Charred Tears (#2, Heart of Fire) (18 page)

He didn’t wait for her to change her mind but crossed the foyer, cupping her face in his hands. He peered deeply into her eyes, and she gazed back, already knowing they’d never be able to stop at one kiss.

His thumb grazed her lips.

“You gonna tell Gunner?” she asked.

“He’ll figure it out in about two minutes,” Chace replied. “It’s killing me to be so close to you all the time but not touch you.”

“It’s helping me, though,” she said. “I’ve got to figure things out. It’s hard to do when you’re around.”

“As long as one of us is happy,” he grated.

She laughed and closed the distance that remained between them. With their bodies just resting against one another, she was able to feel the warm hum of energy she experienced whenever they were together, the sexual tension that was taut enough to compel them towards one another, no matter how angry she was.

She rested her hands on his chest, the soft sweater transferring the heat of the skin beneath it.

“Just a reminder. I haven’t forgotten how much of an ass you were,” she told him.

“I get it. I’m more than willing to let you use my body for your pleasure until you decide to forgive me,” he said, grinning. The small flame of desire was in his pupil again, an indication he retained some magic like he claimed.

“Actually, I’m more interested in your magic refrigerator. Does it make casseroles or –”

He kissed her, deep and demanding. She responded with her own hunger, running her fingers through his hair with one hand while pushing the other beneath his sweater to feel his body. Chace wrapped his arms around her tightly, his arousal thick and long already.

The need boiling in her lower belly was too hot for her be patient. Skylar didn’t expect the desire to grip her so quickly. It was becoming stronger between them, as if Chace had become a part of her, something she needed to survive.

She ran her hands over the hard muscles of his chest, the feel of his warm skin crippling any part of her that was reluctant to be with a traitor. His plush lips and velvety tongue drifted from her mouth to trail hot kisses down the side of her jaw.

Chace leaned back only to pull off her shirt and unsnap her bra, quickly returning to her body.

Skylar groaned at the heat of his skin against hers. Her breasts were aching and sensitive already, the coral peaks tight buds. The sparse hair on his chest tickled them, and she shivered at the exquisite sensation.

Chace’s kisses continued down the sensitive part of her neck to her collarbone. He returned his lips to hers then, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, parting her lips for his hot tongue to slide into her mouth, the way her core ached for his dick to do.

He tasted as sweet-spicy as he smelled, the light flavor of
him
combining with the honey-fire smell to overwhelm her senses. His hands traveled down her body to her pants, and he unfastened them then ducked down to push them to her feet.

Skylar waited impatiently for him to stand. He stripped off his own pants next, and her eyes went to his straining cock, large and thick. The sight was nearly crippling, the ache between her legs making her thighs tremble in anticipation.

Chace’s large palms skimmed over her legs as he straightened. He gripped her hips and spun her to face the wall, his hands running over her lower abdomen then up to cup her large breasts. He lifted them, thumbs teasing her nipples, and leaned into her.

“Oh, god, Chace,” she breathed at the feel of his thick arousal pressed to her backside.

“Remember how we fucked the first night?” he whispered, nipping her neck.

The need to join with him, to feel him inside her, was almost too intense to bear. Her breathing was as erratic as her heartbeat, her skin so sensitive, it quivered in anticipation of his touch.

“Yes,” she managed. Her legs parted of their own volition, and she wriggled her ass to his dick, hoping to encourage him to move a little faster.

“The night I marked you.” His voice was thick, husky, but the heavy emotion in it wasn’t one she was able to define.

Skylar tried to push away her pleasure and need long enough to decide if something was wrong. If he was once again plotting to betray her after they fucked or if there was something else on his mind.

His hands left her breasts, and he wrapped them securely around her, pulling her into his body. His dick slid closer to her core, and she struggled to decipher what her instincts were telling her about Chace.

“I bit you here,” he said and kissed her tattoo. “The rest is history.”

“Are you okay?” Even as she asked, she was focused on the hand sliding down her abdomen, her lower belly, pausing at the apex of her thighs …

“Yeah.”

He wasn’t. She heard it this time.

With effort, Skylar planted both hands on the hand so close to her waiting clit to keep him from touching her in a spot where she knew she’d never be able to focus on him if he did.

“Chace, what’s wrong?” she whispered, ensnared by the sensations of his body yet concerned as well.

Chapter Sixteen

“Nothing.”

Chace couldn’t get over how soft her skin was, how intoxicating her scent was and the way it left him feeling high. Her body was trembling in his arms, and he knew without a doubt it would yield to anything he asked of it, the way she had before.

This time, it was different.

This time, he knew he could lose everything again. He’d never experienced the loss that he did when he was trapped in his cabin, dying. The emotions going through him were more intense than regret, deeper than need. When he’d fucked her before, he’d been riding the wave of physical pleasure, able to ignore the instinct that warned him of the potential for so much more with Skylar.

He’d lost her and nearly his life. Yet he was here again with her, given a second chance at both, and he knew in no uncertain terms that she might wake up in the morning and decide he wasn’t worth her heartache.

I can’t lose you again.

If he’d learned one thing over the past two weeks, it was that there were no guarantees when it came to her. He was helpless without his magic and at her mercy, after screwing her over.

It made him want to savor every second he had with her, just in case he lost it all again. It wasn’t about the wave of pleasure, however strong its tug was. Being with her this time was about showing her he was capable of more than anyone else thought: their fucking today was all about her and ensuring he left her side knowing he’d showed her what he felt for her.

She twisted in his arms, face flushed with need but blue eyes warm with worry. They were the color of the sky he loved, large and bright in a sun-kissed complexion. Her lips were red and roughened from his kisses already, her expression slightly dazed. Her body had already surrendered to him, and she rested against him, gazing up at him with a sweet innocence that snagged the emotion growing inside him.

“You’re sad,” she guessed. “Why?”

“I have a lot of regrets.”

“With me?”

“With not realizing what I had until it was too late.”

The red flush to her face grew deeper. She offered a small smile then took his face in her hands and kissed him hungrily. Releasing him, she slid down his body to her knees.

“I’ll help you smile,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

He ran his fingers through her hair, tossing his head back. Her hot mouth sank onto his dick, and he groaned loudly.

Skylar’s wicked tongue swirled around the tip of his arousal. She gave a loud sucking sound and then took all of him in her mouth, her fingers teasing his sack. Grazing the sensitive skin of his dick with her teeth and alternating the pressure of her lips, she was true to her word.

Chace’s sorrow slid away as the warm energy of their shared magic worked its way through him. He had her now; he wasn’t going to waste any of their time together thinking about the past.

He bent to pull her to her feet once more, his desire flaring with new life after her tease. Chace pressed her against the wall behind her, loving the feel of every inch of his skin being in contact with hers. His hands moved over her body, tracing the line of her jaw, down her shoulder, her side. He pushed one between their bodies and slid two fingers into her core. She was hot, wet and tight around his fingers, a sensation that made him desperate to feel her sheathe around his dick.

Her kisses were growing more demanding, less controlled, a sign she was as affected as he was.

Chace reined in his need, wanting to make this afternoon about her. His fingers slid from her core to her clit, and he circled it gently. Skylar pressed her hips to his, trapping his hand between them, in an attempt to increase the teasing pressure.

He broke away with a breathless chuckle. “All right. A man can take a hint.”

Chace tugged his hand free then squeezed her ass before lifting her onto his hips. He pierced her hard and fast, his dick sinking into her tight depths.

Skylar gasped, breathing uneven.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she murmured, moving against him after a moment.

Chace kissed her and wrapped his arms around her to keep her against him. Her thighs were tight around his side, the scent of her arousal stronger now that he’d penetrated her.

“Strap yourself on,” he warned her. “This will make flying feel like a nap. What’s the number to beat? How many times have I made you come in one round?”

“Six.” Her eyes were burning, her body straining for more of him.

“We can beat that,” he said, smiling slowly.

She grinned eagerly.

Chace kissed her, finished with talking, unless it was her crying out his name. He carried her to the bedroom and lowered her gently. He moved in and out of her a few times, relishing the sensation of being so connected to her. Aware of every inch of her body, he marveled at her unguarded responses, the quiver of her skin, the gentle sighs, the way she held nothing back from him.

In bed, they were one. After a thousand years alone, he realized how incredible it was not to feel alone anymore, to be with someone who completed his heart and his body.

Chace withdrew, careful not to get to the point where he lost control, then pressed his lips to her neck. He fluttered kisses down to her breast then tickled the tip with his tongue then grazed it with his teeth, loving the way she gasped. His hands roamed her body. He was concentrating on memorizing everything about her, the shade of coral of the nipple in his mouth, the way her body tucked at her natural waist, the feel of the curve of her hips.

And her taste.

Chace made his way to the other breast then down her lower abdomen to the womanly folds of her sex. He parted the plump nether lips, drooling in anticipation of the honey flavor at her core. Slightly sweet and slick, her flavor was the drink of the gods, as far as he was concerned.

His tongue sank into her, and he lightly teased her clit with one finger.

Skylar’s body responded instantly, going still for a moment before her hips began to move, urging his finger to press harder. Chace drank from her nectar for a moment then replaced his finger with his tongue.

He swirled it around the clit, and she went rigid, holding her breath at the pleasure he was giving her.

He smiled to himself, privately triumphant that he was able to give her such pleasure. Today, all that mattered was showing her that he cared in a way that meant more than words.

He pushed two fingers into her core to tickle her G-spot then went to work on her clit, earnestly using his mouth, tongue and teeth to take her to orgasm. He ached to be inside her, to feel her core milk her dick when she came, to climax with her.

But he didn’t, instead finding his satisfaction in knowing how much pleasure he gave her. He waited for the signs he was close – until her body arched and she went rigid – then slowed his movements, drawing out the moment before orgasm as long as possible.

“Chace!” Skylar cried a second before she came. Her body bucked beneath the intensity, her sheathe gripping his fingers as the waves of pleasure swept over her.

He lifted his head and smiled. When the most intense waves receded, he pulled his fingers free from her.

“That’s one,” he said. “Hope you’re ready for two.”

Skylar gave a breathless laugh.

Chace slid between her thighs, taking in her dazed expression. He entered her slowly, watching her eyes widen and the look of pleasure cross her face. He kissed her deeply, moving in and out of her body. Her nails traced his back and gripped his ass, pulling him into her.

“Hope you’re ready for two,” he said and leaned his head beside hers. He nibbled her earlobe then traced his tongue around her ear and down her neck.

“I can hang,” she replied confidently.

“Good. Roll over.”

She laughed again.

Chace waited for her to assume one of his favorite positions on all fours and gripped her hips, penetrating her slowly.

It was getting harder to ignore his body, but he focused on her, running his hands down her body to her shoulders. He lifted her and wrapped a thick arm around her, holding her against his body while moving in and out of her faster. He teased her clit with the other hand.

“Chace …” she murmured, trapped in his arms. “I want to be able to touch you.”

“We’ve got time for that,” he said. “I want you to be happier than you’ve ever been.”

“I always am when we’re in … bed.” Her body was growing tense again.

He quickened the speed of his thrusts and fingers, sensing she was close.

“I want this to be about us … not just me.”

Chace wondered briefly how she’d figured out what he was thinking. Did she know that he didn’t feel worthy of her body? That he was trying to apologize and deny himself the pleasure he didn’t deserve?

“Please,” she added breathlessly.

Something within him broke and he realized that of the two of them,
he
was the one putting distance between them, even if she was the one with the reason to do so.

Chace withdrew and released her.

Skylar’s features were dazed and yearning, her hair mussed. She moved to look at him and cupped his cheeks in her hands.