But, with the game we play, that is a deadly truth. Conri might convey that he sees Evander as a loyal general thatwouldn’t dare cross him. Yet, I’ve already seen how quickly that facade can drop. Conri knows anyone would kill for his position. And few have more reasons to slay him than Evander. I can’t be yet another.
My fingers thread against his. I grip Evander’s hand with all my might and lock my gaze with his. His eyes widen slightly. For a second, it’s as though we breathe in unison. I try and tell him everything that he needs to know with that look alone.
Let’s not say it now; it’s too dangerous. If it’s meant to be, let’s wait until we’re free.
He gives a slight nod and cups my face with his other hand. Evander kisses me and the taste is almost salty…like unshed tears. When we pull away, I don’t think I imagine his silvery eyes are shining more than normal.
“Let’s stay here, at the edge of the forest, one more night,” I whisper, our faces still close. “Just you and me for a little bit longer. The world can wait, right?”
He nods. “It can.” Evander tilts his head and leans forward to whisper in my ear. His breath moves my hair, sending shivers up and down my spine. “I will enjoy having you all to myself for one more night out here, where I can tremble the stars with your cries of passion.”
CHAPTER 31
We move togetheras though our bodies were built for this singular act. I know his movements, his points of passion, as well as my own. We tumble—him on top, me on top, on our sides, him behind me—until I am dizzy and breathless. His hips slap against mine with such force that it’s almost as if he’s trying to compete with my cries of passion. Evander grabs for me as if I am his only lifeline—the tether to his entire existence.
We are shameless and needy. He takes me like I am the last woman on earth and he is the last man. Like his one goal is to consume me.
Evander bites my neck where it meets my shoulder, growling, pinning me down by my wrists as he furiously pounds into me. I allow each thrust of his hips to push a thought out of my mind. There is nothing left but blurred visions, his low moans and rasping breath.
Never have I been with someone like I am with him now. I have never felt so…animalistic. Every shred of decency is gone and I do not feel the least bit ashamed. I feel free. This passion fills me, lifts me. It allows me to let go of everything else and savor this one moment. To be a primal and sensual being.
The climax comes swift and fast, rolling over me as I shudder with a cry. Evander slows, kissing me through it, before he finds his pace again. And again…and again.
Finally, when we are sweaty, breathless, and spent, he collapses next to me. Neither of us says anything. But when he stretches out an arm, I know just what to do. I shift closer to him, using his bicep like a pillow, leaning slightly and continuing to look up at the sky above.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I should be thanking you.” He twists to plant a kiss on my forehead. It is so tender compared to the beast that just ravaged my body. Two sides of this man—gentle and ferocious. I love both. “That was…the best I’ve ever had.”
I sit and slap his shoulder playfully. “Oh stop, now you’re just trying to butter me up to get me to go again.”
He smirks. “Is it working?”
Laughing, I stand, and my legs wobble, which only causes me to laugh more. Evander sits quickly and I wave him away with a grin. “I’m fine. But that thing you did with your tongue…it has my knees a bit weak, still.”
“So do that first, that way you have the most time on your back to recover. Noted.”
I laugh harder. “You are insatiable.”
“Only for you.” There’s a faint dusting of heat still on his cheeks, accented by an easy, satisfied smile. I pause, taking a moment to admire him in the moonlight.
“Contentment suits you, Evander,” I say softly.
“Glad you think so, for I so often find myself content when you are near.” He stretches. The sentiment fills me with a gentle warmth. “But is everything well?”
“More than well. I have a strong desire to rinse off after that and saw a stream not too far away earlier.”
“Are you saying I’m dirty?” Evander arches a brow.
“I’m saying the things you did to me were.” I grin to convey I am not upset by it in the slightest.
“I can’t argue with that. Hurry back.” He yawns and lies back down onto the blanket we’ve stretched out. A blanket that I think we’ll have to leave behind instead of bringing to Den. It smells too much of our sex. “I sleep better when you’re here.”
“Then I’ll be sure not to delay.”
My feet are light, even if my knees are a bit wobbly. That was what I had needed. A satisfying culmination of our trip away and a reaffirmation of everything I’ve been suspecting. Speaking with bodies, rather than words, to convey the depth of our feelings for each other.
The stream is only a few minutes’ walk. I hesitate for a second before stepping in, thinking of Volst, overcome by the uncomfortable sensation of washing myself in the home of a spirit. But then I think of all the people and animals who do that, and much worse, in the rivers, lakes, and streams he presides over, and…
