Chapter 36
Chapter thirty-six
Kai
“The heart wants what it wants, and I want you.”
Ahand gently stirs me awake, its touch soothing as I lean into it, my eyes still closed.
“Kai . . .” Ash’s voice floats through my sleep-fogged mind. “Kai, wake up.”
Opening my eyes, I tilt my head back and stare into a pair of warm, captivating onyx eyes.
“You’re awake,” I murmur, smiling sleepily at her.
“Yes. Sorry for passing out. I used too much magic yesterday.”
“That’s okay, baby. We all needed the rest.”
I glance around the cavern and notice Seraphina is gone. “Where—”
“Gone to get some fresh air,” Ash interjects.
“Oh.”
Ash stands from the bed and stretches. “I thought we could get cleaned up while she’s gone.”
My eyes travel over her body, then to the rock pool, and the idea of washing all this dirt and dust off me sounds like heaven.
“I could do with a clean,” I reply, jumping to my feet.
Ash strips off what little she has on and immediately my pulse races at the sight of her naked curves, accentuated by the flickering glow of the fire. I swiftly undo my jeans, feeling relief as I kick off my heavy boots and pull my shirt over my head.
I slip into the water after Ash, the cool liquid embracing me as I move closer to her.
The dim light catches the strands of her long black hair, making them shimmer as they float around her like a dark halo.
She tips her head back, submerging herself just enough to wet her hair, the water cascading over her shoulders as she leans back in the pool.
Without a word, I reach out, my fingers gently massaging her scalp, working through the tangled mess of dried blood and dirt that clings to her hair.
Each touch is careful, soothing, as I focus on loosening the stubborn remnants of the battle we’ve just endured.
The sensation of her hair slipping through my fingers becomes smoother with each pass, and I can feel the tension in her body begin to melt away under my touch.
When her hair is finally clean, and my fingers glide effortlessly through the now-silky strands, Ash turns to face me.
Her dark eyes lock onto mine, a silent connection passing between us.
She wraps her arms around my neck, drawing herself closer, and her legs tighten firmly around my waist. The warmth of her body against mine is a stark contrast to the coolness of the water, and I can feel her heartbeat in sync with my own, a steady rhythm that grounds us both.
My hands find their way to her back, gliding over her skin in slow, deliberate strokes.
I knead the tight muscles, easing the knots that have formed from the strain of our ordeal.
She sighs softly, the sound almost lost in the quiet rippling of the water around us, and the last traces of her tension beginning to unravel.
Ash rests her forehead against mine, her breath warm against my skin as she closes her eyes. In this moment, the world outside ceases to exist.
My hands glide lower, down her back and over the soft curves of her ass, drawing her body closer.
Her soft moan has blood rushing to my cock, and her lips curl up as she grins against my cheek when she notices me hardening against her pussy.
Moving back enough to look at me, she rubs her nipples against my chest, raising her hips slightly.
My cock jumps, my stomach tightening with the lust burning in my veins.
“Ash,” I warn, nipping at her bottom lip.
“What?” she purrs, reaching between us.
Her delicate fingers firmly grip my cock, and she teasingly glides her hand along its length before positioning it at her entrance.
My heart thunders in my chest as I sink one of my hands into her hair and squeeze her waist with the other.
Our eyes remain locked as she lowers herself, my cock slowly slipping into her hot, wet, perfect pussy.
My breath escapes in a hiss, my head spinning with overwhelming desire. With a low moan, Ash’s mouth falls open and her hips rock in small motions as she takes more of me in.
“Fuck, baby.” My hands roam over her body, my mouth running up her neck and across her jaw.
Ash’s fingers dig into my shoulders. “Kai . . .”
I guide us to the edge of the small pool, gently pressing her lower back against the smooth surface of the rocks. With her hands caressing my cheeks, her mouth meets mine in a scorching kiss that sets my entire body ablaze.
I hold onto her hips firmly, pushing myself into her as the water adds a unique resistance that amplifies every sensation. It is torture. Every beat of my heart echoes her name as we sink into a rhythm.
“Being inside of you feels like heaven. I could spend all day fucking you and never tire.”
Ash moans, biting down on my ear. “Well you’d better hurry and make us both come because Seraphina is on her way back.”
My pulse jumps at her words, and a rush of warmth spreads through my veins.
In a display of dominance, I twist Ash’s hair around my fist, growling as I force her head back, making her neck and chest arch.
My teeth graze along the column of her neck, and she shivers, tightening around my cock.
The sensation of her walls contracting around me intensifies as I focus my attention on her nipple, teasing and caressing it with my fingers.
Ash’s hips move in time with my thrusts, and with each grinding motion, a deep growl escapes my throat.
A primal instinct takes over, as if I am more beast than man, each thrust hitting deeper inside her.
In our frantic pursuit of bliss, the water splashes around us, adding an exhilarating feel to the already thrilling moment.
My mouth covers hers, muffling her cries. A tingling sensation works its way through me, making me groan as my cock expands, and Ash’s inner walls clamp down hard around me.
“Fuck!” I roar, tipping my head back as I empty myself in her fucking bliss-inducing pussy. Her mouth moves along my neck, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses as I keep thrusting until she is finishing trembling from the force of her orgasm.
“You are the most complex and delicious dessert,” I murmur.
“And you, Mr. Cartwright, are an exhibitionist.”
I open my mouth to deny it, but what’s the point?
She knows. I shrug instead and slowly slide from her body.
Her arms remain wrapped around my neck, and she smiles at me .
. . and damn, her smile could light up the darkest of days, and her laughter is like music to my ears.
I lower my head and take her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss, drawing her bottom one into my mouth and sucking.
God, I could devour this woman.
My whole body vibrates with need, and having her sweet, soft body against mine only serves to make me hard again.
“Fuck,” I groan into her mouth.
Ash chuckles and pulls away ever so slightly. “She’s watching us.”
The thought of Seraphina watching sends a shot of lust through me, and Ash doesn’t miss it.
“Naughty boy,” she whispers, nipping my bottom lip.
I growl, following her lips as she pulls away from me. I’m not ready to leave the water, to go back to reality.
Grabbing my hand, she leads me over to the rock steps, and the sight of the water sliding down her body as we move to the shallows is like its own kind of torture. I wipe my hand over my face, mostly to cover my eyes.
Suddenly Ash stops, and I drop my hand as a wicked glimmer of mischief flickers in her dark eyes.
Her hands land on my waist, and she drops to her knees in front of me, in water no deeper than my knees.
Shadows drift from her body, snaking over my skin, caressing everywhere, the sensation maddening.
Ash has never used her shadows like this before.
“Ash,” I warn roughly.
“Yes?”
We stare at each other for a long moment, then she leans in, wrapping her fingers around my shaft and licking from root to tip. I suck in a sharp breath, fisting my hands at my sides as her teeth scrape lightly on the vein underneath. My head drops back, my muscles tensing as I clench my jaw.
Shadows skim over my skin as her tongue glides over every inch of my cock.
The sensations send a shiver of pleasure through me.
I drop my gaze, fixing it on her, and reach for her hair, gathering it up and wrapping it tightly around my fist. I pump my hips into her mouth, and I hear the faint sound of a gasp.
Shit, I’d already forgotten we have an audience.
The thought of Seraphina watching us makes me rock hard, and I thrust into Ash’s mouth roughly, my eyes drilling into hers.
“Fuck, baby, you take my cock so good.”
Ash hums around my shaft, then swallows, the vibrations and the squeeze of her throat making a hiss escape my lips.
I grip her chin with my other hand, pressing down on her jaw to open her up more for me.
Then I really fuck her mouth. Her shadows grow thicker, pulsing with need as they skim over my skin and caress my balls and nipples.
“You are mine and only mine,” I growl.
Ash nods, her hand slipping between her legs. I watch, mesmerized, as she pleasures herself while I fuck her mouth. My ears pick up another moan, this time echoing from the far end of the cavern. That and the sight of Ash on her knees, trembling in pleasure, pushes me over the edge.
I tip my head back, the roar that rips from my throat echoing around the cavern. I spill into Ash’s mouth, and she swallows over and over, my hips jerking in response to her throat working me.
“Fuck yes,” I huff out, pulling from her mouth, completely spent. I run my thumb across her swollen bottom lip and smirk. “Now, who’s the exhibitionist?” I tease.
With my support, Ash rises to her feet and rewards me with a tender kiss. The taste of me on her tongue should give me pause, but fuck that—it’s hot.
“I don’t mind it as long as no one tries to touch you, because if they attempt to, it will be the last thing they ever do. You are mine and I will curse or kill anyone who gets between us,” she whispers against my lips.
I squeeze her ass, and with a gentle but firm grip, I draw her body tightly against mine. “Baby, I love your jealousy, but you gotta know I’m yours and only yours.”
“Damn straight.”
Ash gives me one last lingering kiss and gracefully walks over to her clothes, her hips swaying with every step. With a mischievous wink over her shoulder, she bends over, collecting her discarded crop top and panties. I bite back a groan and close my eyes, tipping my head back in amusement.
“I really don’t want to put these clothes back on,” Ash mutters.
I drop my eyes back to her and walk over to retrieve my things. I tug on my jeans and then lean down to place a tender kiss on her head.
“One more day,” I murmur.
“But these are covered in blood,” Ash complains, scrunching up her nose. “Plus, they barely cover me.”
“Well, you’re not leaving here naked.”
“I’ve got something you can wear,” comes a meek voice from behind us.
Seraphina stands there, her cheeks burning a bright red as she keeps her attention fixed on the ground.
“That would be great. You don’t mind?” Ash replies.
“Of course not.” Seraphina quickly turns and walks over to where Ash spent the night and lifts up the old, worn mattress, retrieving a pile of clothes. I collect my shirt from the ground and give it a sniff.
“Shit,” I mutter.
“I have a shirt you can use. It’s old but should fit.”
Unfazed by her nudity, Ash steps forward and accepts the clothes from Seraphina’s outstretched hands. “Thanks,” she says.
“You’re welcome,” Seraphina replies, her golden eyes lifting and taking in Ash’s body before shifting to me. Her eyes get stuck on my abs.
I chuckle, knowing if she stares too long, Ash might bite. “Thanks, Sera. We’ll be ready to leave as soon as we’re dressed.”
Seraphina blinks and quickly drops her gaze again. “Right.”
Ash steps into the plain cream-colored dress. It’s like a giant nightgown with long sleeves. I raise an eyebrow at her teasingly and she smirks, slipping her arms into the light-gray piece that goes over the top. She efficiently laces up the front of the dress and adjusts the belt.
I smirk. “You look like an elven princess.”
“At least I’m clean,” she replies, poking out her tongue.
I snatch up the shirt that Sera left behind and raise an eyebrow. It’s a bit medieval.
One more day, I remind myself and tug it on.
Seraphina scurries away and hooks a brown leather satchel over her neck, then grabs a dagger from the table, along with a brown cloth.
“Do you have everything you need?” I ask, approaching her.
“Yes,” she whispers, not looking at me.
Great, now we’ve made her feel awkward and self-conscious.
“Look . . .” I start, but her face whips to mine, her eyes flashing.
“Please,” she hurriedly interjects. “Don’t say anything.”
Feeling uncomfortable, I instinctively rub the back of my neck as Ash comes over to us. There’s a sharpness in her dark eyes, a keen awareness that misses nothing. Not a single detail escapes her and her eerie sixth sense.
“Sera,” she says, her tone firm yet gentle, “there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
It’s a normal reaction. Embrace your natural instincts.
” Her words hang in the air, direct and honest, as if she’s trying to soothe the discomfort she knows I’m feeling.
“Plus,” she adds, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, “now you can look forward to a future where you can freely delve into your sexuality.”
The bluntness of her statement catches me off guard, and I can’t help but choke out a laugh.
It’s not that what she said is funny, it’s the sheer absurdity of how she’s trying to defuse the situation.
But that’s Ash for you, always finding a way to cut through the tension with her straightforwardness, whether it’s welcome or not.
“What you did together . . . is that natural? Is that what men and women do?” Seraphina asks, curious.
“Yes. And if you have the right partner, it’s extremely enjoyable.”
“Just enjoyable?” I inquire.
“Fine, mind-blowing,” Ash adds, rolling her eyes.
“That’s better.”
Ash grins and hooks her arm in Seraphina’s. “Ready?”
The na?ve shifter nods, biting her bright-red bottom lip. She’s nervous—and who wouldn’t be in her situation?
“Sera, like I told you last night, the decision is yours. Once we are safely out of this valley, we can discuss your options,” I assure her.
Seraphina pushes her black hair behind her ear, bobbing her head absently. “Okay.”
“Great. Then let’s go,” Ash urges.