20. Everly
Everly
Chapter twenty
Maxon stands, his arms cradling me as he carries me over to his bed.I find myself looking at him intently; the way his muscles rise to the surface of his skin, at the full curve of his lips. He is extremely handsome, unbelievably powerful, and he is holding me in his arms like I am precious to him.
With a heavy sigh, I rest my head against his chest. “I should really go back to my room. If someone sees us . . . ”
“No one will see us. You are safe here.”
Maxon places me on the bed and climbs in behind me, pulling the soft silk sheets up over us. I roll over and snuggle into his side, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he anchors me to his side, creating a sense of intimacy and protection. I relax, drawing his strength and warmth as I listen to his strong, steady heartbeat under my ear. A wave of familiarity washes over me, and I can’t help but feel like I have finally found where I truly belong.
“Maxon?”
“Yes.”
The words I love you are on the tip of my tongue. But that’s crazy. I have only known him for a week. How can I possibly be in love with him? Will he think I’m crazy? I don't want to scare him off, but the way he looks at me makes me think he feels the same way, too. Although, I’m too afraid to ask.
For the first time since I can remember, I feel like I’d found home. Could that be because I am so desperate to find that place to call home? Really, I have no clue what home is. I never had one growing up.
“Nothing,” I reply, drawing lazy circles on his chest, following the patterns of his tattoos. The tattoos on his face seamlessly continue down his neck, with the vines gracefully curving around his chest and waist.
As Maxon's hand glides up and down my arm, my eyelids grow heavy, and I fight to keep them open. Eventually, I surrender to sleep, embraced by a comforting feeling of contentment and security.
The next morning, I awaken to the gentle streaming of light through the curtains and the soft caress of a breeze causing the sheer fabric to dance.I sink my back into Maxon's warm chest, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.I am sore. Deliciously sore. A good sore. I’ve never experienced sex like that before, and I think that was the first time I’ve actually orgasmed during sex. Which sounds absolutely crazy.
Maxon’s muscular arm is wrapped under my breasts, keeping me close as if worried I’d disappear during the night. I can feel his gentle breath tickling the strands of hair beside my ear. His erection is pressed against my ass, and I can’t help but wriggle a little. Maxon’s hips instinctively thrust, his cock wedging between my ass cheeks, and he lets out a low groan as his arm tightens around me, pulling me flush against him.There is a pulsating ache in my core as my heart races. The anticipation fills every inch of my being. My fingers tremble slightly, betraying the rush of emotions coursing through me. With bated breath, I close my eyes, surrendering myself to the intoxicating desire that consumes me.
“Stóirín,” his deliciously deep voice rumbles against the shell of my ear, sending goosebumps rippling over me and making my nipples hard.
A soft noise escapes my lips as I draw in a sharp breath, my hips rocking back. His touch sends shivers dancing down my spine, awakening a hunger I never knew existed. Every nerve in my body pulses with an extreme need, a magnetic pull toward him.
We dance on the edge of danger, a reckless tango in the darkness.
With each breath, I surrender to the invigorating thrill of his touch. The world fades into a blur of shadows as we become lost in our own universe.
Maxon’s hand skims down my stomach as he places kisses along my neck and shoulder. My eyes fall shut, soaking in the sensations of his fingers and lips on my skin. He groans when his fingers get to my pussy, finding me wet and ready for him.
“Stóirín, you are perfect.”
I draw in a sharp breath as his fingers move in slow torturous circles around my clit.
“Maxon . . . ” I moan, my hand going behind my head to sink into his hair.
I rock my hips against his hand, my breathing labored. Maxon's hand dips lower and he sinks a finger inside of me, pushing in deep and then pulling out before adding another finger, heat coiling deep in my stomach.
Removing his hand, he lifts my leg slightly and pushes inside of me, his cock filling me in one deep thrust.
“Oh my god!” I cry out.
The heat from his cock and the silky smoothness instantly have me teetering on the edge. Maxon’s mouth moves to my ear, his teeth biting down on my earlobe, causing me to clench around his cock.
“Will I ever get enough of you?” he growls, pressing his cheek against mine.
The words send my pulse into overdrive, and I moan, tightening my grip on his hair. Maxon lets go of my leg, our hips still moving in tandem as his hand wraps around my throat. In this moment of vulnerability, I turn my head blindly, guided solely by the magnetic pull drawing me closer to him. My senses heighten, and I can almost taste the electricity in the air. The world around us fades into a blur as my focus narrows down to the warmth of his breath on my face. Our lips meet in a passionate, possessive fire.
Everything ceases to exist, replaced only by the symphony of our intertwined breaths and the sweet touch of our lips. It is a dance of passion and vulnerability, a dance that speaks volumes without uttering a single word.
Maxon's rough hand cups my breast, his thumb stroking over my nipple, making my core tighten around him. His forehead drops to my shoulder, and I feel his body tense.
“Fuck,” he snarls, the sound sending a ripple of desire through me.
He cups my breast and pinches my nipple, rolling it between his thumb and finger. The invisible string pulls taut and I break apart, my orgasm sending me free falling into the abyss. Maxon follows me over the edge as his hand moves to my hip to hold me still as he rocks against me, drawing out the pleasure moving through me. Everything goes black for a split second, and then the world comes back to life in a whirlwind of colors, leaving me panting for breath and completely boneless.
“I want to stay here with you in this bed all day,” Maxon murmurs against my skin.
A giddy feeling consumes me, sending a swarm of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Maxon's arms tighten around me, as we lie here entwined in each other. I soak in the moment, a lazy haze floating around us. The taste of his lips lingers on mine, etching itself into my memory, to be a constant reminder of the profound intimacy we shared in that single, electrifying moment.
Suddenly, a pounding starts on the door, and I startle. Maxon kisses my shoulder and stands just as the wall slides open and Zaria comes running in with Nix flying in behind her. In a moment of panic, I scream and hastily cover myself with a sheet. Maxon slowly lowers his sword as he takes in Zaria and Nix.
When did he get that?
Zaria and Nix pause, their wide eyes taking in our state of undress. Zaria snaps out of it quicker that Nix and rushes forward. “There you are! You need to come now.”
Another round of banging starts at the door, and Maxon frowns. “What’s happening?”
“The guards found Everly’s room empty. They are searching for her.”
Panic drenches my body in ice.
“They can’t find me here,” I whisper, jumping from the bed.
Nix flies toward Maxon. “What were you thinking? She is human, you can’t . . . ”
Maxon's menacing growl stops Nix’s tirade, and she gasps, looking between us. Zaria grabs my arm and tugs me toward the hidden passage, my feet catching in the bedsheet, making me stumble. Maxon is there, his firm grip keeping me upright.
"Careful," he murmurs, his voice barely audible.
I tilt my head back, and his piercing violet eyes meet mine, and in that moment, I feel myself melting under his gaze.
Panicked, Zaria scrambles to grab my nightdress, her voice filled with urgency.“We have to go now. I will sneak her into my quarters and say I had her helping me with chores.”
Maxon releases his grip on me and softly nudges me toward the passage, while Nix swiftly flies past me into the abyss.
“Go. I’ll find you later.”
With one final look back, I slip into the tunnel, the darkness enveloping me as the wall seamlessly closes behind me.