Chapter 19 What of the Future? #2
“Wow,” she said as she took in the contents of his bedroom—the enormous bed with the sage-green covers. The pieces of furniture were bold and heavy with beautiful flowers and vines carved into the dark wood. Two paintings—one of forest and the other of the sea—hung on the walls.
A large wardrobe took up one wall, the three sliding doors allowing access.
“I have a small bathroom through that door.” Tāwera set her on the bed. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“I thought you would. Jessalyn helped me to choose furnishings.” He unbuttoned his shirt while he spoke.
“I bought the pictures when I visited Russell. They were the first big things I purchased by myself. I like them because they remind me of home.” He removed his jeans next and the plain black boxer-briefs he wore beneath, standing before her without shame.
“I love looking at you,” she whispered. “You’re an attractive man.”
“Who has eyes for no one but you,” he said, his gaze full of honesty.
Nyree smiled and stood, letting the robe fall to the floor in a puddle of silk.
“You are the beautiful one,” he whispered. “Come here.”
She walked into his arms and offered her lips. He claimed them, kissing her with more hunger than earlier. His arms curled around her, firm and determined.
“Nyree,” he whispered. “I have counted the days until I could hold you again.”
A sense of rightness engulfed her, and she softened, letting him lift her and place her on the bed. He came down over her, caging her within his arms, yet making her feel protected and loved.
She ran her fingertips over his cheek, skimming the old scars of his tattoos. “Tāwera,” she whispered. “I didn’t think I’d ever want a man after the way Ari treated me. Then you came along, and I haven’t caught my breath since.”
His dark brows arched. “Is that a good thing?”
A laugh burst from her. “It’s perfect. That’s what I’m trying to say in a roundabout way.
You sneaked into my heart when I wasn’t looking.
I love you and can’t imagine being with any other man.
It’s the way you view the world, your courage in attacking the unknown, your honesty and goodness. I love you more than I can describe.”
“I hoped this was so, but now can we continue to ease the pain in my muscles?”
Nyree gasped. “You’re in pain? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I don’t want your sympathy. I loathe the idea of you having sex because you feel sorry for me. If that were the case, I’d prefer you to sleep in the spare room.”
“Stop.” Nyree placed her hand over his mouth. “Hush. This is not a pity fuck, Tāwera. Never a pity fuck. I meant it. I love you and want to be with you because you’re special. All right?”
He stared at her for a fraction longer and flashed a quick smile. “We both have doubts. It will take time for us to become comfortable again.”
“No, it won’t,” Nyree said. “The moment I walked into your home… No, it was the moment I saw you at the airport that I finally felt whole again. I won’t change my mind. We have a future together, and that is final.”
“Yes,” Tāwera said, and he settled in to kiss her again.
This time his kiss flared full of passion, igniting a fire inside her.
Their hands wandered and explored, learning each other all over again.
She stroked his shoulders and traced fingers over his cursed tattoo that curled from his back around to the side of his rib cage. He shivered, and she lowered her head to follow the path of her fingers with her tongue.
“Nyree,” Tāwera whispered, his eyes closed, and his body tensed.
“Are you ticklish?”
“No.”
She backed up, moving down his body, suddenly realizing what his problem was when his cock poked her in the leg.
“Ah. I can fix this problem for you. We have all night.”
Tāwera gasped as she wrapped her hands around his shaft. “M-Manu suggested I should let you sleep after your long journey.”
“My cousin had a lot to say for himself,” she said dryly.
“He is my friend. I trust him.”
Her pique faded as fast as it had arrived. “Manu is a fine man and an excellent leader. You could not have a better friend.”
“Yes.” He jumped as she replaced her fingers with her lips. “Nyree,” he whispered.
She took him deeper into her mouth, using her hands at the base of his shaft to control the depth of his penetration. When she pulled back, she smiled. “Just enjoy.”
“But you—”
“Later,” she said firmly, and she licked and stroked and sucked until her big man shuddered in her arms. His hips jerked, driving him deeper, and he groaned.
“Nyree!” he cried out seconds before he came.
She continued, kissing and stroking as she swallowed, pleasure filling her too since this was something she could give him to ease his pain.
Finally, she slid back from his softened cock and crawled up the bed to kiss him.
He rolled without warning, trapping her beneath him, and she groaned in anticipation.
He cupped her breasts and squeezed her nipples in the way he’d learned she enjoyed.
His hands stroked her body, and he kissed her lips, her neck, the curve of her breasts until she writhed beneath him.
He kissed down her body, finding every sensitive place with his lips and tongue.
Her pulse raced, and pleasure roared through her, each delicious touch driving her higher.
Tāwera parted her legs and nibbled on the soft flesh of her inner thighs.
The next moment, he licked along her slit, and her eyes flew open, her body jolting in pleased surprise.
Tāwera’s smile was slow and sexy, and it warmed her through from her head to the tips of her toes.
“Do it again,” she whispered, expectation lodged low in her belly.
Satisfaction settled on his face, and he bent to do her bidding. “This spot.” He licked along an edge, barely hitting her clit. “Or here.”
Her fingers settled in his silky black locks. “Right there.”
He gave her one, long luscious lick, and just like that, she soared the heights into orgasm.
Tāwera placed a delicate kiss on top of her still pulsing nub before rising to draw her into his arms. He was big and muscular and warm. All hers.
“Did that help with the lingering aches?” she asked, smiling at him.
“I still ache.” His grin turned naughty as he fisted his renewed erection.
“So I see,” she murmured. “We can fix that too, but seriously, do you have a problem all the time, or does it become worse during the full moon then ease?”
“My pain is worse during my moonlust, but with you here, I am whole. Healthy.”
“Me too,” Nyree murmured. “Rollover.”
He stared at her quizzically and did as she ordered. Nyree straddled his hips and guided his cock to her entrance before bearing down. Her pace was unhurried as she sank onto his shaft.
“Nyree,” Tāwera whispered, his eyes more golden in the privacy of his bedroom. “That is incredible.”
“Wait, there’s more,” she said, and her grin felt lighthearted and happy.
She rolled her hips before rising and sinking again.
She rocked while watching Tāwera’s handsome, tattooed face.
His golden-brown gaze was intense, his enjoyment in doing this with her—making love—palpable, and his pleasure fed her own.
Faster and faster, she went until their harsh breaths filled the room.
Tāwera gripped her hips with his big hands, and his eyes narrowed.
“Nyree, yes,” he whispered, driving his hips upward to meet each of her downward slides. Nyree stroked her clit, and Tāwera watched her with his intense gaze. “You are so beautiful.”
“You’re the beautiful one,” she replied, shrugging aside his words.
“People…” He paused and gritted his teeth, his face a mask of masculine satisfaction as he lost control and gave in to his climax.
Nyree stroked her swollen nub and followed him a heartbeat later. She fell forward, boneless, and his muscular arms wrapped around her. Once again, it was like coming home.
“People what?” she asked as they cuddled in the aftermath, their pulses still racing. The thud of his heart comforted her, and she yawned, exhaustion catching up with her.
“When I walk down the street, either with Manu or our other friends or alone, people stare at me. My facial tattoos scare some. A few cross the road instead of walking past me.”
“That’s their problem, not yours,” Nyree said fiercely. “I bet none of our tribe treat you in this way.”
“No. Manu suggested we not tell any except our close friends about the curse and my origins. He said while he trusted most of his people, he didn’t want anyone to slip and spread the truth by mistake.”
“Understandable.” Nyree played with a lock of his hair, the silky strand bringing familiarity and comfort. “Are you going to continue working with Manu and George Taniwha & Sons?”
“Yes, I enjoy the work and the variety, and it allows me to learn. I find I enjoy education. It’s part of the reason I learned to read and write English when the missionaries came to our village. Will you live in my house with me?”
“Yes.” She smiled because now that she was in his arms, it was such a simple decision.
She’d forgotten how spending time with Tāwera soothed her, and she found his curiosity and his quest for knowledge endlessly fascinating.
“I, too, wish to support you and enjoy a future together.” She pushed up on one elbow so she could see his face.
“I have a confession. I missed you from the moment you left South Georgia with Manu. Once you left, my mind took me to dark places. I worried you’d find another woman who suited you better.
Each day I told myself we were merely friends, and it was too soon for a relationship after Ari. ”
Tāwera’s brows lifted. “You lied to yourself.”
Nyree laughed, a wry, derisive sound that echoed within the room. “I did, and my jealousy grew in proportion. It was difficult to read your emails about everything you were doing and the people you were meeting.”
“For the last time, Nyree. It is you whom I love. You make me laugh and smile and wish to get up each morning. And it is you who makes my heart beat faster, and my passion grows each time I see you. You are the woman I wish to stand at my side, and if you do not want the same, tell me now.”
Nyree rolled on top of Tāwera and cupped his face in her hands.
“You’ve been honest with me and told me what was in your heart. I could do nothing less. In my roundabout way, I was trying to explain I was jealous because my feelings for you ran deep. I love you, Tāwera, and that is my last word on the matter.”
Tāwera chuckled, his laugh full of joy and a touch of humor. “Then sleep, my love, because I will keep you busy in my bed later.”
Nyree shifted onto her side, and Tāwera cuddled her from behind. She drifted off to sleep in Tāwera’s arms with a smile curving her lips.
Her man. Her love. Their future.