“It’s like we’re making love instead of having sex.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, the air around us grows thick. A storm is brewing, but it’s not the sky that’s going to come crashing down. It’s us.
Xavier withdraws to thrust inside me, harder than before, wrenching a groan from me. He keeps going, increasing the force with every gyration of his hips until the bark digs into my skin, along with his fingers.
He bites the tender flesh below my ear, the pain mixing with pleasure, creating a heady sensation. “Do you think I’m someone who’s capable of love?”
“I—I don’t know,” I stammer, trying and failing to think about anything else except his cock inside me. “But I hope so.”
Xavier’s grip tightens, his nails biting my skin. His thrusts are almost painful as he slams into me over and over, the force jarring my body. I grab onto the tree for support, but the tree itself seems to shake with his efforts.
“I love you so fucking much I can’t breathe when I look at you,“ he grits out. “I love you so much it hurts, and I want to die. I loved you the first night I met you, and I’ll love you until we are ash because I let the world fucking burn to save you.
“Tibi. Temper. Sum.”
He punctuates each word with a hard thrust. I gasp, the intensity of his words, and the pleasure coursing through my veins, stealing the air from my lungs. My orgasm explodes inside me, consuming me in a fiery blaze. I scream, my nails clawing at the tree as my body shudders with the force of my release.
Xavier comes too, his cock throbbing inside me, his cum filling me. His grip is bruising, his breath ragged.
The world stops spinning, and we remain there, tangled in each other’s arms. The only sound is our heavy breathing, and the only movement is the rise and fall of our chests.
We stay like that, suspended in a moment of peace. But it’s a false sense of calm. Because I can’t stop my tears. They stream down my cheeks and drip from my face.
Xavier’s eyes flash with concern. “Fuck. Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I whisper, the words barely audible. “That’s just not the answer I was expecting.”
He releases a deep breath and kisses me on the forehead. “I know, little raptor. But it’s the truth. There are no limits on what I’d do for you. The Order wants me to be a killer, but to keep you safe, I’ll be evil incarnate.”
Chapter 35
DELILAH
The cool November air stings my cheeks as Raven and I weave our way through the bustling campus, heading toward our respective classes. The trees lining the path are a cluster of burnt reds and bright golds, a vivid picture of the New England autumn in all its glory.
“So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving break?” Raven asks, her breath forming small clouds in the air.
I shrug and adjust the strap on my messenger bag. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Originally, I was going home with Ben to see my foster family, but now that I’m with Xavier, I have no idea what to do.”
“I know what you mean. X isn’t exactly a ‘carve the turkey and say grace’ type of guy,” she says. “I can’t picture it in my head, anyways.”
“You’re not wrong. Regardless, I don’t want to leave him behind.”
And I can’t go home, unless I’m willing to put my foster family at risk.
“Then invite him to go too,” she says with a shrug.
I shake my head at the mere thought of introducing Xavier to Gloria and the littles. “What about you?”
Raven rolls her eyes. “My family’s hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner. I’m talking the whole nine yards—turkey, mashed potatoes, pies… if it can be stuffed, it’ll be on the table. My mom does this every year, going all out to prove she’s a capable hostess.”
“At least the food will be good, right?”
“Oh, the food’s the best part. If you ignore all the pomp and circumstance.” She chuckles. “It’s a culinary marathon. By the end of the night, you need to be rolled out the door.”
I smile at her. “Sounds like chaotic fun.”
“You’re always welcome to join us,” Raven says.
