Page 40 of Forbidden Obsession
When we were older, we’d sometimes continue down the road to the cover of the forest to steal some private time for wandering hands and pleasured sighs.
Most of my memories were formed with Rahz, which is why I’ve felt so unsettled without him. As though the air is too thin to lift me, the ground too hard to tread upon, our bed too empty to sleep in alone. Rahz is the anchor to my ship. Without him, I drift, aimless and lacking purpose.
Of course Bessa and Bird have been great company. Deepening our relationships has kept me afloat. But I won’t feel whole again until Rahz is by my side.
When my food is gone and my hind end has gone numb, I stand to stretch my limbs and shake out my wings. They’re dry enough to fly home, but first, I cast another hopeful look down the road.
And I don’t believe my eyes.
Two men. Two horses. One hundred beats per minute of my sprinting heart!
I’m in the air before making the decision to fly, racing toward them as fast as my wings can carry me. I spot the moment Rahz sees me, even though he’s still far away. The change in his posture, the lengthening of his spine, and the tap of his heels along Magna’s flanks to urge her into a gallop.
We race toward each other, my laughter ringing as joy fills my chest with warmth.
Rahz slows Magna in just enough time to leap off her back and catch me as I barrel into him, knocking us both to the damp ground. His laughter joins mine, singing the sweet chorus of our happy reunion.
Our lips meet in a hurried rush. Rahz holds me tight as I bury my fingers in his mane of silver hair, breathing him in and relishing his familiar scent.
We’re still kissing when Falen catches up. “Should I wait? Will you two be coming up for air anytime soon?”
With no small amount of reluctance, I climb off Rahz, grab his hand, and help him to his feet. He wraps his big arm around my shoulders and tugs me against his side into that spot I fit so well in it’s as if it were meant only for me.
“Hello, Falen.” I offer him a smile with spit-slick lips. “Maybe you could go on ahead? I’m sure Bird will be thrilled you’re home.”
“I’ll do that.” He nods to Rahz. “Tomorrow night at the quarry?”
Rahz returns the gesture. “I’ll see you then.”
I’m bursting with questions and curiosity, but as Falen rides off, my mouth is put to better use when Rahz kisses me again.
“What’s happening at the quarry?” I mumble against his lips and around his tongue.
“I have so much to tell you.” He lifts me off my feet and strides back the way he came toward the cover of the forest, clucking for Magna to follow. “After.”
I wrap my legs around his waist and squeeze. “After,” I agree easily. I’ve missed him so much. I need to have him now, to reconnect body and soul. Whatever news he has from the capital, tales from the journey, and plans at the quarry can wait another hour.
Or two.
My delight titters out in a giggle against the sensitive skin of his throat, where I’ve locked my lips, intending to leave my mark.
Rahz picks up speed, so strong as he carries me under the cover of the tree line. “You might not like it,” he mutters, tilting his head to give me better access. “In fact, I’m sure you’re not going to like it.”
That gives me pause. A chord of worry strikes my gut. I pull back to look him in the eyes. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re safe?”
The tiniest bit of hesitation. “Safe enough.”
His answer ratchets up my worry. “Rahz.”
“After?” His hungry gaze lights a fire in my blood. “I need you so much.”
“Yes.” I bob my head with the enthusiasm of a man about to get railed. “Have me, please. I need you too.”
I slide down his body, and he lets me go, sets me on my own two feet, but I have other plans. I push him until his back hits the solid support of a sturdy tree trunk and drop to my knees to unlace his breeches and tug out my prize.
