Karson read my mind and ground into me, hard, fast, skin slapping against mine. Fire exploded through my blood. He didn’t take his eyes off me as he pushed deeper, harder, the burn almost painful and I loved it.
“Amelia,” he panted, his voice deep and threaded with desire.
I erupted, his name falling from my lips as my whole body exploded to life, my core clenching and pulsing around his cock. He cried out as he erupted too, his seed spurting inside me.
Panting, he rolled to the side, pulling me with him so I lay sprawled on his chest. His hand wrapped around my back, the other stroking my hair. He pressed his lips to my forehead. In his arms, I felt the shadows of the past recede, the shattered fragments that tore at my heart, sink to the bottom of an ocean and the light that had been blocked for so long spark to life, shining so brightly no darkness could defeat it. I felt safe. I felt cherished. And finally, I felt truly and completely loved.
I woketo soft morning light drizzling across my face. I slipped my fingers across the sheets, seeking Karson. I was met with emptiness. I was hoping he’d stay in bed with me. After we’d made love, he had held me in his arms, stroking my hair until I fell asleep. We’d not had sex, we’d made love twice. I’d come until I was wrung out and blissfully satiated. I smiled at the memory of his hooded eyes, his breath on my skin, his hands and mouth running over my body as if he couldn’t stop touching me, needed to touch every inch of my body.
I stretched my arms and sat up, hooking my legs over the edge of the bed and padding to the bathroom. I curled my hair into a bun and showered. I stared in the mirror as I brushed my teeth. My skin had a glow about it, my eyes sparkling like all the stars had burst to life inside.
My eyes shifted to the necklace he gave me,“I’m yours and you are mine, this necklace carries my symbol. It is my promise to you I will always love you. Wear it and it will protect you.”
My hand cradled the pendant against my chest and happiness bloomed beneath. I’d never been so happy, so in love.
I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and opened the door.
“Monique!” the roar rumbled the bones of the house.
Shit. I grimaced; it was safe to assume the photographer had done his job and Karson had the newspaper.
After a moment of listening to Karson bellow again like an angry bear, I went to help save her. Georgie appeared in the hallway, looking concerned, still wearing her nightgown and robe, her hair mussed from sleep.
I mouthed,It’s fine.
Monique and Karson were in the foyer.
“What have you done?” He breathed fire at her.
I passed Kenneth sitting on the stairs, watching. He would move if he had to, but for now, he looked like he was enjoying the show.
“Well.” She threw her hands out. “We have to get her out of hiding somehow so we can all get our lives back.”
“Do you realize the danger you’ve put her in?”
“How is it any different to what she’s in now?” Monique snapped.
Mary opened the front door, carrying a hessian bag filled with food, and a rolled newspaper peaking at the top like salt sprinkled on a wound.
“Goodness, what’s all the kerfuffle? I can hear you from my place.” Mary closed the door, darting her gaze between them.
“Monique has had a terrible lapse in judgment, once again,” he growled.
“Oh dear.” She walked across the room, patting his arm as she passed. “Do remember to keep your underwear straight.” She looked up at Georgie and smiled as she headed to the kitchen. “I will put some coffee on.” Then she muttered, “Or pour a bottle of wine.”
I would have laughed if Karson wasn’t so furious. His eyes were so cold, I swore the devil lived in there, waiting to rise.
“It was my idea actually.” I stepped down the stairs.
He stamped me with a look that would have had most people backpedaling. “Your idea?”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded.
“You have many abilities, but lying isn’t one of them.”
I stopped beside Monique and crossed my arms. “I’m not lying.”
“Really. How did you know from the lake with no internet connection about the opening?”
