Page 78 of Veil of Ashes

Kieran’s fingers press against me, warm and sure, tracing slow circles that send heat curling through my core. I rock into his touch, my thighs trembling where they straddle his hips, gravel biting into my knees. His breath fans hot against my cheek, ragged but alive, and I lean into him, lips brushing his ear, tasting the salt of his skin.

“You’re everything,” I say, voice low, steady despite the ache building inside me, “every scar, every breath—I want it all.”

He groans, a rough sound that vibrates against my chest, and his good hand slides up my back, pulling me closer. His fingers tangle in my hair, tugging just enough to tilt my head, and he kisses me deep, tongue sweeping mine, hungry and tender all at once. My hands roam his chest, careful of the bandages, tracing the firm lines of muscle beneath his bruises, feeling his heart thud under my palms.

I shift, easing his briefs lower, gravel crunching as I free him fully. His cock stands hard between us, thick and flushed, veins pulsing under the skin, the tip glistening with precum. I wrap my fingers around him, stroking slow, savoring the way he twitches in my grip, the way his breath catches sharp and quick.

“Sylvara,” he says, voice scraped raw, eyes locked on mine, “you don’t know what you do to me.”

“I think I do,” I reply, smiling soft, kissing the corner of his mouth, “and I’m not stopping.”

His laugh breaks into a groan as I stroke him again, firmer now, my thumb brushing over the slick tip. He leans back against the wall, the rooftop’s edge rough behind him, and I follow, pressing my chest to his, nipples grazing his skin, sending sparks down my spine.

I ease back, standing just long enough to kick my boots off, jeans and panties already shed in a pile nearby. My skin prickles, bare under the open sky, and I climb back over him, thighs parting wide, knees settling on either side of his hips. He watches me, eyes dark and open, his good hand resting light on my thigh, thumb tracing small, soothing patterns.

“Take your time,” he says, voice gentle, “I’m not going anywhere.”

I nod, leaning down to kiss him again, lips soft and lingering, tasting the promise in his words. My hand guides his between my legs, pressing his fingers deeper, and he moves with me, rubbing slow, steady, until wetness coats his skin, dripping warm down my thighs. Pleasure builds, a quiet hum turning sharp, and I moan, soft and open, into his mouth.

“Feel me,” I whisper, rocking harder, “feel how much I need you.”

He curses, low and rough, and his fingers press firmer, finding my clit, stroking until my breath hitches, ragged and loud. My hands grip his shoulders, nails digging faint crescents into his skin, careful of the injured side, and I shift, lining him up beneath me. His cock brushes my entrance, hot and hard, and I pause, meeting his gaze, letting the moment stretch.

“I love you,” I say again, raw and true, “this is us—right here, right now.”

His eyes soften, fierce and unguarded, and he pulls me into a kiss, deep and searing. “I love you too,” he breathes, lips brushing mine, “always will.”

I lower myself, slow and careful, his cock sliding in, stretching me inch by inch. He fills me, thick and solid, and I gasp, walls clenching tight around him, wetness easing the way. His good hand grips my hip, steadying me, and I settle fully, thighs trembling, his heat sinking deep into my core.

“Goddamn,” he mutters, head tipping back, throat bobbing as he swallows hard, “you’re perfect.”

I laugh, soft and shaky, and start to move, rolling my hips gentle, mindful of his ribs. The friction sparks, steady and warm, and I lean forward, chest brushing his, nipples scraping his skin, pleasure coiling tighter. His hand slides to my back, urging me closer, and I kiss him, tongues tangling, breaths mingling hot and fast.

“You’re alive,” I say between kisses, voice breaking, “that’s all I need—you, alive with me.”

He groans, hand tightening on my hip, guiding my rhythm, slow but deep. “I’m here,” he says, rough and sure, “not leaving you, Sylvara—never.”

The words sink into me, a peace I feel in my bones, and the heat flares brighter, urging me on. I move faster, hips rocking, his cock hitting deep, pleasure blooming sharp and sweet. My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging light, and he matches me, thrusting up careful, his breath hitching with every move, pain and want mixing in his eyes.

“More,” I whisper, voice firm, leaning back, hands bracing on his thighs, “give me more.”

He shifts, good hand sliding between us, fingers finding my clit again, rubbing steady circles. The sensation spikes, bright and wild, and I moan, loud and free, the sound carrying over the rooftop, lost in the city below. My walls flutter around him, slickness dripping warm, coating him, and he groans, low and deep, hips bucking to meet me.

“You’re mine,” he says, voice scraped raw, eyes burning into mine, “and I’m yours—nothing changes that.”

I nod, breathless, leaning down to kiss him hard, teeth grazing his lip, tasting the truth in his words. My pace quickens, hips slamming down, pleasure cresting fast, and he moves with me, thrusts shallow but strong, his hand relentless between my legs. The rooftop fades, the world shrinking to just us, skin on skin, hearts pounding in sync.

“I’m close,” I gasp, voice breaking, thighs trembling hard, “Kieran—”

“Come for me,” he says, firm and tender, fingers pressing harder, “let me feel you.”

The words tip me over, pleasure crashing through me, raw and blinding. My walls clamp tight around him, cum spilling warm, soaking his cock, dripping down my thighs, pooling on the gravel beneath us. I cry out, hoarse and wild, head thrown back, and he pulls me close, lips finding mine, swallowing the sound.

He thrusts once, twice, then groans deep, his cock pulsing inside me, cum shooting hot and thick, filling me, spilling out around him. His good arm wraps around my back, holding me tight, and we ride it out together, breaths ragged, bodies trembling, locked in this perfect, messy moment.

I slump against him, forehead resting on his shoulder, his heartbeat thumping steady under my cheek. His hand strokes my back, gentle now, tracing lazy lines over my skin, and I feel him soften inside me, cum leaking warm down my legs, grounding us here, together.

“You’re my peace,” I say, voice low, lifting my head to meet his gaze, “after everything—this is it.”

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