Page 80 of Bed of Thorns

No one. The meaning was double sided.

“I am enjoying myself. I promise.” Sadly, the house wasn’t one we’d picked out together. It didn’t matter the cost or what the home looked like, if the grounds were manicured or not. The structure would be just as foreign as the house on the island, one that I’d come to love. I took a sip, struggling with the volume of emotions.

He kept his gaze on me, slowly lowering his head, his nostrils flaring. Then he darted a look at the smoky window separating us from the driver. After removing the glass from my hand, he shifted closer, brushing the knuckle of his index finger down my cheek. “You were dazzling tonight. Everyone adored you.”

As if I cared.

“I’m glad I could impress.”

“You never have to try. You have an intense aura about you that lights up every room you walk into. That’s why your paintings are so special. There is an incredible shimmer exposing the goodness and vulnerability inside of you. In this jaded world, you still allow yourself to see the best in people.”

“I’m not certain that’s beneficial to anyone.” Including us.

“I love that about you. Never change.” He lowered his head, rubbing his thumb across my cheek and jaw, moving it slowly to my ruby-stained lips. “I was so proud to have you on my arm.”

“Mmm…” He was as scintillating as before, his excitement impossible to resist. As he captured my mouth, I arched my back, sliding my arm around his neck. The taste of him was stimulating, the combination of cognac and champagne as tempting as the man himself. The burst of electricity soaring through me was palpable, stealing my breath. I wanted to toss everything aside, pretending that I didn’t remain concerned, but as with every aspect of our lives together, that was almost impossible.

Still, the warmth of his body, the extreme heat pulsing through us shoved everything aside, if only for a few precious moments. I was totally and completely in love with him, horrified even imagining being torn from his arms. The kiss became more fervent, the need building. As he dragged me down the seat until I was resting on the soft leather, I no longer cared where we were or about the momentum that had already begun. At least for now, we were as one.

Edmond continued his near manic way of crushing my mouth, dominating my tongue as he lifted the weight of his body from mine, sliding my dress past my thighs. There was a frantic need bursting through the surface, his actions more demanding as he struggled to unzip his trousers, freeing his throbbing cock.

I craved him as much as always, tugging on his zipper as he released the button, finally freeing his shaft. Flames erupted all around us as he yanked my panties aside, immediately thrusting the entire length of his cock deep inside. A moan rushed into the kiss, the muffled sound competing with his ravenous growls. He continued to drink in my essence for another minute then ripped his lips from mine, gasping for air as he pulled away, smashing his hand against the glass.

He remained hovering over me, his expression one of a ravenous predator. His fucking was brutal, a mere taking of what belonged to him. I threw my leg around his thigh, fighting with his shirt so I could touch his heated skin. As he powered into me, his chest heaved from the almost desperate need he had to fill me with his seed. Nothing could have stopped him from his savage actions, not that I wanted him to stop.

Our sounds escalated, growls and whimpers mixing together in a wild orchestration of animal need. He yanked my leg up higher, forcing it over his shoulder. The switch in the angle pushed me into a climax within seconds.

“Oh. Oh!” I couldn’t hold back a ragged scream as the powerful orgasm swept through me like a tidal wave, spilling into my arms and legs. I was shaking uncontrollably, no longer focusing. Everything was a sweet, amazing blur as he plunged in harder and faster. How could anything feel so incredible, pushing me straight to a blissful ecstasy?

He refused to stop, thrusting with such force I was tossed against the side of the limo, ripping at his shirt until I could get my hands underneath. There was nothing like the feel of his tight muscles, singing my fingertips. Everything remained a magical blur as he fucked me, and the moments were some of the most sensational yet.

“Come again, baby. Come for me,” he managed, his voice husky from the extreme lust we both felt. His command refused to be denied and within seconds, I exploded into another tremendous climax, my blood pressure rising.

Yet he continued, thrusting like a crazed man until the beautiful orgasm shifted into another. My voice no longer audible, I shifted my head to the side, still trying to catch my breath. I could tell he was close to coming, his body tensing. I chewed on my bottom lip then cupped both sides of his face, forcing him to stare into my eyes.

He issued several guttural sounds, his body spasming. Then as I squeezed my muscles, he threw his head back with a keening roar.

Even though he remained aloft, he lowered his head, still growling like the beast he’d become. “Nothing will ever come between us. No man. No job.”

It was another promise made, another moment where we were closer than any two people should be.

As he finally collapsed on top of me, I closed my eyes, clearly seeing a horrible vision.

And I began to shake.

CHAPTER17

Edmond

Five weeks later

“Stunning,” I whispered as I came up behind her. Mercedes stood staring out at the ocean, the expansive set of all glass doors providing a perfect view of the gently flowing waves. She’d been pensive from the minute she’d seen the house. Although she seemed to love the modern design, I could tell she remained apprehensive about accepting the gift.

“Yes, the water is today, with the sun glinting off it,” she said quietly.

When I wrapped my arms around her, she tensed, which she’d also done more lately. “I’m not talking about the water.”

She stood in her bare feet, her hair pulled into a ponytail, the shorts and tee shirt a rich color of plum. At least she seemed to be enjoying her painting as well as establishing the gallery. I pressed my lips against her neck, delighting in the warmth of her body.

---