At least one thing I know. No matter where I am, what I do, my number one priority and focus is clear.
As I step up to the stream my breath catches in my throat at the sight in front of me. My focus, my queen.
Ana is naked beside the stream, her feet dangling into the water as she lifts handfuls and pours it over her body. The night is warm but even still I can see the faint goosebumps on her skin, her nipples tight and hard. I feel my dick twitch as she brings another handful up, the rivets of water gliding down the smooth expanse of her body. Behind her, the moon makes her skin look like silk, caressing every inch of her bareness.
“You planning to just watch or are you going to join me?” she asks after a moment, turning her head to look at me gawking like an idiot. With a grin, I pull off my shirt and stalk toward her.
“You know I’m eager to join,” I say in a low voice as I get down and begin to reach for her. She raises a brow at me and pulls back slightly.
“I need to wash,” she says, looking at me pointedly. My pants are loose and do nothing to hide the massive tent reaching to greet her. Before I can say anything else, she continues.
“And can you get my back and shoulders? I can’t lift my arm without hurting my side.”
Guilt strikes me. The moonlight hides some of the bruises, the injuries dotting her fair skin. I really need to take better care of her.
Without saying a word, I sit behind her, my hands trailing along her skin. Bruises, dirt and blood seem to cover most of her, and for the first time, it makes my heart crack rather than just enraging me. The demons and bloodlust I am used to, but this feeling of inadequacy is something I’ve felt too much lately, and never want to feel again.
Ana turns to me and looks at my face, a question in her expression. The bruises on her face are obvious at this angle, marring her perfect skin. If only I had kept better watch over her while I was in the tunnels. I should have known she wouldn’t be safe.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” my voice cracks, “I—”
“This wasn’t your fault,” she interrupts, her voice soft as she brings a hand up to cup my face. I swallow deeply and nod. I disagree, but know there’s no point in saying so.
“I’ll help you,” I say instead, reaching over to my bag to pull out a somewhat clean rag. Dipping it into the water, I slowly clean her entire body. As the sweat and grime wash away, I see her muscles slowly begin to relax under my ministrations.
Once her body is mostly clean, I guide her into the water, watchful of the slippery rocks beneath. Though the water is cold, it's invigorating.
We move in silence when we come out of the water. Ana makes no protest when I dry her, ever cautious of the areas I’m sure are sore. Once finished, I pull her down to my lap and hold her close, wishing nothing more than for this moment to last forever.
Chapter Three
Ana
With my eyes closed, my every bit of awareness is focused on the rough, yet gentle, hands moving against my skin. The after-effects of adrenaline and the last few days are settling in, and I can’t keep the faint tremble out of my skin.
“Cold?” he asks, his voice quiet as he leans forward and plants a kiss on my shoulder. Leaning back into him, I let his arms wrap around me. Slowly my body relaxes into his and I sigh in contentment. I feel, rather than see, him smile and turn to nuzzle my head into his chest. My body aches and I’m covered in cuts and bruises. Not to mention exhausted and half-starved, but right now there is only one thing I need.
I shift my body so I can look into Ax’s eyes and I don’t hide the pleading in my own. The recognition is almost instant, and he leans forward, cupping my face and kissing me. As the kiss deepens, delicious tingles shoot through me and I have to break from his kiss to gasp.
“Why is it always so amazing?” I whisper to him, unable to put into words the electricity, the passion, I feel when we touch.
“It’s us,mi cielo. Just us.”
Before I can say anything further his mouth takes over. With ease, he turns me around, careful of my injuries, and lays me out beneath him, thrusting his hips forward. I moan against his lips as his hardness rubs against me and I can’t help but squirm toward him. When I reach down for his drawstring, strong hands stop me and hold my hand. Pulling away, he gives me that devilish smile I love.
My eyes roam over the expanse of his body and I feel myself get wetter looking at this dark God in front of me. His eyes trail over my body and I can see his own gaze heat up. Even beaten and bloody, I know this man finds me attractive. I’ve never felt so beautiful, so loved, like I do when I’m with him.
The sex is mind-blowing. Something I never thought I could experience at all much less be borderline addicted to. It’s how he makes me feel with the smallest touch though. My entire body is hyper-aware of him, always pulling toward him and his touch.
“I need you,” I whisper, and he leans down, kissing me painfully soft and slow. With my hands in his, I can’t touch his face, his body, like I want to. The torture is exquisite.
With equally slow pace his hips glide up to meet mine and his hard length slides into my waiting depths. A beautiful fullness makes me moan into his mouth as he begins to move. When he releases my wrists, I let my arm drape around his neck, holding me close to his body. Above us the sky is bright, and the faint songs of the forest still surround us.
Like a dance, we move as one until a familiar feeling starts to build inside me. I can feel him struggling to hold on as I cry out my release, the spasms bringing him with me. Keeping his body lifted from mine, we lay there for several minutes before our eyes meet once more. All the words we want to say but can’t verbalize lay unspoken between us.
I don’t know how long we lie there but I never want the night to end. I know once we leave here, there are decisions to be made. I should probably talk to Sammi about the area around here, what towns there are and what the local Watch is like. Then there’s figuring out what little belongings we have, how we are going to eat, and generally survive. Are there people looking for us? Lawless though the world may seem, I know full well how deceiving that mindset can be. After all, it was my own cockiness that landed me in The Tomb in the first place.
I tilt my head down to where Ax’s head rests on my chest and notice his eyes are closed. A smile graces my lips as I watch him. If not for that mistake, I wouldn’t have this.