Elise shut her eyes, suddenly looking extremely vulnerable. Callum swallowed, barely daring to hope. If he were to understand Elise’s admission properly…
Was it possible? He felt his pulse quicken and his palms grow sweaty with nervousness.
Callum took a quiet step towards her, then stopped when her eyes flew open and he saw her stiffen. The conversation they were having was teetering on a very fragile point, and if he made the wrong move, Elise might just run off.
Only when he was confident she wasn’t going to run away, did he resume walking carefully towards her.
“Elise…” he began, stopping before her and taking hold of her shoulders gently in his hands. When she refused to meet his eyes, he carefully tilted her chin up with his hand and forced her to look at him. He felt her chin trembling slightly underneath his touch.
“You are my fated mate…” He said the words slowly and clearly, so she couldn’t mistake what he was saying.
Elise gaped at him, her eyes cloudy with confusion. “I don’t understand…”
“You’ve always been my true mate,” Callum explained. “I’ve known this for many years, since you were a young girl. That’s why I gave your father that necklace to give to you.”
“Wh-at?” Elise stared at him dumfounded as Callum released her chin, and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.
Callum knew it was time for him to tell her the truth. There were certain things he’d intentionally kept from her, as he thought the knowledge would only be a burden to her and make her feel encaged.
“A long time ago, I spoke to a seer who prophesized I’d encounter the father of my fated mate during one of my travels to the human realm. At the time I met your father, he was hawking out wares to some of the immortal folk in an alleyway. I saw you with him later on, when you went to find him to bring him home for dinner, and I knew instantly the seer’s predictions had been true.”
Elise stared sceptically at him, not sure whether to believe his story or not.
“So, were you one of my father’s customers that day?” she asked, trying to work out whether Callum was telling her the truth. She found it hard to believe his claim that she was his fated mate all along, and he’d simply kept this from her.
“No. I was with someone who was, though,” Callum smiled wryly, recalling the experience. He’d been forced along by his cousin who loved to collect strange, exotic items…the more forbidden, the better!
“So, what made you give my father the necklace? Was it some sort of tracking device or a way to mark me?” Elise asked, watching Callum’s face carefully, searching for any trace of a lie.
Callum’s dry laughter vibrated through his chest and down his arms, and right along Elise’s shoulders. He shook his head. “No. I made a trade with your father. I offered him an introduction to some new potential customers and asked him to give you the necklace to wear in exchange. I told him it was enchanted to protect you, so he agreed. The story about the gypsy giving him the necklace was something I merely made up so you wouldn’t know.”
“But was it true?” Elise asked, narrowing her eyes. “Was the necklace enchanted to protect me?” Clearly, she suspected what Callum had told her father to be a ruse and a lie.
Callum gave her a crooked smile and released her shoulders. Leaning back against the table behind him, he folded his arms. “Yes…I guess you could say it was true—to a certain extent.” He paused and cleared his throat. “The necklace was made to protect you from me.”
The fire in the hearth crackled in the background, as Callum’s words hung heavy in the air, waiting for Elise’s judgement.
For a moment, Elise stood stock-still, frozen to the spot and completely speechless over Callum’s revelation.
After a short while, her body seemed to unthaw, and she slowly shook her head, covering her face with her hands as she tried to gather her thoughts. Finally, she uncovered her face.
“What do you mean the necklace was made to protect me from you?” she asked, disbelief and shock underlining her voice.
Callum cocked his head. “Do you remember the night I found Varian attacking you? When he had you pressed up against the wall?”
Elise nodded, shuddering briefly at the unpleasant memory. Her reaction did not go unnoticed under Callum’s watchful gaze.
“You saw me transform…when I shifted into my primal Fae form. You were scared.”
“You mean when you grew fangs and pointed ears?” Elise blurted out in surprise.
“Yes. That only happens when a Fae scents his fated mate. He shifts instinctively so he can mark and claim her. It can be easy for the Fae to lose control if he’s not careful. The necklace you wore around your neck was spelled to mask your scent from me,” Callum divulged, slowly chipping away at Elise’s disbelief.
“But why didn’t you claim me, then? I mean, you took me from my realm and even married me! Why didn’t you mark me as your mate?” Elise’s bottom lip trembled as her eyes filled with tears. She still couldn’t understand the logic of his actions.
Callum sighed. “Because I wanted you to choose me. To make the decision to be my mate! Once I marked and claimed you, there’d be no way to undo it. It needed to be your choice,” he explained, his voice straining under the crushing weight of his emotions. “Now do you understand?” he asked, looking desperately at her.
Shaken by Callum’s shocking revelation, Elise seemed to wobble unsteadily on her feet. Callum rushed over to her in one quick stride and caught her before she could fall over. He wrapped his strong, dependable arms around her, holding her safely in his embrace.
“I love you, Elise…” he whispered in her ear, placing a kiss on her temple, tucking her head underneath his chin. He felt her body tremble. Overwhelmed by her emotions, Elise began to sob.
“I thought I was just some sort of commodity to you…that you only saw me as some object to trade,” she blubbered, her shoulders heaving as she struggled for breath.
Callum pulled away just enough so he could look into her face. “Never!” he objected vehemently. “I have not once thought of you that way! I admit, perhaps my method of bringing you here wasn’t the best thought out plan…” he cringed as he considered his actions in hindsight, “but I assure you, my intentions were honorable.”
He wiped a tear away from Elise’s eyes just before it could spill down her cheek, and kissed her lightly on her eyelid to underscore his words.
“Forgive me…” he murmured. “If you will, I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Elise sniffled, pressing her cheek even closer to Callum’s chest, and shook her head. “I’ve been such an idiot…” she heaved, her voice cracking. “I should have told you how I felt or confronted you with my concerns from the start…instead, I was a coward.”
“And how do you feel?” Callum asked quietly, holding his breath as he waited for her to answer. His heart pounded nervously against his ribcage, and he was certain Elise could hear it given her ear was currently pressed right up against his chest.
Elise pulled in a deep breath, and one final shuddering sob left her body. She looked up at Callum’s questioning face, her wet eyes shimmering under the light, as his own eyes searched her face for an answer.
“Don’t you know?” she said, her voice a whisper. “I’ve loved you since the day you dove into those icy waters of the lake to save me.”
Callum felt like his heart would burst with joy. His lips slowly widened into a gentle, loving smile. “Oh, Elise…my love…” his voice cracked with emotion as he stared at her with eyes full of promise.
Elise in return, gazed at him adoringly. Without another word, Callum lowered his head and captured her lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss.
He poured all his love for her into that kiss, while he caressed her face gently with his hand. Elise submitted to him willingly, responding with just as much hunger and desire. He tasted even better than she remembered, and sh
e whimpered in pleasure as her heart beat wildly in her chest.
Callum stroked her back, his hand trailing down to gently massage her hip, as he pushed open her lips, his tongue seeking entrance, and plundered her mouth.
Little by little, his touch soothed away the aching pain that had been plaguing her heart. She knew without a doubt now…Callum truly loved her for who she was. Not as some trophy or someone to warm his bed—but as an equal.
Callum groaned as Elise nipped his lower lip. As desire flared inside him, his hand dipped down to cup her ass. Squeezing her bottom, he pressed her pelvis firmly against him, and Elise could feel how hard he was underneath his pants.
He hoisted her up and Elise wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles together at his back. Callum carried her over to the couch, and broke the kiss so he could put her down.
For a moment, Callum leaned over her, breathing heavily, his eyes bright with lust. Elise licked her bottom lip, suddenly feeling her mouth go dry.
Blood rushed to Callum’s groin and he let out a shuddering groan, closing his eyes briefly as an intense wave of need washed over him. His nostrils flared for a second, before he opened his eyes.
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to hold back if we don’t stop now…” he declared, looking at Elise to see that she understood the full implication of his meaning.
Elise nodded, panting. “Claim me, Callum. Make me yours,” she said, leaving no room for doubt as to her answer.
Callum growled, already shifting, unable to hold back. His ears grew pointed and his two front teeth elongated. Elise was momentarily shocked by his appearance and froze, holding in her breath. It was the first time she’d seen him up close in this form!
Callum hesitated, not wanting to frighten her, but then her breathing resumed and she swallowed, raising a hand, gently tracing the contours around the side of his face, her gaze softening as she stroked him.
Raising herself slightly, she pulled Callum down towards her, and began to nibble at his jawline, her nimble fingers sliding underneath his shirt and tunic, to explore his bare torso and back.
His muscles rippled underneath her hands as he shifted, moaning, basking in the pleasure of her touch as she drew circles with the tips of her fingers on his skin. The couch creaked as his knees sunk down further into the cushioned seat, his body now brushing against Elise’s.
The need to breathe in her scent spurred him on, and Callum leaned down to bury his head in the crook of her neck, licking the sensitive area just behind her ear. He purred with intense satisfaction as Elise emitted a groan; pitching higher as he nibbled gently on her earlobe.
He kissed her along her jawline, and she tilted her head back, giving him complete access to her bare neck. The sight of her soft, creamy skin brought a shiver down Callum’s back as he fought the urge to mark her there and then.
Elise gasped as he grazed his teeth ever so slightly against the nape of her neck, her fingers bunching as she tightened her grip on the muscles of his back.
“Take off your clothes,” she commanded, her deft fingers already pushing his shirt up towards his head. He pulled away from her for a moment to tug it off, then stripped off his pants.
Elise eyes glittered with need as she observed his impressive, naked form, still finding it difficult to believe this gorgeous, sexy man was hers. Her fingers trailed down his hard abs, then down to grasp his large, impressive shaft, standing erect against his belly.
She eyed the head of his cock greedily and licked her lips. In a flash, she sat up and pushed Callum down onto the couch, so she was on top of him. Kneeling down, she began to suck his cock, and Callum’s body exploded with pleasure as he let out a strangled yell of surprise.
Elise pulled and sucked on his shaft, her tongue darting out to lick the top and length of it in lingering strokes. Callum gripped the back of her head with his hands, thrusting upwards, needing to fill her mouth with his cock. Light of Amorites! The little minx’s tongue and sweet mouth felt so good!
Unable to take anymore of her ministrations, he took hold of her and abruptly pulled her off him. “No more,” he panted, “or you’ll be my undoing before we’ve barely begun, my love.”
Elise’s chest moved up and down as she breathed heavily. She opened her mouth to protest, but Callum stopped her by pressing a finger to her lips.
He started to undo the buttons of her vest, the need to see her naked flesh throbbing urgently inside his veins. Within seconds he had he undressed, her skin glowing creamy and white like the rich petals of the rarest orchid. He pulled her body down towards him, while his free hand palmed the soft mound of her breast.
Meanwhile, his mouth devoured the other one, sucking and licking, his teeth gently tugging at her hard nipple, eliciting moans and mewls of pleasure from deep inside Elise’s chest. Her nipples peaked hard, and she gyrated against his pelvis, coating his shaft with her juices, already wet between her legs.
The feeling was enough to drive Callum almost insane! Grabbing her by the hips, Callum held her still for a moment, before positioning her above his hard cock. He carefully eased her onto his shaft, penetrating her at an excruciating slow pace, his body screaming for him to take her mercilessly—hard and fast.
Sweat beaded his brow as she sunk down his erect shaft to the hilt, and he paused a moment to give her time to adjust to his large girth. This time, Elise felt no pain, only pleasure—the moment already superseding the first time she lost her virginity to him.
Before long, she began squirming, moving up and down along his delectable hard length, savoring the friction of her tight channel against his cock.
Her movements became more urgent, and she started riding him harder, instinctively arching her chest towards Callum’s face as he continued to suck and massage her breasts, occasionally tweaking a nipple, sending a burst of pleasure to race through her body.
With each breath, their minds and hearts synced closer together, entangling themselves in an intimate dance of love and promise. They kissed passionately, baring their souls to one another—all their flaws, regrets and past mistakes; the open wounds of their past healing under each other’s loving touch, making each other whole.
Elise knew at that moment, Callum was the man she’d been searching for her entire life. He was the one, true person who accepted her for her entirety—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and she in turn, showed him she felt the same.
Whatever misunderstandings they’d had before this fell away like distant echoes of the past, pressed away by the bright future burning before them.
This was the man she wanted to have a family with; to have by her side—raising their children together, as they built a life of happiness around them.
Callum rolled her underneath him, swapping positions with her so now he was on top. He paused for a moment, looking directly into her eyes. “I’m not sure I can be gentle, Elise,” he told her hoarsely, and she stared deep into his eyes. Reflected within those dark, entrancing pools, she saw desire, lust and the need to protect her warring inside him.
She smiled sweetly at him, to tell him it was okay, her own yearning pounding loudly in her chest and making her channel clench against his hard shaft buried deep inside her. Callum took this as a signal for him to continue, and he began to thrust…slowly at first, but soon with greater speed.
He pounded her harder and faster, desperate to bury himself deeper and deeper inside her, reaching her very core.
Elise’s moans grew louder, her breathing harsher and faster, as he gripped her hips, pushed her legs up and slammed into her with bruising force, the primal animal within him breaking loose from its leash.
She cried out, almost ready to shatter… She was close—he could feel it! And the very knowledge was enough to tip him over the edge.
Bartered to the Fae Lord Page 20