Page 349 of Flirting with Darkness

“Give it to me!” I roar as I unload everything I have into her slick depths. And give it to me she does as she bucks harder with each throb of her sweet center.

Slowly, we both relax from our climax as she leans into my hold with her head on my shoulder as I add a few final strokes while she whimpers into my embrace as she pulsates along my length.

A small chuckle escapes me as I shake my head, brushing her hair away from her sweaty brow line. “So you were dreaming?” I ask.

Looking up at me with a wide doe-eyed stare, my heart melts knowing this wonderful woman is far better than a monster like me deserves. Still, Rae smiles her usual shy smile, abandoning the desire-fueled woman who just rode me like her life depended on it.

Tears fill her eyes, and my heart thumps, fearful she regrets all we’ve become to one another in such a short time.

I can’t lose her.

A lone tear falls to her cheek, and I quickly wipe it from her face. The last thing I want to see in her eyes is sadness.

“Rae, please tell me what’s wrong? Tell me what I can do to make it right.” My words rush out as I feel her wiggle in my grip. I don’t want to let her go, but I will not keep her against her will either.

“It’s just—ugh!” she frowns as more tears run down to her face and I cup her chin, intent to keep her focus on me.

I’m not sure if I am prepared to hear what she has to say—especially if she’s changed her mind about us—especially so fast, but I know better than to drag this out. “It’s okay, Rae, just tell me.”

“Well you’re right Kharon. I was dreaming. In fact, I thought this was all a dream. I dreamt I came here to see you after the cotillion. In my dreams you told me how you only did what you did to protect your sister. And after talking more, I understood everything. But then—then I dreamed you and I—that we,” pausing, Rae looks up at me for a moment with a bashful glance, her cheeks blushing red.

“Made love?” I answer for her with a smile, tracing the outline of her luscious lips with my finger.

“I thought it was all a dream. And then I woke up and we were doing everything I’ve dreamed about for years—I couldn’t believe it was real—that this is real.”

“Oh baby, this is all real. In fact, this is all I ever wanted. With you.Only you.”

15

RAE

Gazing into Kharon’s steely stare, my heart is overwhelmed with an influx of feelings. As he tugs me tighter in his hold, I realize I’ve never felt so free, safe, and loved before.

Never did I think our moment would ever really come to fruition.

Frankly, I thought he’d be the man of my dreams forever but my reality never. Yet, here I am with my legs wrapped around his waist, hands hung over his back, and staring eye-to-eye with the man I’d longed for despite every inclination to the contrary.

As messed up as everything is, I can say I’ve never been happier than I am right now.

Sure, I know my family has yet to know how I feel for Kharon and he for me, but in this moment, I could care less about who approves of what we have. I’m content staying in this position for the duration of my days…and nights.

“Only me, huh?” I smile, forcing away any impending clouds of doubt shading my view of the perfectness of us.

Kharon’s jaw tightens and his eyes narrow as he regards me. I know I am not as subtle as I’d hoped.

“I’m sorry, Rae.” Kharon’s voice is heavier than it’s been since I’ve been with him, and I can tell he’s serious. Opening my mouth to reply, he doesn’t give me an opportunity to protest. “I don’t care if I have to apologize a thousand times, but please forgive me for my pursuit of Winter. I understand how much that hurt you. But letting you believe I wasn’t interested in you surely hurts more.”

Hearing Kharon’s admission makes me want to cry. For as much as I wanted to fast forward past this pain, I know this is necessary. “It’s okay, Kharon,” I mutter, brushing my hair behind my ear, twirling my curls between my fingers. A very normal nervous response for me.

“No, Rae, it’s not. I will not ask you to act as if it is. And while I know you understand the reasons why I did what I did that doesn’t change or take away the pain of it. For that, I am sorry. Please know I’ll make it my life’s pursuit from this moment forward to ensure you never feel like that ever again. On my soul I swear it if it be your will.”

Holding my hand tight against his heart, the look in Kharon’s eyes tells me I could end him with my next words. But I could never find a cause for ill toward his life. Ever. “I only want both your soul and your heart to be happy. That is all I ever wanted. If I thought you’d have that with my cousin, I would want for nothing but your happiness.”

“Your beautiful heart is better than a wretch like me deserves, Rae Vereen. But I promise you I’ll do all I can to make myself worthy of your loving and forgiving heart. I love you.”

“I love you, Kharon,” I cry, crushing my mouth to his and it’s the best feeling in the world.

Wrapping his bulking arms around my tiny frame, the serenity I feel in his embrace is better than I could ever imagine. I always knew it could be like this for us, but nothing compares to this moment right now. How one who steers souls to Hades itself can make me feel like I’m in heaven, I’ll never quite understand. All I know is I’ll do whatever I must to ensure I feel like this forever.

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