CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
I exploded. White light danced behind my eyes as the ripples of ecstasy surged through my body. Wave after wave consumed me as I cried out. His movements slowed giving me time to come down from it.
I sucked in a shaky breath, my limbs trembling as he slowly covered my body with his.
“I knew I could teach you that word,” he murmured against my lips, a teasing, wicked smile playing there.
I narrowed my eyes, but couldn’t help smiling back. “I was going to tell you how incredible that was, but just for that, I won’t.”
His laughter was soft and his chest vibrated against mine as he nuzzled my neck, placing light kisses there.
“That’s alright. You can tell me when we’re finished.”
I took a deep, shuddering breath. My eyes fluttered closed as his lips found mine again. He positioned his body between my legs, lifting one around his hip .
“Mia,” he said gently, his tone more serious now. I looked up at him, his eyes soft with a hint of concern. “Are you sure you want this?”
I nodded, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. I didn’t care. If this one memory of us together was all I would have, it was worth the pain that would come later when I lost him.
He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand, hesitating, staring at me as if I was the only thing he ever wanted to see again.
“I assume you’ve never…” he began, the memory of his question the night before rushed back. “Have you ever been kissed?”
I shook my head again, a flesh blush creeping up my throat.
“I’ll try to be gentle.”
He shifted his weight, positioning himself between my thighs. I gave him a reassuring smile, opening wider to take him. He moved slowly, pushing into me, his muscles tense from holding himself back. He watched me closely, the concern melting my heart.
I bit my lip, trying not to let on that I was in pain as I stretched wide to accommodate him. He moved inch by inch, pausing with effort at my breach.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice strained. Before I could reply, he seated himself fully inside of me. I felt my virginity slip away, pain and burning shooting through me.
I cried out, but Lucien’s lips were on mine in an instant, swallowing my pain.
He was completely still inside of me, waiting, letting me get used to it. He kissed me gently, pulling my mind to the way his tongue intertwined with mine.
After a long moment, he pulled back and searched my face, his thumb brushing away the single tear that had slipped from my eyes.
“Are you alright?”
I wiggled a little beneath him realizing the pain had almost nearly subsided. I took a deep breath, tangling my hands in his dark hair.
“Yes,” I whispered, and the confirmation was all he needed. He moved slowly, in and out, his mouth dipping to my throat then to each breast.
After a few moments of the rhythmic motion of his hips driving him further and further inside of me, that intense sensation began to build in me all over again.
I moaned, arching, needing to take more of him. My hands were everywhere on him, feeling— memorizing the hard planes of his body. I wanted to touch and feel every inch of him, burn them into my skin so that I would never forget.
A deep, hungry sound came from him when I ground my pelvis against him. Heat coiled through my body and my skin tingled everywhere he touched .
Deeper, harder, he moved in me until I thought I would pass out from how good it felt. I moved with him, trying to take all of him.
“Lucien,” I gasped, “I—“
His mouth found mine again just as waves of pleasure rolled through my body. I moaned into his mouth and he pushed into me as I ground my hips. A moment later, his own pleasure erupted, his voice thick as he groaned.
We laid there, entangled as I heaved for air for a long moment before he pulled back, brushing small kisses across my brow.
My wits finally began to come back to me as I looked up at him. The stabbing pain of what was to come twisted deep in my heart.
I loved him and he would be gone soon.
I had no idea how much time we still had before the painting completely faded and Lucien would be lost to me forever, but the thought strangled me like a noose.
A sob slipped from my throat, and before I could force it down, hot tears filled my eyes and spilled over. I tried to bury my face in Lucien’s shoulder, but it was too late.
He stiffened, searching my face, furiously wiping the tears from my cheeks. He shifted, taking his weight and warmth from me.
It only made me cry harder.
He gathered me to him, his chin resting on top of my head as I sobbed uncontrollably against his chest.
“Mia,” he urged gently, his arms tightening. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
I shook my head against him, the salty tears streaking his broad chest.
“Nothing,” I whispered. “That was just… incredible”
He was quiet for a long moment and then I felt him sigh. He kissed the top of my head. “Do you want to tell me why you’re upset about that?”
I wiped my eyes and sniffled, hesitating before I finally lied. “It’s just… the curse.”
“Hmm,” he murmured softly as if considering my excuse. After a moment he pulled back, forcing me to look at him. “I’ll accept that excuse for now,” he said gently, his thumb gliding over my cheek.
I nodded, unwilling to speak about the looming future any further. I didn’t want to think about it. I couldn’t think about losing him.
“Lucien?” I whispered, resting my head back against his chest.
“Yes, witch?”
“Will you stay with me a while?”
I felt his lips curve into a lazy smile against my head. “I’d stay with you forever if I could. ”
His words made my pulse quicken and my eyes fluttered closed, my mind and body exhausted. I snuggled closer to him and his hold tightened. His warmth seeped into me down to my bones and I drifted into a deep sleep.