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“No, Rian, notwe. You. It’s you who holds yourself back from receiving love that is offered. Not me.” Her breath came out in angry little pants, and she was so turned on that stars danced in front of her eyes, and still she waited, needing him to accept what she offered.
“I don’t know how to accept it.” His words were muffled where he’d buried his face in her neck, and her anger eased at his admission.
“Let me show you then.” Once more, she lifted his chin, and this time she kissed him with all of the love she had. Opening herself, she lost herself in the kiss, her heart singing when he angled his head and kissed her back. This time it was Rian who took, gripping her tightly as he kissed her like a man starved. Terra arched against him, his arms pinning her to his body, and began to rock her hips, needing to feel him against her.
Once he’d given in, something seemed to shift in Rian, and he rolled, surprising Terra with his strength as he lifted her in his arms, cradling her as though she was the tiniest of beings. Now, with their positions shifted, Rian reared over her and quickly divested himself of his clothes so that he stood before her in all his naked beauty. And goddess, was the man beautiful, Terra thought, drinking in the sight of the sinewy muscles that ranged across his chest and down to his tapered waist. His desire was evident, and lust pooled low in her stomach as she drank in the sight of her glorious fated mate, ready for her.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Rian danced his fingertips over her ankle, causing a shiver to zip along her sensitive skin. “How thoughts of touching your soft body keeps me up at night?”
“Um…” Terra’s mind short-circuited for a second when he pulled her dress up and straight over her head, leaving her hands entangled in her sleeves over her head. Her skin burned as his gaze traced her skin, and she arched her back, offering herself to him like a gift to a god.
“Nothing compares,” Rian whispered, and moved to kneel between her legs. He trailed his hands up the outside of her muscular legs and then spread them wider. For a moment, he stilled, drinking in the sight of her spread before him in supplication, and Terra had never been more turned on in her life. “Nothing. There will never be another woman who walks this earth that is as stunning as you, Terra. Perfect and pure Terra.”
The way he said the last part had an edge to it that Terra dearly wanted to examine, but Rian took that moment to bury his face between her legs, and, when his mouth found her, liquid and hot, she thought no more. Instead, Terra became a woman of need and sensation, responding to his every touch, his whispered commands, his careful examination of every lick, tug, and stroke that elicited a response from her. Rian dedicated himself to the art of loving her the same way he did anything else in his life, with a careful, controlled, and single-minded focus that very quickly took Terra from merely wanting him to begging for release as he lapped at her like she was an ice cream cone on a hot summer’s day. Only when she’d finally exploded into pleasure, ecstasy causing her limbs to shake and her chest to heave with desire, did he ease back and lean over her, a satisfied smile on his face.
“You, Terra, are like the first hint of spring after a long icy winter.”
Terra’s heart almost melted in her chest, and she wanted to weep for this broken man who seemed to be saying goodbye to her in the same moment he was welcoming her home. She understood what he was doing, even if she didn’t agree with it, and all she could do was hold onto him tighter and hope she’d be able to convince him that she’d never turn her back on him.
Reaching up, she took his hand and pulled it to her chest.
“Do you feel that Rian?”
“Terra…” Rian shifted above her, uncomfortable.
“It’s you and I, Rian. Nobody else. We’re meant for each other, destined across time, chosen by the Fates themselves. We matter.Thismatters.” His hand against her skin was warm, and she wondered if he even realized that he brushed his thumb lightly in time to the beat of her heart.
“How can you be so sure? Rian asked. “Maybe they got it wrong…”
“Does this feel wrong to you?” Terra brought his hand to her lips, kissing his palm gently as though she was blessing it, and his eyes closed. She knew he felt what she did. Their love was sacred and powerful, and he only had to claim her. Together they could fight the darkness and forge a new way forward.
But she couldn’t force him. All Terra could do was love Rian and show him the way. Tugging his arms, she pulled him, so he lay on top of her, the weight of him surrounding her and making her feel safe. Secure. Desired. Opening herself for him, Terra gasped and arched against his body as he entered her in one swift motion, hard to her soft, pinning her beneath him. He filled her in a way that no other had, and now her body sang, coming to life, and her heart ached for her to complete the ritual.
To claim him in full.
Dare she claim him even if he didn’t claim her back? Yes, her heart all but sobbed, yes, yes, yes. He moved against her, slick and warm, sliding in and out of her heat, and then she could think no more as he took her over the crest, and waves of sweet pleasure crashed through her body. She held on, whispering words of love in his ear, as he drove into her, mindless, needing her as much as she needed him, until at last, they came together, and he collapsed to her side.
Immediately, Terra curled into him, not wanting to break contact, knowing he was already pulling away from her. When his arm looped around her waist, she smiled, though tears hovered, unshed, at her eyes.
“I’m not good enough for you. I’ll never be good enough for you. I’ve done bad things, Terra. I don’t deserve your love,” Rian whispered.
There was nothing to say. She’d already told him what she wanted, no,neededfrom him, and he’d convinced himself that he was committed to a path he’d already set for himself. When his soft breathing filled the room, Terra realized he’d fallen asleep in her arms. She trembled, scared for the choice she was about to make, and what it would mean for her life. Leaning closer, Terra placed a hand to Rian’s chest. She closed her eyes and found her magick, feeling it shimmer and dance in excitement, and then she let it flow.
“I claim you, Rian, as my fated mate. Now, forever, and ever on. You will have my love.”
Light flashed in the room, and Terra shivered, knowing it was done.
She dearly hoped she hadn’t just signed her death sentence.
19
Rian awoke,unsure of where he was for a moment, filled with a bone-deep contentment for the first time in, well, ever. His mind flashed back to the glory of making love to Terra, the visual reel playing out in a loop in his mind, and he found himself stiffening in response. He needed her again and immediately.
A soft noise had him freezing in place. Shifting his eyes, the sight that greeted him immediately washed away the contentment he’d so been enjoying. Terra knelt on the floor, a wood plank removed and set aside, and peered into the hole. She was going after her amulet, Rian realized, and quickly understood that everything from last night had been a lie. She’d used sex to disarm him, fully intending to get her amulet back. His calculating side applauded her — hadn’t he very much done the same when he’d first stolen it from her? But his other side, his vulnerable self who had only just started to peek out from behind the walls he’d built, was devastated.
It was better this way, Rian silently lectured himself, schooling his breathing so he could tamp down on any impulsive responses that he might have. If anything, Terra handed him a gift right now. She was making it much easier to carry out the task that he had promised he would do. It wasn’t in Rian’s nature to go back on his word, and, while he’d started to consider it where Terra was concerned, now he wouldn’t have to. Sliding from the bed, he padded, naked and silent to her side and grabbed her wrist just before she touched the iron box and burned her hand. Terra squealed in surprise and tumbled back on that gorgeous bum of hers he’d so enjoyed touching the night before.
“Is that the way of it then?” Rian asked, angling his head to nod at the box and then back to Terra’s startled face. “Blind me with sex and steal the amulet back.”
