Page 41 of Gifted Destiny

He sits back on his heels and studies me as if committing my body to memory. Is he marking the position of every scar and mole, every curve and hollow? I try to imagine my body from his perspective, but it’s impossible. I’ve seen myself too many times to practice any objectivity.

When he remains motionless for several long minutes, I start to worry that the magic backfired. “Kodi?” Thankfully, the sound of his name jolts him from his mesmerized trance.

He ducks his head, hiding his delightfully pink cheeks. “Sorry. Looking at you naked ….” He blows out a big breath.“I was trying really hard not to come in my pants.” A rare expression twists his features; I think he’s bashful. “I won’t last long, Zo. I might lose all control the second I touch you.”

I attempt a coy smile, hoping it doesn’t look like an awkward grimace. “We have until dawn, right?”

His response is a grin that lights up his entire face. His turquoise eyes sparkle like polished gemstones. “That’s what Bren thinks, but he wasn’t sure. Maybe we should hurry – just in case.” His playful nature makes me laugh, but it turns into good-natured curses as he struggles with his pants. The jeans are tight, and the button fly seems to vex him.

I barely notice when he finally crows with triumph because I’m captivated by the flexing muscles of his back and shoulders. He’s ripped, even after years of inactivity. My appreciation cools when I realize that this side of him is free of scars. Whoever carved into him wanted to look him in the eyes as they did it. I push the observation away; I’d promised to ignore the scars for now.

I focus instead on the tapestry of pale skin dotted with freckles. As he peels his pants off, my mouth dries. Sweet Destiny … my best friend has an amazing ass. It’s rounded but tight and smooth. I have the overwhelming urge to pinch it, but he’s too far away at the edge of the bed. I barely notice when he loses his balance and nearly falls on his face. He grunts with frustration before finally throwing the pants to the side.

He turns around, revealing that his struggles hadn’t cooled his desire. His cock stands at full attention, thick and stiff. I blush hotly but also offer silent gratitude to the universe that he’s average in size. I just know Garrett is going to be huge, so I’d like the rest of my lovers to be … just enough.

As naked as I am, Kodi returns to lie down next to me. I roll toward him, and one of his arms slides under my neck while the other hand grasps my hip. His moan echoes mine. The full-bodycontact releases a flood of endorphins that relaxes my nerves and stokes my desire. He feels smooth and warm against me. His erection nudges my lower abdomen, and my aching breasts press against his firm chest.

“You feel so good.” His lips deliver light kisses to my forehead and cheekbones as his palm explores the curve of my hip and waist.

I moan my agreement, unable to form words as sensation threatens to melt my body into the bed. He feels natural, right, and so much better than I imagined.

Kodi’s mouth captures mine again. His kiss feels experienced, but he just knows what I like. He nips and licks, teasing, before swiping his tongue into my mouth and swallowing my whimpers. His palm cups the soft flesh of my breast, and he grazes the rough pad of his thumb over my erect nipple. My hips thrust forward involuntarily as desire shoots from one pleasure center to the next.

With a pained groan, he releases my ravaged lips. I don’t question the rapid rise and fall of his chest or his strong heartbeat. I don’t think dwelling on the mechanics will make him fade, but I want to enjoy the moment. I ignore our ticking clock as well.

Holding my gaze, Kodi’s bright blue-green eyes spark with emotion. “I love you, Zosia Abram,” he whispers fervently.

“And I love you. I have always loved you.” Confessing my feelings is more satisfying when the taste of his lips is on mine and his scent is in my nose. He smells like leather, paper, and ink – as if he didn’t exist before he arrived in the library. This fantasy is preferable to the reality.

Kodi’s answering smile is broad and without restraint or trepidation. Then, he ducks his head and proves that his mouth and tongue are capable in other places. He licks and sucks at my nipple, erasing every other thought in my head except for mygrowing hunger. My hips thrust, grinding against his firm shaft, as need slicks my inner thighs.

The teasing foreplay doesn’t last long. He raises his head, his expression pleading. “Zo … I need to be inside you? Can I …?” His breath rasps from him. His body is coiled tightly with tension and restraint, and the tip of his cock is wet against my stomach. I can’t deny him, and I don’t want to.

After I nod, we move simultaneously. I roll onto my back, and he settles between my legs like Avery did. There must be other positions, but I can’t complain yet. I’ll take Kodi any way I can have him.

My lover’s entire body shudders as he enters me slowly and deliberately. It’s nearly unbearable. His pace, added to the way he looks at me, makes me think this is a dream. When Avery began, it was obvious that he couldn’t see me. I’d needed that distraction from my insecurities, but Kodi is different. He can’t look at me enough. His gaze devours me, moving up and down my body with hungry appreciation. I do the same with him, memorizing the location of every freckle and the ridge of every muscle so I can recall them when he’s not solid.

Heat fills me as his thickness stretches my inner walls. I start to pant with need and wiggle my hips impatiently. My eyelids want to flutter shut, but I resist. I want to watch him like he watches me. The expression on his face suggests tight control over his body. I haven’t seen him like this since he became a ghost.

It feels like forever before he’s fully enveloped. His pelvis meets mine, and my muscles clasp eagerly around his thick length. He squeezes his eyes shut, breathing hard through his flared nostrils. I don’t know if he’s savoring this moment or practicing restraint, but I don’t care. I swear that I can feel every inch of him inside me.

After a brief second, he slides out and in again, still moving so slowly that I start squirming and whimpering. I’m so wet that the slide requires little effort, but the strain he’s exerting is apparent in every muscle and breath. The intensity in his gaze is the first sign that his spoken warnings weren’t far from the truth.

“You can come, Kodi,” I whisper. The words sound dirty, and I think they turn him on. His jaw clenches tightly and his hands grip my hips with an almost bruising pressure.

“Fuck, Zo.” His hips thrust against mine twice more before he starts to shudder. Watching his face as he orgasms almost makes me join him, even though I’m not there yet. My body clenches in response, squeezing until he’s spent.

His body jerks once more before he sags onto my chest. My fingers grip his shoulders tightly and my clit continues to throb, but I feel satisfied without an orgasm. I can’t have mind-blowing sex every single time. Most of the articles I used to read in the magicless magazines suggested this is normal, and many offered subtle or not-so-subtle methods to empower a woman’s request for fulfillment. In this case, though, I just needed Kodi; the orgasm would be a bonus.

I wait for him to slide out of me, but he doesn’t move. I don’t mind because he’s not putting the full weight of his body on me. His warmth, in addition to the rapid thumping of his heart, also feels incredible after not being able to touch him for so long. My stupidly curious brain questions whether ghosts eject sperm. Kodi’s orgasm felt drier than Avery’s had.

When Kodi breathes air over my nipple, an involuntary spasm overtakes me. My inner muscles clench and my clit pulses again. A strange sensation makes me realize that he’s regaining his erection – while still inside me.

His gaze meets mine, both of us sharing surprised looks. It feels bizarre, but it’s not uncomfortable. Instead, it rekindles my faded desire. My hips rock as my body seeks friction. Kodi’sanswering groan vibrates through my bones and sends a wave of longing to my core.

“Is this supposed to happen?” He grins as he props himself back up.

I shrug. “I don’t think it happens often, but I’m not complaining. Are you complaining?”

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