Page 101 of Of Shadows and Blood

Our bodies are pressed scandalously close to one another. One inch from meeting. One thrust from sealing our fates.

“Our fates have been sealed already,” he breathes into my ear. His hands massage my breasts, pulling softly at my nipples and eliciting a gasp. “You just don’t remember.”

“As you said,” I murmur into his neck as I bite slowly, drawing trickles of blood before licking them back up. “My body remembers.”

“Indeed it does,” Cedric says, mirth in his eyes as we lock gazes. Time freezes in this moment. How can I deny our connection? How can I deny that my heart aches for him in a way that surpasses the physical? There is no denial here, not any more, at least. Cedric and I have something. Even if I cannot remember our past. I know it is there. Deep within me, a well I know I can dip into to feel more.

His hand raises to my cheek, wiping a lone tear away, and I lean into his touch more. Relishing in his presence.

“Why do you cry?”

“I cry because you brought me back to life. There was no future I could imagine when I awoke that involved the past so many tried to convince me of. A sort of darkness took over. Fear, mostly. I rejected you and for what reason? My pride? Even fear does not make me feel easy with my previous actions. But you tried. Every day.

“Cedric, what can I say other than thank you. This has not been easy but my easiness into this new life is growing daily because of you. The darkness does not exist any more. Questions, yes, but no darkness. What remains is a confidence in my life now and my connection with you. No matter what happens within here –” I bring his hand up to my temple – “I will remain yours. Because of what is happening within here –” I then drag his hand down to the space between my breasts. “Because what is happening within here is enough to bring me to my knees. That is what I offer you if I cannot offer you anything else, my mind included.”

Cedric looks as though he is holding his breath, his brow furrowed. Perhaps this was too much.

Too fast.

Too true.

Seconds pass and my ears buzz with anxiety.

“You know what, I’m sorry,” I say, unwrapping my legs to release myself but his hands stay firm on my hips. I look back hesitantly. Nothing in me desires to have the conversation I anticipate.

“My star,” he breathes. Barely a whisper, but all I needed to hear.

“Yes,” I respond.

“I was wrong in gifting you that nickname, I now realize. You have always been more than a star. You are the sun, the moon and everything in between. You are the universe. My universe. The thought that you could try, to forgive me, to open yourself again… it rattles me.”

With his final word, Cedric captures my mouth and body and soul in one movement. I melt into him as if we have never been parted before. Our faces are wet, perhaps from the steam, perhaps from our tears.

Candor has never failed me.

My legs grasp his torso and the water envelops the both of us as Cedric leans me back against the ledge. With one quick movement, he lifts me onto it and wraps my legs over his shoulders. I gasp in shock, the cold air heightening my senses. The blood within me warms as his breath skirts across my thighs and sex.

So damn hot.

“Is this okay?” Cedric breathes against my core. I lean back onto my forearms and nod. The image of him before me is disorienting.

“Hmm…” He blows air on my center and I arch my spine. “Are you sure? I can retreat, if you would like.”

I sit up and lock eyes with him. Cedric rises out of the water and brings his steaming face inches from mine. “Please, my king, make me feel good. Take me.”

Cedric captures my mouth and begins rubbing small, delicate circles. I moan into his mouth and he quiets me with an exploring tongue. His fingers continue moving, slowly exploring my anatomy. His thumb finds the small bud of nerves and I lean back onto my forearms, breaking our kiss. This does not deter him at all. He begins biting down my neck, leaving streaks of blood like I did to him. His tongue laps my right nipple, the other palmed by his hand. Without a chance to breathe, Cedric plunges a finger into my center and I know now that I am not being quiet.

At all.

“Moan for me, Star. Show me you like it,” he encourages as he slides his kisses down my torso. I gaze down at him as he lowers to my sex while pulsing into me, building that pleasuring pressure. How could I resist him?

Deftly, he hoists one of my legs back over his shoulder before descending upon my wet slit. In this position, with now two fingers and his tongue providing crazed ministrations on me, I feel myself coming to the edge of the darkness. Everything pulsing in me begs for release as he laps circles and precise movements.

“So wet,” he whispers against me before slightly grazing his teeth along me. I jolt up, unable to contain my noises.

“Cedric, please,” I beg. I moan. I can’t speak coherently now. All I can think is the desire to be claimed by him now.

Take me.