Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
W ith my plan in motion, I had the best sleep I had had in months. Even before I was attacked. The sound of that haunting voice now stored away as comfort. I was going to make him love me. He had no choice. He had disappeared for three days after my question. Although nothing eventful happened within that time, his lack of presence was noted by all.
I planned my future. I would tempt him. Just as he always said I did.
I had dressed with the help of Mary that morning into a square-neckline dress she had assured me was bright red. My breasts pushed up uncomfortably under the corset. Mary had said it was common for women to wear this kind of gown amongst high society. But all I wanted now was to put on my shield of high collared dresses. I had pestered her for the shade as I planned to lure in the strange man who had brought me that hint of colour in the first place. Knowing he would be the one to answer my questions, surely he saw me that night. The real me. The one he was supposed to love.
The silken light grey dress swirled around me as I made my way downstairs. My hair twisted in its usual knot.
I entered the dining hall to find Victor and Maaier in a heated debate. The argument ceased as I stopped. Victor’s eyes tracked my body before shifting away from me. The expression he had looked at me with not of attraction but more of a respectful gaze, a brief nod in my direction as he focused on his tea before him. My eyes moved to Maaier who sat rigid as he took me in. His back straight as his fiery stare met mine. The fork in his hand bending as his fist clenched. His jaw set tight.
“Good morning, gentlemen.” I bubbled despite my inner turmoil.
Victor offered his good morning whilst Maaier remained silent, chewing on his cheek. The sight was just down right lustful. I picked an apple from the top of the fruit platter. The skin shining in the faint light from the window. I maintained the fiery gaze with Maaier. The tension palpable between us.
My thoughts were a mess. Who was this strange man? And why did he hide himself from me? Unless he was hiding something else. A dark secret perhaps? I wasn’t sure what the truth was. My instinct told me he was the one to help me that night but my mind told me it was all a dream. The only way to tell was for him to touch me whilst wearing this odd shade. Maybe then I could tell if it was him. Victor watched as I bit into the apple letting the juice drip down my chin. I left it there. Biting deeper into the fruit, sucking the juice from its sweet flesh.
Maaier’s jaw clenched hard enough to crack a tooth. Good.
I bowed slightly before heading back into the halls. Tossing the apple back into his vicinity.
Walking to the back garden, I fastened the cloak that Mary had left out for me. Assuring me that the red matched that of my dress. The grey looked all the same to me.
The wind blew softly over the yard. Snow followed in its wake. The soft little flakes danced on the breeze. My boot touched the snow covered ground. Taking a deep breath I willed myself to relax. This was a truly foolish idea. I cursed myself as I stood on the edge of the treeline. Why was I tempting him? Was I that desperate for a man’s touch? No. I needed to lure my attacker back. I needed to put an end to this madness. The forest loomed over me. Bare branches and roots calling me forward.
A heated feeling washed over me. I turned my head to find Maaier advancing.
One word charging the air between us.
“Run.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I leapt forward. Holding my skirts in my hands. Running as hard as I could through the forest. My heart beat loudly in my ears. The wind whipped at my exposed face. Sharp stings of cold running through me. My breath fogged as it left me. Maaier’s footfalls sounded behind me. I darted right. Down to the thick brush of trees.
“When I catch you, little bloom. I will make you regret tempting me in the first place.” His voice echoed through the air. I kept pushing forward. Knowing the man was true to his words. The thrill of the unknown excited me.
“I will own you. Every inch of you. Little temptress.” His voice was closer.
I darted to the left. My lungs were on fire with exertion. I couldn't go on much longer. My skirts weighed me down. The snow crunched beneath my boots. The sound mingled my hurried pants. Bare tree branches reached for me as I raced away from the man chasing me like his most prized prey. I dared to look back. Maaier stalked forward. Much like a vampire, that lethal gaze trained on me.
Footfalls sounded behind me. Racing toward me. Within seconds a hard body collided with mine. The air in my lungs dissipated as we fell toward the snow covered earth. My chest hit the ground hard, the cloak slipping open. Exposing my chest to the ice. The damp ground stinging on contact. Maaier’s weight left me for a moment only to roll me over to face him.
My lungs heaved as I gulped down air. The fear of the unknown sent a thrill through me, my every nerve alive with apprehension. Maaier’s dark gaze landed on me beneath him, tracing every inch of my face with wonder. His gloved hands wisped along my sides, gently at first only to grow bold as he neared my face. His thumb traced my lip. Circling my mouth before cupping my neck.
“Clever little bloom,” he praised.
The cold ice beneath me seeped through my clothing, drenching my back. But I paid it little mind. My body was on fire. Sparks of heat danced over my skin, warming me from within.
“My sweet girl. You have figured me out haven't you?” I shook my head at his words. I thought I had but I wasn’t so sure. I wasn’t sure of anything right now. The only thing I was sure of was how much I craved this man's body.
His hand skimmed from my cheek to my shoulder, one hand still holding my throat with a gentle grasp. Expert fingers drifting across my tight corset. A whimper escaped me as his fingers glided over the neckline of the gown. His rough skin against the smooth expanse of my chest. His eyelids fluttered shut as he leant down. His lips met my skin, kissing softly. Savouring the taste of my flesh. Another moan left my lips as Maaier’s curled against the top of my breasts. The rise and fall of my chest beating in time with my heart racing through my body.
“God, how long have I waited to taste you, Vespera,” He groaned before slightly hardening the kiss. His teeth gently dug into me. His grip grew tight as if losing control over himself.
“Do you crave me as I crave you?” He whispered, his eyes meeting mine as I looked down at him. Heat filled my core. He looked down right sinful.
“Always.” I managed through my thick throat.
“Do you want me to touch you, Vespera? To claim you as my own? To hold you, mind, body and soul?”
“Please, Maaier.” I begged. I didn’t care what I was agreeing to so long as it involved him and claiming me.
“Good.” He grinned wickedly before tugging down on my corset. My breasts bounced free of their confinement. Nipples puckering in the cold air. Maaier’s mouth met my skin once more before taking one in his mouth. His tongue swirling around the bud before sucking lightly.
My entire upper body arched into the movement. His action ignited my flaming skin further. I cried out with pure ecstasy, the noise strained as his hand flexed on my throat.
“Quiet, little bloom. We don’t want anyone else seeing you like this. You were made for me and no one else. Not even God himself can drag me from you.”
My heart thundered beneath his lips, now dragging back up to my lips.
“I was at your end and I am your beginning. I am your god and your devil. I am your saviour and your destroyer. I will tear you apart only to put you back together time and time again. I. Am. Yours.”
Within an instant Maaier’s lips were on mine. The sensation sent a wave of relief through my body as if I knew this was right. My heart burst to life in his embrace. As if it knew this was the man for me.
Maaier’s hips rolled forward. His body pressed against mine. His kiss grew deeper as he explored my mouth, his tongue dancing with mine. The sparks fluttered back over my body. Maaier shifted back with his hips, reaching between us. One hand back on my breast. He kneaded the flesh as his tongue assaulted mine. His warm hand pulled at my skirt, baring me to him. His fingers glided down my mound, circling my bundle of nerves before lowering to my seam. Wetness gathered on his fingers as he pulled them through.
He pulled away, searching my gaze for something. Finding nothing but pure and utter bliss on my expression. I ached for his touch. My body was already mourning the loss of his contact. His hand moved to his own pants, loosening the button and sliding them down. His length bobbed as it appeared above my core. Long and thick.
How on earth was that supposed to fit inside me?
“I have waited centuries, my soul. I will wait no longer. Unless you tell me not to, I will make good on my claim on you." His words buried themselves within me but I didn’t say a word. I wanted this. Wanted him so desperately the ache in my body only grew with each second.
Maaier’s hands gripped my hips as he pushed forward. His length pushed into me. A fire like no other burnt within me. The feeling of him stretching me a delicious sting. His lips moved to my neck as he pulled out only to push back in. Slowly at first, only to quicken with each thrust. The delirium was like no other. The intoxication of feeling him within me brought endless pleasure. The pressure built in my core once more. His lips met mine once more. One hand gripped my hip as the other wove itself into my hair. The head of his cock pressed deep inside me. I was close to release. Maaier’s hands explored my body as he continued to thrust. Our moans were swallowed by the other. Desperation rolling from us. My nails dug into Maaier’s exposed back. The pain only stirred him on. He thrust harder, yet still gentle enough to not cause me any further pain or discomfort.
“Come with me.” Maaier’s husky voice ordered as he broke the kiss. He didn't need to tell me again. The orgasm hit like no other. Nothing felt like this. The sound tore from my throat as Maaier thickened inside me with one final thrust. Warm spurts filling me.
I opened my eyes, searching Maaier’s gaze. My eyes fell to his lips. The faintest hint of colour lining them. Maaier remained inside me. His heaving breaths matched mine breath for breath. I looked down at his wound. The scar remained. Raised and red.
My heart dropped to my stomach.
I had found him. It was Maaier all along. Not Death.
“I am yours, my soul.” He smirked above me.
“How?” I choked out.
“Every reaper needs his Angel of Death. Just so happens you are mine,” He said before kissing me one more time.