Page 34 of Forbidden Knots

Lights flickered on outside. Golden glows filled the windows as curious faces appeared, drawn by the sounds echoing through the streets of La Maddalena. I shut my eyes again, my thighs trembling, another scream escaping my lips, softer this time.

Every thrust stole my breath, leaving me gasping and crying out for him.

"You have to wait, baby," he whispered, sweat dripping from his forehead. "I said wait," he repeated, but my body betrayed me.

I tightened around him, pulling him closer.

"FUCK," he whispered, a grin spreading as I bit my fist to stifle my screams, my thighs shaking against his legs.

He pulled me closer, still thrusting, first slow, then faster. My body, numb and on edge, pushed me toward insanity.

"I'm not done with you yet," he said, flipping me onto my stomach, my face pressed into the pillow.

Bruised and aching, I still wanted him. He lifted my hips, spreading my cheeks, and entered me again in one swift motion.

His hand pressed my chest, pulling me upright until I sat on him. His hands guided my hips, making me move. I foundthe rhythm, riding him, our bodies moving together. The sheets beneath us, wet with sweat and blood, lay under a crushed oleander. I arched my back, holding his head to my neck, fingers tangled in his hair.

I needed more.

He needed me.

And this was what made me whole.

NINETEEN

Shadow

Time stood still. The clock showed it was past midnight, and the entire street was alive with the sound of her screams. I wanted everyone to know she was with me, that she was mine. I kept her locked to my hips, pushing deep inside her. Her hands clawed at the sheets, gripping them with desperate passion. Each scream she let out sent shivers through me, making me want her even more.

With the rhythm of my heartbeat, I thrust into her until she tightened around me. Her skin glistened in the moonlight, beads of sweat forming on its surface. As she arched her back, I noticed the oleander beside us, broken and standing as a silent witness to our cruel passion.

Her flower, poisonous like her, merged with our dream as I took it in my hand and gently rubbed it against her.

"Oh, my," she whispered, her fingers tangling in my hair as she tightened her grip, pulling with pleasure.

"Come for me, baby," I whispered, barely catching my breath as I continued thrusting into her. Her body danced on my hips, pinned to me.

"Tristan," she screamed, her hands flailing, searching for something to cling to as her toes curled with passion.

I was on the edge, driven to madness by her. She was the only one who quenched my thirst, the only one who poisoned me like this, making me an addict. Addicted to her scent of lemon and summer, to her tanned olive skin, her full lips, and her long blonde hair brushing against my skin. She was perfect, and she was mine.

"Tristan," she repeated, her head falling on my shoulder. I pushed her passionately onto the bed and started thrusting harder, reaching the peak of madness. My head fell back, eyes locking onto the ceiling as they slowly closed, and I climaxed on her back.

My voice, like thunder, called her name, summoning a storm of hope for her. With a smile, I collapsed onto the sheets stained with blood and sweat, looking at her.

Her face glowed with a radiance I had never seen before, and I knew that glow held me too. Shadows enveloped us as the storm calmed, and the lights around us slowly faded into the night.

Thalia could hardly move, her steps faltering like a beaten kitten barely able to walk. Her body was marked with bruises, torn from my hard thrusts and her struggle with life, dragging across the room step by step. She clung to me, inching toward the shower.

Cold tiles beneath us sent shivers through her as she struggled to stand upright. I turned the water on, letting it cascade over us. Drops fell on our skin as I held her close, her head resting on my chest, her arms entwined around my back.

"Is this a dream, Tristan?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. I could feel her smile against my skin.

"No," I replied, a deep hum escaping me, "this isbetterthan a dream."

She lifted her head, her eyes locking onto mine, sinking into my touch.

"Can I stay with you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I feel safe," she continued, her head falling back onto my chest.

---