The Unforgiven (2 page)

His patience and gentleness felt reassuring. He did not rush to thrust his entire length in at once. Instead, he used impressive skill and tantalizing strokes to keep her wet and ready for full penetration.

He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her back. “Okay, babe?”

“Yes…don’t stop…”

Without warning, spasms gripped her as she climaxed unexpectedly. He hadn’t even begun thrusting, yet his long thick erection had already stimulated her into an orgasm. She felt a little embarrassed and a bit overwhelmed by his unanticipated effect on her.

“Mm, you’re response is sweet,” he murmured with another kiss to her back. “You feel amazing.” With the surge of wetness from her climax, he slid his full length all the way in.

Sharp pain quickly gave way to indescribable pleasure as Von began using easy thrusts. His size seemed to grow with each stroke, delivering a new wave of pleasing sensations the deeper he drove. Her sex adjusted to his size as they merged into a supernatural mating. He embraced her from behind, one hand placed firmly below her navel and the other under her breasts. He was undeniably strong, balancing his weight on one bent knee with his other foot braced in the sand. He practically had himself wrapped around her. His hair tumbled forward, falling in silken strands over her shoulders while his cheek brushed hers as he moved.

Turning her head just slightly to the side, she caught his lips with hers. They exchanged a hot, quick kiss with plenty of tongue action. Her body felt completely dominated and penetrated by his and she loved it.

“Don’t hold back.” His voice was low and inviting. “Let yourself come as many times as you want.”

She understood what he meant. The mating process was well known in both realms. They knew that the mating would not be complete until he climaxed, but she would most likely peak many times beforehand. If she resisted nature’s process, then their copulation could get uncomfortable. His job was to make her come repeatedly and ensure natural lubrication, so that he could mate with her as long as necessary. He would remain joined to her until his release, which would be intense.

He fondled her breasts and teased the nipples, adding to her elated physical state. His nipping and biting at her neck set her on fire. She came again and again as he manipulated her body in every way. By dawn, every part of her had been claimed in some way by him. He left no part untouched and continually placed kisses wherever he could reach while mating aggressively with her. She was literally breathless from his onslaught of passion. Never had a man taken her like this.

Just when she began to question her stamina, his aura shifted again. He tensed and braced his hands in the sand on both sides of her. She clutched his forearms to steady herself as he pumped hard and fast. They were locked in a feral clinch with him slamming into her from behind. She cried out when he bit down on her neck. Her knees felt raw from the sand but in spite of everything, the incredible pleasure overrode any discomfort.

“Baby…” He groaned when his body lurched forward. He thrust harder then latched his teeth onto her shoulder.

She winced but stayed tough. He was harder than ever and fully engorged. Their bodies were soaked in sweat. Spreading her thighs as far as possible, she welcomed his urgent need for release. He let out a jagged sigh and she sensed his gratitude for her acceptance. To her surprise, she came again. A flood of warm liquid squeezed over his length and down her thighs. She whimpered and gulped for air as the most intense orgasm of the night racked her body.

“Ah yeah…hell yeah,” he purred seconds before his sex exploded inside, shooting a torrent of ejaculate deep into her core. “Baby, baby…”

They shuddered against each other, coming with staggering intensity. She embraced his heat and the feeling of his seed flowing inside. Nothing had ever felt quite like this. His love bites eased to tender kisses. He lavished profound affection over her while completing his release. He seemed to come forever as they knelt on the beach with the tide just inches from their bodies.

She could barely take a breath while riding an unbelievable high. Nothing else mattered at that very moment but the two of them and his body joined to hers. If they could stay like this forever, she’d be ecstatic. The feel of him, his scent, touch, voice—the taste of him—everything about this immortal stud thrilled her in a new way. She never wanted to let him go.

“You’re mine now,
Mon
Coeur
,” he said while kissing her neck. His voice was laden with sensuality and a sexy protective air.

No longer a loner, no longer alone, she had finally met a man strong enough to bend, yet tough enough to be her mate. She repeated his new term of endearment over and over in her mind, swept away by this secret side of him.

A blissful smile tugged at her lips. She leaned her head back against his shoulder. “Yes I am.”

Von lay awake, enjoying a smoke while watching Flame sleep in his arms. He exhaled away from her, releasing a thin ribbon of smoke from his nose and mouth into the air. After one more long drag, he snuffed out the spent smoke. With one arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, he stroked her long mane of gold with his free hand. A quick swim in the ocean had washed the sweat and sand from their bodies. Streaks of early morning sunlight danced off the lustrous strands of hair tossed carelessly over her bare breasts and shoulders. He lifted a few silken tendrils to his nose and breathed in her scent.

The infamous warrior woman—the prodigy sought by both sides of the spirit world—belonged to him and him alone. Even better, she’d chosen him of her own free will. Welcomed his body unto hers and invited him to be her life mate. He’d endured over five decades of pure hell in hope of one day swinging her to his side and mating with her. Had he obeyed Twilight’s command, Flame would not truly belong to him. They would’ve been permitted access to each other for breeding only.

Yes, her way was definitely better
,
just as she’d said. I love you, my little hellcat
.

He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled deeper into his arms. His gaze drifted over her hot body. From the delicate beauty of her face to her dainty feet, she was perfection in its rarest form. Long dark lashes lay sweetly on soft cheeks. Her skin was flawless with a natural sun-kissed glow. She possessed untainted beauty without the need for false tanning or cosmetic enhancements. He loved touching her soft full breasts, knowing they were real like a woman’s should be. He didn’t understand why a woman would place herself at risk to alter what nature had given her. He’d never seen a pair of breasts he didn’t like, no matter the size. A woman’s body was beautiful in its own right.

And this pretty little thing used her female attributes to their fullest. When she wrapped those long killer legs around him, he simply came undone. He pulled his jacket in around her to shield her back from the chill of dawn. She draped one leg over his waist and tucked her arms against his chest. He let one hand lightly caress that shapely leg so invitingly curled around him.

A vibrating sound drew his attention to the pile of clothes lying behind her. Lights flashed on her cell phone. He picked it up and saw an incoming text message. Without reading it, he nudged Flame awake with a gentle kiss to her pouty sweet lips.

“Hey, babe,” he murmured.

Her lashes fluttered, then she looked up at him with eyes like rain. He never could resist those dark blue wonders that carried the mystery and passion of a raging sea. Just a glance from her sultry eyes ignited a fire in his groin.

“You sleep sound.” He kissed her again.

“Mm,” she muttered. “Not usually. I feel very safe in your arms. I’ve never felt that way before.”

He stared back at her for a few moments, utterly captivated by her beauty and silky voice. Never had a woman affected him this way. Hearing her say she felt safe with him was more than he ever dreamed possible. That she had enough power in her soul to pull him from the evil realm simply blew him away. He would love to lie with her all day, but reality called.

“Your phone was buzzing. You have a message.”

“Did you read it?” she asked sleepily, seemingly unconcerned.

“I’m pretty sure that nobody’s trying to get a hold of me and I’m not nosy.”

“Not even curious?”

“Nope.” He brushed mussed hair from her lovely face. “Everything I want is right here.”

She gave him a quizzical look, then reached for her phone. “Phoebe wants me to come to the village right away. The Supreme Lioness has requested a meeting with me. Phoebe wasn’t supposed to take the throne for another few years. The council must’ve taken swift action against Naami for her crimes and filled her post already.” Flame seemed to drift in thought for a few minutes. “Can’t say I’m disappointed after what that bitch, Naami did. She deserved to be dethroned. I hope they demote her to servant. Guess it no longer matters if her baby is a girl or not. No offspring of hers will ever take the throne again.” A reminiscent look flitted through her expressive eyes, mixed with sorrow and rage.

He didn’t know how to tell her what he knew.

“Need a ride?” He hoped she’d say yes. He wasn’t ready to part company after their incredible night together.

“You’re not going to ask about my sisterhood?” She appeared surprised.

“Look, babe, I know that there is a secret colony of elite women out there somewhere. Everyone in the realm knows about you and your covert world. Is there something I
should
be asking?”

“No…but I’ve never met anyone who didn’t pry.”

“Well, you have now. I figure if you want me to know then you’ll tell me.”

“You’re a very intriguing man.”

“Hm.”

“What?”

“Just hoping you’ll always feel that way.”

“I guess my track record isn’t too impressive.” She sighed. “You wonder if I’ll really stick around.”

“Considering what just happened between us, you better.”

Her expression deepened. “I’ve never mated before—but you know that now.”

“Mm, yes I do.” He caressed her cheek with the back of one hand while his gaze moved over her face. “You were everything I imagined and more.”

“And you are very skilled.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be.” She looked away.

He felt her reaching. “Please don’t go there, my love.” He turned her face back toward his. “I walked the earth as a cursed man for over fifty years. My mind, my body, was not my own. You, babe, you brought me back to life. Anything I felt before you no longer exists.”

“You called me your love.”

“Yeah. That’s a term of endearment mortals use when they love someone, so I’ve heard,” he said with an easy smile.

A knowing smile dispelled her obvious tension. “It’s nice, but it’s not you. I tried to kill you when you called me
angel
, so that probably isn’t a good choice.”

“I remember.” He laughed. “You’re not the easiest woman to get close to.”

“Sorry.” She flashed him a demure smile.

“No you’re not.” He tickled her stomach until she curled into a ball and burst into fits of giggles.

“Okay, okay…you win.” She panted for breath through those sexy and softly parted lips while gazing up at him. “Please, no more tickling.”

“What would you prefer I use as a term of endearment for you, my wild woman?”

“Something unique to you, like what you said near the end of our mating…that was beautiful and I’ve never heard it before. You are not an average man by any means.” She gave him a hot once over. “No…there is nothing average about you.”

“Well,
Mon Coeur
, there is nothing average about you either.”

She arched slender brows. “Ooo, I like that. It sounds lovely. What does it mean?”

“
My
heart
.” He held her eyes with his. “I saw it etched into an erotic painting done by a French artist.”

“You continue to impress me.” She stared with eyes he could never resist.

“My heart has been yours since the day I dragged your sweet ass to PA on the back of my Harley. I never met a woman with more fight. You daggered me twice, woman, drove those flaming blades straight through my heart two times now. I’d say that grants you ownership.”

“So that’s what it takes to win a man like you?”

“There is only one woman in existence both here and in the other worlds who could win my heart. And it was more than just your daggers that pierced my heart.”

That uneasy look crossed her face, the same cagy expression she got anytime they shared an intimate moment. He quickly deduced that she’d most likely never been romanced and clearly still carried scars of heartbreak.

“I should get dressed and let Phoebe know I’m on my way.” She moved to break free of his embrace.

“Flame.” He slanted her a questioning look and held her tight, knowing that this might be the only opportunity he had to tell her. “I’m not going anywhere. I cannot be seduced, tricked, or even tempted by another woman.”

Pain flooded her eyes. “You know?” She read him too well already.

“About Raef and your former queen…yeah, I know. Right after Raef died, Ian told me that Twilight was trying to find a way to use Naami’s pregnancy to commit an act of sabotage against you.”

“Wasn’t taking my loved ones enough for them?” She sounded highly agitated. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“My God, woman, you were devastated over his death. How heartless did you think I was? I couldn’t throw that in your face after you’d managed to forgive him. There was nothing you or I could do about Raef’s situation. But I still had a chance to help you. I did what any man would do for the woman he loves. I helped you win the damned war.”

“How could Twilight use Naami? Did Ian say? What happened to Ian’s soul after we won? Is he still lurking around?”

“Whoa, slow down, babe.” He placed a loving kiss on her lips. “Ian is free now, as are all the innocent souls Twilight had in holding. They have moved on to wherever good souls go. When Ian told me about Raef’s encounter with Naami and what the evil realm was trying to do, I felt that it would be best to stay on course.”

“So you and Ian thought it might be another trick to distract you or flush you into the open?”

Von nodded. “If I had told you, what would you have done? You were already on the brink of throwing in the towel to bring Raef back. We were making such fast progress, babe, I simply could not take any chances.”

“You’re right. My love for him was throwing me off course. I’d have done anything to save him from their evil grip.” Her voice softened and became somewhat sad. “Do you think Raef is free, too?”

“He has to be. He was an innocent victim, like most of the souls taken by Twilight. Not many people volunteer their services.”

“There are a few.” She gave him a hard stare.

“Yeah…I guess so.” He knew she was referring to Cassie, and for some reason she still viewed Cassie as the
other woman
.

“Did Ian say what they were trying to do?”

“All he knew was that Twilight was trying to use the physical connection between Raef and Naami to find a way in. That’s all he could discern.”

“Something must have happened. That’s why Phoebe called. I have to go.”

“I can get you there the immortal way. No need for a long road trip.”

“You
are
curious about my village? All those nights lurking on the outskirts, waiting for me to appear…you
do
want to see the inside. You’re just like everyone else, trying to find a way into my secret world.”

“What the fuck?” He pushed away. She rolled out of his arms. “We just spent a fantastic night together. I claimed you as my woman and you still don’t trust me.” Abruptly he got to his feet and began to dress. “Clearly, I am
not
the one who needs coddled, as you put it.” He stalked away.

“Von, wait!” She ran after him while pulling on her clothes. “Don’t you walk away from me, damn it!”

“Why the hell not?” He swung around to face her. “I’m done trying to prove myself to you. Take the long way home,
angel
. I have no interest in your secret society of man-hating seductresses.” He turned and began walking away. He hadn’t gone too far before a swift
whoosh
slid past his ear, just nipping it.
Damn that woman!
He caught the next dagger in midair and spun back around, then picked up the other blade.

She stood fully dressed, trembling with tears running down her cheeks.
Damn it all to hell.
He inwardly growled, muttering profanities under his breath. They faced off as he approached. Fire and ice flashed in her eyes. For the first time since he’d known her, this kickass warrior seemed lost.

“What’s going on with you?” he asked. “Is this about Raef?”

“No. I’m not used to feeling this way.”

“What way? Talk to me.”

“I’ve always—and I mean always—been in control of my relationships. I have done things…given up things…that do not permit me to feel, in order to survive.”

He thought back to a night long ago when he’d seen her at her worst, delusional, and beaten. That night he’d watched her suffer had sparked his humanity back to life. “Fate can be cruel, can’t it, babe?” He spoke in a soft tone, longing for her to reach out to him.

“Yes.”

“So what is this then?”

“I cannot control how I feel about you. For the first time in my life, I have lost my edge over a man. And it scares the hell out of me.” Mixed emotion filled her eyes. “We are trained to keep the upper hand when it comes to men. They are the enemy, never to be trusted. They are tools to us. Falling in love is not something we embrace.”

“You’ve never been in love?”

“Once.”

“And he betrayed you, then died before making it right.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

“Once.” He tilted his head slightly, shocked that she even had to ask. “But she killed me.” He threw her daggers on the ground at her feet. “I’ll never be your
tool
, Flame. And right now, I’m beginning to wonder why the fuck I fought so hard to get my humanity back. If you can’t open your heart to me, then there’s nothing left to say.” He turned with a shake of his head and walked briskly down the beach toward his parked Harley.

Her craziness was driving him crazy. As much as he loved her and longed to sweep her into his arms and kiss those tears away, he’d never bow to a woman again. He’d been forced to mate with women chosen by the Twilight Realm, compelled to be their tool for over half a century. If this woman couldn’t love him the way he loved her, then he’d walk away before groveling at her feet for a few crumbs of her heart.

If Flame can’t give me her all…can I really walk away from her? No woman has touched me as she has. Can I let her go after everything we shared?
His mind was still reeling over how she’d been raised.
I thought my world was cold.
Her culture did not seem any better.
A renegade queen, a warrior tough as nails yet incapable of dealing with emotion? I went through hell to change for her. If she is unwilling to meet me halfway, I have no choice but to walk away.