Shadow’s nondescript face still manages to snarl, showcasing a pair of frighteningly large fangs. "So you choose to hurt yourself?"
His tentacles constrict around me again, pulling me closer as my shirt rides up. Talons wander over the exposed flesh of my stomach, causing me to squirm and the heat between my legs to intensify.
Something in his fierce expression changes, softens, as if he’s surprised. "You smell... different."
"I’ve changed too," I snarl back. The tips of my breasts wrench up into painful little buds that tingle mercilessly. When his hold on me starts to loosen I almost scream. "Don’t."
Shadow pauses, and then tightens his tendrils around me, his face drawing near. Even inches apart, his features remain blurred and nondescript.
The velvet ropes around my thighs grow tight as they push my thighs apart even more against the wall. The thin pair of panties bunch toward my center. I let out a cry of need as I feel completely exposed and held by the only one I’ve ever wanted.
Shadow leans forward. His face hovers close as he drags in a slow breath along my neck, sending tingles of pleasure rocketing through my body.
Then Shadow leans nearer still until our foreheads are touching and through quivering breaths he utters, "You’ve fullymatured," before lowering further still until he is between my breasts, sending shocks of bliss throughout every inch of me.
Oh God... I’m close to either losing my mind or coming.
His clawed hands massage my stomach and hips as he slinks down further in open curiosity, as if I’m some scientific sample he must investigate.
His claws easily wrap entirely around my now shaking thighs, tugging them wide apart as he drags his nose down my body until it nuzzles my sex in open curiosity.
"Ungh," I cry out, moisture flooding below.
As I lose myself to the unexpected pleasure, the tendril around my neck squeezes, causing bright lights to spark behind my eyes. The pressure on my airway makes me wetter with each passing second until it starts dribbling down my thighs.
As quick as lightning, he’s across the room again. I find myself free, crouching on the ground, panting heavily. Angry tears work their way out of my eyes; my body is so sensitive and needy, I want to scream. My skin is beyond aroused, begging for something I can never have.
"You can’t, Evie," he warns.
"I can’t, what? Want you?" I ask, not recognizing the harshness of my own voice. "You are the only one I’ve ever wanted. Even when you abandoned me."
"I didn’t abandon you—" he protests in anger and frustration. "I?—"
"You what?" I yell, needing him to tell me. I need him to explain why the only one I’ve ever learned to rely on left me.
A pounding on the other side of the wall comes again. "Shut up, you stupid bitch!" The angry yells are muffled.
But I’m not listening. Blood pounds in my ears so loudly, I have to focus every last bit of attention on Shadow so he will explain it to me.
Then he perks up, his head tilting as if listening for something. Elijah, my neighbor?
No, this isn’t about him—something akin to trepidation flashes over Shadow’s face and he’s ready to flee. It’s amazing how I can read his blurry out of focus features so well.
"I must go," he says.
"No," I cry, practically lunging myself at him. With a whip and snap, he catches me with his shadows. I’m openly crying, allowing myself to soak in the shame of my neediness for him.
"Don’t leave me again." I’m begging.
After a moment, he shifts until his mouth is even with my ear. His hot breath puffs over the shell and my nipples harden again. Goose pimples rise across my skin so hard and fast, it fuels the pleasure and pain I feel at having him near.
"I’ll return tomorrow," he murmurs.
I close my eyes and shudder against the sob of relief building inside me. Then he’s gone, the room ten thousand times emptier than it was before he came.
Only his last words linger, carried by a breeze that swept out from under my bed. "If I can…"
Once I’m sure he’s gone, I collapse on my bed, the overwhelming sensations coursing through me, leaving me spent. I try and focus on anything else but Shadow, yet all I can think of is him.
