Page 52 of The Hidden Falling
Kade has always been good with the kids around here, but seeing how gentle he is with her, even as he picks her up and puts her on his back melts my heart. My smile widens at them as I watch them go, their own smiles wide, and I laugh when Sam tells him to go faster.
I feel eyes on me, intense and devastating. I turn my head and lock eyes with Darius. He’s leaning against one of the apple trees, muscles bulging where his arms are crossed. My smile slowly drops as his hair falls in front of his eyes when he tilts his head, looking like every bit of the animal he is. I lick my lips as I remember grabbing those dark strands in my hands as his tongue tangled with mine, his hips rocking against me, and I flush as the images pop up into my mind. His eyes heat as he notices my reaction, and he smirks, his eyes slowly roaming over my form. When I feel a wetness pool between my legs, I know it’s time to go.
I turn and walk quickly in the opposite direction, aiming for one place and one place only, knowing the countdown has now begun.
My heat has started, and I need to get away before I do something really stupid.
And stupid has a name.
Darius.
Twenty Seven
Rhea
Iwalkswiftlyinsidethe tunnel hidden in the cliffside, my steps rushed as small cramps fill my belly. I enter the cave, breathing a sigh of relief even as sweat begins to coat my skin. I take a steady breath as another cramp hits, blowing it out slowly through the pain. It’s only uncomfortable at the moment, but when my heat hits full force, it will sear through me as I’m seeing it through on my own.
Just like I do every year.
I head over to the furs I keep here at the back of the cave, walking around the pool and run my fingers through the water flowing down over the edges from the opening above. The cool water chills my clammy skin, and I bring my wet hand to the back of my neck, letting droplets of water run down my back.
Reaching my furs, I crouch down and arrange them to my liking, taking extra care in their placement before taking my boots off and placing them down next to my bed. Standing back up, I begin to undress. My t-shirt sticks to my skin as I draw it up over my head, my hair sticking to my neck in the process. I undo my pants next, my shaky fingers undoing the ties before shimmying them down my legs. Standing in just my bra and panties, I tie my hair in a knot on top of my head and walk toward the water.
My bare feet pad along the cold, rock floor until I reach a smaller flow of water coming down from the top. I step into it, gasping at the sudden coolness and holding myself under it for a moment before taking my first steps into the pool. I wade toward the center slowly, my fingers running over the shimmering surface, until the water reaches just below my collarbone. I take deep breaths, the cramps coming stronger, and I tilt my head up to the now dark sky, the tiny specks of stars covering the darkness. Wisps come out from behind the lilk trees and greet me briefly, twirling in front of my eyes before floating upwards and out of the opening above me, until their green-blue glow is out of sight. I groan and clench my eyes shut as another wave of heat flows through me, my chest heaving through its strength.
I sink lower and dip my head back, letting the water soak my hair before lifting my legs to float, feeling the coolness encase me. I remain like this, running my fingers over the surface, creating ripple after ripple as my body burns to be touched, to stop this heat that’s slowly overwhelming me. I stand upright suddenly, a disturbance in the air alerting me that someone has entered my cave. I stand still and take a deep breath, then unintentionally let out a groan at the scent that hits me. Cedarwood, damp earth after rain, and power, with a hint of something that is justhim.
I don’t turn around. I just keep looking straight ahead at the water cascading down and breathing through my mouth to avoid taking in more of his scent which is like an aphrodisiac. His presence makes me very aware of every droplet of water that runs over my heated flesh. Runa cocks her head at the smell of him, standing in his presence, knowing who is here. I mentally shove at her, telling her to pack that shit in.
I hear him moving around the space, his footsteps loud as if to let me know he’s here. I already know. I can sense him. It’s like my body has a direct link to his, to his every breath, and Ihateit. I hate not being myself around him, I hate the way my body responds to him, and I hate that he has the audacity to show up in my space like this, knowing I can only control so much.
I growl. It’s low and in warning that he better turn his ass around and get out of my space. All I get is a low chuckle in response, like I’m an insignificant threat to his balls. My fists clench beneath the surface, and I turn slowly, the water gently moving with me as I prepare to face him.
He stands between a parted section of flowing water at the edge of the pool, his eyes heating as he takes me in, seeing me nearly bare for the first time as his eyes pierce through the clear water. His gaze slowly roams up my body, and every caress of his eyes has my body burning. My stomach drops and my breathing picks up even as my deadly glare homes in on his face. When his gaze reaches my throat, black bleeds at the edges of his irises and flecks of silver float in his darkened green. He lowers his head, his fingers twitching at his sides.
Our eyes finally collide in heat and anger as my body flushes, my cheeks warming with the onslaught of desire coursing through my body. His nostrils flare, a small rumbling sound escaping him. My lips part at the noise, my chest heaving. I don’t move a muscle, scared to make one single move as Runa tries pushing me forward, wanting me to go to him. I growl loud and viciously, a snarl at my lips at her and at him for entering my space. It’s mine.
“Get the fuck out,” I order him, trying to ignore the obvious erection I see straining against his pants. He cannot be here. He’s not welcome here.
“Why would I do that, little wolf?” he murmurs, his voice laced with seduction. He moves a step back and begins to walk around the edge of the pool.
“You’re not wanted. You’re not invited here!” I snap, still refusing to move as he’s now walking at the side of me.
“Your heat has come,” he states, and I hear him breathing deep as he walks. “You want to be fucked, need to be.”
My core tightens at his words, and I release some of my dominance, letting it fill the space. I feel him still behind me, then a moment later he snarls, his dominance flowing through me, making my back start to arch before I can stop myself.
Another wave of heat hits me, and I moan, my eyes rolling as my head tilts back of its own accord. My hand runs a path from my neck to between my breasts, water dripping down as my body aches with need. Aches for relief.
Through my haze of desire, I hear him stop in front of me once again and my head snaps forward, my lips peeling back at him as he just watches me. The only sounds I hear are the pounding of my heart and my ragged breaths over the flow of water splashing into the pool. My hand drops, and I walk slowly toward him, our eyes locked in challenge as I stop a few feet away. His gaze lowers, resting at the apex of my thighs as water trickles down my skin, the pool’s water now resting just below my knees. His jaw clenches and a sound echoes deep from within his chest as his dark hair falls forward at the tilt of his head. So animalistic. So Darius.
“I do not want you here, Darius. Leave.” His eyes flash black, locking with mine as his lips tip up into a sinful smirk.
“Your body says otherwise, Rhea. What I don’t understand though, is why are you out here on your own?” He tilts his head in the other direction. “Don’t you have someone you’ve chosen to see you through your heat?”
“It’s not your business,” I breathe. “What I do withanythingin my life is none of your business.”
He chuckles low. “See, that is where you are wrong.” He straightens and grabs his t-shirt, pulling it over his head and revealing inch after inch of tan, tattooed skin as I squeeze my thighs tightly together. The ache intensifies as I imagine what his bare skin would feel like on mine. “Since the moment I locked eyes on you, little wolf, you have been my business, my enemy, and mine in every way that I want.” He drops his t-shirt to the floor, watching me rake my gaze over him, watching my face flush in desire for him.
