Page 82 of Destined for Eternity
They watched their daughter sleep for a few minutes, standing over her. Then Cori felt a hand creep up her back and stop at her neck where it massaged the tense muscles there. “You mentioned before I left that Paula deemed you fully recovered from pregnancy and childbirth.”
Cori nodded. Unlike when she was human, she didn’t need the full six weeks, and she was already back to her pre-pregnancy form. It was amazing. So many women would kill for that kind of recovery time, but she was glad she wouldn’t be returning to work for a while yet, or else many of her customers would notice. Most didn’t know she’d been changed into something not quite mortal.
She turned and carefully laid her head against Bartol’s chest. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“I am.”
He leaned down and pressed soft kisses across her forehead, then ran them down her face until he captured her mouth. This was what she’d dreamed of for months and wondered if she’d ever get it. Bartol was passionate in a way that took over her completely. His hands ran their way all over her body, and she melted into his touch. Bartol ignited a deep need inside her.
A moment later, Cori found herself lying on her back on the bed. She kept her arms at her side, though she itched to touch the man positioning himself above her. He was sexy and hers, but she knew better than to push him too far.
Bartol stared at her, love shining in his golden eyes. In one swift move, he ripped off his shirt, and in the next he had his pants off. Dear God, he was naked and it was glorious. Cori saw him as nothing short of beautiful with all his carved muscles and restrained strength. She itched to reach for him, dying a little that she couldn’t.
“Touch me,” he whispered, voice raw.
Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
He swallowed. “Yes.”
Tentatively, she lifted her right hand and ran her fingers down his chest. He shuddered, but he didn’t jerk away like he would have in the past. She kept exploring, soft and careful, as she watched for any bad reactions. As her fingertips came near his groin, she watched it grow. She was turning him on, rather than repulsing him. It was hard to believe, but she was seeing the evidence for herself.
Cori wrapped her fingers around his manhood, pausing for a moment to check Bartol’s expression. He looked pleased and let out a low groan, which encouraged her. She stroked him a few times, amazed his body stayed relaxed.
“I’m not sure how much more I can take,” he said in a low voice, heavy with passion.
She let him go. “Am I bothering you?”
He met her gaze. “Yes, but not in the way you think. The problem this time is it’s been too long—I need you.”
The next thing she knew, he was ripping off her clothes. The man had a knack for doing all of this while making as little sound as possible. They were both being careful not to wake Sybil up now that they were finally getting some time together. Cori had no idea where her clothes went after Bartol flung them away, but nothing else mattered when her mate crushed his naked body against hers. He was hot and hard, and all the things she remembered but never got to experience fully.
“Can I touch you again?” she whispered.
“Yes.” He breathed in her ear. “But take it easy at first.”
She understood and just traced her fingertips down his back, enjoying being able to do that much. Bartol licked her neck, suckled her nipples, and then worked his way down to the moist place between her thighs. His tongue moved in ways she’d never experienced before. It was magic, and it was incredible.
In a matter of minutes, they’d worked each other up to a frenzy until they’d nearly lost their minds with need. He entered her in one thrust. Cori had to cover her mouth to keep from screaming with the pleasure of it. She’d been waiting for this for so long, and it was all she could do to keep quiet. Bartol continued moving while also keeping his grunts to a minimum.
They stared into each other’s eyes, and in that moment, they were truly one. She finally understood the bond between mates, and how powerful it could be when both people accepted it. They were uniting the way they were meant to be.
Bartol stiffened above her. “I can’t hold back any longer.”
“Then don’t,” she whispered.
His thrusts came harder and faster until she felt warmth coursing inside of her. His expression was one of raw rapture. Watching him sent her over the edge, and she exploded with pleasure. Cori couldn’t help gripping his back and digging her nails into his skin, but Bartol didn’t seem to care. He was caught up in his own ecstasy, and for once, he was truly enjoying it without holding back.
Afterward, they lay on the bed together, naked and gasping for breath. Cori rolled onto her side and put a light hand on Bartol’s chest. “Were there any nightmare visions this time?”
“Just one,” he admitted. “But I managed to fight it back the moment it started. Eli has been helping me with that, and his trick is working.”
“What trick?”
He smiled. “I just have to keep my eyes on you and nothing else.”
“That seems easy enough.”
Bartol chuckled. “You would think that.”
A cry rose from the bassinet. They jerked upward to get a better view of their little girl and found Sybil’s eyes wide open. Her face was scrunched with an unhappy expression.
“You laughed too loud,” Cori said, smacking Bartol’s arm.
“I forgot.”
She sighed. “It takes some getting used to.”
Cori started to get up, but Bartol beat her to the bassinet. He lifted Sybil into his arms and started swaying her gently. She lay back on the bed, content to watch. The future was rocky for them, but she had more hope than ever that it would work out in the end.
