Page 37 of Bed of Thorns

I reached out just as a crack of lightning flashed across the sky, a deep rumble of thunder immediately after, the harsh sound filtering into every muscle as if the bolt had been a direct hit. As soon as I wrapped my hand around his arm, the transference of sizzling heat and power swept through both of us. We were energized together, our skin scorched from the intensity.

He threw his head in my direction, the remaining neon burst of light allowing me to catch a glimpse of his eyes just before he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, dragging me against his massive chest. His breathing labored, he dug his fingers into my skin, the hold firm and possessive. There were no words to be said, no need to pretend any longer.

Using his other hand, he pinched my chin, lifting my head so he could stare into my eyes. While only shadows surrounded his, I felt the rapid burn, his gaze piercing directly into my soul, searing every nerve ending.

“I promise you, Mercedes, that I did not kill that man. I was framed, the man responsible my father. He shot Damien Ryker in cold blood.”

His deep baritone floated around our heated exchange, the increasing wind pulsing the angry emotions until they were swirling like a vengeful monster, twisting and turning until we were both caught up in the aftermath of the beast’s enraged vibes.

When he crushed his mouth over mine, dragging me onto my toes, I could no longer feel anything but the comfort of his firm hold, the hard beating of my heart. Swept into a passionate vacuum, I clung to him, the only lifeline I had, the only man that I’d ever wanted.

Hungered for.

Dreamt of.

Couldn’t live without.

I arched my back as he slipped his tongue past my lips, gently, lovingly guiding me into a firestorm that could not be denied. My desire burst at the seams, clawing its way into the moment, demanding satisfaction.

And he was prepared to give it to me.

The kiss became more than just an emotional outlet. It also fulfilled a dream that had seemed impossible to obtain. I closed my eyes, the knotted vines of our budding relationship slipping around our arms and legs, tangling us together for all of eternity. There was something so powerful about the way he dominated my tongue, drinking from the depth of my being. Nothing else mattered at that moment but the passionate embrace, and even as the storm picked up in intensity, thunder rumbling all around us, I feared nothing. Nothing.

With the exception of the ultimate truth.

Could I shove it aside, accepting that it may never be divulged? Could we both learn to live with the brokenness that we’d experienced, the hate that had nearly destroyed him, ultimately changing him for the rest of his life? I shuddered at the thought even as he slid his hand down my back, crawling his fingers along my spine, exploring what now belonged to him.

He cupped my buttocks, lifting me off my feet and as the first drops of rain cascaded down our heated bodies, steam rising to the surface, I almost felt free of the demons that had plagued me for all these long, horrible years.

Almost.

The embrace was only a prelude of another night of blissful ecstasy, allowing us both to forget if only for a little while. And there was nothing I wanted more than being in his arms, our bodies molded together, his cock thrusting in and out.

Moans surfaced from both our throats, mixing with the cracks and rumbles of nature in an eerie orchestration of sorrow and hope. If only I could provide him the strength he needed to remember while learning to control his desperate need for revenge.

That was my only hope, but the single one that would keep me awake at night even after rough and delirious rounds of passion.

Within seconds, his needs increased to the point there was no storm brewing, just electric need that refused to be denied. He finally broke the kiss, allowing my feet to touch the deck, wrapping his hand around my long strands of hair. He tangled his fingers in the thick curls and yanked until my neck was fully exposed. Like a predator, he issued a strangled series of growls, then dropped his head, raking his teeth down the side of my neck.

Rain tumbled across my face, the wind creating a giant wave of energy as our combined lust increased. He dragged the rough tip of his tongue along my jaw, moving from one side to the other, taking his time as if we were transcended into another plane. I kept my eyes closed, allowing the stunning sensations to wash over me like a warm blanket, my fingers digging into his muscular arms, kneading his naked skin. Tingles erupted all over as he bit my lower lip, his guttural sounds adding to the insanity of the moment.

When he backed away, he shook his head several times, his heated gaze rolling down to my feet then back into my eyes. As he wrapped his fingers around the bodice of the thin dress I’d chosen to wear, I could sense his needs could no longer be denied. Within seconds, he’d ripped the front, shredding the material as if it was nothing but a sheet of paper.

He tore it away, leaving me exposed to the elements, taking gasping breaths as he rubbed rain from his face. Then he snagged the thin elastic of my thong, snapping his wrist, leaving me completely naked. He was a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I’d never wanted anything so much.

There was no stopping him, his hunger boiling over. As he yanked his shirt over his head, tossing it aside, I took several scattered breaths. I longed to see his beautiful body, hungering to touch every inch, every muscle, exploring for hours what had once been nothing more than a ridiculous fantasy.

When he was completely undressed, he took several deep breaths before launching himself toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist and twirling me in a complete circle. Then he pushed my stomach against the edge of the railing, cupping my breasts as he crowded against me, crushing his full weight into mine.

I stretched out my arms, lifting my head as the rain continued to fall, rushing over us as the ocean waters churned, waves crashing against the shore. When he pinched my nipples, the pain was an explosion of vibrations. I was wild with need, desperate to have him, undulating my hips back and forth in an almost desperate invitation.

Lightning crisscrossed the sky, the rumbles like the heavy beat of bass drums, pushing us, encouraging us. I felt the hard ridge of his cock pressing against me, throbbing, twitching.

He pressed his lips against my neck, brushing up and down until he nipped my earlobe. His whispers only added to the burn, embers now in flames.

“I want you more than I can say. Only you. Forever you.”

When he pressed my legs apart with his knees, I took a deep breath of the salty air, holding it, allowing my lungs to expand, the excitement churning, building as the anticipation of having him fuck me made my body tremble all over.

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