We’d been through so much together in a short time, but it had created a strange and strong bond between us that was undeniable. As his fingers continued their seductive dance over my skin, I couldn’t look away from him.

My heart pounded as he pulled me against his icy skin, igniting a blaze of longing that had been smoldering deep within me. His breath danced over my cheek as he leaned closer.

“I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” he whispered, his voice filled with husky passion. “And I never want to feel it with anyone but you. Do you know what you do to me? The power you hold over me?”

I swallowed hard, my words catching in my throat. My fingers trembled as I reached out, touching the side of his perfect face.

It was a longing beyond words, an ache that defied explanation. As our lips met, it was as if a bolt of lightning surged through my soul, setting every nerve on fire.

I’d never imagined a moment like this with someone like Darkness. He was strong and powerful.

I didn’t want it to stop.

It wasn’t going to stop.

I needed more.

I needed him.

Chapter

Seventeen

The skin at the back of my neck prickled as our tongues tangled together in a passionate dance. Darkness’s powerful hands gripped my hips, and he pulled me impossibly close. His mouth hungrily moved down my neck, devouring every inch of exposed skin, sending shivers through my body.

“I’ve longed to make you mine,” Darkness whispered, his breath warming my skin as his icy touch tingled through me.

His hands skillfully moved over me as if he couldn’t get enough. My heart raced with anticipation as his mouth found mine, savoring me as if I were a succulent dessert.

Every emotion tore through me like a violent tornado tearing across the land. Excitement, terror, lust, danger, desire… confusion. I was afraid of what might happen if I allowed myself to get lost in Darkness, but I also wanted nothing more than to get completely lost with him.

How had I gone from being afraid of him to being in his bed? Was I under some kind of spell?

It felt as though my insides were about to boil as his hand glided down my backside. Still, I wanted him closer. I needed him like I’d never needed anyone before.

It was just lust.

Nothing more.

There wasn’t anything wrong with enjoying a little alone time with someone. We were both adults.

“What about rest?” I asked, my head falling back as he kissed down the side of my neck.

“This works to restore our energy too,” Darkness whispered as he gripped the back of my neck, tilting my head to force me to look into his glowing eyes. “Perhaps it’s even better than sleep.”

My hand trembled as I pressed my hand against his solid chest. I didn’t feel tired. I felt energized.

Powerful.

With each kiss, he stoked the flames within me, growing them higher and higher. His hands were everywhere at once, leaving a blazing trail of passion across my body. I felt like I was melting into his arms.

My breaths quickened with each caress until it felt as though I was gasping for air. He moved away long enough that I could catch my breath, but it only made me want him more.

Darkness stared into my eyes with a hunger that could rival any wild beast. He ran his hand down the side of my body before cupping my chin and bringing his lips back to mine, kissing me so slowly and gently that it made my heart flutter.

“A man like me can only dream of a woman like you,” Darkness whispered into my ear. “There was a part of me missing for so long, and now it is full again.”

“You give me far too much credit,” I said, biting my lip as my eyes closed.

Darkness tugged on the hem of my shirt. He watched me as he slowly raised it to my chest, exhaling slowly as he pulled my shirt over my head.

His finger brushed against my skin, sending a wave of intense pleasure to my core. He held the fabric up, looking at it with a satisfied smile before tossing it to the floor.

Darkness’s eyes raked over me, but the look in his eyes was different — softer and more intimate.

“I want to make you mine,” Darkness said, his fingertips dancing up my stomach.

“I want that too,” I breathed as I pulled his shirt upward, exposing the muscular, pale skin of his stomach.

Jesus Christ.

He was perfect in every way. Darkness’s body was a work of art, even though it had a few scratches.

“What’s this from?” I asked, lightly dragging my finger over a long scar.

“I’ve fought many battles over the years,” Darkness said, placing his hand over mine. “Not all of them were won.”

He leaned forward and ripped his shirt off. His hands grasped my waist, and he pulled me on top of him, straddling him as his hardness pressed between my legs.

A sigh escaped from between my lips as I lazily dragged my fingers down his chest. He reached up, pulling my bra’s thin, silky fabric below my breasts.

I quivered as his thumbs moved over my nipples, creating a delicious friction that made me gasp for breath. I felt like I was losing control, and it felt unbelievably good.

Darkness rolled us over, grinding himself between my legs. I whimpered at the feel of him against me.

“My strength is returning,” he said, smirking.

My heart raced as I eagerly undid my pants. Darkness’s gaze burned through me as he raised my legs and pulled them off.

His finger hooked playfully around the waistband of my underwear. With a breath, he removed them, leaving me vulnerable to his hungry stare as he lowered my legs back down on either side of him.

Darkness kept his eyes glued to mine as he removed his pants. I gasped at the sheer size of his cock and the sculpted perfection of his entire body.

He definitely was from a different world in every way.

Darkness seemed to sense my apprehension as he bent down, his lips a mere whisper away from my own. I let out an involuntary moan as he moved down my body and kissed the sensitive flesh just below my belly button.

Warmth radiated through every fiber of my being as he continued down between my legs. My head rolled back onto the pillow while my fingers clawed at the bedsheets.