Page 115 of Rescued By the Beast
I swallow hard before asking what I need to know.
"What did she charge? Ted... what did he pay for this?"
Sandra's shoulders shake, and another tear rolls down her cheek.
"He had nothing to offer. Not without hurting himself irreversibly. So... I paid." Her lips curve into a tremulous smile, a cruel contrast to the weight of what she has just said. "I paid with some of my extra lives to keep you alive. And I would do it again, Mark. If I had to."
The ground disappears beneath my feet. My chest tightens in a way I've never felt before, as if invisible claws are tearing me apart from the inside. My knees buckle, hitting the floor with a thud, but the physical pain is nothing compared to what consumes me inside.
My head lolls forward, and I bury my face in the belly of my female, my fated mate, the one I should protect at all costs.
"No..." The word comes out hoarse, broken, a lament, a plea, a curse against myself.
My arms wrap around her waist, my fingers digging into her skin as if, by holding her, I could undo what has been done.
But it's too late. The sacrifice has already been made.
She gave for me what I should never have allowed to be taken.
My entire body bows before her, in reverence, in guilt, in a plea for forgiveness that I may never be worthy of receiving.
"I don't deserve you."
She cups my face in her hands, the delicate touch contrasting with the firmness of the gesture, forcing me to look at her.
"You rescued me, sheltered me, protected me, healed me... You saved me in ways you can't even imagine." Her green eyes shine, intense as emeralds. "How can you think you don't deserve me?"
"Sandra..."
Her name escapes my lips like a prayer, hoarse, full of devotion.
"Mark, if anyone deserves everything, it's you."
My throat tightens, and all I can do is let out a trembling sigh before letting my forehead fall against her thigh. My chest rises and falls at an uneven pace, still trying to regain control, trying to calm my heart. As I promise myself that I will make her sacrifice worthwhile.
Her fingers slide through my hair, a slow, reassuring caress. She massages my scalp before moving down to the nape of my neck, her gentle touch contrasting with the chaos raging inside me.
I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, and her scent invades me, sweet and warm. Without realising, I rub my face against her thigh, seeking more of her warmth, her scent.When I look up, I find her eyes fixed on me, intense, attentive. She bites her lip, and her fingers squeeze lightly against the back of my neck, the touch now not calming, but inciting.
I let out a groan, and my face sinks even deeper against her leg, my nose brushing against her warm skin, feeling the softness, the intoxicating scent she exudes between her legs.
My fingers slide slowly down the sides of her thighs, and a silent game begins, where every movement can be an invitation or a challenge.
And at that moment, I know I am far from being able to calm down, but this time for a completely different reason.
"Kitten..."
My mouth brushes against her thigh, planting slow, soft kisses. I move up slowly, savouring every shiver I cause, until I reach the hem of her shirt.
A few centimetres and I will find paradise...
She squirms, arching towards me, her breath coming in gasps. My nose slides slowly between her legs, still over her shirt, absorbing her heat, the intoxicating scent of her arousal.
Her fingers dig into my hair, pulling my head urgently, pushing her hips against my face.
"Kiss me," she begs, her voice hoarse, laden with need. "Kiss me here..."
"Fuck," I growl with lust and lift the hem of her shirt to reveal the garment covering her intimacy.
