Chapter Fourteen

 

Malachi emerged from the shower in a foul mood. He’d left Lani before dawn, not wanting to tempt himself with her nearness and his morning wood. Swiping a hand over the fogged mirror, he glared at himself.

“You need to pull your head outta your ass,” he told his reflection as he slapped on shaving cream. “This is your last chance to get what you’ve been fighting for. You can’t let a female get in the way of that.”

Scraping the razor over his chin, he muttered under his breath. His cock wasn’t listening to him and neither was his mind. It kept replaying Lani’s reactions to his touch, replaying her touch on his body. It was torture. Simple, erotic torture.

Throwing the razor in the sink, he wiped his face with angry swipes of a warm towel. It wasn’t just his goal at stake, he reminded himself. He didn’t know if she could be trusted. There had been something just a little too convenient about her showing up right before the demon attack. He would keep his eye on her, but she wasn’t getting any closer to him than she already was.

A cool, soft hand touched his shoulder startling him. Whirling around, Malachi gaped at Lani. There was something different about her, but he had trouble making his brain process anything more than her presence in his private bathroom.

“What are you doing in here?”

*****

Lani bowed her head slightly. She’d sought him out to seduce him. She hadn’t expected him to be in his bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. Not that she minded since it bared most of his beautiful body to her hungry gaze.

He had been wonderful by moonlight, but in the bright of day, he was magnificent. The lean ropes of sinew over his frame made him resemble a statue she’d seen years ago. He wasn’t heavy with muscle though it was evident he had them.

“Lani, what are you doing here?” he asked her again, his voice husky.

Looking up, her breath caught at the gleam in his brown eyes. They were dark with just the slightest tinge of red creeping into the irises. Feeling as though she were looking at a stranger, her gaze traced his face before resting on his mouth.
“I want to feel,” she whispered so softly, she knew he didn’t hear her.

She was proven correct as he leaned closer. “What?”

Her tongue crept out to wet her lips. This was harder than she’d imagined it would be. In the shower, it had seemed the simplest thing to walk in here, strip, and indulge in decadent pleasures. Now that she was faced with the male she wanted so badly, she felt frozen.

You can do this, Noelani. You need to do this! This one’s for you, for all you’ve suffered at Luther’s hands. It’s time to feel like a woman instead of a slave. The thoughts echoed around her head. Yes, she did deserve this.

Without answering Malachi’s questions, she dropped her robe. Standing nude in front of him meant something this time. She couldn’t pretend she didn’t feel his gaze moving over her. She wouldn’t be able to hide her body’s reaction to his perusal, not that she wanted to.

*****

“Lani,” Malachi croaked. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say because his brain was somewhere in his towel.

She was completely bare. She hadn’t put the straps of leather around her neck or wrists, baring her scars to his eyes. Not that he paid much attention to them in the first place. How could he with her naked body in front of him?

“Shade,” he tried again. “What-”

He was abruptly cut off because she dropped to her knees in front of him. Malachi was aware that he probably looked like an idiot with his mouth hanging open, but how else was he supposed to act? She gave him a shy smile before letting her gaze flitter down his torso to the cotton covered bulge in front of her face.

His breath caught in his throat as her tiny hands found his calves. Those slightly callused hands stroked down to his feet, fingers trailing over his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. He’d had no idea his legs were so sensitive.

“You gave me so much pleasure last night,” she sighed as her hands drifted back up his calves. She paused at his knees, stroking the skin at the back before tracing the hollows formed by his thigh muscles. “I want to do the same for you,” she whispered.

“Ungh,” was all he managed as those little hands slid up his thighs.

The towel fell to the floor completely forgotten. Malachi stared down at her, his chest heaving with his every breath. Was she saying she wanted to-? Oh Gods, yes! She was!

Her hands found his cock, shackling it in a tender grip. She stroked once, twice. He swayed on his feet. Bracing his hands on the cabinet behind him to keep from falling over, Malachi struggled to regain his control. He was three hundred and ninety-four years old. He was a master of control. Masters of control didn’t leap on tiny fairies driving them crazy. He told himself that over and over, but it did no good. Her little hands were stroking him into madness.

He watched with stunned lust as she leaned forward, her little pink tongue swiping at the tip of his cock. His hips jerked. Gods, the torture! She appeared to like his reaction because she smiled, this time not so shyly before swirling her tongue all the way around the crown.

“Lani,” he rasped, sweat beginning to trickle down his body.

Then her mouth closed over him. He growled. He wanted to thrust, wanted deeper inside that warm mouth, but he forced himself to hold back. She was giving him a gift. An unexpected, but wholly appreciated gift. He gulped when she suckled on the tip of his cock. He wasn’t going to last. He was going to come too soon and she’d never do this again.

*****

Lani moaned at Malachi’s taste. Spicy and dark, it lingered on her tongue. Closing her eyes, she took more of him into her mouth. Her hands roamed his legs and hips, feeling every shudder that racked his body as she lashed him with her tongue. She listened to him gasp, pant, growl and it made her hot. Her body reacted to his arousal, growing wet for him.

She clasped his bottom, feeling the muscles clench as he rocked forward. His cock delved deeper into her mouth, throbbing against her tongue. She suckled, her hands digging into his skin. She alternated between suckling and lapping at Malachi’s cock, his obvious pleasure magnifying her own. With a gasping moan, he came, his seed spilling down her throat. His body continued to shudder as her hungry mouth drew out the last of his release.

A sense of satisfaction lit within her. This was the power women had over men, the power she hadn’t realized she could have. She couldn’t imagine doing the same for anyone other than Malachi because no other man made her aware of her femininity as he did. It was heady and arousing. She wanted more.

*****

Malachi’s knees went weak and only his hands braced on the cabinet kept him from falling. She released him from the tempting cave of her mouth, letting him fall to his knees in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. Closing his eyes, he shuddered and wondered if they had time to take a nap.

As much as the thought of sleep appealed to him, his nature wouldn’t allow him to do so without paying the favor.

Right. Repay the favor. He just needed an hour or two. He kissed her forehead, tucking her deeper into his embrace. She’d shot his morning recriminations to stay away from her to utter shit with that selfless act of pleasure. Malachi knew he was completely wrapped around her itty bitty finger; he only hoped she didn’t realize it.

She cuddled closer, her silky body warm against his rougher skin. The sensation awakened his recently sated lust. His cock twitched. Seemed like he’d be returning the favor sooner rather than later, he thought with a smile as one of her hands found his growing erection.

“Do you want to take this to the bedroom?” he mumbled against her temple.

She nodded, tucking her head under his chin.

Grinning hugely, Malachi stood with her in his arms. It took him a few seconds to get his balance, but when he did, he carried her to his room. Gently placing her in his bed, Malachi straightened up.

The black and red comforter highlighted her pale beauty, leaving him in awe. Her green eyes were shining with emotion. That was the difference, he thought hazily. She nearly blazed with feelings.

Climbing in next to her, he trailed a fingertip over her velvet soft cheek. “What happened?” he asked and immediately wanted to kick himself. He didn’t want to ruin the mood, but he had to know why she was suddenly showing her feelings to him when she’d kept a tight lid on them before.

White teeth sank into her lush bottom lip. Her forehead furrowed. “I don’t know.”

He almost laughed. She still remained an enigma. Resting on his side, he studied her. She seemed at ease with her nudity, no wings bursting out to cover her, no shyness in her face, though her cheeks were flush with light color.

He had to take this slowly. He never wanted to see fear in her eyes when she looked at him. Ever. Keeping that in mind, he came to rest on his side facing her.

He was going to enjoy her and make sure she enjoyed him. In this moment, they were no longer a Halfling beyond redemption and a Guardian with a tortured past.

Stroking one finger down the center of her torso, he felt her shiver, saw her brilliant green eyes grow warmer. Pausing at her navel, he circled it lightly, feeling her stomach hollow as she sucked in a ragged breath.

“You’re beautiful.” He pressed his hand flat to her stomach.

The stunned hope in her eyes fired him. Hadn’t anyone ever told her she was beautiful? Determined to not only tell her how beautiful she was, but also show her, he kissed her.

It was a gentle kiss. It was a kiss that would have been innocent in its simplicity if his hand wasn’t smoothing over the flat plain of her belly. He marveled at the heat that immediately sprang up between them. Such an intense reaction to such a light kiss.

He rubbed his lips against hers, not wanting to rush this seduction. No, he wanted her free of all her inhibitions. He nibbled the corner of her mouth. Her lips quivered with an uncertain smile. Pressing harder, he tasted that smile, taking it as a reward for his patience.

Sliding his hand up her body to cup her breast, he caught her breath as she gasped, slipping his tongue past her lips. He groaned as he revisited the warmth of her mouth. She tasted like nectar with just the slightest tinge of salt from him. He plundered her mouth, savoring their tastes mingled together.

A tiny hand fluttered to the back of his neck as though uncertain of its welcome. Pressing closer, he devoured her mouth and was gifted with fingers stroking through the hair at his nape.

His hand tested the weight of her breast, his thumb brushing a hardened nipple. She moaned into his mouth, her hand clutching his hair. She was heating up for him. For him and only him. Primal possession roared through him, tearing his mouth away from hers so he could taste her flesh. Tracing his damp mouth down her chin and neck, he feasted on her breasts.

Drawing on her nipple, he allowed himself to relax some of his restraints. Both of her hands fell to his shoulders, short nails digging into his skin, spurring him on. Delicately scraping his teeth on her turgid flesh, he moved to the other breast, treating it with the same tenderness.

*****

Lani’s head tossed on the pillow. She was immersed in pleasure and fear. She wanted, oh she wanted so much! The fear wouldn’t leave her though. The female she’d once been cringed in terror that he would cease pleasuring her and hurt her. It lingered in her mind, growing as he devoured her.

His hands slid down her body to her thighs, spreading them wide enough to make room for himself. Lani tensed. He was a heavy weight over her, his hands almost bruising as he gripped her. The heated crown of his cock brushed the damp curls at her center.

“Lani,” he groaned, his body growing still. He lifted his head, looking at her with crimson eyes. “Lani, I won’t hurt you. I’d never hurt you.” His tone was reverent and solemn in spite of the sheen of perspiration on his skin and the strain on his face.

For the first time since she came to the bed, she really looked at him. His honor was bright enough to light the corners of her soul.

“I-I think I know that,” she whispered, sorry that she didn’t have the courage to go further. “I just…can’t-” She broke off, her words strangled in her throat.

Tenderness and understanding warmed his face, relaxing the taut lines. “Do you want me?”

“Yes!” The whisper was harsh and heartfelt. She blushed at his smile. “I mean, yes. I do want you. I just can’t,” she stopped again, closing her eyes in frustrated embarrassment.

She felt him shift, moving from between her legs to her side again. Her eyes stung with repressed tears. She’d fucked this up royally. Finally, she had feelings and she wanted to act on them, but her mind wouldn’t shut down.

A feather light kiss brushed her cheek, making her heart ache. She reveled in the sensation. Her heart had been untouched for so long, but Malachi was the first to give it life. She’d treasure every pain simply because it made her something other than Luther’s Shade.

“Babe, you do know there are other ways of doing this.” His moist tongue touched the tender lobe making her shiver. “If you want to try another position, I’m not going to complain. Missionary position isn’t a requirement in my bed,” he said in a voice rich with amusement and desire.

Lani stared up at him, not sure what he could mean, but she couldn’t hide the hunger in her face. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything before and this fear was keeping her from him. She nodded slowly, hesitantly.

The rumbling growl in his chest was her only warning. She was pulled over his body before she even knew what he was doing. Breathless with surprise at his speed, she blinked at him. Lani knew she was fast. She almost prided herself on her ability to move faster than anyone could see, but this male had just taken her by surprise.

He laughed up at her shock, one hand lifting to smooth her hair out of her face. “I’m on fire for you, little fairy,” he whispered, his thumb stroking her cheek.

“Are we going to have sex now?” Yes, she was very eager, but she should’ve at least acted more blasé about it.

Because he laughed so hard he nearly threw her off his body.

“Gods, Lani, you please me.” He hugged her tightly. “If you’re ready, straddle my hips.”

Nibbling her bottom lip, she did as he directed, pressing her chest against his as she straddled his narrow hips. This position pressed the heat of his cock between her open folds. She wiggled slightly, closing her eyes as the tip rubbed against her clit.

She did it again, her breath catching in her throat. Gods, she hadn’t known! She experimented, moving her hips left and right, then backwards and forwards. Her arousal allowed her to glide along his length easily, sliding her clit up and down his shaft faster and faster. Pleasure bolted through her body.

“Gods, Lani!” he growled, holding her hips still.

Opening her eyes, she stared at him blankly. “What did I do wrong?”

“Nothing,” he whispered hoarsely. “I just can’t take anymore. I need to be inside you.” He stared into her eyes. “Are you ready?”