Page 56 of Saving Destiny

“I confess that I am a little nervous as well and for several reasons,” he says in a near whisper. “As I mentioned before, my dalliances were purposefully intended to satisfy a need, and I specifically chose partners I wouldn’t encounter again. My lack of sight can be confusing during intimacy and it has resulted in a few painful collisions and uncomfortable situations. Additionally, I harbor concern about your past injuries. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I will need your guidance.”

I consider his words but purposefully ignore his comments regarding his pastdalliances– as he calls them – to forestall any unnecessary jealousy. It takes very little effort on my part to transmit a mental image to him. Although I’ve never tried, I believe I can do it as easily in this form. I might be too selfish to offer, though. I like that he can’t see my deformed limbs.

“You shouldn’t worry about that, princess,” Kodi murmurs from behind me. The suddenness of his comment makes my body jerk with surprise.

I glance over my shoulder and frown. “You can read my mind now?”

Kodi shrugs and his expression is thoughtful instead of mocking. “I know you well enough by now, Zo. You had that look on your face. You should ask Avery instead of making a decision for him.”

I bare my teeth at him and try to growl before I realize it sounds pitiful when I’m not a sphinx. He doesn’t even look sorry for calling me out so blatantly.

“Although I only have a suspicion as to your thoughts, I agree with Kodi,” Avery interjects.

Of course he does,I think as I glance down at my body. Nothing has changed; my legs are still crooked and I still hate them. “Would you like to … see me? I think I’ve figured out how to open your vision, although that sounds weird. But I think I know how to make it so that you see me instead of me just sending you a picture. When we visited the legacy room, I understood the way your brain impairs your vision, and I believe there’s nothing wrong with your eyes – medically that is. If there was, I don’t think you would be able to see the energies and auras that you do. The problem is a faulty connection between your eyes and your brain. My magic simply bridges that gap when I will it, like fixing a break in a cable. I’m not a doctor, though, and we haven’t tried it so I might be wrong. If I’m right though, you’ll be able to see me even if I can’t see myself.” I grimace as I consider my explanation. “Did that make any sense at all?”

“A mirror on the ceiling would bypass that problem – if it is the problem.” Kodi attempts a casual tone, but I sense an undercurrent of excitement. “Then youareseeing yourself.”

“I don’t know if I want that,” I whisper. I’ve avoided full-length mirrors for the last seven years, even though I can just look down. It feels different when my face shares the image of my broken lower body; I can separate my disability from myself when I only see them separately.

Avery considers his words carefully before he speaks. “I would be honored to see you, but I also understand your reservations. I’ve heard that some people prefer to make love in the dark. I imagine being blind is similar to that although I’ve been gifted with an image of you that other blind humans aren’t blessed with. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Zosia, and I’m positive that further examination will only increase my admiration. Something you might not have considered, though, is that I’ll be angry. Witnessing the extent of your abuse could make me furious. Also,” he adds hesitantly, “you are not the only one who bears scars.”

I recall his confession and understand his warning. I hadn’t considered that the beautiful vampire might not want to see himself, and I’m almost positive the sight of his scars will anger me too. I don’t completely dismiss Kodi’s suggestion, though. The library could easily make my ceiling a mirror, but I have to make peace with the idea first.

“I can’t decide that right now,” I decide aloud.

“I understand,” Avery says. “Would you like to talk or …?”

“Just kiss me.” The words emerge as a command. The extensive training and stress regarding the library’s opening has exhausted me. If we sit and talk, I might fall asleep. I don’t want to fall asleep because we’d have to do this all over again. I also want him. Tonight.

The vampire obeys without any further prodding. He leans into me and presses his lips against mine. His movement is a little forceful, but I trust that I still have complete control. It’s one of the traits that attracts me to him and the shifter. Both are powerful and masculine in the ways that I like, but neither is afraid of conceding to me or offering me submission – within reason. Garrett might be less willing than Avery, and I’m uncertain about Bren. His moods can shift unpredictably.

Finally … thankfully … Avery’s lips quiet my nonstop thoughts. His kiss becomes my entire world, and the movements of our mouths and tongues become the dance I’ve often read about. Unlike my stories, his desire seems make him glow, but it could be a strange effect of the false twilight. As my desire grows, I believe I can follow the path of his blood racing under his pale skin and hear the rapid beat of his heart. It’s as if I’ve transitioned into my sphinx form just to borrow her heightened senses.

The vampire’s slim fingers stroke the sensitive spot at the nape of my neck and trail down my back. They pause subtly when they graze the raised scars where my captors tried to remove my wings. My hands tentatively explore him in return, although I limit their wandering to his torso – for now. The muscles of his arms, chest, and back flex under his skin; the press of his lean body against mine reminds me of the fire he created within me when he bit me. The pressure of his lips and the playful movements of his tongue urge me closer and steal the breath from my lungs. When my aching nipples brush against his arm, I moan and shift restlessly with the need for more.

As if sensing my wishes, Avery rearranges us so we’re laying side-by-side instead of sitting. The length of his body aligns with mine, and I silently curse the fabric still separating us. I want to feel him …. The firmness of his erection nudges my stomach and I grip his hips to pull him closer. The evidence of his arousal and the stiff length of him wrests another moan from me. It’s a primal, throaty sound I’ve never heard myself make. Kodi reacts to the sound of my desire with a quiet groan of his own, and my desire increases when I think about him watching us.

Avery’s breath catches when my hips instinctively thrust against him. He reaches slowly for the hem of my shirt, and I know he’s giving me time to stop him. I won’t; I can’t stop now. I’ve been waiting for this for what seems like forever. The sexual tension has been growing within me for days and my desire has never experienced this with another person. My body comes alive and each nerve ending is sensitized, awake, and greedy for more. The orgasm I experienced the other morning had been an appetizer, and I realize I’ve been starving for the main course since then.

His palms are smooth and warm as they glide upward over my ribs and stop just below my breasts. I whimper and thrust toward him again. I need his touch but I don’t want to stop kissing him for even a second. He somehow understands my unspoken demands. His kiss becomes more demanding as he palms my breast and teases my nipple through the fabric of my bra.

My body aches for him. I swing my leg over his thigh and attempt to draw him closer to my throbbing center. At first, I’m uncertain if my lower body will cooperate, but it accomplishes my goal as his erection presses against my heat. For a brief second, I consider how strange my crooked femur might feel, but I shove the thought to the back of my mind. It’s the last thing I want to think about right now.

He relentlessly teases my nipple with his thumb while I grind against him. My aching clit seeks friction – anything to satisfy the hunger pulsing through me. The arm that’s captive beneath his neck curls around his shoulders and presses him tighter to me while the other explores his back and chest. I’d love to see his hair unbound, but I’m afraid we’ll be tangled in its length. Like his, my mass of hair remains restrained in its braid.

The pressure within me builds, fueling my frustration at the fabric separating us. I tug at his shirt while he deftly unfastens my bra with one hand. I don’t allow myself to consider how much practice he’s had with bras. Instead, we both remove the clothing from our upper body. The air is warm, but my skin pebbles with gooseflesh and my cheeks flush. Avery might not be able to see me, but Kodi can. I’m sure he’s seen my naked breasts before, but it’s different this time because the situation is sexually charged.

I’d thought myself fully aroused before, but the moment my breasts and tender nipples touches Avery’s smooth chest, desire consumes me. I have no other words other than it feels so good … so right ….

Avery’s mouth doesn’t return to mine after he stops our kiss to take off his shirt. Instead, he abandons my swollen lips and trails kisses down my jaw and toward my neck. I glance over my shoulder to see Kodi watching us with an intensity I rarely see him display. His gaze flits between Avery’s lips on my skin and my breasts, appearing equally mesmerized by both. His broad chest rises and falls rapidly, and I’m uncertain whether it’s a habit or a reflex. He has no need for air.

“Okay, boo?” I force the words out. They sound husky and I have difficulty concentrating through the haze of lust. Avery’s kisses slow while he waits for the answer.

“Quite all right,” the ghost replies. His voice is rough as if he’s physically affected and his tongue darts out to wet his lips although there’s no saliva.

I wish he could join us with a solid body, but a sphinx isn’t a jinni – my wish isn’t granted. Avery gently nudges me onto my back. At first, I think he’s improving his access to my breasts, but he’s simultaneously offering Kodi a better view. I almost forget about both of them when the vampire’s warm lips fasten over my nipple. My back arches, seeking more, and a sensual moan leaves my parted lips. A jolt of sensation streaks from my breast to my clit and I press my thigh between his legs. He thrusts his firm length against me with an equally sensual groan. Giving him pleasure is as satisfying as receiving it.

The vampire’s canines have lengthened and the sharp tips graze my nipple with care. It doesn’t hurt, especially not when he adds the flick of his tongue. I clutch at him, breathing hard, as his erection throbs against my leg.

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