The tightness.
I struggled to stay standing. I buckled and clung to her, bending over her prone body to capture her mouth.
She moaned into my kiss, her tongue as eager as mine, her lips sweet and soft while mine attacked hers with rapidly dwindling control.
While I kissed her, my hips began to rock, fucking her the old-fashioned way, cursing the vines as they kept her weightless and swinging away from my thrusts.
I growled into her mouth and grabbed her breasts, holding her in place while I picked a punishing pace to rut into her.
Our kiss turned into nips and gasps.
Our flesh smacking.
Our lust evolving into a fierce, ferocious master.
I’d meant to prolong this. I’d wanted her in tears and begging for a release, but I couldn’t wait. I needed to spurt inside this woman. I needed that sweet connection of afterward.
Kissing her harder, I wrapped my arms around her and drove short, sharp, and punishingly into her.
She lost the ability to kiss me back. Her breasts bounced against my chest. The vines shuddered with my every rock. Her entire attention turned inward as I set off the chain reaction of her release.
Her every muscle clenched as I fucked her.
Her mouth opened wide and her legs snapped straight as she tumbled from coherent queen into a clenching, orgasming animal.
And I followed her.
I pulled away and used the swing of the vines to add depth to my thrusts. Pushing and pulling, thrusting and fucking, driving every inch deep within her to come.
My head fell back on the first splash.
My belly convulsed and my balls squeezed in pleasure that threatened to snap my legs in half.
Blackness descended over my vision, blocking out the fantasy as I focused entirely on Eleanor and the incredible link we shared.
It wiped me clean.
It deleted who I’d been before her.
I jerked as aftershocks kept ricocheting up my legs, blinking back stars as I glanced down at my wife.
Her grey gaze smoked with sated satisfaction. Her lips tilted into a lazy smile. “Welcome back.” Her body hung comfy and loose in the vines.
I winced as she wriggled, sending another few shards of bliss down my cock. “You broke me.”
She laughed gently, her inner muscles once again fisting me in delicious ways. “I think you broke both of us.”
“I wanted that to last longer.”
“No reason it can’t.” Her legs struggled to close, fighting against the vines’ entrapment. “Cinta isn’t done with us yet.”
I grinned, looking at where we stayed joined, drinking in the perfection of everything that I’d gained by earning her love. “You’re right. We have plenty of time to play.”
“We’re on holiday, after all.” She smiled.
“When you put it that way...” Gathering her close, I tugged her out of the vines’ embrace. “I know the perfect place for another playground.”
Tumbling into my arms, Eleanor didn’t object as I scooped her from the deck and marched toward the small bamboo walkway leading deeper into the trees.
This was an illusion. Well fabricated and carefully coded.
A place of absolute freedom.
A wonderland where reality wasn’t welcome, sex was unbelievable, and every moment with my wife was the ultimate fantasy.
And I wasn’t finished with her yet.
Chapter Thirteen
SULLY STAYED TRUE TO his word.
He had the perfect playground. The entire jungle was his domain and dynasty. Taking me by the hand, he led me from the treehouse, down animal tracks in dense foliage, through a crystal clear stream complete with tadpoles and a family of leopard cubs playing in the grasses, to a cave almost entirely covered by lichen and low hanging jasmine vines.
Keeping our fingers entwined, we explored the dark tomb and travelled deeper into the earth’s belly until no natural light encroached and the fairy-tale sparkle of glow-worms pinpricked the blackness.
There, he took me over a moss-covered rock.
Got on his knees and spread me over his lap.
And kissed me for hours as we slowly grew drowsy from our lovemaking.
I had no idea how much time had passed—whether it was dawn in Hawksridge Hall or if we still had hours before the Hawks expected us to join them for breakfast, but our time in this place would always be remembered as one of the best times in Euphoria we’d shared.
Not because it’d been the most erotic but because we were both so at home here.
So at peace watching parrots of all colours, monkeys of all shapes, and the shadows of elephants slinking on the horizon as we left the cave and strolled under stars that mimicked the glow-worms we’d just left behind.
So much life all around us—the reminder that no matter where we were or what form we currently inhabited, we were all connected in some way—virtual or real.
Sully stopped me as we broke the jungle and stood on a savannah with giraffes in the distance and a pride of lions growling at the crescent moon. I looked at my husband as he slowly stroked my wrist, his fingers hovering over the patch of skin that would terminate this illusion.
After his previous renditions of Euphoria, with the absolute entrapment of a person’s mental faculties until they fell asleep, he’d updated the code and added a way out without having to be unconscious.
I shivered as he brought my hand up and kissed the area on my wrist. “Ready to go back?”
“Not really.”
His head tipped up, a lazy smile on his gorgeous face. “Aren’t you tired?” He chuckled. “I admit, I need to rest so I’m not a grumpy bastard at breakfast or a gloating asshole for having the best wife a man could hope for.”
“I’m pretty sure Jethro would argue that he has the best wife. Everyone thinks they have the best.”
“And they do. Because it’s true...to them.” He straightened, pressing a simple kiss to my cheek. “But you’re still the best out of anyone.”
I laughed quietly, freezing as a giraffe stopped munching on a tree and threw a spooked look our way. “You’re such a charmer.”
“And you’re a witch. There’s no other explanation for how much I adore you.” Pinching the skin of my wrist, he smiled gently. “See you back at Hawksridge Hall, Eleanor.”
I held my breath as the illusion switched from solid and true, to hazy and obscured by smoke. The firmness of soil beneath my bare feet faded. The wonder of a tropical jungle was suddenly gone. Everything vanished, leaving me in a world of white before a quick hiss of static and the sharp bump of reality deposited me back into England and the impressive history-rich suite we’d been given.
I gasped as embroidered carpets replaced dirt and an instant chill found me as I stood naked at the foot of the bed, the bathrobe belt still latched around my ankle, keeping me tied to the four-poster.
Sully stood beside me, his fingers pinching his own wrist. His eyes still saw the virtual world I’d just left, but a few breaths later with a full-body jolt, he joined me in England. Blinking away our fantasy and giving me a sexy smirk, he murmured, “At least we’re still in the room and not on the lawn.”
I smiled. “I can imagine that would’ve earned a few side-eyes at breakfast.”
Stepping into me, he wrapped his arms tight around me, granting me much-needed body heat. “You’re cold. Let’s get into bed.” Kissing me, he let me go before ducking to untie me. His eyes feasted on my nakedness as he freed me. “You have bruises.” Touching the finger shadows on my hips, he bit his bottom lip. “I didn’t mean—”
“Bruises are a symbol of a great night together.” I captured his hand, holding it against my hip. “I would’ve been disappointed if you’d been gentle.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to be gentle with you. I need you too violently.” Standing, he scooped me off my feet and carried me to the bed. The barely noticeable limp he still had from everything Drake had done to
him came and went.
Ripping back the thick coverlets, he dropped me into the centre, then climbed in after me.
The novelty of having heavy blankets instead of a thin sheet was strange but comforting. I sighed in happiness as he curled around me, keeping me warm and safe.
Shifting together, we removed our eye lenses and earbuds and discarded them on the bedside table. The hall creaked as a gust of wind disrupted ancient windowpanes and wafted thick tapestries. Thank goodness Sully and the bed were warm. Otherwise, I’d freeze.
Yawning, I slid quicker into exhaustion than I’d planned. I’d wanted to ask Sully again what he’d done to Drake. After five years of not wanting to know, I had a sudden need to understand.
But Sully had changed the subject in our hallucination and we’d never returned to it. I knew the topic was mostly off-limits. That what he did was between him and his brother. But I couldn’t help wondering, especially now I’d seen the relationship between Sully’s cyphered animals and his commands.
Had he used that connection to break Drake’s mind? Had he enlisted the help of animals to tear him into pieces—both figuratively and literally?
I tensed, imagining what it would’ve been like to watch a man like Drake—a man who’d embraced a heinous calling to torment, steal, and pillage—be massacred by the very animals he’d chosen to hurt.
Sully nuzzled into the back of my neck, his breath evening out in peace. His serenity added another layer to my tiredness, and I slipped closer to sleep.
My question didn’t matter.
What was done was done.
It was in the past.
All that mattered now was the man cocooning me in trusted arms. A man who’d delivered passion and pleasure. A man I would never stop loving.
I slept.
* * * * *
“Wow, you didn’t waste any time.” I grinned as I padded from the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy towel, steam chasing me as I brushed my long hair. I’d had the shower as hot as I could bear it, standing beneath the scalding rain before risking the chilly English morning.
Sully grinned, zipping up our shared suitcase where everything we’d brought with us had been stuffed back in ready for a return trip home. “After breakfast, we’re leaving. Already arranged.” Coming toward me, his five o’clock shadow trim and rakish and his body already dressed in slacks and navy shirt, he cupped my cheek. “I decided on a little detour, though.”
“Oh?”
“Philippines.” He kissed me before pointing at the jeans, white knitted jumper, and teal scarf laid out on the bed. “Spoke to Cal who convinced me to check it out. So dress, darling wife, before I’m tempted to load another fantasy.”
I laughed under my breath as he patted my ass and pushed me toward my chosen wardrobe. Dropping my towel, I flushed with pleasure as Sully jerked and swallowed hard.
The bruises he’d given me last night had bloomed into a richer colour, marking me entirely as his. Only we knew where we’d gone and what we’d done. Only we had a superpower to teleport to wherever we damn well wanted and indulge in raw, toe-curling eroticism.
“Goddammit, will I ever get enough of you?” He reached out to cup my breast, but I swatted him away, slipping into a white lace bra.
“You’ll have to. I don’t know the exact time, but I’m guessing we’re probably running late for breakfast.”
He shrugged. “It’s only nine a.m. Jethro said between nine and nine-thirty is fine.”
Stepping into a matching set of knickers before pulling on the jeans, I threw him a look. “By the way, you can’t drop the fact that we’re travelling to the Philippines instead of Indonesia and not elaborate.” Slipping into the jumper, I waited for him to fill me in.
He cleared his throat. “I miss Pika and Skittles but...I also miss Cal and Jess. If they’re having so much fun over there, I thought we might as well go see what all the fuss is about.”
“Really?”
He smiled. “I know that won’t be an issue for you, seeing as you were born to travel.”
“I was born to find you.”
“Yes, well, you found me. And now we have another adventure to look forward to. Together.” Taking my hand, he pulled me toward the door. “Now, come along, England is too cold for my taste. The sooner we say goodbye, the sooner we can chase the sun.”
“And you call yourself a good friend.” I tutted as Sully escorted me down the long corridor with its medieval flair of decoration. “Leaving the day after we arrive.”
“Jethro knows who I am. He knows I have a small tolerance of people—no matter if I like them or not. He can sense it.”
“Sense it how? Nila said something similar last night when we visited the stables.”
Sully waited until I clutched the banister of the sweeping staircase before descending with me. “He’s an Empath. Also known as HSP—Highly Sensitive Person.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“It means he’s in-tune with a sense all humans have. His is just more developed, and he can’t shut it off. It’s caused a lot of complications in his world.” He smiled as we reached the bottom level. “In fact, I bet you he’ll know exactly what our plans are the moment we sit at the table.”
I laughed, looking up at him and admiring the shadow and sun highlighting his lovely face. “What do you bet me?”
His blue eyes glistened. “An orgasm?”
I pursed my lips, weighing up the bet. “Make it two and you have yourself a deal.” I held out my hand.
Sully chuckled but shook. “You’ve already lost, Eleanor, but deal. I expect to collect my two orgasms the moment we touch down in the Philippines.”
“That can be arranged.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Sharing another laugh, rich with affection and happiness, we followed the twisting, gothic corridor and entered the sun-dappled drawing room.
Chapter Fourteen
“GOOD MORNING.” JETHRO GLANCED from me to Eleanor as he stood respectfully from the table where he and Nila waited. His amber eyes narrowed and the tell-tale sign that he was listening with a sense other than his ears hinted I was about to win the bet before we’d even sat down.
However, with a knowing smile, Jethro returned to his seat and waved elegantly at the large spread waiting to be devoured. “Please, join us. I assume you two slept well.” He smirked before he could wipe his face back to politeness.
He couldn’t fool me.
We’d gone through too many trials, errors, and confessions to hide his gift.
Giving him a mocking bow, I grinned. “It seems daylight has reminded you of your manners, Hawk.” Guiding Eleanor to the table, I held out her chair and waited until she sat before sitting beside her.
Nila rolled her eyes, answering me on behalf of her husband. “Kite forgot to keep his barriers up last night. He listened to things that weren’t his to hear.”
Jethro chuckled. “Nila is quite right. I do owe you an apology. Especially you, Eleanor. You don’t know me, and I hope I didn’t make too bad a first impression.”
Eleanor shook her head, her gorgeous chocolate hair a dark cascade against the white of her jumper. “Not at all. I hope it’s okay, but Sully mentioned a little of your...expertise?”
“Disease, more like it.” Jethro took Nila’s hand sitting on top of the table. “Until Nila came along, of course.”
Nila smiled gently before remembering her hostess duties. “Please, tuck in. Your security staff advised that you’re vegetarian, so I ensured all our fare this morning is edible by all of us. Our eggs are free-range from hens that basically run this estate, and the milk is from our almond grove.”
I bowed my head. “That’s very considerate.”
“Not at all. I’ve been leaning more that way myself lately.” Nila shuddered. “I’ve seen our gamekeeper skinning rabbits and deer, and I have to say, it makes me queasy after seeing them happily living in our woods before ending up dead on our plates.”
Jethro
winced, picking up on the truth of Nila’s admittance. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Eleanor. “Did you have a pleasant evening? The room wasn’t too drafty while you, eh...scratched the itch you were both suffering from dancing last night?”
Eleanor choked on a mouthful of orange juice.
Nila swatted her husband.
I just laughed. “Instead of coming up with your own conclusions of what we got up to last night, I can tell you in explicit detail. You’ll never be able to guess.”
“Oh, no need.” Jethro chuckled. “I have a rather cohesive answer just from looking at you two.”
“Let’s put you to a test, shall we?” I steepled my hands on the table, watching him carefully. “For old time’s sake.”
“I didn’t like your tests then, and I’m not interested now.” Hawk scowled. “You’d think you were writing a book on my condition—”
“I did actually. I wrote all your symptoms down—the ones you shared with me, especially in those earlier days—and asked my head scientist, Peter Beck, to see if there was a way to give you distance from other’s emotional broadcasts.”
“And?” Jethro cleared his throat. “Did you find anything, or did you just formulate that abysmal drug you gave my father to shut me down completely?”
I sat back, guilt flaring over that.
Eleanor gave me a quick look, sensing the nasty history and my role in it.
“He lied to me.” I shrugged. “He said you were self-harming because you couldn’t cope anymore. I tried calling you—”
“I was self-harming because I’d fallen in love with Nila and couldn’t unscramble her love for a monster like me and the hate my father had for her. I was being split apart. I couldn’t hear myself think over the evilness of my family and the pureness of the woman I’d fallen for.”
Nila interrupted gently. “Is this really breakfast talk?” Throwing Eleanor an apologetic smile, she added, “Jethro wasn’t, eh, well when we first found each other. He—”
“I hurt her unforgivably,” Jethro snapped, glaring at the diamond collar that sparkled around Nila’s neck. The choker had looked stunning last night with her ball gown, yet here, while she wore a simple cream shirt and jeans, it drenched the table with rainbows full of wealth and yesteryears debts.
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