Wicked Paradise (24 page)

Crystals of every color imaginable coated the walls of an expansive cavern, the size of a large ballroom. Masses of them ranging from several inches to eight feet long dangled from the high ceiling like multihued icicles. Passageways and smaller caves splayed off from the main cavern. In the chamber’s center, a natural hot spring bubbled, puffy clouds of steam spiraling up from it. A small waterfall at the cavern’s far side poured into a cool water pool. A dawdling stream flowed out of the cavern and seemed to disappear underground.

“This is fantastic.” Morgan grinned. She dipped her hand in the hot spring—perfect bathing temperature.

Ryan set their packs on the ground. A low wall of rock encased the hot spring, leaving a two-foot-wide ledge rimming the top. He eased a hip on a smooth spot. A relaxed smile spilled across his face, dazzling against his bronzed skin. His whole face lit up when he smiled now. Eyes full of warmth and promise, dimple curving around his left eye, lips curling up his full mouth.

Morgan lost her breath for several seconds. It was the first time she’d witnessed such a carefree, happy smile on his handsome face. And no one had ever smiled at her in that way. Flushed, she returned to surveying the cavern to evade his allure. “When did you discover this cave?”

“The cove is where I washed ashore. I felt crystal energy but couldn’t locate a source. When I left you a couple of days ago...” He coughed into his fist, a flush working up his neck to his face. “I wondered if the earthquake had opened an entrance.”

Dizziness struck Morgan and she swayed, catching her hand on the ledge of the hot spring. Ryan lunged and scooped her up. He carried her into a roomy alcove lined with less radiant, deeper hued gems on one side, offering just enough light to maneuver in the space. Weariness anchored her with the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“You need to rest and eat.” He propped her on a flat rock, then covered a sleeping pallet of mosses and wilting palm fronds with a large fur. “I made this pallet for us.” He gave her a tender smile as she slid into the softness.

“You wanted to sleep with me?” she teased weakly.

“Hell, yes. Don’t ever doubt that.” His expression hardened, but his caresses on her face belied his sternness. “Stay put while I get you something to eat.”

Lead bogged down her eyelids. The corners of her lips lifted, and she was asleep before he reached their packs.

Chapter 23

The foal flapped its tiny wings and trotted back to the sleeping pallet the moment Ryan moved away. “Get!” Scowl lines deepened around his mouth, he waved his arms at it. “Give her a break.”

“It’s fine.” Morgan fingered her bed-tousled hair off her face and scratched the prancing foal’s fluffy forehead. “He’s tolerant of you because you take care of me.”

“Is that what he said?” Ryan smirked. “Little shit. He’s tolerant because I feed him.”

Morgan giggled. “I told him to mind you because you’re good to both of us.” She futilely pushed the foal away. “Shoo, RavenStar.”

“RavenStar?”

“It emerged in a vision.” Morgan traced the crooked white star on the foal’s forehead with her fingertip, the foal practically preening at her attention. “I saw him grown into a massive stallion peering off into the distance at a herd of white winged mares. Those maddening ravens were circling overhead, too.”

Ryan cocked his head. “He is an aberration. All the other winged horses I’ve seen are white or dappled grays.”

Morgan took Ryan’s outstretched hand, and in one forward motion, she was in his arms. “How do you feel?” He locked his hands against her spine, and she reveled in the perfect fit of their bodies.

“Marvelous.” She linked her arms around his neck. “I just needed a little rest. The crystals help—I feel awesome energy here. I could probably assassinate WindWraith myself.” She danced a jig in Ryan’s loose clasp, rubbing her breasts against his chest.

“I think this cavern is the island’s nucleus.” Ryan’s hands slipped up her arms, his fingers playing with a lock of her hair. “I bet the island draws energy from the crystals.”

“Is that so,” Morgan murmured. When he didn’t respond to her not so subtle persuasion, she feathered her lips over his temptingly.

A muscle flicked in his jaw, and he edged back. “You’ll eat first.” To her disappointment, he picked up a small sack of fruit.

They settled on a wide stone ledge overlooking the oval inlet outside the catacombs. Water dripped off the plants along the natural sea wall. The mist had left behind a muggy afternoon, the air denser than molasses. By the time they finished eating, perspiration drenched them.

Morgan stood and stretched. “I feel so languid.”

“It’s more than the heat. WindWraith’s been draining our powers faster.”

“We are safe here, though?”

“Yes.” Ryan packed up the remaining food.

She swung aside her braid, ingesting one last breath of hot, sticky air. They returned to the cool cavern, wiping moisture off their faces. As if he’d been undressing in front of Morgan for years, Ryan stripped off his shorts and strode into the waterfall.

Transfixed by his powerful naked body, she tilted her head to the side to study the various scars marring his bronzed back. “I’ll wash you if you wash me.”

“I like the sound of that,” Ryan replied huskily, not bothering to hide his desire. He approached from behind, hooked the bottom of her shift, and drew it over her head. His deft fingers unwound her braid and finger combed her long hair one section at a time. Heat expanded in her middle, and she rubbed her arm against his wet chest, needing to feel his skin against hers.

From one shoulder to the other, Ryan trailed tiny kisses, stopping at her right ear lobe. Her skin tingled from his feathery touch. He reached over and dug the bowl of fragrant soap out of his backpack. Fingers twined together, they moved into the refreshing waterfall.

Ryan scooped out a glob of soap and smoothed his slick fingers over her shoulders, down her back. Morgan shivered, reveling in the feel of his large hands lovingly cleansing her from head to toe, his touch so gentle her bones grew watery.

She placed her hand on his wrist, stopping his movements before she melted into a gooey mess at his feet. “My turn,” she offered languorously, reaching for the soap.

“Later, love.” Velvet layered his deep voice. He rinsed her under the waterfall and then backed her into the cool water pool. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs circling her nipples, rousing a new melting sweetness in her.

He returned to kissing her tingling neck. Heat grew fierce within her despite the knee-high cool water. He held her close against him, his rock hard length pressed against her spine. Her head fell back on his chest, his tanned hand splayed on the white flesh of her stomach. The contrast was startling, his touch intoxicating.

When he lowered his hand between her thighs and slid a finger into her wet heat, her knees weakened. His thumb danced on her most sensitive spot, pressing and pulsing. Sensations peaked inside her and Morgan’s heat nearly boiled the water in the pool.

Their amethysts glowed vibrantly, glinting off the crystals suspended from the ceiling. Ryan’s magic unexpectedly snaked into Morgan causing her to falter and unleash her own magic. Startled, Ryan wrenched back as crackling air swept into him. Their bond solidified, and his fire magic waltzed in flawless sync inside her. Magic tangoed in a sultry rhythm in the air. The insistent press of his desire in her mind intensified her own arousal, and she welcomed him completely.

As his fingers maintained the dance of pleasure on her sensitive flesh, he kissed her neck, nibbled on her ear lobes. His other hand strayed upwards, cupped her left breast, massaging, scorching. Possessing.

Passion spiraled higher, clouded her brain. Hypnotized by his touch, she burned from his expert route to ecstasy. Unable to stand the urgent bonfire rising in her, she cried out, “Ryan! Please...oh Goddess,” she almost wailed, biting back a moan.

He chuckled hoarsely, working his magic touch until her release hooked her, pounding waves of desire through her heart, chest, and head. Collapsing against him, Morgan unraveled with one reverberation after another, exploding in a shower of sizzling sensations. Ryan turned her and wrapped his body around her, supporting her from sagging to the ground. She’d never felt so sheltered, so desirable, so loved. Her whole body took on an awareness she’d never believed possible. Trembles rocked her from their enjoined magic gyrating wildly inside her, sending her into another frenzied, desperate ache of longing.

She felt so wanton for the first time in her life. Morgan kissed his chest, licked off drops of water, planting wet kisses down his quivering stomach.

Dipping her tongue in and out of his navel, she teased the tiny depression until his flesh rippled beneath her tongue. Growls escaped him, and she felt his ecstasy surge through his groin. Inching lower, her damp hair skimmed over his inflamed skin, floated on the water’s surface. Morgan touched his hard shaft with her fingertips, running them along his full length, marveling at the softness hiding the iron beneath.

Ryan’s back arched, his hands finding purchase on her head. “Morgan, Morgan! Baby, you feel better than I dreamed.”

After a moment of pleasuring him, she lifted her head. “Am I doing this right?” She loved returning the pleasure he gave her and knew it would always be this way between them.

“Yes! Don’t fucking stop.” Sweat dripped down Ryan’s flushed face, and he twisted his fingers in her hair.

Gently, she closed her hand around the base of his hard length. His body swayed against her and he exhaled a frayed breath. Fierce, reckless hunger blazed through her, but she kept up the rhythmic pressure with her hand, while she pressed her lips across his chest.

His back and legs tensed, and she felt his passion reaching its peak, electrifying her. With a bellow, a strong tremor rolled up from Ryan’s feet as she brought him to release. Legs unsteady, he locked her in his arms. His feral gaze traveled over her face, searching, probing, delving deep into her soul. Her whole being flooded with desire and she was almost boneless with it. Ryan molded his mouth to hers in a hard, demanding kiss.

He owned her. Heart, body, soul, and magic.

Reluctantly ending the soul-stealing kiss, Ryan carried Morgan to the hot spring and released her into the bath temperature water. She floated to a slate wedge halfway down the shallow depths. He climbed in next to her and leaned back, his head landing on the surrounding wall. Water enveloped Morgan in tranquil warmth. It burst from the floor and tickled her sensitive skin. The spring’s sharp mineral odor smelled alive with possibilities. Even the bubbles popping against her flesh promised unnamed potential.

She never believed love could be such an enthralling torture to her senses. Their differing magic complemented each other like kindred souls. All those wasted years never believing she’d experience such a bounty of sweet agony offered by her dream sorcerer. Never believing a proper match existed for her, someone not afraid of her immense power, a soul mate who completed her in body, heart, and magic. Those lost years clearly represented a prelude to her rebirth on this island. Now, she easily forgave Fate for leading her to believe her life ended at the age of twenty-two.

Bursting bubbles tickled her nose. She giggled, swam to Ryan. “This feels wonderful.”

“Not as wonderful as you felt.” He grinned wolfishly.

The water lifted her up, the surface teasing her tender breasts, hardening her nipples. She kissed him, swiping her tongue over his bottom lip. Goddess, she wanted this man in all ways.

“I think you have a little more to give me,” she cooed against his mouth. She straddled his lap, looping her arms around his neck, forming her legs around his hips. Their glowing amethysts created purple embers on the water’s roiling surface. He took her mouth in another kiss, his lips hard and searching, tender and accepting. Water swirled around them evocatively, and Ryan groaned in her mouth. One possessive hand caressed her back, the other whispered across her scars. The slow, seductive kiss left her giddy. She leaned into him, supporting her weight on his chest.

Relentless, Ryan’s mouth began another tortuous assault on her senses. The rough scrape of beard stubble across her throat was almost more than her delicate skin could bear.

“You are so perfect.” His fingertips set her scars alight. “So beautiful.” He placed her hand over her scars, gloving it with his. “So strong and fearless.”

The heat of his magic dripped his sincerity into her mind. Ryan claimed another ravishing kiss, tongues tangling, proving his candor. Water lifted Morgan on a swirling current. Dizzy with need, their kisses grew frantic. Her hips moved urgently against him and she let the water raise her over his lap. She needed him now, or she’d die. Lost, completely and unutterably lost.

As she began to lower herself onto his iron shaft, he went rigid, his shoulders coiling beneath her touch. “Morgan, hold on, baby.” Ryan gently lifted her off him, leaving her floundering in the water. Frustration tightened his jaw and shadowed the raw lust reddening his face.

Morgan’s desire zigzagged downward in the face of rejection. “Do you not want me that way?” She folded her arms over her breasts. “I thought—”

“You have to ask?” he threw back. Rising off the ledge, he stood stock still in the hot spring. He pivoted away, his sleek muscular back glistening reddish-brown from the water’s heat.

Misgivings chilled her despite the temperature of the water. “Then what is it?” She rose and twined her arms around his torso, wishing to ward off the tempest infringing upon their bond. “Do not fear. I’m ready to continue with the binding rituals. I’ve given you everything else of myself.” Her tone grew bitter. Was it possible her duties threatened to keep her from a family and love?
Goddess alive, may I have one thing in life I desperately crave?

Ryan eased her hands from around his waist. He hopped out of the pool and slumped to the ground against a smooth, water-worn boulder. The water pouring into the brook vanquished all other sounds in the cavern. Steam floated off the hot spring’s surface, blurring Morgan’s vision and her emotions. The water grew intolerable as Ryan took his time to speak. Biting down on her tongue, she feared her world would crash down upon her once again if she upset the fragile balance.