Several long moments pass, and tension is a living, breathing creature in the room with us. Each heartbeat seems louder than the last, until they’re ringing in my ears.
When I can’t take the quiet any longer, I whisper his name. “Did you hear what I said? I forgive you.”
He exhales raggedly, and the rough sound has heat pooling in my core. “Yes, Birdie. I heard you.”
“I mean it. The past is in the past.” I don’t want to focus on it any longer. “I want you, Gabriel.”
Not just physically, although the suns only know how badly I yearn for him. Seeing the Hunter on his knees and hearing him ask for my forgiveness has only solidified what I was already feeling.
I lick my lips. “I know we have a lot to work through, and this fated bond is complicated, but?—”
Gabriel’s mouth collides with mine, and he swallows my words with a rough kiss. Flames reignite in a rush of heat in my core, and all I can do is clutch his shoulders, desperate to hold on.
“We’ll talk about that later,” he growls against my lips before reclaiming them.
“Okay,” I agree breathlessly, mumbling against his mouth, because what else can I say?
His lips are hot against mine, and he nibbles, the slight nip of his teeth sending a rush of heat through me. I brush my tongue across his lips, and he moans, the sound filled with desperation and desire andrelief.
Perhaps he needed to hear I forgave him as much as I needed to say it.
He draws me flush against him, his hardness pressing against my stomach. I slip my hand under his tunic, tracing the hard lines of his torso, and he groans. That sound...
I’ve never heard anything better.
Our kiss deepens.
I gasp, and his tongue delves inside my mouth, dancing with mine. Tasting. Devouring.Needing.
Forgiveness tastes better than I’d ever imagined. Who needs things like food or water or air? I’ll survive off Gabriel’s kisses from now until the end of time.
His mouth moves against mine, and liquid heat gathers in my core.
Pulling out of Gabe’s grasp, I perch on the edge of the table, spreading my legs before snaking my hand around his waist and pulling him closer. He keeps kissing me even as he steps into the space I created.
His hard cock presses against my core, and I rock my hips against him. And... Oh.
This is . . .
He is . . .
Oh, gods.
I didn’t . . .
I didn’t know . . .
The last time I was with a man—the only time—it wasn’t like this. It wasn’t bad, but also, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. Even when I touched myself, seeking release, it never felt this way.
There is a fire within me, hotter than my Mark has ever been, and I cling to Gabriel, chasing the friction that has me gasping for breath. Our kisses grow more desperate, as do our actions. I tug on his waistband, holding him close, needing him rightthereas I wantonly seek relief.
Sounds I’ve never heard myself make escape my lips. Our clothes are the worst of barriers, and I want them gone.
“Gabe,” I whimper against his lips, yanking on the hem of his shirt. “I... I need...”
“I know,” he says gruffly.
The Hunter slides his hands down my hips, cupping my bottom. He lifts me effortlessly, his mouth finding mine oncemore, and my arms fly around his neck. He holds me close, kicking off his shoes as he strides towards our bed.
