Page 96 of Cinder
Lars
Ella sitsat the end of my bed wearing my Knights of St. Boniface hoodie as she eats an apple.
So far this afternoon, we’ve given each other a lot of pleasure with our tongues.
We’ve kissed and touched and stroked, and she’s driven me wild with her sweet little moans and the softness of her silky body against mine.
But I haven’t taken her virginity yet.
I’m taking care of her first.
Making her eat.
Making herhydrate.
Making her feel safe.
I can’t give her moonlight and roses.
But I can give her this.
I lie with my head on the pillows, watching her eat. Loving the way she seems at ease around me, as if she belongs in this room as much everything else in here.
Her gaze drifts to the sword on the wall beside my bed.
“Wow, that is amazing,” she says, climbing off the bed and walking over to get a better look at it.
It is a long broadsword. Hundreds of years old. Used by my Viking forefathers in battle. It’s been handed down the family line and used by each Andersson warrior. My grandfather used it to take the life of a man who liked to hurt children. My father used it to sever the head of the man responsible for setting a fire at a carnival that killed seventeen people.
I have yet to use it.
But I don’t doubt there will be a day I get to.
I come up behind her. “It’s centuries old.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers. “Can I touch it?”
“Go ahead,” I say, enjoying her fascination.
She reaches out and runs her finger along the blood groove of the blade, then traces it over the symbols etched into the pommel.
There is something beautiful in the way she touches it, the way she is mesmerized by it.
I drop my lips to her shoulder and feel her shiver.
“Is it true they used to name their swords?” she asks, not removing her gaze from it.
I slide my hands around her hips and run my fingers over her stomach, then up to her breasts, feeling her nipples tighten beneath my palms. “Yes.”
“Does this one have a name?”
I bring my lips to her ear. “Hellbringer.”
My hands drift down her body, and one slides between her legs.
“Hellbringer.” She bites down on her cushiony lip. “I like that name.”
She sighs when I begin to rub her clit slowly and softens against me.
