Chapter 39
Grayson
I twisted, softly lowering her onto the bed.
All the feelings running amok in my body were suffocating me, making it impossible to breathe. But I cherished every one of them. I let them devour me. I let them run free even if my heart threatened to give in.
Because it was all for Ava. My baby made me feel so much, I was surely going to implode. And I needed to make the most of the time I had left.
I pulled her tighter against me. How did my little witch get that video? I had already gone through the school’s archive many years ago.
My chest swelled with pride. Even after studying her every move, every breath, every thought she offered me, she still surprised me. I had never been in awe of someone like I was of her. She was otherworldly. An enigma that had me marvelling at her feet.
Ava was trembling in my arms, her haunting green eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I smiled at them. She knew what was coming. She knew how badly I needed to feel her skin against mine so I could be sure this was real.
I slowly unbuttoned her shirt, savouring each new strip of skin I could see.
I slowly traced my fingers down between the valley of her breasts.
They were exquisite. Almost perfect. They only needed my name scarred into them.
The seven letters, five millimetres in height, on her right breast, twenty millimetres above her nipple.
Fuck, I would have to make sure she slept naked the following nights, so I could stare at it while she slept, as much as my messed-up mind needed to, without frightening her with my depravity.
I traced a finger over the still smooth skin, my heart hammering.
One day.
Ava’s eyes fluttered shut, a small smile tugging on her parted lips.
Oh, my baby knew me better than anyone. She knew exactly what I craved to do.
My cock twitched.
And she would let me.
“I get to do it first. Right here,” she mused, trailing her fingers over my heart. “With your knife.”
I moaned. This fucking woman would be the death of me. That touch of depravity in her sang to my corrupted soul.
Those first few years I had watched her, I’d thought she was nothing but light.
A beacon of hope shining brightly amidst the shittiest of humanity.
And although that was still true, since getting closer to her I could see her darkness too.
That same darkness that beat through my veins.
That lust for danger and excitement. That addiction that only the underworld could satiate.
“I’m yours, baby. You can do whatever the hell you want to me.
” She could mark every inch of me, and I would wear it proudly.
God, I would let her cut my heart out if that was what she craved.
As long as she was happy. If my princess was happy, my world would continue to turn. My life would have meaning.
I dropped my head to the crook of her throat, inhaling deeply. Goosebumps prickled the back of my neck, traveling down my body. Shit, I swear her scent made me some kind of high. My skin went all tingly and my heart all gooey. It was fucking madness.
I swallowed the emotions down so my brain could start functioning again.
Get a hold of yourself. Your girl is expecting a fucking of a lifetime. So focus. Don’t disappoint her.
I made the mistake of breathing again and her scent washed over me, making me weak. I accepted my fate and gave into it, closing my eyes and enjoying it.
Ava shifted her head to look at me. I loved it when she looked at me.
I had perfected the art of reading people, but Ava had always been easy, no skill needed.
Her eyes were so expressive I could almost see her every thought in them.
And when she thought of me, it made my stomach flip. Every single time.
Right now, she was a little concerned about me for some reason, but mostly she was turned on, with a tad of awe as she inspected my face.
“You okay, Gray?”
I gave her, her favourite smile and watched her pupils dilate and her breathing pick up, coming a few milliseconds faster. “I’m perfect, baby. Just enjoying your smell,” I confessed. “You smell like home, Ava.”
Her eyes fluttered beautifully, her cheeks flushing a darker shade of pink, making my cock twitch again.
She felt it and arched against me. Fuck, I loved that. My whole body went hot.
I kissed her slow, taking my time. Exploring her warm mouth, reclaiming it as mine. My hands roamed her body, inspecting every familiar contour, line, texture. I could feel the difference in her body from the last time I mapped it—that excruciating day I had to leave her.
She was thinner now, the softness of a well-loved woman, gone.
And I was adamant on fixing it. My princess would be red-cheeked and glowing by the end of this month, I swear to God.
She would be happy again. As long as my heart was beating.
Even after it stopped. I would rip Death to shreds if he tried to take me away from her.
Ava’s moan rippled through my body as I clasped her hands above her head. She felt so good beneath me.
The new callouses on her palms I enjoyed. It was from handling guns more. From fighting. It was one thing I appreciated about the pup. When I wasn’t there anymore, he continued to teach her how to defend herself.
I already planned a sparring session for tomorrow, unbeknownst to her, to check on her progress. While lying low, that would be our focus—preparing her for the underworld she was about to step foot in.
I had made peace with her being in the dangerous underbelly of the beast, but I would make sure she could take care of herself. Like I’d done for Gem.
When I was done with her, Ava would be able to take on a school of men and sever every one of their fucking limbs without breaking a sweat. And I would laugh and cheer, watching it.
She already had that fight in her, that killer instinct. She was a natural. An easy student.
And God, she would take the underworld by storm.
I never cared for that title, but Ava? She was born to be its queen.
She didn’t see it yet, but I’ve been seeing it, clear as day these last couple of months.
I was stupid to be so scared for her. To try and keep her away.
No, this was fucking destiny. And I couldn’t wait to see my baby step into her power.
Ava pushed me over onto the bed, straddling me, frustrated by my slow exploration. And my balls tightened. It was fucked up, but I enjoyed her frustration. And her anger. And her hate. I had no idea why.
She frowned down at me, searching my face as she unbuttoned my pants. “You better be thinking about me in there.”
“Always.” I pushed her hair back, taking in the lines of her naked body. So perfect. A masterpiece. A walking, breathing embodiment of what art was supposed to be. If I could paint like my mother, Ava would be the only thing worthy enough to grace my canvas.
She stroked her hand over my cock and my thoughts stopped. Fuck. I found her eyes. She was smiling triumphantly as she watched my face.
“Let me get you out of your head, Gray.”
I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of her touch. “You’re the only one that can, little witch.”
She lowered herself, sliding her warm, wet pussy over the length of my dick and my eyes rolled to the back of my head. Dear God! “You feel so good,” I almost whimpered. I would fucking devour her.
“It will feel better when I’m riding your cock.”
I swallowed hard, my fingers already shaking on her thighs as she positioned my dick at her entrance.
A wicked smile formed on her lips. “Should I make you beg?”
My stomach flipped and I returned her smile with a brow lifted in challenge. “I already told you. I don’t beg.”
She shuddered in pleasure at my obstinance, her smile widening. “For me you do.”
Of course, I do.
I grabbed her by the jaw, seeing the excitement take over her face. I pulled her to me, lifting my head off the bed to get closer, not missing how her eyes darted down to catch a glimpse of my flexed abdomen. “Be a good girl and sit on my cock. Please.”
She bit the inside of her cheek, then licked her lips and my heart instantly started racing.
Oh, she wanted to play.
“No,” she said, holding her breath, nervously watching me.
Dark, perverted excitement flooded my veins.
Oh, baby. If you want to play, lets fucking play.
“Listen carefully, Ava. I will be buried balls deep inside you. I will make you scream. Now, we can do it the easy way where you ride my dick until your toes curl. Or I can chase you through this fucking castle, string you from the banisters then make you lick your blood from my knife while you come on my cock. What do you choose?” I gave her a choice, an out.
Don’t take it. Don’t take the out.
I yearned to make her bleed. To lick it from her skin. Her pain and pleasure belonged to me, and it was high time I claimed it back.
Ava shuddered. Her breathing stopped, then it came faster. Her thighs trembled as she squeezed them around me, trying to get relief from the ache I knew she felt between her legs.
And that was the first way I was going to torture her, I decided—not letting her get relief from that ache.
“You chasing me isn’t the threat you think it is. I’m not scared of bleeding for you.”
Fuck me. I would die for this woman.
I let the devil in me loose, let him surface in a chilling grin. “Oh, little witch. Don’t you know by now? I don’t make threats. Just promises.” I pulled her face down, just inches from mine. “What. Will. It. Be,” I growled, loving her discomfort.
Her lashes fluttered nervously.
Let me chase you. The need clawed at my ribs.
Her eyes captured mine. “Haven’t we always done shit the hard way?” she whispered.
Yes, baby, we have.