Chapter 15
“ W hat does it feel like when you get off?” I asked, sitting between Rae’s legs after we’d both come a few more times.
Exhaustion had taken over and my back was reclined against her with my head on her chest. Her arms curled around me and it was the first time I’d seen her actually touch the ground.
“With you? Fire. Your body is an inferno and when you get me off, it’s like the heat from your body spreads and engulfs me.” She tightened her grip on my waist. “There’s light, too. My existence is and has always been dark. But just now? I saw nothing but light—and you.”
Warmth rushed through me at the sentiment. People—even former partners—didn’t say things like that. It was new and different and the butterflies in my stomach made me feel like a teenager.
“I guess the best way to describe it for me is like an explosion of my entire body.”
“I know,” she replied.
I leaned to the side, and glanced back at the smirk on her face. “You’ve done this before?” I questioned.
The skin around her eyes crinkled slightly as she grinned. “I’ve fucked a fair few humans in my existence, yes.”
Twisting to sit up straight so I could keep her gaze, my nerves churned my stomach. Questions hovered on my tongue but didn’t know if I’d get answers. “How long has your existence been, Rae?”
“I don’t measure time, love. I have no sense of it. I’ve just existed in the shadows as I’m meant to—until I’m needed.” Her hand reached out for mine, her cool fingers sliding over my skin and traced her thumb across the back of my hand.
“And what are you needed for?” I sucked in a breath, blowing it out slowly in anticipation.
She gazed out into the dimly lit forest, and I assumed the darkness had no bearing on her sight. “I’m a wraith. I leave the shadows right before death. To see me is to die. I am the physical form of death.”
My mouth hung open. None of it made sense. “Then how can I see you?”
She turned her head back to me. “Remember the first night you saw me?”
I nodded.
“You were going to die, flame. That man was going to kill you. I was summoned, but then I smelled you. When I saw you, I chose him to die instead.”
She dropped a kiss to my hand and chills ran down my spine at the cold touch. “But even if I was going to die then, how can I see you now? How can I touch you?” I questioned.
“Because I allow it.” She brushed my hair from my face. “I was drawn to you the first night, but I wasn’t going to let you see me again. I just wanted to play a bit so I did while you slept.”
Realization dawned. “Oh my gosh, you were in my room! I didn’t imagine it.” Most people would have been creeped out by a wraith in their bedroom, but I was happy I hadn't imagined her presence.
She nodded slightly. “But then you kept coming back here. I wasn’t going to show myself, but you always smelled so sweet.” She pulled me to her, burying her face in my hair and exhaling. “And then you hurt yourself and your blood was irresistible,” she said as she released me.
A thought crossed my mind and the words spilled from my mouth without thinking.
“Wait, aren't wraiths supposed to be emaciated skeleton-like creatures? I remember reading about them vaguely from years ago.” I scooted closer so I was inches away, reaching up to touch her cheek. “You aren’t an emaciated skeleton. You’re… very much filled out.”
Laughter burst from my chest at my joke. Rae stared at me, a hint of a smile in a smirk I wanted to lean over and kiss.
“Some are more haunting than others with the way they look. I just so happened to have luck on my side.”
Another giggle broke free. “Speaking of haunting, I think I also thought wraiths haunt people and scare them. The only thing scary about you is how good you are with that tongue. I fear I’ll never have another orgasm unless it’s from you.
” I smiled at her with the biggest smile I could muster, but it was true. I was ruined for any other lovers.
“It’s fortunate you won’t have need for another tongue then,” she said as she brushed my cheek. “My tongue aside, to answer your question, some wraiths are devious just like all beings. Some are pleasant, some not—depends on the person and day for me.”
I climbed onto her lap, mischief dancing over my features. “I think I could use some haunting sometime,” I whispered, my lip close to her ear.
“I’ll haunt you anytime, little flame.”
My fingers trailed over her exposed chest, my heart constricted with her words.
“Good,” I said, appreciating her torn cloak that parted to reveal a swath of gray skin that trailed to her lap.
“You know, that first night I thought I heard you say something. If I heard correctly, you said something along the lines of ‘she’s mine’. ”
She nuzzled in my hair. “I might’ve,” she said into the strands.
“I am yours, Rae, and you’re mine too. My fucking gorgeous creature. All mine.”
Bending to take her lips, I couldn’t imagine what life was like before. How did I go so many years without knowing what it felt like to be seen? I’d always been invisible, or tried to be when my mom was mad at me. But now I wasn’t invisible and I didn’t want to be.
I released her and pulled back, attempting to lighten the mood. “I always knew I’d be ruined by a woman, but I never thought I’d end up falling for one who wasn’t human. Who could blame me though with that wicked tongue of yours?”
I pondered for a moment, curiosity still at the forefront of my mind. “Speaking of, what about the other humans you’ve been with? Surely they felt the same as I do. What happened to them?”
“They died.”
A roar burst from my lungs. “Did you fuck them to death?” I chuckled.
“Maybe. Who knows? Some, I didn’t give the option to get attached. Others just ceased living.”
“Ah, but you gave me the option to get attached.”
“I’d give you any option you wanted. You’re different.” She secured her arms around me as we rose into the air and she laid me atop the rock again. “You’ve gotten your answers. Now, I need your fucking hot pussy again before you leave.”