Chapter Twenty-Four
Lucas
I felt as if, up to this moment, everything had been falling apart, but having her in my arms, safe and sound, was the only source of happiness for me. It never made more sense than it did now, as I looked into her eyes, I knew that she felt the same, that she would always feel the same.
That was the one constant in my life I could count on, one thing I could and should never doubt. I allowed that feeling to wash over me, to take hold of me completely.
Her arms twined around my neck, like the most precious necklace. Her breasts crushed against my chest, and I could feel her heart beating against mine, in unison. I inhaled her scent through the kisses, and as always, she managed to banish every dark thought from the recesses of my mind.
She was so powerful, my Annika. So beautiful… and all mine.
She pulled away only for a moment, looking at me with hunger that matched mine. Sometimes, it seemed to me as if she could read my mind. Sometimes, I feared it, that she might see something in there she wouldn’t like. But when I gazed into her eyes, all I could see was love, desire, and flames that I wanted to burn in.
I buried my face into her neck, inhaling the scent that was all her. I couldn’t get enough of it, of her.
“You are glorious…” I murmured. “You are all I see, all I ever saw…”
I kissed her neck softly, only for her to slide her hand from the nape of my neck to my face, cupping it. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. I could see everything in her eyes.
The lust coursing through my veins was taking over. I took her again, claiming her with my mouth, with my tongue. Her lips reciprocated with equal fervor, both innocent and alluring at the same time. Our tongues danced together, as we poured all our wishes into each other.
She tasted like pure happiness, bubbly and effervescent. And I wanted to get drunk on her.
Suddenly, she pulled away, getting down on her knees before me. The thought immediately emblazoned my mind, and even more than that. It awakened every dirty desire I ever had.
She didn’t take her eyes off of me for even a second, as her hands rested on my knees, spreading them apart. Her fingers moved upward slowly, tantalizingly. I wanted to grab her hair, to feel that wet heat of her lips on my cock right then and there, but she wanted to take it slowly. So, I obeyed.
My cock felt tight and swollen already, needing her more than ever.
“Annika…” I groaned her name, and it sounded like the dirtiest thing ever.
As if on cue, her fingers grazed my bulge. She didn’t wait to free me from my trousers. Instead, she undid the buttons, one by one, fast this time, almost as if she herself couldn’t wait.
My cock sprang free and her fingers curled around it immediately. I hissed in delight as she stroked me from the base all the way to the tip. I was already leaking, and her finger gently wiped it off. Then, she sucked it with her luscious lips, smiling like the vixen that she was.
She lowered her head and took me all into her mouth. Wet heat enveloped me, as I felt the suction of her lips, of her tongue. She whirled it over my tip, playing with my cock. Then, with her fingers gripping at the base tightly, her tongue traveled up and down it, stroking and sucking at the same time.
I couldn’t control myself. I grabbed her hair. I tried to be as gentle as she was with me. I kept listening to that sweet, wet sound that she was making with my cock in her mouth, sucking me dry. The only thing that would occasionally break that rhythm were her little moans of pleasure.
“Mmmm…” she purred as she kept sucking.
I wanted to do everything to her. I wanted to kiss her, to lick her, to taste her, to bite her. I wanted to fuck her mindlessly, endlessly. I wanted to bury myself deep inside of her and claim her over and over again.
Just when I thought that she would drain me, she stopped, pulling me back from the edge of the abyss of pleasure. She knew exactly how to do that.
She released me from the sweet confines of her mouth, while I yearned for more. But I wanted to return the delectable favor.
We switched positions, and I laid her down, taking off her trousers and panties in one hasty pull. I slid my finger, parting her already wet folds. The thought of her being so wet from sucking me off drove me wild with desire. I sucked her clit into my mouth whole, dipping my tongue inside. She moaned loudly, arching her back and lifting her hips, offering herself to me. I slid my hands underneath her juicy buttocks, keeping her in place.
I was already on fire, desperate for release, but I wanted to prolong this moment. I wanted to torment her a little, just like she did me. I wanted us both as close to the edge as possible when I took her.
I kept sucking her off, tasting her sweet juices, drinking in the very essence that was her. My cock was throbbing, my insides in a fiery hell.
I had to have her. Now.
I positioned myself between her legs, locking my eyes with hers.
God, she was so beautiful. Just one look at her and I came undone.
I slid inside of her in one fast, hard thrust. That was all it took for me to be deep inside of her. My entire body covered hers, my mouth crashed against her mouth, as I kept thrusting again and again, unable to control myself.
Her tight, wet heat gripped me, holding onto me. I knew she was as close to exploding as I was. I slid my hand underneath her sweet cheeks, lifting her slightly, then slammed into her again. This time, she cried out loudly.
We didn’t care that anyone might overhear us. We were celebrating in our own way. It was our moment.
I wasn’t gentle, but neither was she, meeting me halfway throughout my thrusts.
“More, more…” she breathed loudly, and I was happy to oblige.
I didn’t want to finish before her. My hand slid between her thighs, finding her clit, gently pinching it between my thumb and forefinger. She cried loudly again, and I kept strumming her harder, fucking her deeper, as our tongues danced to the music only we could hear.
As I felt her nails claw into my back, her strangled cry released against my lips, I knew she had cum. Her pussy clenched around my cock hard, keeping me in place. Her eyes, fathomless pools of love and devotion, stared at me, and I didn’t want to look away for even a moment. I wanted to see it all.
As her body slowly relaxed, I plunged into her again. Once, twice…
“Annika…” I growled, as I shot deep inside of her, allowing that heat to wash over me completely.
I slid by her side, still keeping my arms wrapped around her. I didn’t want to let her go. A small part of me still feared that she might disappear, that someone might try to steal her away from me, but I wouldn’t allow that.
Annika lay curled against me, her head resting just above my heart. The steady rise and fall of her breaths matched mine. I ran my fingers gently through her hair, letting the soft strands slip between them. She hummed quietly, leaning closer, and I tightened my hold on her.
“This town,” I said softly, “it’s going to be stronger than ever.”
She tilted her head, her eyes catching mine in the dim light. “Stronger?”
I nodded. “More resilient. More prepared. No one’s going to catch us off guard again.”
Her lips curved faintly, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Worry, maybe, or exhaustion that hadn’t quite faded.
“And what if it isn’t enough?” she asked.
“Then we’ll make it enough,” I said, voice firm. “We’ll have stronger walls, better defenses. But more than that...” I paused, smoothing my hand down her back. “We’ll have each other. That’s what’s going to keep this place standing. Us.”
She exhaled softly, and the tension seemed to melt from her body as she pressed closer.
“I’ve been thinking,” I continued after a moment, keeping my voice low. “Once we rebuild the square, we’ll make it bigger. Add a fountain, maybe. String up lanterns. So when we have more celebrations, it’ll feel like a real fresh start.”
Her smile returned, small but genuine. “And the houses?”
“Stone foundations. Stronger frames. No more weak beams or walls that can be torn down.” I leaned down and kissed her hair.
“But I like our cottage as it is,” she smiled, glancing around, then back at me again.
“Then we’ll make it exactly as it was before,” I assured her. “Or add anything you want.”
“Shelves with more books?” she asked.
“Whatever you dream up, we’ll make it happen,” I nodded.
Annika shot up from the bed so fast I barely had time to blink. She looked wild with excitement, her eyes shining as she turned toward me.
“We definitely need more books,” she said seriously, but she was on the burst of chuckling.
“More books, of course,” I said with a smirk, relishing the sight of her so excited.
“Of course,” she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “And jars for herbs. Better jars, matching ones this time. And more space for plants, inside and outside.”
I let her ramble, the sound of her voice filling the room. She was already waving her hands around, her ideas tumbling out faster than she could say them. I couldn’t stop grinning.
“And we need a proper pantry,” she continued, determined now. “With hooks and compartments so everything doesn’t get shoved into corners.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Shoved into corners? You mean like your current system for storage?”
She shot me a look but didn’t bother denying it. Instead, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping like she was about to share some secret plan.
“And a cat,” she said.
I blinked. “A cat?”
“Yes, a cat,” she repeated. “To keep the mice away.”
That was it. I couldn’t help myself. I laughed, loud and full, and fell back against the mattress, pulling her down with me. She let out a startled sound before dissolving into giggles, her hands pressed against my chest.
“A cat,” I said, still chuckling. “Shelves, herbs, jars, and a whole new pantry. Are we building a cottage or a fortress?”
“Both,” she declared, poking me in the ribs. “And it’s going to be perfect.”
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as her laughter softened. She fit against me like she always did, like she belonged there.
“I think it already is,” I murmured, brushing my lips against her hair.
She didn’t answer right away. Her breathing slowed, and I could feel the way her body relaxed against mine. But I knew her mind was still spinning with more plans, more ideas, more dreams for the life we were building.
And I wanted to build every single one of them with her.
Her fingers traced lightly over my chest, and she suddenly spoke. “And you?”
I swallowed, letting the warmth of her touch steady me. “I just want this. Right here.” I tilted her chin up, meeting her gaze. “You and me, Annika. That’s all I’ll ever need.”
Her eyes softened, and she leaned up to kiss me. It was a slow and lingering kiss, filled with every unspoken promise we’d made to each other.