Page 20 of All Hallows' Maze
Vera
I didn’t dream.I’d been so tired and exhausted that I fell into a cozy darkness that pleasantly suffocated me. It was the immense pleasure that encompassing darkness brought me that drew me awake. Warmth flooded my body and my hands found Dakota’s hair immediately.
“Right there,” I cried out, but his mouth left my aching pussy as he kissed up my body.
“I love you,” he whispered into my neck. I wrapped my legs around his waist. “You’re so beautiful.” He kissed across my cheek and over my nose, holding my face in his hands.
His movements were slow and gentle, an effort I appreciated given today’s soreness. He kept my eyes locked with his. Falling in love with Dakota was one thing but being loved by him felt like standing in a blaze. Everywhere he touched or kissed lit up. My hazy morning view tilted until I faced the clock.
I was on my stomach, and he pulled me onto my knees. His grip on my hips was soft and firm. I wasn’t convinced this was my reality.
“Don’t move,” he ordered. I straightened, curious for what was to come given the opening drawer and faint metallic chimes. Light fingers brushed hair from my neck before something wrapped around it. I reached up and met smooth leather.
“My pretty pet,” he whispered, taking me deep again. “You are mine, in every sense of the word. I want nothing else, no one else, Veradis.”
His nails scraped down my spine, the faintest brush of pain to push me toward the edge. It was the back and forth of sensations that drove me mad. My fingers dug into the sheets, and I shut my eyes tight, determined to hold back and enjoy him a moment longer.
“Together.” His voice was a command I couldn’t disobey as I gave in to that tightening deep within me. “Yes, yes, yes,” he whined, wrapping me in his arms and keeping us entwined. He was heavy and sweaty, but I didn’t care. His weight was a comfort and a promise of his presence.
“How long have you had this?” I asked as he turned onto his side and pulled me with him.
“March. I’m sorry I took so long,” he whispered, kissing across my shoulder and nuzzling into the nape of my neck. “I’ve loved you for far longer, sweet girl.”
I turned to face him, swinging my leg over his waist. We’d always fit together so perfectly. My fingers traced over the leather and stopped at the cool metal charm. His fingers slid up my side as I traced the side of his face and pulled him to me. Each kiss punctuated a statement—a promise.
“It has a bunny on it,” he tried to slip in between kisses. “And a purple inner layer.” I felt his grin against my mouth.
“Shut up and kiss me, Dakota.” He only laughed in response before fulfilling my wish.
* * *
The slamof his front door followed us down the walkway. My phone went into a frenzy with calls and texts when I turned it back on. Dozens of notifications came in from Aimee and Sienna demanding details.
“Are you going to answer those?” he asked with a cheeky smirk as he peered over my shoulder.
“Not yet,” I said, taking a deep breath and pocketing my phone.
“It’s just the girls though, right?” We walked by his driveway and the large hedge that divided our properties.
“Yeah, but last night they wouldn’t stop asking where I was and what we were doing so I told them I planned on spending the night with you. I turned my phone off after that.” I smiled sheepishly, knowing I’d caused them to jump to conclusion and think something scandalous had occurred—and they weren’t wrong. My cheeks warmed and his cool finger brushed over one.
“I’d imagine that would cause quite the stir. Are you planning to tell them aboutus?” I let his question linger between us as I thought it over.
“Not yet?” I didn’t sound sure of my wants. “Is that bad? I don’t know, I just want to enjoy it right now. I don’t want the questions and interrogation.” I looked up and he watched in front of us; his side-profile was stunning.
“Quite understandable. You tell me when and where; until then my lips are sealed.” The corner of his mouth tipped up and his eyes shot down at me.
“That doesn’t upset you?”
“Let me level with you. I have it on good authority that it won’t come as a shock.” His hands slid into his pockets as we approached my walkway.
“How do you mean?” We stopped short of the porch, and he turned to me.
“The only shock will be that it finally happened, not that it did. I mean, we were all but officially dating already.” He looked me over quickly, stopping at my throat with a smirk. “The collar might be a dead giveaway.” I reached up to take it off, but he grabbed my wrist. “Don’t you dare take it off for that alone. Give it a few days, enjoy our moment, and then rip it off like a bandage. The news, not this,” he clarified, tracing a finger down my neck and over the leather.
“Okay, deal,” I said, laughing at his reaction. His grip on my wrist lessened and he cradled my hand instead to kiss my knuckles. “Sleepovers still on the table?”
He peeked from under his lashes, and I felt his grin against my hand. “On the bed and rated R, pet.”
