Page 105 of Conflicted

“I can feel it.” He touched my chest tenderly, silver lining his eyes. “I never knew what I was missing when I was in Hell. Back then, I hated it. Hated feeling like I was missing something but not knowingwhat.But now? Now I’m glad I didn’t know. I think it would’ve driven me to madness, knowing you were out there somewhere, but being unable to get to you.”

I covered his hand with mine, squeezing it lightly. “I’m sorry it took us so long to find each other, but fuck, I’m so happy we did.”

We kissed, sealing our bond with no one but the jungle as our witness. It started out gentle. A quiet exploration as we got used to the bond. To feeling each other’s emotions. The fear. The desperation. The love.

It wasn’t long before one overrode all the others.

Lust.

“How long do you think we have?” Nox said between kisses. “Do we have time for this?”

“I don’t care,” I said, shoving him back and sending him sprawling across the jungle floor. “I need you in me, right fucking now.”

Nox propped himself up on his elbows to watch me strip. His pupils were so dilated they made his eyes appear almost black. “Always happy to oblige you there. And while I’mfullyon board with this plan, I feel like I should point out that it might make fighting harder if you’re riding my cock when they arrive.”

I smirked down at him arrogantly as I lost my shirt and stretched my wings wide. “Oh ye of little faith, don’t forget who you’re with.”

Nox reached up and grabbed my wrist. I let him tug me down on top of him, our combined laughter turning to groans as my hard cock lined up against his.

“Like I could forget,” Nox said, lifting a finger to trace along the inside of my wing. I shivered unintentionally, making a dangerous gleam appear in his eyes. “Hmm…looks like you’re as sensitive there as I am.”

I snapped my wings back in and compelled them out of sight. “I am, but let’s save that for when we have more time. We need to make this fast.”

Nox smirked. “Oh, so youdoagree with me that perhaps now isn’t the best time to have sex?”

“I didn’t say that.” I leaned over and grabbed my wallet, crowing as I found a sachet of lube. “I said we have to bequickabout it. Totally different.” I rubbed my chest and chuckled. “Fuck, that’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Huh?” Nox frowned up at me.

“Experiencing what you’re feeling, especially when it’s so different to how I’m feeling.” I put my hands on eitherside of his head, grinning at him. Fuck, he was perfect. Even with me naked on top of him, he was still trying to protect me. I couldn’t believe he was mine. “You really don’t need to be anxious, Nox. My wards start several miles out—we’ll have plenty of warning before they arrive.”

His concern eased slightly but didn’t disappear. It didn’t stem from being caught mid-sex, but from not being able to defend me. He didn’t want to be distracted and therefore put me at risk.

“Maybe we should wait,” he said.

I reached behind me, squeezing his shaft and drawing a low groan from him. “Sure about that? Because, I don’t know about you, but I’d rather go into whatever’s about to happen knowing I’ve felt you inside me as my mate. That I’ll be fighting while the touch of you still lingers on my skin.” I touched his lip ring. “And maybe it’ll give you extra incentive to survive.”

He caught my finger between his teeth, biting down lightly. “I don’t need any extra incentive, little angel. An eternity with you is all the motivation I need.”

“Okay, then do it for me,” I said, leaning over him, touching our foreheads. “Remind me of all the joy we’ve got waiting for us. Everything we can enjoy in the eternity wewillbe spending together, because I refuse to accept any alternative.”

Nox wavered. “You’re sure you’ll sense someone coming before they arrive?”

“Yes. I promise.”

All the uncertainty left his eyes, leaving nothing behind but smouldering desire. “In that case, what are we waiting for?”

“My thoughts exactly.” I picked the lube up from thefloor and passed it to him. “I don’t plan on dying today, but if we do, at least we can say we went out with a bang.”

Nox paused, his slick fingers at the top of my crease. “Did you just…make a joke?”

“I guess I did.” I groaned as his fingers moved lower, igniting what felt like a million nerve endings. “I think you’re bringing it out in me.”

Nox tweaked my nipple as his finger slipped inside. “What, a terrible sense of humour?”

“No,” I gasped, my hands braced on his pecs as he brushed that sensitive button deep within. “Just…this lightness. I can be myself around you. Actually, it’s more than that. I can be a version of myself I didn’t even know existed, and I love it. I love you.”

Understanding burned bright in the bond.

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