The Demon Within (36 page)

Ruman couldn’t deny Caly out when she finally opened herself to him after so long. He’d give anything for a future with her, but the picture of the man she had in her head wasn’t him. He desperately wanted to be the man she admired, but a glance at his hand reminded him of all the things he’d done. The crimes he’d let happen, the people he’d let die.

She didn’t really know him.

Her hands settled on his chest. Every muscle tightened to pounce. He wished he had a chance to heal, give her a perfect body instead of this battered one, but that meant leaving her and he couldn’t have that.

Ruman inhaled her cinnamon scent. It swept through him and tore down all the barriers he had erected. He couldn’t curb his craving for her anymore, not when his soul cried out for hers. Longing rose in a drowning wave, whittling away his resolve to do what was best.

The right thing to do would be walk away. To let her live her life, find the right man.

His hand tightened on hers at the thought of another man touching her. When her fingers traced the muscles of his chest through his shirt, he knew he wasn’t strong enough to turn away from her.

Not again.

Even knowing he would be damned for the rest of eternity, he couldn’t refuse her invitation. He gazed down at Caly, the proud warrior woman who had so easily captured his heart and soul and knew with a certainty that it was the right choice.

Her gaze was locked on his chest with an awed, expectant expression that made his body clench with the need to claim her.

No, he had to go slow. He didn’t want to scare her away. He wouldn’t survive if she left him again.

Careful of her wounds, he eased her back on the bed. Craving the contact a little too much, Ruman followed and knelt on the floor with her legs on either side of his hips. The smell of her arousal burned away any coherent thought.

A feral growl escaped as he bent closer. “Mine.”

* * *

The shock of his hands on her made Caly’s body come painfully alive. A primitive growl rumbled from his chest, and a shiver of excitement rocked through her. If possible, she wanted him more.

Aching for his touch, Caly forced herself to remain passive, allowing him the control. Expecting to be ravished, her muscles tightened in anticipation.

Instead, his lips landed on the skin in the gap between her camisole and shorts in a chaste kiss. Stubble scraped her sensitive skin, and she sucked in a sharp breath at the erotic sensation. The gentle caress of his lips somersaulted her stomach into her throat.

She hesitantly touched him, afraid she’d find this all a dream again. Determined to have the full experience, she removed the leather tie from his hair, then gave into temptation and plowed her fingers into the silken strands.

Darker than chocolate but more tempting, his sable eyes melted her insides. She traced his lips, unable to resist the urge to touch him.

He captured the tip of her finger in his mouth and nibbled at the sensitive pad. Her nipples hardened painfully, imagining her mouth on her. Almost frantic to be closer to him, Caly straightened and pushed at his shoulders. He rose reluctantly. The uncertainty shading his eyes made her heart ache.

Caly hadn’t had many lovers, and none of them had ever made her so hot with one look. Cared for and not an itch to be scratched. She gave what she hoped was a seductive smile, stood and set her attention on getting his damn shirt off. Eager to touch and claim him, she gathered both sides of the material and yanked.

Contrary to what one saw on television, it didn’t disintegrate under her hands. Only three of the buttons popped. It took two more tries to open his shirt. Material ripped.

Breathing hard, more in need than in exertion, Caly glanced at Ruman and blushed at the combination of amusement and lust written on his face. Then her gaze dropped to his chest.

Though not a muscle-bound hulk, his slim-packed shape was enough to cause her throat to dry. Heavy bruising dotted his body, and a raw wound still marred his shoulder. Caly placed her lips to the center of his chest, wishing she could take away all the pain inflicted on him because of her.

He sucked in a sharp breath and stilled as if fearing she’d break away. With a smile of pure deviltry, Caly repeated the torture, slower, dragging it out for them both, determined to drive him insane with pleasure.

She placed her hands high on his hips, forcing her touch to remain light when she wanted to devour. Caly traced the angle of his hipbone and moved her lips to his pecs. She didn’t censor herself and nipped at him with her teeth. A small tremor moved under her lips, and Caly repeated the gesture.

A deep groan rumbled up from his chest that dropped her heart to her knees and back. An arm clamped around her waist, and his hand slipped into her hair. The tug on her scalp forced her head back and with great reluctance, she allowed herself to be pulled away.

Before she could catch her breath, his mouth ravaged hers. It was all she could do to remain sane and on her feet as everything but him vanished. Her fingers dug into his skin, and he dragged her against the hard planes of his body.

Pleasure zinged to her core at the intimate contact, and she gave herself over to her body’s demands. His arousal pressed against her, and the heat of him seeped through the flimsy barrier of her clothes.

Blinded by need, she released her hold on his hips and wrapped her arms around him.

She needed his touch.

She needed skin on skin.

Cupping his ass, she pulled him harder against her. The memory of her injuries faded. She only cared about one thing.

Getting him naked and inside her as quickly as possible.

Only when his mind grew hazy did Ruman release her from the kiss. He sucked in sharp breath, but realized it wasn’t the lack of air that made him dizzy.

It was her.

Her scent.

The way she moved under his touch, eager for him.

The way she touched him in return as if she’d hold him tight forever.

He shrugged off what was left of his shirt, impatient to feel her against him. He grabbed her hips. When she didn’t protest, he slowly dragged his hand upward, bunching the material of her camisole, trailing his fingers over her skin, absorbing the heat and texture he associated with just her.

His woman.

When he didn’t move fast enough, Caly crossed her arms and pulled the cotton material over her head. He memorized the gentle curve of her breasts, drawing out the anticipation, for he knew after that first touch, he’d be a goner.

“Touch me.”

Ruman didn’t want to rush things now that they were together, but he couldn’t resist her plea when it so matched his own desires. He cupped her breasts, testing the weight, marveling at her perfection. When she moaned, he reverently took one peak into his mouth. Smooth silk and spice met his tongue.

He dragged her closer, relishing the way she squirmed under his ministrations. Knowing he brought her pleasure all but dropped him to his knees.

Arms around her, he supported her weight as she leaned back, giving herself freely to him. He stared down at her like a feast waiting to be devoured. And he realized that was what he wanted. To devour her, make her forget any other men who came before him.

She was his.

Cradling her close, he picked her up and placed her at the end of the bed. Her legs dangled off the edge, her toes barely touched the floor before he delved back in her mouth for another taste. Her nails dug into his shoulders, the sharp pain spiking his pleasure, and he relished the fact he could drive her insane with his touch.

He lowered his hands, slowly, trailing them down her body, exploring every inch of her. At the bottom end of her shorts, he caressed the inside of her leg, smoothing his fingers over the exposed skin, drawing relentlessly higher with each swipe.

Shaking with need, Ruman reined in his desire, determined to pleasure her before he drowned under his own body’s demands.

When she shifted beneath him, pushing at his shoulders, he eased back, reluctantly breaking contact. Green eyes blazed at him as she scooted up to the head of the bed. Her shorts lowered a fraction, and he couldn’t take his gaze away from the exposed flesh.

While he watched, she gave him a knowing look from under her lashes that did funny things to his chest. Then she stripped, revealing a luscious image that would be forever seared in his mind as the perfect form of a woman.

Her scent invaded him, and he inhaled deeply. She was a goddess.

One he intended to worship.

The rakish look Ruman cast her sent a shiver of apprehension rippling through her. The demand, the hunger and the promise in his eyes was something more than she’d ever experienced. Faster than she could move, his hand snaked out and encircled her ankle.

Inch by inch, he pulled her toward him, fitting himself between her legs, frustratingly close, but it wasn’t enough. The delicious warmth of his hands on the inside of her thighs caused her muscles to twitch. Fire invaded her at his touch, and she moaned at the torment. When his fingers swept a bit higher, her body bowed into him, craving more.

“Please. I need you.” Panting, she could barely manage to get the words out. She captured his hands and placed them where she needed him most.

He deepened the caress, exploring her with a light, demanding touch that made her tremble. Time stilled until she couldn’t remember her name. Heat exploded through her, and she arched into him. Pleasure suffused her, and she fell helpless into the void. It had been too long for her to wait for him like she wanted.

The euphoria faded, and she had to force her eyes open when all she wanted to do was wrap herself around him and enjoy the peace. The first thing she saw was Ruman’s face as he hovered over her.

A lazy smile crossed her lips. It disappeared when he pounced, plundering her mouth. Willing to give as good as she got, she hitched her leg over his hip. In one smooth move, she had him on his back and under her in seconds.

Breaking the kiss, she worked her way down his body, lavishing areas where he tensed and trembled at her touch, paying them extra attention with her tongue and teeth.

“Caly?”

Unheeding, Caly continued lower, making sure her body brushed against his. When her lips met his pants, she glanced up.

Ecstasy and pain were etched across his face. His fists clenched at his side, his jaw locked so tight a muscle twitched, and Caly knew he suffered.

“Ruman.” She waited until he looked at her. “Watch.”

Her hands loosened the closure on his pants and dragged the jeans down his legs, leaving him open to her gaze. The smell of musk and something primitive invaded her senses and all she wanted was him. Now.

Easing up his body, she stilled when her mouth hovered over his hips, certain she had his undivided attention. “Say my name.” Each word poured warm air over his exposed flesh, and his body tensed.

“Caly.”

The desperate plea struck her heart. Reaching up with one hand, she knitted their fingers together. “Don’t let go.”

Without waiting, she took him in her mouth, and his body bucked under hers. Suddenly, his hand was free of hers, nudging her away. When she eased back, he had her on her back, looming over her in less time than it took to catch her breath.

The plan to torture him disappeared from her mind once she caught the intensity on his face. As if she’d never found her pleasure, she wanted him again. She wrapped her legs around his hips.

“Now.”

He swept an arm around her, gathering her close. Her senses filled with his smell, his taste, his skin. Then he reached for her hand with his and entwined their fingers together. Gazing into her eyes, he surged inside her then stilled.

“Caly?” The tenderness in his voice made her eyes flash open. She hadn’t realized she’d closed them. Her heart hiccupped in her chest at the tortured pleasure on his face.

Wanting to push him over the edge, Caly clenched her lower muscles.

Ruman sucked in a sharp breath, and Caly did it again. He bucked against her, bringing a wave of pleasure that threatened to consume her. A groan rumbled from Ruman, and he set a demanding rhythm.

Now it was her turn to cling to him. She held herself in check, eager to see him reach his peak before she allowed herself to surrender. Each move was harder and deeper than the last. Caly leaned forward, unable to resist marking him. “Mine.” She licked his skin low on his neck and bit.

“Yes.” He shouted and surged against her. His fingers tightened on hers, and Caly had to blink to stay focused on him and not close her eyes as pleasure threatened to overtake her.

The look on his face, the intensity of his pleasure sent her plunging over the edge. Back arching, she cried out. Ruman stiffened. He whispered her name on a breath of wonder and fell into the abyss with her.

As their bodies cooled, Caly opened her eyes to find Ruman watching her. Unwilling to be a bug under a glass, she pushed him on his back and laid her head on his good shoulder.

In a move that melted her heart, Ruman’s arm came around her and snuggled her closer. She slipped her arm over his waist, shivering when his fingers swept back and forth over her spine like he couldn’t resist touching her.