He looked so perfect standing there, framed by the white snow visible through the large windows behind him. I couldn’t stop myself from launching into his arms. He put his large hands under my thighs. They almost wrapped completely around them and with no effort he yanked me up. I clenched my legs around his waist. He moved us backwards until I was cushioned against the wall. I absorbed his weight. The kissing was intense, beyond anything we had done before. I felt my control slipping.
And then as the kiss deepened, any reservations I had were gone.
Without removing my lips I arched back to gain enough leverage to lift his shirt up over his head. We had to separate for a moment but then were right back to the kissing. Always impatient, Brace ripped my tank-top right down the centre. He was going to be hell on my clothes. Lucky I had plenty of them. I wanted to feel self-conscious just in my bra and jeans, but there was no room for that here. The emotional overload was crazy and the heat we were generating almost had me tearing my own clothes off.
“Are you sure you want this, Red? Tell me now and I will find the strength to stop.” He spoke as he kissed his way down my neck.
He hesitated at the swell of my breast, his eyes rising to meet mine, seeking permission to continue.
I nodded once, gasping out, “If you stop I will kill you. KILL you.”
He smiled again, the melting chocolate he called eyes drowning my senses. “Message received.”
And then my bra was gone. We were skin to skin and I couldn’t stop moving. My entire body was so sensitive. Every brush sent shivers through me. I was making all these noises, which should have been mortifying, but I could tell he liked them. And I sure as anything couldn’t have stopped.
“Holy hell, you are the hottest thing in all the worlds, Red,” Brace said.
We were still against the wall, but then he shifted, striding in three large movements across the white carpet, along a hallway and into a bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the bed. It was beyond gigantic, spanning most of the room and framed by gauzy white netting.
Without allowing an inch of space between us, we dropped down on the soft cover, his huge body crowding over mine. And as I glanced up over his shoulder I gasped.
“The ceiling –” I started, my voice falling in awe.
He lifted his head, but instead of looking into the open expanse of glass ceiling that showcased the most stunning starlit sky, he simply examined my face. He started kissing me again, raining them over my face, before moving along my neck and down my body. I forgot about the view. In that moment I was about to self-combust.
“Your lips and tongue should be registered as weapons against women,” I moaned, wriggling against him.
His expression was soft. “You’re so beautiful, everything about you, and I have lived too many millennia without knowing the sweet perfection of your kiss.” He never shifted his eyes. “I love you, Abigail. I adore you. I cherish you.” He kissed me between each statement.
Tears filled my eyes.
“They better be tears of joy, Red,” he joked, his eyes narrowing as he examined me.
“I love you too.” I thought the words would be difficult, but they flowed out effortlessly. “Don’t ever leave me again,” I added, my tone fierce.
“Say it again.” His entire body stilled.
Surely he’d been told that before? I opened my mouth, but he captured my lips before I could speak.
I love you.
There was something more intimate about saying it through our bond.
More than my own life, Brace added as he continued to destroy me with his kisses and words.
And then I caught an errant thought that I knew wasn’t supposed to be heard.
I will destroy worlds to keep her safe.
I realized then that Brace wouldn’t have hesitated to release the Seventine and free me. A part of him truly did not care about the consequences.
But I knew our love wasn’t worth the cost of millions of innocent lives. I’d have to make sure we both stayed on the side of good and didn’t abuse our powers. My worries were swept away then as Brace lifted me into his arms.
When I surfaced again we were in an adjoining bathroom. The lights were dimmed and the large whirlpool bath was bubbling away. We were naked, which just felt natural; the melding bond wouldn’t allow for insecurities. Which was good. I’d hate to be trying to see my butt in the mirror and worrying about its size or something. Brace sank in and pulled me back against him.
“Why did you stop out there?” I asked, glancing up over my shoulder at him.
He groaned into my neck. “You’re a witch, Red, and there’s no rush. I plan to take my time with you tonight.”
I was relieved to know the night wasn’t over yet. And the warm, bubbling water definitely helped to relax me.