Chapter 7

Nova squeezed Amara’s hand again before taking her keys from her and sliding it into the handle. He turned the key until he heard the satisfying click of a lock being opened, before holding the door for her as she went inside.

A wide, pleased grin split his face as he stared at the scene before them.

Rose petals were scattered across the floor, covering the living room with a sheet of red and pink. The trail they made wove around the room and down the hall, creating an intricate design in the shape of an ornate heart that found its destination in the bedroom. Vases full of lilies and orchids and every shade of rose one could think of filled every table in the room. Candles sat in clumps on the coffee table and the end table. They lined the mantle, giving the room a soft, amber glow. The sweet aroma from the petals and blooms permeated the air, leaving a romantic sheen in their wake.

“Wow, she really outdid herself,” Nova muttered, completely awestruck. “I said a few candles, some flowers, maybe a trail of petals. I never imagined this.”

Speechless, Amara gaped at him. Her gray eyes were wide with wonder. “You did this?” she asked. Her voice barely came out as more than a whisper.

Nova shrugged. “Well, Sadie helped. But yes, I did. Things have been so hard lately, and we haven’t really gotten a chance to just, you know, be you and me. I just wanted to give you at least one night where you could forget everything else going on in our world and really enjoy the fact that we’re engaged.” Smiling, he pulled her close to him and twined his arms around her waist. He nuzzled his nose against her skin, nipping lightly at that place where her delicate shoulder slid fluidly into the languid line of her neck. Just the scent of her had the capacity to be his undoing. “Amara,” he whispered, and was pleased when her only response was a thick, throaty moan. “We’re engaged. We are getting married.” He grazed his teeth lightly along her shoulder, running his hands up and down her arms. “You are going to be my wife.”

Nova let his fingers trail over her clothes like a feather touch in the breeze. She shuddered as he hovered above her chest, letting one finger travel south down the line of her breast, dipping beneath the lacy fabric of her bra to caress her nipple. Amara’s breath was cut short in a sharp inhale, and Nova felt himself go hard against the curve of her behind. Reaching up, she hooked her elbow around his neck, and let her head fall back against his shoulder, her eyes closed.

Nova took a moment to just stare. He had seen beautiful women in his life. Too many to count. He’d even been lucky enough to see a few of them naked. But never before had he experienced a woman who could take his breath away with a simple sigh the way Amara Townsend could without even trying. It was amazing and ridiculously frightening all at the same time.

He kissed her skin, licking the gentle curve of her jaw before making his way up to draw her earlobe into his mouth. She moaned when he sucked it in between his teeth and wound his fingers through her hair. He loved the way it got tangled around him, the same way she got tangled around him. It was as if he were being surrounded, as if everything that was Amara was enveloping him within her grasp, consuming him until there was nothing left to separate them. It was as if he were being burned alive by the mere feel of her, and he didn’t regret it one bit.

He let his hands roam up and down her body, cupping her breast with one, while the other explored the hidden mysteries beneath the stiff band of her jeans. He slid his right hand up her shirt, prying away the padded material of her bra until all that was left was velvety fresh. Amara sighed again, and Nova felt the length of him strain against his own pants as if he were yearning to be inside her.

With swift fingers, he undid the buttons of her pants and sank into the hot, wet abyss. Amara trembled in his grasp as he played over her, stroking that sweet spot that he knew would make her melt over and over again. And, just when it seemed she was about come, he plunged his fingers into her center, thrusting her over the edge without mercy. She cried out, and he silenced her with a kiss, feeling elated when she went limp against him.

He chuckled, turning her to face him. “I am nowhere near through with you yet.” Nova tipped her back and swept her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. Amara’s hands explored the muscles of his back as he followed the trail of rose petals into the bedroom. Her lips took the same journey over him as her hands had, and everywhere she touched, Nova felt chills that had nothing to do with the cold.

More flowers and candles lit the bedroom, and the trail of rose petals led right up to the bed. Even the comforter was filled with them.

Nova tossed Amara down on the bed, none too gently, loving the way she laughed. He made quick work of both their clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor. He only managed a second to hope he didn’t knock something over and burn the house down. But, seeing Amara laying naked before him in a bed of rose petals, he decided there were worse ways to die.

He gazed down at her, seeing her like this, right now, would be forever engrained into his memories. He sure was lucky. Spreading her legs, he climbed up between them on the bed and decided to slake his thirst. His tongue lapped at her in slow, torturous strokes at first, letting each shudder build upon itself until he knew they were both as hot as a volcano waiting to explode. He ached to be inside her.

Amara’s fingernails clawed down his back, leaving bright red welts in his skin, but Nova didn’t care. He would obey those hands and that sexual demand without hesitation. She pulled him up on top of her, locking her arms around his shoulders. She pressed her lips to his and kissed him so intensely that any remaining thought he may have had was gone.

Nova throbbed against her, and cried out when her hand clamped around his cock and guided him into her slick, hot center. Then he began to move.

Never had he ever felt this undone by one woman. If it hadn’t already, the tenderness mixed with the possession in her eyes would have made his heart trip and fall right into the palm of her hand. Everything he had, everything he was, was hers. He would do anything she wanted. Give up anything to make her happy, to keep her safe. This was the woman he would defy his Pack for; defy his gods for. This was the woman who was all his hopes and dreams for a future personified.

Amara clung to him as he moved inside her, each thrust bringing them closer until their heartbeats combined to create a gentle rhythm that sounded more like a primal song in the candlelight glow. Nothing was ever going to come between them. Not war, not some secret admirer, and definitely not Kal Vann. In that moment, every doubt or misgiving Nova had ever had about his relationship with her vanished. He may not be the best person for her; he knew that. His world was a dangerous one, and even though he promised he would, he may not always be able to keep her safe. No matter how hard he tried. But for some reason, this fantastic woman wanted him. And he was never going to let her go.

Linking his fingers with hers, Nova stared down into her eyes as he let himself go, and the two of them erupted together.