His Darkest Salvation (33 page)

“Oh God,” she whispered. His eyes never left hers, and she spread her legs wider, allowing him as much access as he needed. His tongue was doing wicked-crazy things to her, teasing her swollen clitoris mercilessly, and when he suckled her there, hard, it was her undoing.

His hands held her ass tightly so that she couldn’t move, and when her orgasm came crashing down, she literally felt like she was being ripped apart. It was the most painfully exquisite moment she’d ever had. The tattoos burned along her body, and the sensation only added to her pleasure.

“Do not look away,” he growled against her thigh, and he began to trail a fiery line of kisses along her body. She was weak, satiated, yet his feral gaze did weird things to her.

She felt her animal shift and her canines sharpen as his golden eyes bled into black.

She never took her eyes from his and felt the fever begin to build once more as he passed over her trembling belly, up along the side of her rib cage, until he licked the undersides of her breasts.

Julian was poised above her, his skin glistening with sweat, his hair damp from the water. He was feral, he was wild, and he was all hers.

“I’ll never want anyone else,” he said. “You’ve ruined me.”

His mouth crashed down upon hers as his cock slid deep within the welcoming wetness between her legs. She groaned into his mouth, and he ate her passion as his hardness filled her completely.

He was large, and he moved his body slowly, scraping along every single nerve ending inside her, spreading electric fires along the way. Their tongues danced together, and still their eyes remained focused on each other.

Her legs gripped him as she arched her hips and began to move with him in perfect harmony.

“You’re so tight,” he groaned against her lips. “So wet.”

The walls of her vagina clenched against him, and he nearly withdrew before plunging into her again, with slow precision. It was torture, and the pressure that was building inside was making her crazy.

She needed more.

“Faster,” she said hoarsely. “Harder.”

He ignored her, and her animal reacted in anger. She snarled and pushed against him, her strength gaining her the advantage. She flipped his large frame until he was on his back and immediately she was astride, sliding his cock deep within as she began to ride him hard.

“Holy Christ.” Julian’s words excited her. “I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he whispered.

Jaden bared her teeth and bent low, biting him on his shoulder as she continued to pump her hips. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

She righted herself, and they began to dance. His cock slid in and out of her, each pass igniting more fire as they quickened their pace. Her hands slid to her breasts, and she watched him, her mouth open slightly, as his fingers joined hers.

The only sounds she could hear was flesh against flesh, and as the tempo increased, she felt her walls constrict against him, pulling at him in such a way that he groaned loudly.

“I can’t hold off, babe,” he said, his eyes half-closed.

“Good,” she answered. “Keep your eyes open . . .” She clenched her teeth as her insides exploded into molten fire. “And watch me come.”

His hands fell to her hips, the fingers gripping her hard as he pulled her up and down. She felt him expand, felt his cock straining deep inside, and when they both came together, she screamed loudly and welcomed his answering cry.

His eyes burned, and he snarled as she continued to move against him. For several long moments, the two of them moved slowly, until she collapsed upon him. She felt his heart beating fast and furious against her cheek and closed her eyes as his arms slid up her back to cradle her tight to his chest.

Three years ago, he’d sent her packing. Three years ago, she’d let him.

Jaden clenched her teeth together. That was a lifetime ago. Things had changed. She’d never give up so easily now.

He had changed.

I love you.

The words were a whisper in her mind, slipping from her subconscious like a secret she couldn’t share, and they surprised the crap out of her. She stilled, her breath held at the back of her throat as her mind processed what her heart was saying.

She smiled tremulously and released a long breath as she relaxed and let his warmth melt into her.

She wasn’t giving him up, and she had to believe that one day he’d return her feelings. Whatever tomorrow brought, she’d be there by his side, and damned if she was going to let Cormac and
the fallen
ruin everything.

They’d save the world, and she’d save his soul, whether Julian wanted her to or not.

There was no other option.

Chapter 24

H
ours later they both awoke warm, still tucked into the other’s embrace. A new day dawned, filled with the promise of violence and the possibility of death. Kind of sucked the joy out of fresh beginnings.

They made love one more time. It was a feverish joining, fueled by longing and fear.

Fear of the unknown and of losing everything before it had even been gained. Words were not spoken, feelings were not discussed. It was as if they each needed to connect once more on a level that was primal, real. That by joining their bodies together in the most basic way a man and a woman could, they were grabbing hold of something they could control.

Their passion.

Julian watched Jaden from hooded eyes as she quickly dressed. Her clothes were damp, and he tried not to stare, but the T-shirt clung to her breasts in all the right ways, which for him was
all wrong
.

He could not afford distraction. Not when there was so much at stake. Saving the world and all that.

He turned from her and grimaced as he scooped up his jeans and slid them over his hips. The energy that burned beneath his flesh was frenetic, and it kept his heart beating fast and hard.

Kept his mind alert. He felt good.

He slipped his feet into his boots. “You ready?”

Jaden was quiet; when she glanced up at him, her eyes shimmered. “Last night . . .” she began, and paused.

“Shh, you don’t have to say anything.”

“I do.” She shuddered and looked at him. “Last night I realized something. I know things aren’t perfect between us, but there is something more than just sex and mating and all that crap.” Her eyes fell from his. “At least for me.”

Julian’s throat tightened, clogged with emotions he wasn’t capable of handling well. “I think you’re an amazing woman, and if things were different . . .” He didn’t know what to say. He had no future.

“But we can try, can’t we?”

Her lip trembled, and he swept his mouth across her softness. His forehead rested against hers, and he murmured, “We can try.” It was an empty lie but one he was willing to believe in.

“Let’s do this.” Jaden pulled away from him, suddenly all business. She cracked a smile. “I want it ended, tonight.”

Her long hair fell in tangles down her back, and he found his hands reaching for bits of debris stuck within the silken waves. “We look like shit,” he murmured.

“Speak for yourself, Castille, I think you look damn hot.” She smiled up at him, and her fingers fell to the scars on his chest. He hissed at her touch, and her eyebrows furled slightly.

She was quiet for several seconds.

“Who did this to you?” Her words were soft, and when she raised her head once more, the tears that glittered deep within the depths of her eyes pulled at him fiercely.

“I don’t remember,” he answered.

“You lie.”

Julian frowned, not caring for the challenge. “Why does it matter? What will change if you know?”

Jaden’s eyes darkened, the whites nearly receding as she narrowed them angrily. “If I know who the bastard is, I can tell him exactly
why
I’ll be cutting his balls off in the most painful way possible after I hunt his sorry ass down,” she snarled, and he was taken aback by the rage he sensed. “That someone would mark you in such a way is unacceptable.”

She turned from him, and he knew her control was rapidly fading. “We will destroy the portal. I will kill Azaiel myself, or anyone who stands in my way.”

She started to walk, and he had no choice but to follow the woman who would protect him as if he were nothing more than a child.

“And then I’m going to make whoever did that to you
pay
.”

A smile slipped into place and he shook his head, awed at the power and determination the woman possessed. She would protect him. How fucking bizarre. A DaCosta.

My DaCosta.
The thought was bittersweet considering he had no clue what the hell was coming down the pike.

They slipped from the jungle refuge and quickly made their way back to the great room. It was near dawn, darkness still hung in the sky, and, through the windows, stars could be seen twinkling like diamonds.

The smell of food wafted toward them, and his belly rumbled. He turned immediately and followed Jaden across the foyer and into an extremely large, modern kitchen.

It was full. His gaze traveled across the room, taking in the shocked faces as everyone stared back at him and Jaden.

“Julian, what the hell happened to you?”

The harsh voice belonged to Jagger, and Julian squared his shoulders angrily, not liking the focus of so many. His brother’s eyes stared at the scars exposed on his chest, and they burned beneath Jagger’s gaze. He felt like a damned bug under a microscope.

The edges of his mind condensed and expanded as darkness seeped into the cracks. It was always there, the blackness. The rage.

“Do you want a detailed play-by-play or the condensed version? It’s not like we have a whole lot of time,” he asked, frowning darkly as he stared at his brothers.

He fought the urge to cover himself, ashamed of the scars and what they represented. Weakness. Helplessness. He saw the horror on Skye’s face before their eyes connected, and she looked away.

It was Libby that pulled at his heartstrings.

Her eyes were huge as she rose from her seat and crossed to him, her hand reaching for his even though he flinched at her touch. He knew of the scars she carried. Of how the DaCostas had carved her flesh and left their own unique brand of tattoo behind.

She’d suffered as well, and he respected how far she’d come.

“Julian, Mr. M has made pretty much every breakfast item you can think of. Please help yourself.” Her eyes strayed to the scars on his chest, and he tried not to show his aversion as she rested her hand against them. He was unsuccessful. She ignored his discomfort, and whispered, “They’ll fade, and, eventually, the memories will as well.” She looked at Jaden, her eyes sad. “Life goes on, and we learn to deal.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re not alone, Julian, even if it feels like that. Your family loves you.”

He shook his head politely and withdrew his hand, murmuring, “I’m gonna grab a coffee.”

Jaden followed him to the side table, and they both poured themselves a strong cup of brew. Her dark eyes never left him, and he was starting to feel confined, like he needed to shift and run.

Declan joined them, his face grim.

“You look like crap,” Julian said as he studied the sorcerer. The man looked like he’d not slept in days, which Julian knew from personal experience was most likely the case.

“Beggin’ pardon, but not everyone got laid last night.” Declan winked and laughed softly as his gaze moved to Jaden. “Lucky son of a bitch.”

Julian’s chest rumbled, and his nostrils flared. “Move away from her.”

Declan paid him no mind and continued on, his tone light, though the fire that lit his eyes was anything but. Julian sensed the darkness inside the Irishman and thought that maybe the sorcerer was closer to the edge than he realized.

“I think your woman can more than take care of herself, and if I’m guessing right, won’t take too kindly to having you decide who gets to stand next to her.” He flashed a grin. “Besides, she smells really good.”

Julian’s animal shifted, and his skin burned as he bared his teeth.

“Julian, it’s okay.” Jaden put her hand on his arm, and his anger receded. She turned to Declan, and her voice was curt. “You will stop antagonizing him. Do not cross me on this. Everybody needs to be on top of their game. I don’t have to remind you how high the stakes are today and what will happen if we fail.”

“No, you don’t.” Declan backed away and grabbed himself a cup of coffee. “It’s all I can think about.”

“If you guys are done with the drama, we need to get organized.” Ana’s dry voice cut between them, and they all turned to the vampire. She stood a few feet away, her lips pursed tightly, a look of annoyance pinching the delicate features of her face. She looked pale, even for a vampire, and Julian knew that there was something heavy going on between her and Declan. It was in the way her eyes never strayed far from him.

It was in the way Declan tried to avoid her at all costs.