Eternal Breath of Darkness

by Candice Stauffer

  Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. Studying him, she found no hint of anger or disgust. Relieved, she smiled up at him, choosing to believe he still didn’t know her secret. For the moment, it was easy to believe she’d managed to keep it from him. She was amazed by him, by the way he made her feel, and by the way he made her body ache for his touch and burn for the wild intensity of his kiss. She knew he loved her. It was there, his love for her. She saw it so clearly she actually felt how deeply he loved her. Everlasting. Unconditional. For one precious moment, she felt the intensity of his enormous, never-ending love for her. It filled her like the spicy, masculine scent of his skin filled her lungs with each breath she took. Thoroughly. Completely—though she still believed if he knew she’d been raped he couldn’t possibly love her.

  Rolling over onto his back, he reached for her and dragged her nearer. Pulling the blanket over their bodies, he encouraged her to rest her head on his chest, immediately applying more healing energy to her deep emotional wounds. “It’s okay.” Gently caressing her shoulder and arm, he was tempted to take another glance at the memory, but he wasn’t entirely sure he could handle any more and contain his anger. He needed to focus on her. Heal her.

  She was shaken by the way the past had revisited her. It had never happened before. Sure, she had dark memories, but she’d never relived them so vividly. How could intimacy with Haden compare to violence? She tried to rationalize the condition of her mind, but she couldn’t focus on herself. What if he had seen it? He would never want her as a lover. How could he? She was dirty. Filthy.

  Haden was sure that the instant she confided in him, her past would no longer have the power to enslave and torment her. Pretending he didn’t know wasn’t easy—he’d much rather tackle a problem head-on—but his love for her enabled him to wait for as long as she needed. He brought her hand to the warmth of his mouth. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to encourage her to open up to him. “Tell me what happened a moment ago.” He opened her palm and kissed it. “Why were you so afraid?”

  “I’m not afraid of you.” And she wasn’t. She knew he was nothing like the men that had chained her to the altar, tortured her, raped her, and left her for dead.

  “I know.” Nuzzling his chin in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent, he kissed the top of her head. “But there’s something you’re hiding, something you’re afraid of. What is it?”

  Perfect. She frowned. Absolutely perfect. She’d ruined everything. Taking a deep breath, she released it with a frustrated sigh. “I’m so sorry, Haden. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t blame you for being mad.”

  She heard him chuckle softly above her head. “I’m not even a little mad. I won’t deny being frustrated. But it’s okay. Frustrating is good. There’s no need to rush into anything.” He wrapped his arms around her body, battling a powerful urge to go after the men that had hurt her. He didn’t want to wait for revenge. He wanted to rush out and find them. He wanted to kill them immediately. He needed to do it. But he couldn’t. Not yet. She needed him, and her needs would always come before his. “Rest with me for awhile, little love.”

  “You want to sleep?” Chewing on her bottom lip, she frowned. She’d certainly screwed things up. The last thing she wanted to do was sleep.

  “Not really.” Attempting to stop the visions of death and destruction from moving through his mind, he closed his eyes. “I want to hold you.” He forced his voice to remain calm, wanting to hide the rage building in him, knowing it would alert her to the fact that he knew what had happened to her.

  Driving him insane, massaging and tickling his chest and stomach with her fingertips, she snuggled up closer to him. He grinned and, with barely noticeable movement, shook his head. If she was purposely trying to torture him, she was succeeding.

  She believed her time with him was running out. Remaining with Haden wasn’t an option. She had one chance to be with him. One chance to make love to him. Haden would never make the first move. He knew she was frightened, and he would wait for her to make the first move. Gradually, she started to explore his body with her hands, timidly at first, and then more boldly.

  He knew she was planning to return to her uncle’s home, but it didn’t matter. Emmett was dead. One way or another, no matter the body count, she would never be abused again. His blood pressure soared; his entire body was responding to her touch, but he remained completely still, holding her in his arms, allowing her the freedom to explore his body at her own pace.

  His body was so solid. He was a magnificent man. His well-defined chest and abdominal muscles were tight, trembling as she moved her hand lower. She heard him take in a sharp breath and hold it in anticipation. He was such a strong and powerful man. His response to her touch intensified her desire, flooding her body with such sinfully intoxicating pleasures that she couldn’t stop touching him. She didn’t want to stop; she wouldn’t stop.

  Time seemed to drag on and on; her touch was slowly pushing him over the edge of control. She made him feel so weak. So needy. The torture she was forcing him to endure was bittersweet. During his entire existence, he’d never resorted to begging for anything, but his entire body was desperately pleading for hers. He thought he would go mad when her hand briefly brushed against the hot, ultra-sensitive flesh of his swollen cock.

  Through clenched teeth, he made a sound of something between a growl and a groan. Horrified that she’d done something wrong, she lifted her hand. He ached to plunge himself deep inside her body, so deep nothing could ever separate them. He needed to feel her womanly heat tightly wrapped around his cock. Before he could stop himself, he took her hand and guided it back to his erection. With his guidance, she stroked the length of it. Groaning, he released her hand. She continued to stroke the length of him. Tightening her grip, she repeated the motion over and over again as drops of his hot essence seeped onto her hand.

  His eyes flashed open. “Caylee.” Her name came out a breathless, desperate plea. A fierce fire burned deep inside him. He needed to stop her before it was too late, before he couldn’t stop her. She’d suffered too much. She wasn’t ready. He knew he should get out of the bed, but instead he turned onto his side and faced her.

  She wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t believe I’m in your bed.” She giggled. “It’s easier to believe you can turn into a dragon and you have wings and can fly.”

  Pulling her nearer and wrapping her leg around his body, he pressed his cock against her belly. Taking her breast in his hand and stroking her nipple with his thumb as he kissed her lips, he pumped his hips, unable to stop moving against her.

  “Haden.” Every inch of her flesh burned. She felt completely empty, desperately wanting him to fill her, needing to feel his cock deep inside her body.

  “What’s wrong?” He trailed kisses down her throat to her breasts. “Do you want me to stop?” Lightly, he swirled his tongue around her nipple.

  She took sharp breath. “No.” The wonderful sensations that spread throughout her entire body startled her, but her body wanted more, needed more. “Never stop.”

  He chuckled. “Are you sure?” He drew her nipple into his mouth, holding it between his teeth and swirling his tongue over it. “Absolutely sure?”

  “If you stop, I’ll never forgive you.” Tangling his hair in her fingers, she held his head to her breast, his hot mouth on her breast causing moist heat to pool between her legs.

  Leaning back, he gently, splaying his hand over her chest, pushed her flat onto her back. “Never?”

  Opening her eyes, she looked up at him and shook her head. “Never.”

  “Perhaps we should wait,” he whispered so softly she could barely hear it.

  “I’m tired of waiting.”

  He gazed into her eyes for several seconds, delving deep into her mind, searching for a hint of fear or reservation. “There’s no reason to rush.” And there wasn’t. Not really. He might die, but he was willing to sacrifice his life for her.

  “Are you
in my mind now?”

  “I would never want to trespass.” Looking far too innocent, he nudged her legs apart, making room for his body. Meeting her gaze, studying her reaction, he positioned his body between her thighs.

  “You can’t hide it from me, Haden. I can always feel you. I know when you’re in my mind.” She allowed her hands to wander down the contours of his back muscles and then upward along his sides. “You know what I want. You know what I need. What are you going to do about it?” Biting her lower lip, she let her hands slide downward along his sides and to the center of his lower belly, her hand brushing up against his erection. “Or would you rather wait?”

  Lowering his body, he kissed her. Conflicted, he backed away and looked down at her, and then he closed his eyes as he lowered his head to rest it on top of her flat belly. Guilt? He groaned. He was actually feeling guilty for seducing her. “To be honest, I would rather not wait.” He paused for a moment. “But I would wait.”

  “I want you, Haden. I need you. I don’t want to wait any longer. I can’t.” She ran her fingers through his thick hair. “Look at me,” she whispered. Lifting his head, he met her gaze. “I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you to make love to me, Haden.”

  Their minds were so deeply joined he knew she meant it. So, why the hell did he still feel guilty for wanting to share something so natural with her? It wasn’t as if he were going hurt her. Sure, he possessed the skills and knowledge to make sure she experienced many mind-blowing pleasures. But what if he wasn’t to her liking?

  Really? Was he seriously doubting his ability to perform well enough for her?

  At first Caylee didn’t realize what was happening. She could hear his voice in her head, but it was slightly different than when he was talking to her. But then, studying his worried expression, she realized she was hearing his thoughts. She laughed aloud.

  He arched his brow at her. The grin on her face spoke volumes. She’d just heard his thoughts. Sure, she was his true mate, so once the ritual was complete she would have the ability to read his thoughts at will unless he prevented it, but not now, not in her mortal state. But, by the grin on her face, there was no denying the fact that she just heard what he was thinking.

  Looking very naughty, his lips curved up in a wicked smile. “Caylee, after all the lectures you’ve given me, are you actually mucking around in my head?”

  “No,” she replied too quickly, her smile instantly disappearing, her eyes filled with fear as if she expected him to hurt her.

  He bent his head to kiss her. “I was only teasing you, little love. I’m not mad over it,” he whispered against her lips. “I want to be as close to you as possible for all of eternity. It’s a wonderful thing, a beautiful thing for you to merge your mind with mine.” She opened her mouth to deny it, but he silenced her with a long, slow kiss so tender, so loving it stole her ability to entertain any other thought than the taste and feel of his mouth claiming hers.

  She wasn’t sure exactly when it happened, but eventually his possession of her mouth elevated into something more urgent, more demanding. She wasn’t afraid of the change. In fact, just the opposite—she welcomed it, embraced it. When he reached down between her legs to place his palm against her hot, silken mound, he was pleased she lifted her hips and moved against his hand. Rewarding her eager response, he gently stroked her clit and bent his head to suckle the hard bud of her nipple. Moaning, she arched her body, pressing herself more firmly against his hand, her fingers tangled in his hair, holding his head to her breast.

  Slipping a finger inside her, he stroked her most sensitive spot with his thumb. Her inner muscles clenched tightly around his finger as he moved lower, slowly kissing, licking his way from her breasts to her navel and then lower, until he arrived at the hot, savory entrance of her body.

  “What are you doing?” Violently arching her body, nearly throwing herself from the bed, the air burst out of her lungs in a startled gasp. “Haden, you can’t!” Her nails dug deep into his shoulders.

  “But I am.” Grinning wickedly, he looked up at her for a moment, and then he bent his head and licked her once. It was just a quick stroke of his tongue, but it sent wonderful, powerful shock waves through her entire body. She squirmed restlessly, her body trembling. He grabbed her hips and brought her closer, pinning her to his mouth so his hot breath seductively caressed her most intimate place. He suckled greedily, tasting her, feasting on her, savoring her, devouring her sweet essence.

  The pleasure was agonizing and wonderful all at the same time. Her body shuddered. Her thoughts shattered. What he was doing to her was so wrong on so many levels, but her body was responding wildly to the forbidden act. A million thoughts raced through her mind, but none made sense. None mattered. She should stop him. She couldn’t stop him. She didn’t want to stop him.

  Wanting more, needing more, she pressed her body against his mouth. Groaning deeply, he stabbed her with his tongue, gripping her hips more firmly. Opening her thighs wider, pressing her against his mouth, his tongue delved deep. Her hot, creamy essence prepared her body for his. Suckling her clit, he slid two fingers inside her. She was so hot and slick, her inner muscles clenching tightly around his fingers. She was so damn tight. He imagined his cock, buried deep, releasing his seed inside her body. He groaned loudly, his cock nearly bursting as he continued to feed on her.

  Delicious, explosive sensations spread throughout her body, centering between her legs, burning at her core. “Please.” She was desperate, her body feverish, needing his, demanding his to fill hers. Her heart was racing. She had to struggle to catch her breath. “I need you, Haden. I need you inside me now.”

  He spread her legs to make room, moving slowly, watching her closely, covering her tiny body with his. “Caylee, are you sure?” It was more of a desperate plea than a question. He heard the torment in his voice. There was no hiding it; she had to have heard it too. There was no mistaking it for anything else. He could scarcely breathe; his heart literally stopped. Lingering at her hot entrance his erection grew even harder, throbbing so very painfully.

  Eyes enormous, she stared up at him, her palms caressing the contours of his heavily muscled shoulders and biceps. How could she not be sure? She felt the heat of his cock pressed against the entrance of her body. The sensation alone nearly brought her to a powerful climax, her need building into a raging storm. She ached to feel him inside her body. Deep. Filling her. “Absolutely.” She opened her legs further, cradling his body in her hips, allowing the broad head of his cock to enter her body.

  Gasping her name, he pushed deeper, stretching the soft, satiny corridors of her body, but then he stopped to gain control. Her body was so tight. He wanted to thrust harder, deeper. The pleasure of being inside her body was so great it was painful. She was so hot and tight, wrapped around him, annihilating his control. Restless, she wiggled beneath him, needing more.

  Reaching behind the nape of her neck, he lifted her head to share the erotic view of his cock partially buried in her. Lightning whipped through their bodies, and thunder rumbled in their ears. Digging her fingernails into his shoulders, she arched her body to meet his, watching as he ventured further, plunged deeper.

  She felt her body stretching, but willing to take him, wanting more, needing more. She savored the sensation as he pulled out slowly. Eyes wide, she stared in wonder at the glistening length of him, amazed she was able to take so much of him into her body.

  “We fit together marvelously, perfectly.” He kissed her deeply, thoroughly savoring it, his tongue tangling with hers, his teeth nipping at her lips, the head of his cock buried just inside her entrance.

  “Oh, Haden.” Whimpering, she squirmed beneath him, nearly frantic, her body burning up, needing so much more.

  Releasing her neck, he bent his head and kissed her throat, slowly working his way lower. “You’re so beautiful, Caylee. Perfect in every way.” Cupping her breasts, he flicked his tongue over each nipple.

  Arching her b
ody, breathing heavily, she tangled her fingers in his thick hair, holding him to her, pressing her breast against his mouth.

  Sucking her nipples, taking them between his teeth, he pushed slowly forward, burying his erection deep inside her body. She closed her eyes and moaned huskily, head thrown back, savoring the sensation of him stretching her.

  Hesitating, he looked down at her for a moment to make sure she was okay. It was easy to enter her mind. Every block was removed, leaving her thoughts completely open to him. For the first time, her violent past was a forgotten memory. Her only thoughts were on the physical, spiritual pleasures of their joining. She was focused on the glorious sensations racing through her body, igniting wild, unstoppable flames, driving her insane, devouring her natural defenses.

  “Look at me.” He kissed her lips, softly. “Open your eyes, little love.” He wanted to see her hunger for him, but holding his breath, he hoped to see her love for him.

  She opened her eyes and smiled. Her eyes were so wide, gazing up at him, her love for him obvious. She was so damn beautiful beneath him, too beautiful, her pale flesh flushed and long, dark brown hair cascading over the pillows. Moving slowly, maintaining a steady, erotic rhythm, creating delicious friction, he made love to her gently. He had hoped for this moment for so long, never fully able to imagine it. How could he? He’d never loved a woman. He’d never cherished a woman. And he’d certainly never needed a woman to make him whole. She was a priceless miracle, an entirely undeserved miracle, one he would never relinquish.

  The sensations of pleasure grew in each of them as they stared into each other’s eyes. He instantly knew she was far better than just okay. Every trace of her fear was gone. She was in the same state of complete enchantment he was experiencing. The sensual and spiritual pleasure was shockingly more than he’d ever dreamed it would be. The combination of the heat of her body and taste of her flesh was completely overwhelming to all of his senses, unleashing his dark nature. No longer in control, he began to thrust deeper. Harder. Faster. His pace was as ferocious as his need for her. There was no past to contend with and no future problems to solve. Only the present mattered. Feeding the hunger and fanning the flames of their desire was all that mattered.