I knew it and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to stop looking at her. As soon as I left here, I would focus only on Mavy. I wouldn’t think about the princess who slept in the room at the top of the staircase. I wouldn’t wonder about the books on her shelves. I wouldn’t wonder if any of them were scandalous. No, I would remember that it’s only Mavy and I against the world.
Slowly, I made my way to her bed. Mahogany wood was the theme in this packhouse but more so in her room. Her bed matched her vanity and the frame around her mirror. I smirked, Princess had grown up in the lap of luxury.
She deserves nothing less.
I took a seat at the edge of the bed and watched her continue to rifle through supplies. When she had everything she needed, she turned from the mirror and faced me.
Clenching her jaw, she straightened her back and closed the distance between us. She hesitated for a second, only a second, before she placed the supplies beside me on the bed. She took a step toward me, successfully finding a place between my knees. I swallowed at her sudden closeness but she didn’t bat an eye.
I haven’t been this close to anyone, not since…
She didn’t look at me, but with her this close, I got a better look at her. I was close enough to see the curve of her eyelashes and the light dusting of freckles that started just above her cheeks, spreading across her nose.
I watched her slender wrist as she held a cloth. I watched as she dipped it into a metal tin containing a liquid that had a Goddess-forsaken smell.
She focused on my face and I hissed as she pressed it against my cheek, causing a sharp pain. I couldn’t recall even being kicked in the face. She grasped at the back of my head to keep me still. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she pulled me close. My throat went dry as her fingers slipped around my neck and ran through my hair. I didn’t know much about women, but at that moment, I knew I was in trouble.
“You smell of blood. Were you hurt before you came here?” Adealine said, her voice breaking through my thoughts. I scoffed.
“No, I kill for a living.”
Her eyes widened a fraction but she didn’t ask me anymore questions. We sat in comfortable silence as she cleaned up my face. I flinched but didn’t make any more noise as she dabbed, wiped, and turned my head to every angle possible.
“Remove your shirt,” she said nonchalantly.
“What?” I asked. I may or may not have been appalled.
“Remove your shirt,” she repeated.
“Why?” I asked cautiously.
“Because my father hurt you and I need to see it in order to tend to it.”
“No, I—” but I didn’t get to finish my sentence because the moment she registered that I had said no, she flung into action.
I tried to block her to keep her off of me but it didn’t work. She was fast, she grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it up and over my head. When she gave me a stern look, I couldn’t do anything but comply and pull my arms out. She tossed it onto the bed and turned back to me.
Her gaze dropped down the length of my body. She gasped and I lifted my nose into the air. Smugly, I watched her while her gaze roamed down my muscled torso but when the look in her eyes went from admiration to worry, I lowered my gaze. Looking down at myself, I realized what she was looking at. Scars, old scars that hadn’t faded over the last three years. They were still an enraged red color and slightly raised to the touch.
“It isn’t as bad as it looks,” I say. I needed to figure out how I was going to turn her attention away from them. I could see the questions in her eyes but I didn’t want to talk about any of it.
“I tensed my stomach with every kick. It could have been a lot worse. Look at me, there’s barely a scratch. I may or may not have broken a rib but I’ll be fine. It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I shrugged.
“You’ll be fine?” She asked, her voice was oddly quiet. I looked up at her. Her chin trembled, her eyes burned angrily, and her shoulders shook ever so slightly. “You were kicked repeatedly by my father, I know it hurts. There are bruises all over you, and I’m fairly certain your eye will be closed shut in the morning.”
“How would you know? I could just be the strongest man around.”
She didn’t say anything but her eyes dropped to my chest. She dipped the cloth again and pressed it against the scrapes and cuts. I fought the urge to growl as she took care of them.
I’m glad she didn’t ask about my scars.
I don’t want to look weak to her.
Why hadn’t she answered my question?
“How would you know what a kick from the Alpha feels like?” I asked.
“I-I…” she stuttered incoherently before she looked away. I watched as she tried to mask her expression. I didn’t like not being able to look into her eyes while she talked. I reached out for her but she dodged me and went back to vanity.
Shane’s words are a shock to my system. Silence stretches between us, and I don’t know how long we sit there. I watched as he ran his lips against my knuckles before kissing the back of my hand. I can’t keep my eyes off of him, and as I stare at the side of his face, anger bubbles inside of me.What the hell is he thinking?Unlike the night I met him in this life, there’s no hate there. Shane emits love and patience, and if I hadn’t already spent the time that I had with him, I would have thought I was dreaming. His lashes are unfairly curled, his nose sharp, and as he straightens, I sigh as he runs his fingers through his hair. I don’t need memories of my past life to know that’s always been my favorite thing.Shane’s walls have come crumbling down, and now that I’ve got the man I love marked, and in bed with me, I can’t help but wonder why the fuck he’s here. His eyes meet mine and the corner of his lip pulls back until he flashes me with that panty-dropping smirk. Meanwhile, I’m st
Shadow ~ LivingstonCry ~ Benson BooneAdeaSilence. Absolute silence. I couldn’t even hear his breathing. One glance at his chest proved he hadn’t taken a breath since the words left my mouth. I waited for his answer, but his next breath was all I got before he lifted me up. Supporting my weight, he turned and walked to the sectional. With him leaning back, it felt good being in his arms for this conversation.“Of all the things you could ask…”“You said you’d answer anything,” I reminded.“I did.”“But not this?” I asked curiously.“I will. Just… give me a minute.”“Okay,” I breathed.Lowering my gaze, I gave him a second. My fingers danced along his defined abs as I waited. His chest rose and fell and I glanced up as he ran his hand through his hair. My favorite curl rebelliously dropping back into place on his forehead. His jaw ticked, and I wondered if it was that big of a deal for him to appear, what I would call, pissed.“You had come to stay with me. When I heard you were home
AdeaShane’s heat vibrated against mine. He fit perfectly. Everything had been going so well and now it felt like the ground beneath our feet was shaking. My natural instinct was to look at his lips, to reach out for him, to beg him to make it go away like he had in the truck on the way here. But the time for running had past, and this was a hurtle I couldn’t avoid.There was nothing that could make me feel better about this situation. Images of Shane fucking a multitude of faceless, hot, nameless women flashed one after the other through my mind. No one could make me question my self worth, but when it came to him, Goddess, it was impossible to see how I could ever be enough. Beka walking into the space that’s supposed to be mine set flame to the gasoline that lay at our feet. But, of course, instead of making it better, Shane outright admitted he’d been with women. I wanted to laugh. Knowing he’d probably never turned anyone down until today left a bitter taste in my mouth. It didn’
As soon as I came from the high Shane gave me, the anger came flooding back. And the bastard had the audacity to smile. I don’t know how he did it, but he saw everything. Well, I guess if we’d live multiple lives, he’d know everything about me. I didn’t understand why he could remember, while I couldn’t. His smirk turned into a shit-eating grin, pulling at both corners of his mouth, and my stomach flip-flopped. My pussy still spasmed in the aftermath of my orgasm, but Shane dropped his forehead to mine and laughed. I pushed against his chest, but with a twist of the wrist; I moaned and jerked against him. His shirt was soaked, and I spat it out. It was warm and wet where it fell against my thigh.Bastard.“What’s so fucking funny?” I snapped. Quickly, I swiped at the drool on my chin. The two parts of me waged a war; the one that loved him and the one that resented him. One second I was gushing for him and the next I wanted to punch the ass. His shoulders shook as he pulled his fingers
Shane’s eyes held mine and I tracked the movement of his tongue as it slid along his bottom lip. His head dipped as he lowered himself, as if he couldn’t get close enough. And I watched as he ran his hard, flat tongue up my spread lips. I fought the urge to close my eyes and throw my head back. The need to revel in the pleasure Shane gave me was strong, but I couldn’t. His eyes darkened as he closed his mouth and his throat bobbed. And I was thankful I kept my eyes on him. His lashes fluttered as he savored my taste. Shane was more beautiful than the paintings hanging on the wall. He was a work of art and I could stare at him for hours, days, weeks; however long I could.“More,” I demanded.A rumbling sound sent goosebumps down my arms. My lips parted as his mouth opened and his pink tongue darted out. My thighs shook as I watched it flick over my clit. I widened my legs; needy for more, so much more. My fingers curled against his scalp and I pulled on his hair. Willing him to give me
Aphrodite ~ Sam ShortInstinct told me I needed to protect myself. The need to wrap my arms around myself was strong, but Shane was everywhere. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. My hands rested on his chest. He pressed a kiss to my hair, my forehead, my nose. Even as I wanted to escape this wretched feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but burrow closer. My lashes fluttering to a close as he murmured my name. I swallowed the lump in my throat and let my hands fall as he placed me on the table.The sweet happiness that made me so giddy I ran from him was gone. And in its place a small hole. Pettiness, anger, and jealousy clawed at my chest. His shirt had ridden up less than an inch more and I would be on full display. My gaze trailed up the ridges and dips of his abdomen. Beneath the light, I noticed the light markings of scars on the back of his biceps and arms. Muscles turned to broad shoulders, but my gaze locked on my mark.Shane is mine.Always has been.Always