Page 11 of Tides of Time

“Ari.” With a sharp intake of breath, his lips formed into a word that could only be described as a hiss. His hands reached out, fingers sinking into her hair as he thought to control her speed.

Beaming with a mischievous glint in her eye, she lowered her lips to just the thick head of his pulsing cock. Her tongue traced delicate swirls across the sensitive tip, savoring the distinct taste of salt and masculinity. With a tight grip on her hair, he guided her further down onto him, until she felt his impressive length graze the back of her throat. She began to suck, using a combination of pressure and tantalizing movements to bring him closer to climax.

Ariana was lost with desire as his hips began to thrust in time to the bob of her head. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop as she made love to him with her mouth. When one hand left her hair, Orion let his other push hand between them. Gentle fingers began tracing a circle around her clit, nearly stopping her strokes as pleasure rushed through her.

“Ari,” Orion growled, his hips steadying. “Enough,” the single word was strained. A request, not a command.

Smiling, she slid her mouth down his impressive girth once more before releasing him. Beg as he had, his finger continued to rub against her clit, drawing stars to her vision before she could even consider resuming her torture.

Ariana’s body quaked from the startling release.

Silent and shrouded in the darkness of the new moon, their bodies moved together in a dance known only to them. The cool, grainy sand cradled them as Orion lowered her down and entered her with one swift, powerful thrust. Ariana gasped and let out a low, primal moan as he filled her completely.

Their movements were fluid and instinctual, guided by the electric connection between them. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore provided no cover for their growing passionate noises. The stars above twinkled like tiny pinpricks of light, bearing witness to their forbidden love under the cover of night. It was a moment she would never forget, lost in each other's touch and breath until dawn broke over the horizon.

Ariana's fingers glided over the smooth, corded muscles of Orion's back as he braced himself with his strong arms on either side of his head. Her legs curled around him, pulling him closer and allowing him to enter her even deeper. The heat between them pulsed with each movement, their bodies moving in perfect synchronization as they lost themselves in the moment. Their bodies were entwined like two vines, tangled in a passionate dance that sent shivers down Ariana's spine. She never wanted this moment to end, lost in the blissful pleasure of being consumed by Orion's love.

Over and over, he thrust. Ariana’s body moved in perfect tempo with her husband’s. The waves crested behind them as every fiber of her being began to light up with a second release. She nipped his lower lip and pushed upright, forcing Orion onto his back so she could ride him.

“Gods, Ari,” his hands wasted no time finding her breasts and massaging them.

With each thrust, her hips rose to meet his with fervent urgency. Their bodies moved in perfect synchronization, colliding and grinding together at a frantic pace. She surrendered herself completely to the moment, feeling her head fall back in ecstasy as their skin slapped against each other. As she reached the peak of pleasure, vibrant colors danced behind her closed eyelids, intensifying the sensation of the second orgasm taking over her body.

Though Ariana couldn’t keep up the pace as her body exploded with pleasure, Orion’s hands landed on her hips and controlled them, his forceful thrusts drawing out her waves of pleasure until he came, grunting her name as he did.

“I love you more than should be possible,” she whispered, leaning forward so her lips could brush against the taut muscles of his chest.

“And I love you just the same,” his arms wrapped around her, and his squeeze was almost enough to keep her pressed against him.

Almost.

She closed her eyes, picturing his gaze as he’d looked down at her with a fury of passion just minutes before.

She’d give anything to stay connected to him like this, but she had a job to do.

Lifting off him, Ariana lay against him on the sand, her ear laying over his heart for just a moment longer. There was comfort in the rapid, post-release thump of his heart, and comfort knowing she’d created such a release in him the same way he had for her.

“I love you, Orion.” She whispered the words, merely thought the year, and was gone.

FIVE

His heart crackedbeneath his rib cage as Orion’s palms crashed against his chest.

Ariana’s words of love, her passion, and insistence on coming to land made sense to him now.

She hadn’t headed his warning or listened to a word he’d said. She was determined to find her freedom from her mermaid form, and she’d left him to do it.

Orion ignored the burn of tears in the corners of his eyes. He had to pray and hold on to the belief that she would find him and remain stuck in time with him. He had to hope against hope Poseidon didn’t track her down in his fury and smite her where she stood.

Laying his hands flat on the sand beside him, Orion tried not to give into the grief swirling through him. If she never found him, if she couldn’t stick herself in time, they’d never remember one another.

“Worse, if she succeeds in saving me but not cementing her place by my side, she’ll be gone when her life ends that day she fell.”

No other mermaid or merman had been present when he found Ariana. Only the necklace and its call to Galena had saved his wife.

And if I’m not turned, she’ll die.

Orion pushed back the thought, determined to focus on the present. His mind raced with worry for Ariana and her journey to nineteen seventy. With each passing moment, his anxiety grew stronger like a storm brewing in the distance. He couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that something would go wrong. But he had to believe that she had reached her destination safely, despite all odds. He clenched his fists, trying to hold onto hope as tight as he could.

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