savored the erotic massage. His hand followed the slow motion of her head as it danced up and down his thick manhood. When her mouth approached the tip of his cock, she traced the firm ridge with her tongue. He twitched against her with need and Emmerie smiled with devious excitement.
“You’re the most erotic creature I’ve ever met. You’re going to make me come just from the need you’re giving off. It’s electricity against my skin.” His words were followed by a groan.
Em took it as a cue to go down even harder on him, squeezing her lips tight around his manhood and quickening her pace. From her tight, wet vise on him, Em felt his veins begin to bulge and pulse against her tongue. The tiny reaction sent chills down her spine when she recognized it was his impending climax. She sucked harder, stroking with her tongue, doing her best to overwhelm his cock with pleasure.
She looked up at Reza and let the erotic sight of his hard body burn deep within her core. Finally, his eyes closed to half-mast against the onslaught of ecstasy and his erection pulsed in her mouth. Wetness began soaking her tongue. She slowed, but didn’t release him, instead savoring the pleasure jetting from his shaft in a sudden onslaught of warmth. The physical evidence of his ecstasy left Emmerie on the edge of her own climax. Her thighs shook with need. She was shocked by her own wild ways. And how much she liked it.
Reza’s hands went to her thighs and pulled them out from under her so she fell back on the bed. His mouth was on her core before she knew it. The shock of pleasure nearly had her coming on the spot. His tongue dove at her tiny bud, tantalizing her in an erotic massage just as she’d done to him. His mouth covered her, and he groaned. The vibrations against her wet flesh were an expert move, and just the sound brought Emmerie to the edge.
“Yes.” She moaned, her fingers clenching the pillows on each side of her with a death grip. The onslaught of pleasure came crashing down on her. Pleasure exploded between her legs until her entire body trembled. As the climax came to its highest point, she squeezed her thighs shut, but Reza didn’t let go. Instead, he continued to lap at her nectar. The sight caused a second round of tremors to take over her body in wicked, sensual warfare. It was too many sensations to take at once. She grasped at his hair, trying to contain the beast bringing the onslaught of ecstasy. “God, Reza, I’m seeing stars.”
He gave her a final, strategically-placed kiss that made her thighs quiver once more, but then he released her. Emmerie watched his incredible body climb on top of her. It was the most erotic sight of her life. Muscles were cut into his chiseled torso as if he were crafted solely for pleasure. His eyes burned with the intensity of a thousand fires. She wanted him badly. But Emmerie placed a hand on his shoulder to halt him. Reza hovered on top of her, bracing to slide into her with his still-hard shaft.
“Reza. I can’t.”
He met her gaze with shock.
She recoiled from the disappointment and surprise on the sharp planes of his face. “I’m still with Lennox. I went to find him and I couldn’t. He’s—”
“You belonged to me just a moment ago. My, how things change so quickly.” Reza’s words sank into her gut like one of Lennox’s daggers.
“That’s not what I meant.”
But Reza already had his pants on and was halfway out the door. She ran after him, but the sight of his muscular back disappeared through the home like that that of a soldier off to war. A tear slipped down her cheek. Now both the men she’d cared for would forsake her. All she could do was wait for her husband to return home. It would be days still, but when he did, she’d confess her actions and ask for a divorce. By then, Reza would be long gone. Emmerie would be alone in a town that’d know the truth and scandal of her actions. But Lennox deserved better. And he deserved the truth.
Although she’d hurt Reza, Emmerie stood by her decision. She’d already gotten lost in the moment with him two times too many. She would at least hold lovemaking sacred. It was going to be a long couple days before Lennox returned.
Chapter 7
Reza didn’t bother grabbing his shirt. Instead, he tore through the forest toward town. It was a warm day, and between the sun and his fury, beads of sweat dotted his skin. As he entered town, the gaze of nearly every woman on the path raked over his body. Normally, it would make him proud. Today, it just pissed him off. The one woman he wanted had just rejected him. No. Used him, then rejected him.
The door to the local pub came within view, and soon the door was flung open under his grip. The commotion of his entry caused the afternoon crowd to holler in his direction.
“No shirt, no service, demon!” The drunken slur echoed in the room.
Reza came to a dead stop and turned in the direction of the voice. Spotting the smiling male, Reza strode over and drove his fist into teeth. Blood soaked his hand.
Two men leapt on Reza from behind, but he threw one over his shoulder and turned to punch the other in the gut. “What the fuck?” He growled at the unexpected attack. A jab came back, but Reza didn’t dodge it. Instead, he welcomed the pain. It only slightly numbed the ache in his heart. Another blow came his way. Reza threw his fury back into action, his fist becoming a sledgehammer directed at the nearest midsection. An attack came from behind, but Reza kicked back and the man fell to his knees clutching his balls.
“Hey!” The bartender roared from behind the counter. When Reza kept throwing fists, the giant troll slammed a hand down on the bar and roared once more, thick saliva dripping from jagged teeth. Reza paid it no heed, exerting all his frustrations in the fight. The three men battling against him got in a blow here and there, but for the most part, Reza was beating them to a pulp.
The massive seven-foot troll exploded into the middle of the brawl. Locals flew from the fray, thrown by a gargantuan grip. They landed nearby, the weight of their bodies causing thunder as they fell. Reza turned, but the beastly bartender brought a meaty boulder of a fist down on his head. The force of a wrecking ball sent Reza to the ground, his consciousness dimming.
“No fighting in my bar! Especially not before noon.” The troll spat down at Reza before driving a murky green foot into his gut. The sharp toenails of the troll drew blood.
Reza gasped for air, but managed a croak as he spit blood on the floor. “Get me a whiskymead.”
Air whooshed out of his gut as the troll’s foot slammed forward once more. “Since you missed it the first time, that was me telling you to get the fuck out.”
Reza rolled over and let the wood floor cool his skin. He stared up at the grotesque troll. “Whiskymead to go then?”
A giant fist descended toward Reza’s head, but he rolled away and it crushed through the floorboards. Using the momentum, Reza got to his feet and left the disgruntled bartender behind. Barreling through the exit, he was immediately accosted by a female.
“Hi. I saw you walking through town.” The soft voice held a well-practiced purr, meant to entice him. He looked down at her. She had dark curls that spilled down past an ample bosom. She pushed it out toward him, but gasped at his bloodied state.
“Are you okay?” Her hands caressed the contours of his pectoral muscles, pushing herself into his space. He inhaled the scent of her, gaudy and overwhelmingly floral. Not crisp and clean like the scent of Emmerie, who smelled of river water tumbling through a meadow of lavender. “Do you wanna come to my place? I can clean you off.”
Her sen
sual promise wasn’t lost on him, but the thought of being with her made Reza want to vomit.
“Just point me to the nearest meadshop.”
Instead of answering his request, she glared at him, pulling the string loose on her top so her breasts became further exposed.
Reza looked down and met her gaze once more. “You’ve come undone. Which way to the grog stop?”
The glare continued, but she pointed a finger down the alley. “Take a right. If you keep going you’ll find my place. If you come by later, I’ll forgive you.”
Reza walked past her, not caring that his shoulder nudged her on the way. She stumbled and her hatred drilled a hole in his back. Yet she’d still take him into her bed. Talks of the talents of a sex demon traveled fast in most towns.
First stop, grog. After that, the only thing that could cool his rage, a cold bath. And he knew just where to get one.
* * * *
Emmerie laid in bed for hours. The process of doing nothing wasn’t new to her. Her depression left her motionless in the dark enclosure of her home on many occasions. This time was different. Lying in bed, she listened to the soft thrum of her heartbeat. Should she listen to her heart and go tearing into town after Reza? Or should she let him go and venture out on her own? The only thing she did know was that being with Lennox was no longer an option.
Well, if she did start a new life on her own, lying in bed pondering her sorrows would not be a good start. Emmerie picked herself up and prepared to head out. It was a warm day, so she didn’t bother grabbing her cloak, instead, she grabbed a towel and headed to the lake. Stepping into the warm sun, she recalled the comforting sensation of Reza’s hot skin against hers in bed at night. Sleeping with a man like that, she’d never need a comforter again.