Fallen Darkness (The Trihune Series Book 2) (25 page)

Chapter 53

Kate watched the emotions play across Lucas’s face. She could feel his response pressing against her belly and wanted to straddle him again, rub against him again. But he still wasn’t kissing her. Or holding her tight.

Maybe he was afraid of her now? Did she repulse him? He hunted murderers. She was a murderer.

She settled back to her feet. Dislodged her arms from around his neck. Stepped back, head lowered. He knew most of her secrets. Had weapons against her. That didn’t bother her as much as—

He moved so fast she didn’t realize what was happening until her arms were back around his neck and his hands were on her waist.

“What are you doing?” he asked, huskily.

Her face was bathed in his blue light. The tips of his fangs peaked from between his lips. At first his fangs had frightened her, then she noticed their appearance was the same as when his flashlight eyes turned on. And he didn’t look angry right now. Far from it.

Did he want to drink from her? Is that why his fangs grr-ed out? Could she touch one? What did they feel like?

Another first. Kate had stopped wanting to touch things a long time ago. Now she didn’t want to stop. As long as it involved Lucas.

He held her close, left hand high on her back. The right had found an open spot between her untucked shirt and pants. His fingers ran back and forth over her skin, making her insides heat.

Another first. She didn’t ever want Lucas to stop touching her.

Every brush of his fingertips against her skin was intoxicating. In all her life, she’d never yearned for skin-to-skin contact with another human—let alone with a guy. Nightmares, yes. Fantasy, wishes, never. She had no preconceived notions of what it should feel like. To have someone’s hands on her, his skin against her skin.

The calloused pads of his fingers glided over her. Every touch left heat behind. The warmth always traveled south until she was achy with need.

And, God, his lips. She could kiss him forever. His tongue when it’d stroked hers, another first, wasn’t wet or uncomfortable. It had overwhelmed, but in the most exquisite manner. Intrusive, but she hadn’t wanted him to stop.

“Did you change your mind, Kate?”

Her gaze jerked from the fangs peeking out of his mouth to his eyes. Had the blue light dimmed? She shook her head, her ability to speak at the moment lost. The sensations, the memory of his touch, made speech difficult. Made coherent thoughts impossible.

He made a noise at the back of his throat that sounded like a growl. Another turn on. Then she was up in his arms. He opened his bedroom door, stepped into the hallway.

“What are you doing?” His bed was closer. Why was he walking away from it?

Her questions fell away when Lucas opened the door to her room, set her down next to the blankets on the floor. This was the second time she’d forgotten about her ability. What did this man do to her head?

No one except Nan had ever gone out of their way to make sure she was comfortable. To protect her. She closed her eyes against the hot tears. It’d be hard to leave after this. But she would. As Lucas said, she was strong.

She threw her arms around him, yanked his head to hers. There were no words to convey the emotions inside her. None that would keep the tears at bay anyway.

He growled again and her body bloomed in response. She wriggled closer. Oh, how she wanted his hands all over her body. Touching her in places only her hands had ever traveled. Back of her neck. Across her thigh. Stomach. Breast. And even between her legs, where she ached despite her recent orgasm.

Without breaking contact with her lips, Lucas slowly lowered her down to the blankets. He followed, elbows on either side of her head, his legs resting on the outside of hers. His weight pressed her into the floor.

An image of Randy popped into her head. She jerked, eyes flashing open. Her gaze collided with his. The bright blues brought her back to the present.

She knew where she was. Who she was with. And what she wanted.

Her gaze roamed over his body, hands following. Shoulders, chest, nipples, sides of his waist.

How could touching him turn her on so much?

The muscles in his stomach, small dusting of hair below his belly button, the waist of his expensive pants. It was a toss-up. She didn’t know what she wanted more. His hands on her or hers on him.

She concentrated on the feel of each dip along his spine, the tautness of his lower back, back up to his shoulders again. Through the soft, short strands of hair on his head. Smooth-skinned temples. Bristled cheeks. Dangerous lips.

Kate paused. A thumb on either side of his mouth.

She flicked her gaze up to his. He was watching her. The expression in his eyes caught her breath. She wanted to cry again, dammit. She swallowed thickly before turning her attention to his mouth. His lips parted and he opened his mouth wider to show the two white, long, sharp teeth.

Slowly her right thumb rubbed the top of a fang. Glided down over the smooth surface. She glanced up to catch his reaction.

Still tenderness and trust, but also a bit of worry. As if he were afraid of her reaction.

Chapter 54

Lucas froze. Held his breath.

Kate’s thumbs slid across his top lip, down the length of his fangs that had grown along with his cock. A groan escaped. He wanted to sink his fangs into her neck and slam inside her all at the same time, but he held still.

“They feel just like real teeth.” Her thumb ran across the tips.

She gasped when he suddenly clasped her wrists.

“They are real teeth,” he said, voice deep. “And they’re sharp. Used for only one purpose. You need to be careful. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Kate’s lips parted, her breaths rapid.

He let go of her wrists and leaned closer, shifting until one of his legs was between hers. He kissed her, careful of his fangs. Only when Kate’s eyes fluttered shut, did his. He gently rocked between her thighs, pushing against her heat.

She moaned, swept her hips up to meet his.

Damn.
If she did that again he was going to lose it. When he came this time, it’d be inside her. But her hands were in constant motion, driving him crazy. Nails gently scraped down his back. Hands squeezed his biceps. She was making it difficult to keep his word.

Lucas reached for the hem of her shirt. “Can I take this off?”

She nodded, expression so trusting, he wanted to drop to his knees and claim himself unworthy.

Which he was.

“What’s the matter?” she asked when he still hadn’t moved. She rose on her elbows, head tilting to the side.

“You’re so beautiful.” He cupped her face.

Her cheeks heated under his palms, a smile forming on her perfect mouth. She continued to rise. He countered her move, until she was sitting between his legs. She grabbed opposite ends of her shirt and slowly peeled it off.

The plain white cotton covering her breasts was better than any Parisian lace. He brushed his hand above the swell of her chest.

She sucked in a breath, eyes closing, head tilting back.

Stunning.

“Lie back,” he whispered.

It was his turn. He trailed his fingers along the length of her arms, her stomach, and hipbones where they poked out above the top of her jeans. The flat, too flat, plains of her stomach that dipped in underneath her rib cage. Her skin was like satin.

During it all, he watched her face. Loved the emotions playing across her features. He was the first person to touch her like this. Was it the Behn in him that wanted to beat his chest and howl at the moon like the Woyrs?

He caressed every inch of uncovered skin. She trembled under his touch. Exhales turned into soft moans. Lucas ran his hand over the still cotton covered breasts. She’d been lying limp until then. Her eyes flashed open, her breath stopped on an inhale. He stilled, too. One breath. Two.

She arched against the floor, moving her hands behind her back. A second later her bra was unclasped. Another pause. Their gazes locked.

He didn’t breathe. Didn’t move.

One arm out of her strap. The second one. She held the fabric to her breasts with one hand. With flushed cheeks, eyes shining, she took her hand away, the bra with it.

He stared. She was too perfect for him. The urge to run from the room tore through him. He was sick. Full of darkness. And here she lay. Perfect as sunlight. Making him feel ashamed. Disgusted by his weakness.

She was the epitome of beauty. So strong. Bestowed a gift that would’ve crippled anyone else. Determined to stand on her two feet. Fighting against the numbness, the detachment from life, her power demanded, while day after day he searched for it.

When her arm crossed in front of her chest, restricting his view, Lucas’s gaze shot upward. Her cheeks were red for a different reason now. The uncertainty in her gaze made him feel even worse.

“No,” he murmured, moving her arm out of the way. “You’re breathtaking. I’ve no words for the emotions running through me. For the gift you’re giving.” He lowered his head to her bare chest. “I’m unworthy,” he said too soft for her to hear.

Kate gasped as his lips trailed first over one breast. Then the other. Down her stomach, back up to finally take a nipple in his mouth.

Immediately she stiffened, crying out.

Lucas froze as his own orgasm threatened to break free. He stilled until her shaking had subsided. Slowly repeated the pleasure to her other breast.

Her hands clutched the back of his head, his shoulders, his back.

He growled against her stomach, mouth trailing along the waistband of her jeans. His hands moved of their own accord, rubbing the length of her covered thighs, squeezing her hips, unsnapping her pants. The button was undone, the zipper half way down when he realized what he was doing and his head shot up. But Kate’s eyes were still closed, head tilted back, mouth parted. Her hands had taken the spot of Lucas’s mouth, palms running over her aroused nipples.

Holy Creator. He’d never seen anything more arousing.

“Are you going to take off my pants or should I?” Her voice was husky. Thick with want. Again, nothing sexier.

Lucas grinned.

She inhaled quickly. Pulled him toward her.

His chest grazed against her breasts, her nipples a distraction and he wanted to slow his ascent, but she wouldn’t let him.

The kiss was hot and hard. Her tongue swept into his mouth.

Damn, she was a fast learner. Lucas’s hips swung against hers.

She made a small noise of protest, when he broke off. When he swirled his tongue around a nipple, taking the hard nub between his lips, her back arched, driving it deeper into his mouth.

Pants completely unzipped, Lucas released her breast with a popping sound to kneel at her feet. He pulled off one sock then the other, stripped off her jeans. She lay before him in nothing but white cotton panties. Sexy didn’t even cover the vision before him. There were no words to describe what he felt as he stared at Kate, damn near naked, desire flaming in her eyes as she watched him.

Hand pressed flat against her shin, he slid it over her knee, thigh, made his way to the edge of her panties. He swept his hand inside the waistband and ran the pads of his fingers over the soft skin underneath. She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling.

How did he get this lucky?

When she slowly lifted her hips in invitation, Lucas peeled off her panties until she was gloriously naked.

“Your turn,” she said, smiling.

He stood, unbuttoned, unzipped, pulled his slacks and underwear down together.

Her gaze moved slowly down his body until she reached his hips.

He paused. “Anytime you want to stop. Anytime at all. You tell me.” He lowered to his knees. Placed his hands on either side of her head. “Kate?”

She had stilled when his cock fell closer to her entrance. Her breath coming in gasps, but not just in excitement.

Lowering, he rested his weight on his elbows and, keeping his hips raised, swept in for a quick kiss. He fully intended to draw back, remind her she was in complete control. Always. But her hands clutched his back, pressed her chest against his.

Her tongue darted out to sweep inside his mouth and he completely forgot about the reassurance. Her hips lifted in excitement. When his cock slipped against her wet entrance, she froze again.

Lucas gently kissed her, his hand trailing down her body. She trembled beneath him when his fingers slid through the coarse hair between her legs.

He found her entrance, and sucked in a breath. She was already so damp. His finger slipped against her folds before sliding inside. Her body tightened, muscles constricting around his finger.

Slowly, he pulled halfway out, then just as slowly pushed back in.

She left out a breath that was a half cry. Her wide eyes locked with his.

“Alright?”

Expression never changing, she nodded.

The next time he inserted two fingers. She gasped, her thighs squeezing his hips.

“Did you want to stop, Kate?”

She hesitated, then slowly her legs opened and she shook her head. He still didn’t move, his fingers still inside her. “Talk to me. Does it hurt?”

She nodded, stopped, shook her head. Frowned.

“It’ll feel good soon, I promise.” He ran his mouth over her lips. She was unresponsive. He did it again. This time her mouth moved against his. Soon her muscles unclenched. When he swept his tongue between her lips, he moved his fingers out slowly. The answering flick of her tongue faltered. He picked up the slack, just as he pushed his fingers back in, using his thumb to slide across her clit. Another gasp. Clenched muscles.

“Good?” he asked.

She nodded. So he did it again. Swept his tongue across hers, pulled his fingers out, back in, brushing against her clit on the entrance. He repeated this until Kate’s legs were completely lax.

Her hips moved in sync with his fingers. Hands gripped the sides of his face moving his head for better access to his mouth. Soon she turned her head to the side and shattered apart.

Lucas removed his fingers and knelt between her legs, gripping the base of his cock. He pushed the head into her entrance.

Her gaze flashed to his.

“Still with me?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Yes,” she said on an exhale.

“It’s going to hurt.”

“I’m ready.” She grabbed the sides of his hips.

He didn’t need further encouragement. Hands on either side of her head, he leaned down, kissed her, and thrust his hips forward, seating himself deep inside her, feeling the slight resistance when he broke through her barrier.

Kate gave a startled cry.

Lucas immediately stilled, his body trembling as he forced himself not to move. But, Holy Creator, it felt so good. Her walls squeezed him and he almost came right then.

“I’m sorry.” He swept his mouth over hers. “I’m so sorry.” He kissed her nose, her cheeks. “Tell me when you’re ready.”

He continued kissing her, over her forehead, the other cheek, back to her lips, murmuring soft words of encouragement, again, and again. Inch by inch, she began to relax. Her hands slid across his forearms, shoulders, back, moving down to cup his ass. His cock twitched and it took monumental focus to remain still.

“Ready.” She shifted her hips.

Thank the Creator
.
Sweat beading his brow, Lucas pulled out halfway, pushed back in, slowly. She winced. He stilled again. She nodded. He moved again.

This time, only a frown marred her lovely features. Another slow thrust. No expression. Once more, he pulled out, pushed back inside her damp heat, sending sparks of electricity shooting up his spine. He gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to go over the edge without her.

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Lines in the middle of her forehead creased. He thrust again. And again.

Her mouth parted. Eyes widened.

Again.

She made a small noise in the back of her throat.

“I want you to come again for me, baby.”

“Oh, God. Don’t stop,” she groaned, closing her eyes, head tilted back.

A grin spread across his face, and he leaned down for a fast hard kiss, increasing the rhythm of his thrust, as her sex tightened its hold on him. He moaned at the feeling. Her answering groan sent his own excitement higher, and Lucas prayed he’d last.

I’m going to”—she panted—“I’m going to—”

Kate’s orgasm hit. Her inner muscles constricted around his cock, and he lost it, bellowing his own release.

His arms gave out and he collapsed on top of her, instantly rolling to the side, taking her with him. He swept the hair away from her face, kissed her gently. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

She chuckled, eyes still closed, lips curling. “Worth it,” she whispered.

Lucas pulled her close until her head rested on his chest. He wanted to run a bath. Let her soak in a tub. Or they could take a shower together. Get a hot cloth and put it between her legs. But the cloth and tub would cause Kate to have a vision. He frowned. “What can I do for you? What do you need?”

“I don’t need anything,”

His heart stopped. But that was Kate. She took care of herself.

“Except you.”

The words were spoken so quietly he wondered if she meant for him to hear. He didn’t respond, but his heart lightened.

He tightened his hold around her and closed his eyes.