Page 204 of Moonlit Fate

She turned to me suddenly, her voice firm. “I’d like to wash. Try out this shower. I feel... dirty.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, concern lining my words. She’d been through a hell of a lot in a short time.

“Absolutely.” Aria reached out, fingers sliding across the metal handle, twisting it until water cascaded from the rainfall showerhead above. She started peeling off her clothes, each layer dropped to the stone floor like shed skin. “I don’t know what tomorrow brings. All we have is right now.”

I watched, mute, as she stood there bare and vulnerable yet so resolved. “Aria?—”

“I love you,” she cut in. Water enveloped her, streaming down her body, and with it, something inside me gave way.

I ripped my clothes off, not feeling in the least like being soft or gentle like last time. This wasn’t the time for endearing murmurs or little kisses. I yanked Aria against me, and our lips crashed together, hungry and desperate. I lost myself in her taste—the tangy sweetness of her mouth as she opened to me. Her fingers raked through my hair, digging into my scalp as if she needed this connection as much as I did. We stood like that for a moment, bodies touching, hearts racing.

Gripping her waist, I pulled her flush against me, feeling every curve of her softened form against my harder muscle. She moaned into the kiss, a high-pitched whimper that went straightto my core. I broke away for air and whispered against her wet cheek, “I want you.”

Her eyes burned with desire as I reached down to cup her pussy. She was already wet from her desire. I smirked appreciatively before lifting her up and pressing her against the wall. She let out a gasp of surprise but didn’t protest as my rock-hard length slid against her slick entrance, teasing both of us, begging for entry.

My hunger for her only grew as I felt her wet heat against me, and I let out a guttural groan. Aria’s eyes fluttered shut, her mouth parting in anticipation. With one strong thrust, I pushed inside of her, the slick walls of her core gripping me tightly. She let out a moan that vibrated through my bones, and I leaned in to capture her lips with mine once more, our tongues dancing as we began to move together in sync. Her nails dug into my shoulders, drawing small lines of pain that only added to the intensity of the pleasure spreading throughout my body.

Her body felt so damn good against me; it was like melting into the perfect fit it had been made just for me. The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed off the tile walls of the bathroom, mixing with our heavy breathing and occasional gasps of pleasure. My hips pumped faster, desperate for release as I watched my cock disappear and reappear inside her with each thrust. Her breasts swayed enticingly with every movement, nipples hard against my chest.

As we moved faster and faster, lost in each other’s embrace, I could feel myself getting closer to the brink. Growling lowly against her neck, I said, “Come with me, baby.” I groaned, pushing myself deeper into her incredible body, the tension and warmth coiling around me as I plunged in and out. Aria’s moans were music to my ears, her hips rising to meet each of my thrusts with a shiver of desire.

Her scent filled my nostrils, driving me wild—a mix of soap, shampoo, and the unique essence that was all Aria. Her skin was slick with sweat and water, her breath coming in pants as she arched her back, offering herself up to me completely. I couldn’t help but nip at her neck, leaving a trail of kisses down to her collarbone as she grew more and more responsive beneath me.

My arm began to heat, the telling call of my father. He could wait, I decided. This time, what little we had left was for us. I wanted to ensure she’d had her release.

Our bodies were one now, our hearts beating together in a frantic dance of lust and need. Her inner walls clenched tighter around me, pulling me closer still. It was intoxicating. When I found one of her nipples again between our ferocious kisses, I sucked gently even as my hips pistoned relentlessly inside of her. She tasted like heaven on my tongue. Every moan that trembled through her body sent shockwaves straight to my core.

I watched intently as Aria trembled, her eyes squeezed tightly shut, her lips parted in a silent scream of pleasure. Her nails dug into my shoulders harder, her hips bucking against mine in rhythm. Every time she exhaled, a cloud of warmth brushed against my neck.

My own release was imminent, the pressure building inside me unbearable. I groaned against her neck, thrusting deeper into that incredible heat one last time. With a growl of satisfaction, my seed poured into her in hot waves, filling her up completely. Our bodies locked together, moving slowly now as we both rode out the aftershocks of our passion.

Suddenly, my arm began to burn like fire. “Not now,” I whispered as Aria threw her hair back and looked at me in surprise.

“What’s wrong?” Aria asked as she twined her arms around my neck.

“My father is summoning me,” I said through gritted teeth. “I have to go to him, but I can’t leave you here alone. I’ll shadow walk you home. Now.”

Aria nodded, quickly gathering her strength as she felt the urgency in my voice. I crashed my lips against hers in one last searing kiss, then pulled out of her and gently set her down. As I turned off the water, she stepped out of the glass enclosure and quickly dried off.

“Do you know what he wants?” she asked once she was dressed and tying her boots.

The burning sensation on my arm didn’t fade, signaling the importance of the call. “It’s urgent, but I don’t know why yet,” I responded, struggling to keep my voice calm.

My mind raced ahead, wondering if Valora was behind Caius’s insistence of my presence. The tattoos he’d placed on my arm constricted tighter, my fingers tingled becoming increasingly numb, and I fumbled to button my shirt.

Aria’s touch was gentle yet firm as she reached over, her hands gliding over my shirt. I leaned into her, burying my nose in her hair, the tension in my shoulders easing ever so slightly.

She lifted her chin. Her silver translucent eyes held a depth of perception, offering understanding without judgment, silently acknowledging the invisible threat that loomed above us. With a calm determination, she deftly buttoned the shirt. Her touch was light, but it sent a jolt of warmth through me, briefly chasing away the threat. The connection between us was a stabilizing force.

I took her hand, our fingers twining together. Pulling her close, I manipulated the shadows and whisked her back to the safety of the den. I pressed my lips firmly against hers, savoring the taste of her.

“When will I see you again?” she asked against my lips.

“As soon as I can, little wolf. I love you,” I said.

With that, I turned around and let the shadows take me back to Crimson Fang manor. I staggered into the dimly lit room, the pain in my arm now a living thing, clawing its way up to my neck. The ink felt like it was branding me from the inside out. My father’s silhouette loomed ahead, his aura as cold and unforgiving as the stone walls surrounding us. I didn’t need to see Valora to know. His face told the story before his lips moved.

“You disappoint me,” Caius said, delivering a sharp backhand to my face. Blood slowly dripped from my nose as I defiantly remained on my feet.

---