18. Davrik
CHAPTER 18
DAVRIK
I pull her closer, feeling her warmth against my chest. Her soft declaration echoes in my mind, making my heart race in a way no dangerous delivery ever has. The familiar scent of her hair - earthy and sweet like the plants she loves so much - fills my senses.
"I've been fighting this," I whisper into her hair. "Fighting what you mean to me. What I know you are to me."
She shifts, looking up at me with those curious eyes that see through every wall I try to build. "What am I to you?"
My fingers trace along her jawline. "Everything." The word comes out rough, like it's been dragged from deep inside me.
"That's a lot for how short we've knows each other," she admits. "But…I agree. I don't know why but, you mean so much to me too."
"You have such a bright future, doing important work. That life can't co-exist with the one I lead."
"Is that why you've been so strange lately?" Her hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining. Her eyes are searching mine, looking for answers I'm not ready to give her.
But I have to.
"I thought I could protect you by staying away. My life, what I do... it's not safe. Not clean." I press my forehead to hers. "But I can't fight it anymore. I don't want to."
She reaches up, her fingers ghosting across my cheek. "Then don't."
"I love you too, Alice." The words feel like freedom. Like coming home after a lifetime of running. I capture her lips with mine, pouring everything I can't say into the kiss. All my fears, my hopes, my promises - they flow between us as natural as breathing.
The Athenaverse might be vast and cold, but right here, on this couch, in this moment, I've found my anchor. Whatever comes next, whatever price I have to pay for my past, I'll face it. For her. For us.
As our lips part, I take a moment to breathe her in, the sweet scent of her desire mingling with the earthy aroma of the lab. My fingers trace a path down her body, finding the hem of her shirt and slipping beneath it. She gasps, arching into my touch, and I can't help but smile against her lips.
Her breasts are warm against my palm as I cup them under her bra. I feel her nipple harden against me, begging for more attention that I happily give. Carefully, I pinch one, delighting in the squeak she lets out in response.
"Is this okay?" I murmur, my voice husky with need.
"Yes," she whispers, her hands fumbling with the fastenings of my pants. "More than okay."
I take that as permission, my fingers sliding lower to find the warmth between her legs. She's already wet, her body eager and ready for me. I groan, my cock throbbing in response as she frees it from the confines of my clothing.
Her hand wraps around me, her touch tentative at first, but growing bolder with each stroke. I match her rhythm, my fingers working in time with her movements. Her breath hitches, her hips bucking against my hand as I find that perfect spot inside her.
"Davrik," she gasps, the nails of her free hand digging into my shoulders. "I'm close."
"Come for me, Alice," I whisper, my thumb pressing against her clit. "Let me feel you."
She does, her body shuddering as she cries out my name. I relish the look of her, practically glowing as she crumbles under my touch. And we're only getting started.
Her fingers tug at my pants, eager and impatient. I chuckle, helping her strip away the rest of my clothes. "Eager, are we?"
She grins up at me, breathless. "You have no idea."
I lean down, capturing her mouth with mine as I slip off her pants, my hands exploring every curve of her body. She shivers under my touch, her skin soft and warm. I can feel her heart racing, matching the pounding in my own chest.
My hands continue their work until she's bare naked once again. Her skin is tan from her fieldwork, but pale where her skin hides behind a tank top and shorts. The way human skin works fascinates me, and I pepper kisses across those lines.
"Gods, you're beautiful," I murmur, trailing more kisses down her neck, her collarbone, her breasts. She arches into me, a soft gasp escaping her lips. I take that as all the invitation I need, settling between her legs, my cock pressing against her entrance.
Her eyes meet mine, wide and full of trust. I hold her gaze as I slowly push into her, feeling her body stretch to accommodate me. She's tight, wet, perfect. A moan escapes her lips, and I can't help but grin.
"Like that, do you?" I tease, rocking my hips against hers.
She nods, her breath coming in short gasps. "More," she manages to say, her nails digging into my shoulders. Her legs wrap tight around my hips, squeezing and demanding I fill her completely.
I give her what she wants, driving into her, the couch cushions squeaking in protest. Her body moves with mine, meeting each thrust, her hips rising to take me deeper. The room fills with the sound of our bodies coming together, the scent of our lovemaking heavy in the air.
Her eyes flutter closed, her head falling back as I hit a spot deep inside her. A soft "Oh" escapes her lips, and I can feel her body tightening around me. I lean down, capturing her mouth with mine, swallowing her moans as I continue to drive into her.
Suddenly, I pull back, flipping us over so she's straddling me. Her eyes widen in surprise, but she grins, her hands pressing against me.
"Your turn," I say, a wicked smile playing on my lips.
She laughs, a sound full of joy and life. And then she starts to move, her hips rising and falling as she rides me. I watch her, my hands on her hips, her breasts bouncing with each movement. She's a goddess, a queen, a force of nature. And she's mine.
Her confidence grows more and more, her smile turning to a smirk. I grab her hands and lead them to her breasts.
"Play with them," I demand. Her cheeks blush bright red, but she does so, putting on a delicious show for me.
"Davrik," she gasps, her body tightening around me. I can feel her getting close, her movements becoming more urgent, more desperate.
"That's it, love," I encourage, my own body responding to hers. "Take what you need."
Her movements become faster, more erratic, her breath coming in short gasps. And then, with a cry, she comes undone, her body convulsing around me. I follow her over the edge, my own release crashing through me like a wave.
She collapses on top of me, her body slick with sweat, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, feeling her heart beat against my chest.
"Wow," she murmurs, her voice soft and satisfied.
I chuckle, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Wow indeed."
As we lay there, I glide my fingers against the length of her spine. She feels so delicate under my touch, like I could easily snap her in half.
The thought sends a shiver through me. Having a fated mate is already such a responsibility —a burden some would say— but having one that's human is even worse.
Humans are fragile things, their lifespans short and constantly at odds with the dangers out there.
That trail of thought brings me back to the present, and I lean up to look down at Alice's ankle.
"Where's your bandage?" I ask, almost accusingly.
She pushes herself up on my chest, grinning down at me wildly.
"What?" I ask again.
"You're never going to believe what I discovered."