Page 38 of Veil of Ashes

“Thank you,” I rasp, voice rough from sleep and fear. The cap twists off with a faint crack, and I gulp the water down, cold and sharp against my throat. It steadies me, but not enough.

He shifts closer.

“You’re okay,” he says, voice low and firm, cutting through the haze in my head. My shaking doesn’t stop, hands jittering as I lower the bottle.

He shifts closer, the mattress dipping as he slides beside me. His arms encircle me, drawing me into the solid warmth of his body. My cheek presses against his bare chest, his skin fever-hot beneath my touch, his heartbeat a steady drum under my ear. I curl into him, seeking shelter in the curve of his frame.

The fear still gnaws at me—flashes of those glowing eyes in the alley, the slap of my shoes on wet pavement, the endless running. But his embrace grounds me, a tether against the chaos in my mind. My breath hitches, ragged and uneven, as I sink deeper into him. My fingers graze his sides, tracing the ridges of muscle, the faint scars that mark his skin like a map of battles I’ll never fully know.

He holds me tighter, his breath warm against my temple, stirring the damp strands of my hair. The room is quiet except for the faint creak of the bedframe and the distant hum of the city beyond the window.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his voice low, the words carrying a weight that feels like a vow. A cold draft slips through the cracked window, brushing my spine, but his heat chases it away, wrapping me in a cocoon of safety.

My trembling begins to fade, each shudder softening as I breathe him in. He smells of leather, of sweat, of the faint, clean bite of soap clinging to his skin. The panic recedes, giving way to something new—a restless heat that coils low in my stomach, tentative but undeniable.

His hands settle on my back, broad palms pressing gently through the thin cotton of my tank top. His fingers move in slow, deliberate circles, each touch sparking against my nerves, pulling me further from the nightmare’s grip. I feel him everywhere—his warmth, his strength, the quiet intensity of his presence.

I tilt my head, just enough to meet his gaze. His face is close, his eyes dark and searching, holding mine with a patience that feels like it could unravel me. My hands slide upward, finding his shoulders, fingers curling over the taut muscle beneath his skin. He’s real, solid, a barrier against the ghosts that chase me through my dreams.

My breath steadies, aligning with the rise and fall of his chest. I notice everything—the faint sheen of sweat on his collarbone, the way his skin feels under my palms, the subtle shift of his body as he adjusts to keep me close. He’s a wall, unyielding yet tender, standing between me and the darkness.

“I was so scared,” I whisper, my voice fragile, teetering on the edge of breaking. The admission feels like shedding armor, leaving me raw before him.

His hand moves to my hair, fingers threading through the strands with a gentleness that contrasts the strength in his grip. “I know,” he says, his voice steady, not probing, just acknowledging the truth like he’s seen it etched into me before. “You’re safe now. I’m here.” His words wrap around me, warm and firm, banishing the chill that lingers in my bones.

I press closer, my forehead resting against the hollow of his collarbone. My hands tighten on his arms, needing the anchor of his touch. The fear unravels, thread by thread, as something else takes its place—a quiet desire, flickering where his fingers graze my skin, where my body presses against his. I didn’t seek this, didn’t expect it, but it’s here, alive and growing.

I lift my head again, meeting his eyes. His gaze is deep, shadowed with understanding, reflecting the same want that’s stirring in me. My hands rise to frame his face, thumbs brushing the rough stubble along his jaw. The air between us thickens, charged with unspoken need.

The room shrinks, the world narrowing to just us—his warmth, my hunger, the way he holds me like I’m the only thing that matters. I lean in, slow but certain, my lips hovering near his, close enough to feel the heat of his breath.

Our breaths mingle, warm and unsteady, and I close the distance. My lips meet his, soft at first, testing, then firmer, surrendering to the pull I’ve resisted too long. His mouth opens to mine, hot and inviting, tasting of salt and something raw, something that feels like him.

The kiss deepens, and I press closer, my tongue sliding against his, exploring with a hunger I can’t name. His arms tighten, pulling me flush against his chest. My tank top grazes his skin, and I feel my nipples harden, pressing through the fabric, aching for more.

A low groan rumbles in his throat, vibrating against my lips. His hands slide down, fingers digging into my hips, grounding me as the world tilts. I shift, straddling his lap, my thighs bracketing his hips, the heat of him radiating through the thin layers between us.

I break the kiss, breathless, and tug my tank top over my head, tossing it to the floor. The cool air kisses my bare skin, my breasts heavy and exposed under his gaze. His eyes darken, wild and reverent, tracing every curve like he’s committing me to memory.

His lips find my neck, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin. His teeth graze, then bite lightly, sending a jolt of heat straight through me. I moan, loud and unfiltered, my hands tangling in his hair, urging him closer. The sensation pulses, sharp and electric, spreading through my core.

I push him back, and he falls to the mattress with a soft grunt, his eyes never leaving mine. I climb over him, knees sinking into the bed, my body hovering just above his. The tension between us crackles, a live wire ready to spark.

My hands move to his jeans, fingers fumbling with the button, then the zipper. I tug them down, impatient, and he lifts his hips to help. His cock springs free, thick and hard, the sight sending a fresh wave of heat through me. I pause, just for a moment, letting my eyes linger, letting the want build.

I shimmy out of my shorts, kicking them aside. My skin prickles with anticipation, my pussy already slick, the evidence of my desire glistening on my thighs. I straddle him again, bare skin meeting bare skin, the heat of him searing against me.

His hands find my ass, gripping firmly, spreading me as his cock nudges my entrance, hot and insistent. I lower myself, slow, savoring the stretch as his tip pushes past my folds. My breath catches, a sharp gasp escaping as I sink down, taking him in, inch by thick inch.

He fills me completely, his cock stretching my pussy, the sensation overwhelming yet perfect. I brace my hands on his chest, nails digging into his skin as I adjust, my body trembling with the intensity of it. His eyes lock on mine, fierce and unguarded, watching every shift in my expression.

He thrusts up, slow at first, his balls brushing against me with a soft, wet sound. I moan, rocking my hips, finding a rhythm that sends sparks through my veins. His hands slide to my thighs, guiding me, urging me faster, deeper.

“Fuck, Sylvara,” he growls, his voice rough, frayed with need. His lips crash to mine, the kiss messy and desperate, all teeth and tongue. I suck on his lower lip, tasting him, losing myself in the heat of it.

I grind down, my clit rubbing against his pelvis, each movement sending jolts of pleasure through me. His cock pulses inside, hitting every sensitive spot, slick with my arousal. I clench around him, tight and needy, my body begging for more.

His hands roam, cupping my breasts, thumbs brushing my nipples. The touch is electric, and I cry out, arching into his palms. He pinches lightly, the sting blending with pleasure, making my head spin. My hips move faster, chasing the edge.

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