Chapter 21
Tempest Miller
We got home around 6 pm, just as the sky was starting to bleed with the colours of sunset. Corvus walked straight into the kitchen, his boots clattering against the floor as he started cooking something for dinner. I could smell the faint aroma of garlic and onion drifting through the air. Taking a deep breath and trying to calm my nerves, I decided to take a walk around the house.
”See what the boys managed to fix up, babe,” Corvus called out after me, his voice gruff but warm. I nodded, heading down the hallway, and running my fingers along the freshly patched walls. The scent of new paint and sawdust filled the air.
The house had been a wreck when I first moved in, but Corvus had so many men working on it throughout the day. It was almost surreal.
Throughout the day, the boys had been coming in and out of the bar to ask me questions about the house. What colour tiles do I want? What color walls? Do I prefer wooden flooring?
I was certain that no matter how many times I performed on stage, it wouldn”t come close to the amount of money Corvus has spent on this place. It made me feel guilty.
I headed into my bedroom to check what had been done, the walls were stripped bare, not a trace of that godawful wallpaper left. Instead, they looked clean, almost pristine, ready for a fresh coat of paint. My fingers skimmed over the smooth surface, and I couldn”t help but think about the colour I”d chosen, it was a dark forest green, and it was to be painted around the whole room, including the roof. I had seen an episode of House Rules where they had done it, and it looked amazing.
I cast my gaze downward, noticing the floorboards for the first time. They were sanded back, the rough edges now smooth to the touch. A few had even been replaced, the new wood stark against the old. This room was transforming before my eyes, and it was all for me. All because of him.
”Fuck,” I whispered again, my chest tightening with guilt. How could I ever repay him?
Reaching out I grabbed my sleep clothes off the bed, and walked over to the bathroom, unsure what changes had been made there, too. Stepping inside, I found the floor had been removed, leaving the room bare and exposed. A post-it note on the cracked mirror reminded me to put down a tarp before using the shower, so the floor wouldn”t get wet. Glancing at the sink, I spotted the blue tarp and quickly laid it down.
”Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as I searched for the door, only to find the bathroom was devoid of one. Just fuckin” great.
”Shit.” Corvus had seen me naked once before, but that didn”t make me feel any less self-conscious now.
I clenched my jaw, my heart pounding in my chest as I peeled off my clothes, feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way that went far beyond physical nakedness. With trembling hands, I reached for the curtain, drawing it shut with a swiftness born of fear.
”Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, trying to steady my breathing as the hot water pounded against my back. It was just a shower, but everything felt so much more significant these days—every moment heavy with the weight of choices made, ones I had chosen myself.
I scrubbed at my skin angrily, wishing I could wash away the scars that marked me as his—wishing I could erase the memories of pain and humiliation that still haunted my dreams.
”Get it together, Tempest,” I whispered to myself, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over.
I finished up my shower in record time, unable to shake the sensation that I was being watched, even though I knew Corvus wasn”t the type to invade my privacy like that.
”Here goes nothing,” I mumbled, taking a deep breath before pushing the curtain aside just enough to peek out into the room. The coast appeared to be clear, and I quickly wrapped a towel around myself, hiding the evidence of my past from view.
The thought of Corvus seeing all of my scars was terrifying, but there was also a part of me that longed for him to know the truth—to understand the depths of my past and the price I”d paid for my survival.
I hastily threw on my clothes, the fabric a barrier between the world and the secrets etched onto my skin. My heart raced as I stepped into the kitchen, the air thick with the scent of grilled chicken and steamed vegetables.
”Smells fuckin” good,” I said, trying to regain some sense of normalcy.
Corvus turned from the shitty stove, his intense gaze fixated on me. He placed the tongs down and stalked over, his predatory stride making my pulse quicken. As he reached me, his large hand grasped the back of my neck, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. The kiss was gentle, but it held an undercurrent of something dark and possessive. His scent of leather, whiskey, and cinnamon always flooded my senses, making my head spin.
”Are you ready for dinner, princess?” he murmured into the kiss.
I nodded, unable to form words as a flush crept up my cheeks. He tapped my bum playfully and said, ”Go sit down.”
”Alright,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper as I moved away from him.
Just five minutes later, Corvus placed a plate in front of me, piled high with thinly sliced, grilled chicken and a generous side of vibrant green veggies. The aroma wafted up to my nose, making my mouth water uncontrollably. I blinked back in surprise. Damn, the man could cook.
”Where the fuck did you learn to cook?” I asked, genuinely curious. He flashed that wicked grin of his as he sat down across from me.
”Trade secret, princess,” he replied, raising an eyebrow. I rolled my eyes but couldn”t help the smile that tugged at my lips.
”Okie Dokie,” I muttered, grabbing my fork and knife. I cut into the tender chicken, watching the steam rise from it, and took a bite. Holy shit. It was better than anything I”d ever had at a restaurant before, and I wasn”t shy about letting him know. ”Corvus, this is fucking amazing,” I moaned around each mouthful, savouring the flavours that danced on my tongue.
He leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes watching me intently. There was something in his gaze, a dangerous glint that made my pulse quicken. But instead of scaring me, it excited me. I felt alive in a way I hadn”t in years.
”Stop moaning around that chicken, princess,” he growled, ”or I”ll fill your mouth with something else to moan with.”
His words hit me like a freight train, causing my cheeks to flush crimson. I chuckled nervously, trying to brush off his provocative remark. ”Sorry,” I mumbled.
I couldn”t help but stare at Corvus, his dark eyes burning with an intensity that made me feel alive. I could tell he wanted me, and it thrilled me to my core.
I quickly polished off the last of my meal, my appetite now replaced by a hunger for something else entirely. As I stood up from the table, I felt a sudden urgency to create some distance between us – as if doing so might preserve what little self-control I had left.
”Let me clean up,” I said, grabbing our plates and rushing over to the sink, hoping to distract myself from the magnetic pull of his presence.
”Leave it, Tempest,” Corvus ordered, his tone firm yet seductive. But I shrugged him off, needing to feel busy, to do something other than stand there and let him break down all my walls.
”Can”t have a dirty kitchen, can we?” I joked, my voice cracking slightly as I tried to maintain the fa?ade. I turned on the faucet, letting the warm water cascade over the dishes as I scrubbed away any remnants of our meal.
”Tempest,” Corvus said, his voice low and commanding as he approached me from behind. I could feel the heat of his body radiating off him, closing in on me like a predator stalking its prey.
”Corvus, I”m almost done,” I protested weakly, my hands shaking even as I continued to scrub at the plates.
”Leave the dishes,” he murmured, his voice gravelly as he wrapped his arms around my waist. His warm breath tickled my ear and sent shivers down my spine. ”They can wait.”
“Im…I”m nearly done” I stuttered, trying to keep my voice steady despite the trembling that had begun deep within me. I could feel his chest pressing against my back, hot and intoxicating.
With one quick motion, he spun me around to face him, his eyes smouldering with desire. He leaned in, placing a soft yet possessive kiss on my lips, claiming me without question.
”Corvus...” I whispered, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
”Shh, don”t think,” he said, scooping me up into his arms effortlessly. I couldn”t help but laugh, the sound bubbling out of me like champagne. ”What are you up to, Corvus?”
”Taking care of you, Princess,” he replied, his lips curving into a wicked smile. I knew then that there would be no turning back, that whatever barriers I had constructed around myself were about to be shattered by this man – this dangerous, intoxicating man who had managed to slip past every defence I had ever known.
As we entered the bedroom, I braced myself for the storm of emotion that I knew was about to be unleashed. As Corvus laid me down on the bed, our eyes locked, and I understood that my life would never be the same again.
I lay there, my body aching with anticipation as Corvus hovered above me, his eyes burning into mine. He continued to kiss me passionately, each touch of his lips sending jolts of electricity down my spine.
”Fuck,” I gasped, as his calloused fingers found my nipples and began to gently tease them. The sensation was intoxicating, like sparks igniting deep inside my chest. I couldn”t help but arch my back, pressing myself further into his touch.
”Is this okay, Princess?” he murmured, concern lacing his voice.
”More than okay,” I replied breathlessly, feeling the heat rise in my face. ”Please don”t stop.”
His fingers worked their magic on me, drawing circles around my hardened nipples before lightly pinching them between his thumb and forefinger. It was as if he knew exactly how to make my body sing, to elicit moans that I didn”t even know I was capable of making.
A single bead of sweat trickled down Corvus”s temple, making me trace its path with my eyes.
”Is this okay, Princess?” he asked again, his voice deep and gravelly.
”More than okay,” I responded, my voice breathy. ”Please, take your clothes off.”
Corvus obliged, his eyes never leaving mine as he shrugged his cut off his shoulders, and pulled his shirt over his head, then slowly undid his jeans, allowing them to fall to the floor, leaving him in plain black boxer briefs.
”Your turn,” he murmured, reaching for the hem of my shirt. I hesitated for a moment, but then lifted my arms, allowing him to peel the garment from my body.
As I sat up, I couldn”t help but run my hands over his chest and abs, tracing every ridge and valley with my fingertips. He was a living sculpture, one I wanted to lick.
”God, you”re beautiful,” I whispered, my voice heavy with admiration and desire.
”So are you” Corvus replied, his eyes darkening with lust before he leaned in to capture my lips in a searing kiss. His lips traced a searing path down my chest, pausing to gently kiss each of my nipples. The tender attention made me shiver with pleasure, but it was the sight of him studying the small scars peppering my skin that really hit me. As he ran his fingers over each one, Corvus”s eyes held a mix of anger and protectiveness.
”Princess,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to one of the scars. ”I will never allow another one to adorn your flesh. With me, this is all you will ever have, okay?”
”Okay,” I nodded, feeling my heart swell as I watched him love my imperfections, treating them like they were beautiful instead of ugly reminders of my past.
”Good,” he growled before dipping lower, his hands moving to the waistband of my shorts and dipping under. ”Oh princess, you”re so wet,” he whispered, slipping a hand between my legs, and making me arch against his touch. He pulled his hand out and smirked at me before gripping the fabric of my shorts, tugging them off and leaving me bare before him.
”Corvus,” I breathed, my body craving the feel of him inside me. But despite the urgency in my voice, there was something else there too – trust. With every heated look, every whispered word, and every gentle touch, Corvus had managed to break down the walls I”d built around myself.
Corvus”s eyes smouldered with desire as he spread my legs wide, giving him a perfect view of my dripping pussy. My heart pounded in anticipation, and for a moment, I felt like prey being hunted by a predator. But this was a predator I craved.
”Fuck, Tempest,” he groaned, his gaze never leaving my core. He reached out to rub my clit, and every nerve in my body seemed to sing. My head fell back, and an uncontrollable moan escaped my lips.
”Shit, baby, that feels so fucking good,” I gasped as Corvus slid two fingers inside me, pumping them slowly in and out. ”Don”t stop.”
”You like my fingers, Princess?” His voice was ragged, and I could hear the lust behind every word. I moaned again as he curled his fingers, hitting that sweet spot deep within me. It felt like pure electricity coursing through my veins.
”God, Corvus, yes,” I admitted, my voice shaking with desire. I could feel the heat in my cheeks, but shame was the last thing on my mind. All that mattered now was the man who held my body – and my heart – in his hands.
”Good girl,” he purred, picking up the pace of his fingers, driving me wild with pleasure.
My breath hitched in my throat as Corvus pulled his fingers out of me, and I felt a pang of loss as the emptiness settled in. But it was short-lived, as he lowered his boxers and climbed on top of me, his body casting a shadow over mine.
”Can I fuck you bare, Princess?” His voice was rough, almost desperate.
I hesitated for a moment, knowing that what we were about to do was risky. ”Yes,” I murmured, swallowing hard. ”But... I”m not on birth control.”
A smirk spread across his face as he leaned down, his lips brushing against mine. ”That”s okay,” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. ”I”m keeping you.”
He pushed my legs apart even more, positioning himself between them, and took himself in hand.
”Princess, I fucking love you.” He rubbed the head of his dick through my wet folds, teasing me with the promise of more pleasure to come. And then, slowly – oh, so achingly slow – he began to sink into me, inch by inch.
I gritted my teeth, trying to adjust to the feeling of being so completely filled by him. My pussy stretched around him, welcoming him home, and all the while, I couldn”t tear my eyes away from his. How had he managed to get past all my walls, all my barriers? What power did he have over me that allowed him to bring me such pleasure?
”Corvus,” I whispered, my voice barely audible as the sensation threatened to overwhelm me. ”I never knew it could be like this.”
”Neither did I,” he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion. As he seated himself all the way inside me, he paused, giving me a moment to adjust. ”You”re everything I never knew I needed, Tempest.” As he leaned down and kissed me deeply.
The fire of Corvus”s kiss burned through me, igniting a passion I”d never known existed. His lips moved gently against mine as he began to pull himself in and out of me, the slow rhythm making my body sing with pleasure. Each thrust sent a moan tumbling from my lips, and I felt my pussy clench around him again and again, desperate for more.
”Fuck, Tempest,” he growled, his voice rough with desire. He adjusted our positions, lifting my ass off the mattress just enough to line us up perfectly. His hand slipped between us, and when he touched my clit, it was like a bolt of lightning had struck me.
”Shit, Corvus!” I cried out, my mind spinning with the intensity of the sensations he was stirring within me. My body tightened around him, drawing him deeper inside, and I knew I was on the edge.
”Your cunt was made for me, princess,” He panted, lost in the feeling of his cock swelling inside me. ”It takes me so fucking well. See how you”re claiming what belongs to you?”
His fingers worked harder on my clit, driving me wild with need. My abs clenched and my toes began to tingle, and I knew I was about to fall apart beneath him.
”Corvus, I”m... Fuck, I”m gonna cum!” I gasped, my words turning into a breathless scream as my orgasm crashed through me like a tidal wave.
”Damn, Tempest,” he grunted, his voice strained with effort as he thrust into me harder and faster, riding the waves of my ecstasy. My walls clenched around him like a vice, drawing him deeper.
”Fuck!” He cursed again, and I could feel him spilling inside me, his warmth filling me up as he pumped me full of him. The sensation was intense – almost too much, but at the same time, so fucking perfect.
He collapsed on top of me, our bodies slick with sweat as he pressed gentle kisses against my lips. ”Tempest, I fucking love you, princess. You”re it for me.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I couldn”t help but smile. ”I love you too, Corvus.” Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to him like he was the only thing anchoring me to this world.