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He sits up and angles his body so the only thing holding me up is his arm. He doesn’t make a sound as he lowers me onto the blanket, but somehow, we’ve turned and his body is stretched beside mine. Or I’m stretched beside him, but he’s leaning over me, hand splayed on my belly.
I’ve never been kissed with such utter possession of my body and soul. This guy uses every square inch of himself to brand me, to claim me, to make me want to be claimed.
When I kiss him back, I surrender. There’s no point in fighting what I feel. No point in denying what I want from him. Fromthem. Because now I have to accept that whatever this is, itdoesfeel like a mate bond. Itdoesfeel like something more than love or lust.
And I like it.
Because it feels right. Because it feels like I can’t possibly be making the wrong choice. Being with a mate isn’t a choice, it’s a need. An impossible connection that can’t be ignored.
My fingers curl into his hair, massage his scalp as the kiss goes on and on. It’s a melding of our mouths that burns through my body.
Because my body is now acting independently of what my brain would tell it to do, my leg hikes over his hip and the hard length of him hits me just right. I suck in a sharp breath, my head spinning. I hold myself against him and pull back just a little when heat flows through my body. I bite my lip, absorbing the feel of this gorgeous man against me, reveling in every sensation, every touch and breath.
A whimper slips from my lips, because I want more than this. Ineedmore.
I pull him down for another kiss and align our hips once more as his hand glides up and under the hem of my shirt, warm against my stomach, and I want him the way I haven’t wanted anyone since Rayne.
At the thought of him, I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I tear my mouth away and the tears come, unbidden, unchecked, unwanted but painful. Rayne.MyRayne. And here I am kissing another man, holding him, being held by him.
A sob warbles out, followed by another and another until I’m crying into his shoulder, blubbering, and it has nothing to do with him, but my sign language isn’t good enough to convey that to him.
Onyx pulls back and tilts my chin toward him then uses his thumb to dry my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Of all the things I could’ve said, I go for the lamest, most pathetic. I don’t know why I’m crying or if I should be sorry or how to make him understand my reaction has nothing to do with him, only my broken heart.
“I didn’t mean to…do this.” I motion between us, and he smiles softly. “It’s just…I miss Rayne.” He cocks his eyebrow, and I know what he wants. “Rayne was my mate. I loved him, but he was…killed. And now, I’m here.”
He nods like he understands and whether he does or not, I’m staring into the eyes of a man who cares enough to pretend he does, and that means something to me.
When he bends and kisses the spot on my chest over my heart then pulls back and smiles softly as he strokes my face, my heart lightens. Hedoesunderstand, and for as long as it lasts, I’m going to lay my head on his chest while his arms encircle my shoulders, and I’m going to enjoy it. Because when I lost my Rayne, I had no one. No one to heal my broken heart. And in a strange way, it makes sense that this big, sulking man might be the one to help me.
Even if I still can’t accept him as my mate. Not yet.
FIFTEEN
Phantom
The others knowwhat Ann is and what she can do, and there isn’t a warrior among us who doesn’t know that with her by his side, he could be more than he is. It makes it dangerous for her to be anywhere with anyone but Onyx, Dusk, or me. Even though we are a group of shadow beasts, loyal to one another, there are men in our ranks who would think to usurp the power of the Shadow King. The current or the future. And every man here is armed. Knives, bows, guns. We are warriors, and to be without weapons would be the same as being naked.
For those reasons as much as to be close to her, Onyx, Dusk, and I surround her on our way back to the large cave. After much discussion, we decided there is safety in numbers. We’ve also decided that she shouldn’t be left alone until the bond is complete.
Her step is light but sure. There’s power in her and I don’t know if she has any idea how alluring she is. Her beauty is obvious, but the intensity of her strength is another layer in the complexities of who and what she is. It’s a pretty package, and she wears it well. She will make a good companion and a good mate.
At the thought of what that means, my body warms, responding to her nearness. Because we can’t risk her safety, I followed her from the cave to the river this morning where she bathed. I didn’t look on purpose, but as I was watching, she came out of the water. She’s as exquisite as any woman--human or fae--I’ve ever seen, with full breasts, wide hips, and the kind of curves every man dreams of.
I shake my head and look at the forest. It’s ripe with color and scent, but she’s probably used to far better with the fae. The only thing we had to offer her this morning was yesterday’s venison and some berries Onyx found. This is less than she’s used to, less than she deserves, but we’ll make that up to her when the Shadow King is defeated and the world is safe again.
Ann stumbles a little, and Onyx is catching her in an instant.
Her cheeks heat. “Thanks,” she mumbles.
Onyx smiles in return, holds her a second too long, then releases her.
Dusk casts him a look, and Onyx just shrugs and turns back to focus on the woods.
I don’t know what happened in the cave with Ann and Onyx, but something has changed. She’s softer now. The way she walks, talks, looks at him, at us. I have to remind myself more than once that she has her own mind and that she’s resistant to the bond we need to form, even if she’s subconsciously feeling the connection between us.
Later, I’ll have to explain to her that even with the other shadow beasts, she isn’t safe. They know the prophecy, too. But I don’t want to worry her right now. I’d prefer she believe our actions come from jealousy rather than fear.
