Chapter Eighteen #3
He stops at my hips and retraces his path.
I stare into his eyes, and my breath stutters at the intensity.
Once he reaches the edge of my underwear, his fingers slip underneath, tugging, and slowly slide them down.
I lift slightly, aiding their removal. I’m exposed to his gaze as he lifts my legs, bends my knees, and spreads me wide.
He leans forward, his face hovering over me briefly while he backs off the bed.
I grit my teeth, impatient, a protest on the tip of my tongue.
He smiles as if he knows and removes his pants.
He’s beautiful. Powerful. And all mine.
“Take your bra off,” he orders, and I lift my chest. My fingers fumble with the clasp, and I freeze as he crawls onto the bed.
I forget what I’m supposed to be doing. He smirks and lowers his head, skimming his lips over my skin, not stopping until his mouth hits the strap between my breasts.
I snap out of it when he yanks on it with his teeth.
“Shit,” I murmur, finally succeeding in releasing the clasp.
I sink back to the bed, and he pulls. The fabric moves, and I shiver as it slides over my nipples.
He balances on one hand to remove it, and I’m completely bare.
With so few partners and only one man who saw me naked, I should be nervous.
With Rome, it feels natural, and he doesn’t make me question his need for me.
Every glance and every touch of his hand show me that he loves what he sees.
“I’ve never seen such beauty,” he whispers, kissing me lightly.
“It’s all mine.” He dips his head and sucks one nipple and then the other.
Cupping my shoulders, I gasp as he moves down, his hands slide to my breasts while his mouth opens over my skin.
His hands continue down my body, over my stomach, to my hips.
My back leaves the bed as he sucks my clit.
“Rome,” I moan, my hand threading through his hair.
“My Mara is delicious,” he rumbles, and I lift my hips. “Impatient.”
“Yes,” I whimper. His touches have been light but powerful.
“Do you want more?” He licks.
“You know I do,” I grit out. He slides one of his hands over my stomach and down the inside of my thigh. I hold my breath and then release it harshly when he thrusts his finger inside me. “Yes,” I hiss, pushing up to meet him.
“Fuck, so sweet.” He glides in and out. “More?”
“Rome,” I cry, lifting faster. “I need you.”
“Once I’m inside you, it’s going to be fast.”
“I want fast.” I’m already ready to explode.
“Now, please.” He surges up, covering me, thrusting deep.
I wrap my hands around the headboard, my neck stretching.
Cupping my hip, he pulls me closer, pressing our bodies together.
His fingers are spread, holding me where he wants me.
I try to move, but he hisses and drops his weight onto me.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he says roughly. I appreciate his restraint and care.
“My body was made for you. It doesn’t hurt.” His eyes flare, and he thrusts shortly before holding still.
“It was, wasn’t it?” He swirls his hips, and I groan.
“Thank you for welcoming me home,” he rumbles.
He pulls almost all the way out, and then steadily fills me again.
Over and over, he moves. Letting go of my hip, he slides his hand up the side of my body, his thumb skimming my breast. My tattoos pulse under his touch.
Back and forth until he stops on my neck, tipping my chin up, and taking my mouth.
Wrapping my legs around his hips, I surrender to the skills of his mouth and allow my emotions to take over.
Rome was right; our magic is stable. Instead of the effects of our feelings causing spells to shoot through the room, they center between us, making the marks on our bodies pulse in time with each other.
I let go of the bedframe and glide my palms over his shoulders.
I thread one hand through his hair, and the other cups the back of his neck. I break the kiss, gasping for breath.
“Rome,” I pant, and he speeds up. “I—” The build is climbing quickly, the pressure almost overwhelming.
“You ready to come, my Mara?” He growls, and I nod shakily. My grip tightens, and the bed hits the wall as he takes me harder. “Get there, baby.” He dips his head and sucks my nipple. The scruff on his face rubs against my sensitive skin, adding another layer of pleasure.
“Yes,” I hiss, and fall over the edge. It rolls through me, sending sparks of electricity through every corner of my being, sealing us together.
“Fuck,” he says gruffly, lifting his head. He thrusts twice more and holds deep. I tremble and drop my legs.
He presses his forehead to mine, our breath mingling, and our bodies locked together.
The room is calm, and our magic recedes into us.
I lighten my touch, realizing my nails are digging into his scalp.
We don’t need to speak to know the importance of the moment.
The soul bond is complete, and with the joining of our bodies in every way, it seals our connection.
I would do anything for Rome. He’s given me a future I didn’t allow myself to hope for.
He eases back and looks into my eyes. I smile slightly and kiss him.
I move my hands and brush them across his shoulders.
Pulling back, I kiss his cheek, then the other, and then his jaw. I bite him lightly and lie back.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this,” I whisper, smirking.
“I know we never will,” he says, lifting slightly and looking down. “You're beautiful, my Mara.”
“You make me feel beautiful.” I hiss as he eases out of me and sits on his heels. He narrows his eyes and touches my side. “What’s wrong?”
“A new tattoo,” he mumbles, and brushes his thumb over it. I look down and gasp. Sitting up, I turn slightly and touch it. An infinity symbol is down my side, four inches in length, with a sun and moon on either side of it in its center.
“It’s gorgeous.” I look at him, my eyes wet, and get to my knees. “You have the same.” I press my hand under the identical tattoo on his chest, under his heart.
“Our combined power.” He cups my hand and smiles. “Representing our soul bond.” I want to sob, knowing we will forever be tied together in the most profound way.
“I love you,” I say, and he tilts his head.
“Don’t cry, love.” He cups my face, kissing me gently. “I want to give you something else that signifies our bond.” I tilt my head watching him pull off one of his rings.
“Rome,” I whisper, staring at the silver band, unsure what it means. We haven’t talked about marriage.
“When I was a teenager, I was much like you. Hiding from the world, afraid of the magic I could do. Mom loved to travel, and she lectured me that if I didn’t confront my fears, I wouldn’t be able to see all the beautiful places in the world.
” He slides his hand underneath mine. “Every trip she took, she bought me a ring. I have hundreds of them. Each has a different meaning, or she found them in a special way. This one…” He holds it with his free hand.
“It has been spelled to remain stuck in time because it is very old. She was in Ireland, staying with her friend, another witch. The woman had never found her soul bond, and she decided to stop practicing her magic years before. She began to age, and her spells lay unmoving inside her. Mom tried unsuccessfully to convince her to resume her magic, try to turn back time, or at least stop aging. The woman wanted to live her life on her terms, and she was tired of waiting. Her life was filled with human friends, and that was enough for her. She gave this to her and told her to give it to someone special. The woman said to tell whoever it was to always live life in whatever way, as long as they were satisfied. Whether that is living with magic or without. Live happily and with no regrets. The woman was in love with a human, and he loved her. It didn’t matter that they had no magic; they were loyal to each other.
” He slips the ring on my index finger. “This isn’t an engagement ring.
” He smiles. “If you want that, we can pick something out together.” He squeezes my hand once it’s in place.
“This represents love, loyalty, and family. With or without magic, we belong together.”
“It’s beautiful.” I swallow hard, staring into his eyes. “What happened to them?”
“Mom met her friend's man and understood. She asked her warlock friend to spell the man so he would live as long as her friend did. They died the same day, the same minute, at age one hundred and twenty.” He laces our fingers. “The band is simple, and so was their life. Yet, the most powerful things aren’t extravagant. They lived tucked away, in love and respect. I will show you the same devotion. I can’t imagine living without my spells, but I could with you.
I would give it all up just to be with you. ”
“Rome,” I whisper, climbing onto his lap.
“Thank you. I will always cherish it and your love.” I hug him tight, my lips against his ear.
“As long as I have you, nothing else matters. I love you, not for your power, but for your heart.” I ease back, pressing my palm to his chest. “I’m so grateful we found each other.
” I kiss him tenderly, and he touches his forehead to mine.
We sit in silence, glorying in our new bond, his hands roaming my back.
As he pulls back, I notice voices outside. “Is that Lace?”
“I couldn’t hold the soundproof spell,” he grumbles, moving off the bed. “She was disturbed by the noise. Archer is trying to calm her down.”
“Since when?” I jump up and grab my clothes.
“Since the thunder in a cloudless sky,” he chuckles.
“She’s been standing out there that long?” I hiss, pulling on my underwear.
“No, I believe he talked her back into her house,” he says.
“You didn’t say anything.”
“I was a little distracted, and so were you,” he points out. “I knew someone was activating my spell.” He pulls up his jeans. “Like fuck I was going to stop to reassure her.”
“She’s been—” I slap my hand over my mouth to hold in my giggles. My sister thought we were in trouble. “It’s a good thing our magic has settled. She’ll move away every time we have sex.”
“Who said anything about settling?” He yanks me against his chest, and I hear lightning crackle. “The neighborhood had better prepare. I plan on causing storms as much as possible.” He smirks, kisses me, and lets me go.
“Damn,” I breathe, biting my lip. I stare at him and am disappointed when he puts on a shirt.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he says gruffly, and I shake my head.
“I’m in,” a voice yells. My eyes widen.
“Fuck no,” he growls.
“Is that your mom?” I gasp.