Page 16 of Raven's Claw
Not that she’d ever trusted it before.There’d been no place in her life for doubt.Both Scythe and Rook had made that brutally clear.That she belonged to them, and any complications would be met with extreme consequences.But here, now, she didn’t want any part of her past intruding on the present.Didn’t want anything between them.
He froze, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard her reply.Then, he moved.Slid one hand under her ass, then thrust inside.She wasn’t sure if it was his size, the force or just the sheer magnitude of the moment that stole her breath — tipped her head back.The muscles in her neck straining as she tried to suck in some air.
Kash shoved his other hand under her head, held it up as he claimed her mouth.Kissing and moaning as he set up a punishing rhythm.Every stroke pushing her higher.Binding them together in a way she feared she’d never undo.That future he’d wanted on the table.
She clung to him, clawing at his back as she wrapped her legs around his hips.Anything to get him closer.Have more of his skin touching hers.
Kash was obviously on board, using that one hand to lift her hips more fully against his.Change the angle a bit.Somehow allow him to go even deeper.
She bit at his shoulder, needing something to stop her from screaming his name.Begging him for more.For the life he’d painted with those few words.
“Damn.Jordan.I can’t…”
His voice was raw.Desperate.And the mere sound of it crushed the last of her defenses.Had her chanting his name.Arching into every thrust.
He shifted his hips — hit that sweet spot.
Everything exploded.
Her head.Her heart.
Shattering outward until there was nothing left but his body strung tight above her.His mouth latched on her shoulder.
He managed a few more jerking strokes, then he collapsed on top of her.Chest heaving.His breath rasping in her ear.
She clung to him, body shaking.Lungs barely working.Nothing left of the walls she’d spent a lifetime building.She’d never reacted like this — given so much of herself — and she wasn’t sure whether to scream or cry.Maybe see if he was up for another round because once had barely eased the need still burning beneath her skin.
Kash pushed onto his elbows, any tension from earlier no longer straining his muscles.He smiled, then dipped down for a soul-searing kiss.It was soft.Coaxing.And her heart damn near burst, pounding against her ribs as if trying to break free — to join his.
He shifted so he could brush one hand along her cheek.“Damn…”
She laughed, praying her voice didn’t crack when she tried to speak.“At least, you’re consistent.”
“I’d say it was amazing or mind-blowing, but those don’t even come close.”He glanced at their position, shaking his head as his shoulders drooped.“Unlike my choice of venue.But the bed seemed too far away.”
“You don’t hear me complaining, do you?”She ran her hand along his shoulder then down his chest.“But if you’d like to try, again…”
His eyes rounded, then he moved.Practically fell off the side of the ottoman before scrambling to his feet, scooping her off the top.He headed for the back, took the hallway near the far-right wall and continued all the way to the end.She wasn’t sure what the other doors hid — bedrooms or bathrooms.Maybe some kind of battle-ready weapons arsenal.Didn’t care when he stopped in the middle of the master and gently placed her on her feet.
He cupped her jaw — kissed her.
It was just as intense as before.Maybe more so now that they’d gotten a taste of how it could be.An explosive mix of lust and something she wouldn’t label.Something far more dangerous than the men she knew lurked in the shadows, waiting.Maybe not here, but the threat lingered in the background like a hum she couldn’t turn off.
Kash tilted his head to the side, frowning.“Are you okay?Because some of the color just drained from your face.”
She smiled, pushing the riotous thoughts aside.There was time to worry about Rook later.To agonize over the decisions she knew would eventually break her.But not here — not now.This was her time.Her one chance at being human.And she wasn’t going to waste a second of it.“Probably still chilled from the ride.”
His lips pursed, and she knew he didn’t believe her.But he didn’t push.Instead, he took her hand — led her into the adjoining bathroom.“Sounds like another quick shower might help.”
Kash had the water warming and two towels on the counter a few heartbeats later.She leaned against the counter, savoring the play of his muscles beneath his skin.How the thick bands created dips and shadows along his chest and abdomen.
He turned.Smiled.“Trust me, the view’s much better from where I’m standing.”
“I find that hard to believe because… damn.”
He laughed, the sound light and easy.“Teasing me already.”
He closed the scant distance between them, running his hand along her skin.He looked down, sighing at the obvious scattering of scars across her body, the ones from the compound still pink.
