He tugs harder on my hair and sharp, shivery pleasure travels through my scalp. My eyes roll up and my hips squirm, but he tightens his hold. He has me pinned in place, his hard cock slamming against that sweet spot. I choke out, “Yours. Valen. Only yours! Please! Valen! Yes!”
“You feel so fucking good, Tori.” His voice is rough, out of breath, and the slip of composure shivers me all over. “Come for me. Be my good girl and come.”
I moan luxuriously and obey, my body well-trained even after seven years. I scream my third orgasm and itruinsme.I thrash, ripping my head out of his grip to bite him viciously. Tears slide down my face as he grips my hips to slam in a last few times and spill deep in me with a lavishly moaned, “Tori.”
I shiver, smiling. It was even better than my memories. Valen stretches out over me to kiss my shoulder and neck sweetly. He slides my hair out of the way to kiss his way to my ear. “Beautiful.” He stills, head lifting up. “Oh.”
I blink, my sex-fogged brain slow to comprehend his words. My brows furrow. “What?”
He arches a brow, eyes still trained ahead, but then shakes his head. “A shame.”
I whip around as best I can under him and spot the open bedroom door.
His weight settles more on top of mine and he nuzzles my hair. I go cold. “Who was there?”
“Your magician. He was probably enjoying the show.” He strokes me softly. “You did perform beautifully.”
My lungs seize. This is not the first time Valen has fucked me with an audience. It used to be a delectable treat. I’d writhe beneath him, coming on his cock as he fucked me in front of other Order members who wished to be him. I loved it, he loved it, their jealousy and desire like a drug for us both.
But it doesn’t feel that way this time. Something shameful and tight clenches my insides. I swallow around my tight throat. “How long was he there?”
Valen shrugs. “Not sure.”
My breath shudders. All lingering heat and desire douse. When he tries to kiss me again, I shove him off. Valen falls on his back, his brows furrowed. “Where are you going?”
“After him, obviously!” My legs are trembling and I nearly collapse on the cold floor when I put my weight on them. I can’t tell if it’s from exhaustion, the mind-blowing sex, or both. I spin in a circle, trying to find my discarded nightgown.
I spot it peeking out from under Valen’s back. I rip it out from under him, the momentum forcing him to partially roll over. His lips part to say something, but I am in no mood. I shove on the nightgown, realize it’s backwards, whip it with off a vicious snarl that shuts Valen’s mouth with an audible click and try again. Before he can react further, I storm out of the room and slam the door behind me, the paintings rattling on the walls from the force.
CHAPTER 24
Sanity returns to me now that I’m away from Valen. With a steadying breath, I rake my long hair out of my face and look around. Lucas is nowhere to be seen in Nora’s living room and dread clenches my chest at the thought of him storming off into the dangerous streets. I take two steps towards the front door, ready to sprint through Havenport in my nightgown if need be, but pause when a small, broken sound comes from the open door to the kitchen.
My bare feet move soundlessly across the cold floor.
Standing with his hands on the small kitchen table is Lucas. He’s gasping for breath, his eyes closed tightly. The sight of him plummets my heart. Shame burns within me and I wrap my arms tightly around myself like a shield. “Lucas.”
His lips tighten and knuckles turn white. I bear witness to his internal struggle, my fingers twitching to touch him when his shoulders hunch. He slams his fist against the wood and tilts his head back, staying like that and trying to keep his tears at bay.
Unable to stay away any longer, I step closer. The impulse to apologize rises, but I’m not quite sure what to apologize for. Perhaps for all of it. Perhaps for playing a part in his pain. Perhaps for being so stupid as to backslide with my ex in theroom we’re sharing. Perhaps it’s for once again not thinking of him. It’s the basement all over again, but now I’m the venom.
My hands slide over my upper arms, attempting to warm them, but it does nothing. My lip trembles. “Lucas?”
His breath rushes out again and he looks at me with watery eyes. His jaw clenches. “Fuck it.”
My lips part, brows furrowing. Then he’s on me. His arms wrap around my middle, one hand sliding up my spine to tangle in my hair. His heat against my cold body is like a blaze and I stretch up on my toes for his nose to brush against mine. His voice rasps, “I refuse to lose you like this. Not to him. Not because I was a fucking coward for four years.”
My eyes search his wildly. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I’m about to ruin our friendship.”
My eyes flare, my heart jolting, as he looks upon me with raw, determined passion. I shiver when his arms tighten around me. His voice strains like he’s in pain, his fingers digging into me deliciously. “Goddamn it, Torment. Stop me if you don’t feel the same as I do. Stop me if you don’t want me to.” His lips brush against mine, his honey eyes burning. “Because if you don’t, then I’m going to kiss you like I’ve wanted to a thousand times before.”
Heart thundering in my ears, I stay silent, not even daring to breathe. A thousand reasons why I shouldn’t explode in a cacophony, all so loud that they are indistinguishable. But through all the reasons not to, through all the fear and uncertainty, there is one blazing thought that rises above it all. IwantLucas to kiss me. And there is nothing in this world that could make me stop him.
Silently, my trembling hands rest on his biceps. My eyes dip down to his lips and back.
It’s all the permission he needs. Our lips brush and we both gasp before his mouth seals over mine. Heat sears in a red-hotintensity as my world crumbles away. It’s infinitely better than before and my hands turn to claws as I crave more. My mouth opens with a feral snarl and our kiss takes on a life of its own.
