Page 103 of Winterfall Destiny

“You feel so fucking good,” he says, voice hoarse, lust darkening his expression. The ebbing pleasure resurges, and I push against Ash’s hips, matching his movements, as he rocks against me, driving us closer to what we both reach out for. Neither of us want slow or gentle, and I want the night obliterating, as our kisses and touches become harsher. Lightning trips up my spine and as the sensation explodes through every part of me, I hold on, crying out his name.

A large palm covers my mouth and I widen my eyes, suddenly aware my murmurs aren’t murmurs any longer, and his lips tip into a smile. “Shush.”

But I ignore him, pulling his hand away, urging him on again. Lips parted and eyes closed, Ash gathers pace, reaching for his release too, pushing his face against my shoulder as he does.

For a few moments, we don’t move, wrapped in each other, hidden from the night outside Ash’s door and in one of our own. Our breathing steadies, neither of us wanting to let go, and I hug him tight.

A throaty laugh sounds in my ear before Ash rests his forehead on mine. “I love you, Maeve.”

I touch his cheek. “And I love you. But what’s funny?”

“I also love how I make you lose control. I hope you didn’t wake anyone.”

My cheeks heat. “I wasn’t that loud.”

“Uh huh.” Ash rolls from me and I rest my cheek on his hard chest as his arm wraps around, his fingers stroking my skin. “Did you forget your name? Because seems you know mine.”

I groan. “Funny, Ash. And no. You totally failed to fulfil your promise.”

“Then, did you forget about this evening’s shitshow?” he continues.

I twist my head to look up at him. “Absolutely.”

“Then I’m satisfied there was some fulfilment happening.” He chuckles again and bends his neck to kiss my nose.

“I’m lucky to have you, Ash,” I whisper. “I hope I make you as happy as you do me.”

“I’m not interested in a life without you, Maeve.” His eyes grow serious. “This Maeve. They can throw every spell they want at me, do their worst, but even if our world set on fire, I’d walk through the flames to find you. Nothing anybody can do would stop me protecting you.”

“I also hope that won’t be necessary,” I say. “And I will always protect you too.”

Ash doesn’t respond, so I snuggle my head into the crook of his neck, playing my fingers across the soft gold patches on his chest.

“Is there anybody who can help with the shifting worries, Ash? Surely there must be one dragon out there who isn’t an arsehole.”

“Yeah. Probably. Hard to find others when I’m rare. And busy.” He clamps up.

I’d suggest Ethan, but he’s never shifted and when he did, the guy became a mid because he never fully returned to human again. At least Ash avoided that through his refusal to yield to the dragon when he easily could’ve.

“You are rare, Ash.” I place my lips on his hot skin. “But not because you’re a dragon.”

“What does that mean?” He strokes my hair.

“Because of the man you’re becoming, not the dragon. However much you joke about not knowing the ways of witches and vamps, you’re caring and intuitive, and have a massive heart. That’s as rare as any dragon.”

Ash grips me tighter as he strokes my hair, sending a soft buzz of comfort through me. I may not have forgotten my name, but Ash reminded me that whenever this world knocks me down, I’ve people to hold on to. We’ll hold on to each other, all of us, and focus on the future we’ll create together, not the past and people wanting to pull us apart.

37

TOBIAS

I emerge from the catacombs into the night, where the first streaks of a fiery orange dawn run through the grey clouds.

I've the two Dominion vamps with me.

Alive and confused—and I'm questioning why. We're standing in the part of the day where the humans who live and work in the daytime intersect with those whose lives happen mostly at night, and the busier streets help keep the speed of the mind-wiped vamps unnoticed.

Would Tobias Whitlock have grown closer in nature to Dorian Blackwood if the Confederacy hadn't got hold of him? Because I sure as hell can channel his personality when I need to. The girl was scared shitless of me.

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