Page 55 of Chaos Carnival

I reached out with one hand, lightly tracing the curve of her thigh, my touch feather-light. I leaned in, my breath warmagainst her ear, and whispered, “I'm here, baby.” My heart raced as I traced my fingers over her skin. She stirred beneath me, her hips arching, and I took that as a sign.

Pulling her leggings down over the swell of her ass, I peeled them all the way off and threw them on the floor. On my knees behind her, I unzipped my jeans and freed my cock with a low growl, stopping to stroke myself a few times.

Slipping between her legs, I teased her core with my fingers, playing with her clit. Her moans filled the room and encouraged me to keep going. I wanted to bury myself inside her, to feel her tight heat envelop me, but I held back, not wanting to wake her too soon.

Her hips bucked, and I growled in response, my control slipping as I circled her clit, applying just the right amount of pressure. “That's it, baby. Let me hear you.” She was so wet now, her arousal coating my fingers as I explored her. She pushed her ass against me, and I couldn't resist any longer.

With a deep, shuddering breath, I slid my length inside Tess, her wetness enveloping me in a warm embrace. The sensation was heavenly, the softness and heat of her core gripping me tightly. I was torn between the need to plunge into her with fervor and the desire to savor this stolen moment. The intoxicating scent of her arousal and the way she unconsciously stretched her neck spurred me on.

“You're mine,” I murmured, my voice thick with need, “and I'll always take care of you.” I started to move, my hips rolling in a slow, deliberate rhythm, each stroke a silent claim as I whispered sweet, dark promises. “Just remember, when you're begging for me to make you come, it's because I own every inch of this perfect, little body.”

What if this didn't work? What if I was making things worse? But I couldn't let those thoughts consume me. I had to trust my instincts. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. Myfingers brushed her skin, leaving a hum of power vibrating in my veins.

As I moved, her body responded, muscles tightening around me. It was a small sign of life, a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, this would be enough to bring her back to me. I kissed her neck, my lips trailing down to her shoulder.

All I could think about was Tess. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, the way her lips curved into a smile, the way her body moved with mine. I wanted to bring her back to me, to see her eyes open and look at me with love and recognition, and even frustration. I wanted to feel her heart beating against mine, to hear her laughter fill the air once more.

My hand slid in front of Tess, my fingers dancing around her clit. I knew just how to play her body, how to coax out those delicious sounds of pleasure out of her.

As I continued my exploration, I leaned down to kiss her neck, my teeth grazing her soft skin. Her body began to respond more, her breath quickening, her muscles tightening around me. It was a slow, gradual change, but it was enough to give me hope. With a flick of my finger and a gentle pinch, I watched with satisfaction as her eyes fluttered open, revealing the passionate storm I'd been stirring within.

As I thrust deeper, her eyes flickered open, unfocused at first, but gradually clearing. She looked up at me, a hint of confusion, then recognition, and finally, a soft smile. “Maverick,” she whispered, her voice husky with sleep and desire.

I smiled back, relief washing over me. “Hey, baby. I'm here.” I slowed my movements, letting her catch up. I continued to move inside her, my heart pounding in my chest, my desire building with each passing moment.

Her eyes were hazy with sleep, and she looked up at me with drowsy desire. My heart stuttered at the sight. I hadn't expected her to wake up quite so receptive.

“Mmm,” she moaned, her voice thick with sleep, “I'm dreaming of an angel.” Her hips began to move with mine, matching my rhythm. I smiled down at her, my features softening despite the misery.

“You're not dreaming, love,” I murmured, trying to make my voice a sweet caress. “But I'll be whatever you need me to be.” With a gentle bite to her earlobe, I quickened my pace, bracing myself against the bed as I rocked into her with more force. Her breath hitched, her eyes glazing over as she succumbed to the pleasure, and I knew I had her exactly where I wanted her.

Her muscles relaxed, and her breathing slowed, beginning to let go of the tension that had been building. My own release was secondary to her needs, but I couldn't help the way my body responded to hers.

The moment she started to come undone, her eyes squeezed shut and her nails dug into the bed as she gasped.

“Maverick!” Her walls clenched around me, and I groaned, unable to resist the temptation any longer. I buried myself deep inside her, letting go of my own climax with a growl of possession.

As we both came down from the high, I kissed her softly, my tongue tracing the line of her jaw as I pulled out. I pulled her close, our bodies still trembling from the intensity of our union, and we lay there, entwined in the aftermath of passion, the room echoing with the promise of forever.

And with that, I felt like everything would be okay. I had brought her back to me, and we could face whatever challenges lay ahead together. Her skin against mine, her steady heartbeat echoing my own, reminded me of how close I'd come to losing her. Never again.

No matter what happened, I would do anything to keep her safe. This fierce, ravishing witch had captured my heartcompletely, and for the first time in my immortal life, I understood what it meant to belong to someone.

Chapter 25: Between Threads

Tess

Thepastdayfeltlike a fever dream—thread-weaving, Lilith's intervention, my descent into hallucinations, but Maverick's heartbeat anchored me and now the fog in my mind slowly began to clear. His arms were wrapped around me, one hand trailing lazily on my bare skin, as if trying to mark me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could think in complete sentences, though dread pulled at my consciousness.

The threads were still there, shimmering through my vision like predators waiting to strike, but they no longer seemed quite so overwhelming. Like they'd settled into place somehow, become part of the background noise.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice hoarse and small. Fragments of memories floated through my mind, each one more terrifying than the last. Restaurant hallways that stretched into infinity, writhing snakes made of screams, Lilith's face split in three, reality cracking open like an egg to reveal horrors beneath. None of it made sense, and part of me didn't want it to.

Maverick's hand stilled on my back, his touch both comforting and commanding. “What do you remember?”

“Everything. And nothing. It's all jumbled up.” I pressed closer to him, seeking his warmth like a shield against the chaos in my mind. “I remember trying to show you the strands, and then...” I shuddered, remembering their hungry pull. “They weren't gentle this time. They wanted something.”

“They wanted in,” he lamented, echoing my words from the restaurant, his voice carrying a harrowing edge. “And they got in.”

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