“I’ve always cared, Joshua. That’s the problem, don’t you see?” She pressed her body closer to his, feeling the way his breathing hitched. “Why do you think it hurt so much to think you hated me? It’s because I care. It’s so hard to do what I know I need to do, because I…”
She couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she loved him, not when she carried such a secret within her. What would he do right now if he knew? Would he release her? Or would he fly her to the mainland to—
She cut off that thought instantly. The demons had targeted him. The last thing she wanted was for him to leave the protection of the town.
“I must stink,” Joshua murmured, his muscles stiffening. “I meant to shower last night. But…”
Kira inhaled the woodsy scent of him. The resinous salve bit into her nose, but it wasn’t unpleasant. But he didn’t smell like himself, and she didn’t like that. “You should shower. But I’m not sure you’re strong enough to do it on your own.”
Joshua let out a shuddering breath, tightening his grip. Her body flared with his closeness, the heat burning her inside and out. He stepped back, his hand dropping to her wrist. His golden gaze remained hot and intense on her face as he led her back up the stairs. He brought her to his private bathroom. There, he pressed her against the wall and kissed her. Kira moaned, undulating her body to press more fully against him. His cock met her core and hardened between their bodies.
Her clit throbbed, wanting to be touched. She made herself move slowly, letting him set the pace of their kisses as she moved her hands over him. He was still practically naked, wearing only the boxers he’d had on the previous night. The contours of his muscle felt warm and alive under her touch. His chest and neck turned pink, and she thought it was the most beautiful shade she’d ever seen.
“Condom this time,” Joshua said as he pulled away slightly. “I have a box in the medicine cabinet.”
“We don’t need it,” Kira said automatically. She held her breath, wondering if he’d understand the reasonswhy.
Joshua ran his thumb over her lower lip, making her moan as she leaned into his touch. “I’m not putting myself inside of you without a condom on.”
His words were firm, but his tone was tender. There was a war in his eyes. Kira was certain that all she had to do was say ‘please’ and he’d change his mind. That sort of power was heady—and terrifying. She took a deep breath, wishing she could know exactly how he would react.
“I have secrets, too. A secret. A big one. I’m afraid it will change how you feel right now,” she told him, hedging like a coward. But her body was on fire, and she didn’t want that warm glow in Joshua’s eyes to dim.
He touched her lip again. “Then don’t tell me.”
Was it fair to keep the secret from him?
On the other hand, what would it change? It would kill the desire between them with fear. And he told her not to tell him… She nodded once. “Condom.”
As he retrieved the condom, she stripped off her clothes and turned the water on. Her back was to him, listening to the rustle of the wrapper. Her breasts felt heavy and full, needing touch. She quickly got the water to the right temperature and turned back. Joshua stood in all his glory, the condom rolled onto his erect cock. He appeared like a Roman statue, all hard muscle and soft skin. Smooth, perfectly formed, with a smolder in his eyes that made all the air leave her lungs.
“You are so beautiful,” she managed, holding her arms out to him. “Come here.”
Joshua smiled at her. He stepped into her embrace, his arms circling her waist. The feel of his skin against hers sent sparks exploding beneath the surface of her skin. He dropped his mouth to hers, and all thoughts disappeared. The taste of him burst on her tongue, and Kira whimpered, drawing him closer to her. He cupped her ass with one hand while his other moved to her jaw, holding her in place against him as he moved them back into the spray of water.
There, he lifted one of her legs over his hips and pressed her to the tiled wall, sliding his hand between them. He tested her, groaning when his fingers entered her easily.
“You’re so wet,” he moaned into her mouth.
Kira ran her hands up his back, tilting them slightly to catch the water in tiny pools. “So are you.”
Joshua chuckled, then pressed the tip of his cock against her. “I don’t want to hold back. But I will. Tell me what you want, Kira.”
“I want you inside of me. Right now.”
He entered her in one thrust. Her back slid against the slick wall, their bodies slippery against one another. Kira braced herself on the shower door, her one foot still on the shower floor, feeling precariously balanced. Joshua moved his hips, rocking in and out of her. His golden eyes were dark as he gazed into hers.
“Is this alright?” he asked, strained.
Kira nodded. “More. Please. Joshua, I want you close.”
He pressed up against her, thrusting hard. His cock nudged her inside at just the right angle to make her tighten and heat all over. Soon she was crying out, helpless against the pleasure as it pooled in her core. The delicious feeling slowly unwound in a way she’d never known, almost as though the orgasm was creeping over her in waves, claiming little bits of her body and growing more powerful with every new burst.
“Closer,” she groaned, her face against his slick shoulder.
His arms tightened. She lifted her other leg, braced against the slick wall, and pressed her heels to the glass behind him. She flexed her feet, locking herself into place as Joshua moved with such fervor she could think of nothing else.
Her core tightened, on the brink of orgasm. Kira held her mate closer, wishing this moment could last forever.
