Page 30 of Beyond the Storm
I was high on pleasure—both his and mine. He’d asked to be ripped apart, but I was the one who felt utterly wrecked.
“Come to bed with me,” he whispered. “Let me hold you.”
The sheets were cool but quickly warmed with the heat of our bodies. Phoenix brushed his lips across my forehead as his fingers lightly moved up and down my ribs. It was soothing. I smiled as his tail slid along my leg.
When we went out among mortals, he reverted to his human form. But when it was just us—or when we visited other supernatural beings—he showed his true self: horns, a black tattoo-like design along his upper arms and across his chest, and a thin black tail. His right horn had been broken off when he’d been tortured in the underworld. The sight of it still fueled my anger, but it didn’t make him any less beautiful in my eyes.
“Are you enjoying Mykonos?” I asked. The Greek island was known for its energetic nightlife, luxury resorts, and gorgeous beaches. The party atmosphere, rich history, and diversity attracted people from all over—mortals and immortals alike. But for the less social crowd, there were also charming little shops, sites like the old windmills, and secluded coves on the less popular beaches.
“I’m enjoying fucking you all over it,” he answered.
I released a tired laugh. “Too sunny for you?”
As a demon who’d lived in the underworld all of his life prior to marrying me, it had taken Phoenix time to get used to the brightness of the mortal realm. The sun never showed in the underworld. Instead, it was a realm of eternal night, the only light coming from the dual moons, one with a faint blue hue and the other with a red one.
“I don’t mind the sun.” He pressed another kiss to my forehead. “I love how it brings out the golden undertones in your hair.” His fingertips smoothed over my stomach. “How it shines on your skin and warms it.”
I reveled in his soft touch. Lust did too. The purrs started back up again, vibrating in my chest. “So youdolike it here?”
“Yes,” Phoenix said with amusement ringing in his voice. “Yet, where we are doesn’t matter. Over the past year, we’ve traveled all over the world. Tropical islands, mountains, quaint towns surrounded by lush green forests, and bustling cities with skyscrapers, lively nightclubs, and some of the best food the human realm has to offer. Apart from Raiden’s cooking, of course. But what I’ve enjoyed most is sharing it all with you.”
Damn him. My throat got a bit tight. Being sappy and romantic wasn’t exactly our style. So when it happened, it always meant a little more. Felt special. “I’ve enjoyed it too.”
I shifted my body so I could face him. And when our gazes met, I sensed the color Lust made him see. My true eye color. Others looked at me and saw someone else—saw whatever color eyes they found most appealing. Phoenix was the only person who’d ever seen the real me.
“You still see me,” I whispered.
“Of course I do. You see me too.”
“Snark and all.”
“You love my snark.” He touched my jaw. “Your stubble is sexy.”
I placed my hand over his. “I didn’t shave this morning because I know you like it.”
“I like you clean-shaven too,” he said, grazing his fingers along my jawline. “You couldn’t look bad even if you tried. It’s a little irritating.” But there was a smile in his eyes as he said it. My snarky demon. “Where will we go next?”
“Where do you want to go?”
He skated his fingers to my lips, traced them. “The hot sun has been nice. So has seeing you sweat beneath that sun. But I find myself yearning for snow-covered forests and a cozy cottage.”
My stomach fluttered. “Daman and Warrin’s house?”
We had visited my brother and his family not long ago for dinner. Phoenix had teleported us to the cottage, where we’d stayed for the evening, ate a home-cooked meal that we didn’t have nearly enough of during our travels, then left later that night.
Phoenix furrowed his brow. “If you utter a word of this conversation to them, I will end you.”
“No you won’t.” I caught his wrist and brought it to my mouth. “But your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell them that you miss them.”
“It’s not them I miss,” he said with a slight snarl. “It’s the baby.”
I felt the surprise flicker across my face. And then, a smile. “Are my ears deceiving me, or is my husband, who claims to hate everyone, especially children, actually admitting to missing a baby?”
He rolled me to my back on the bed and pinned me down. “Not a word.”
I could easily break his hold if I wanted to. Instead, I lifted up to kiss him. He smiled before returning the kiss, his hold on my arms easing. Our fingers threaded together.
Maybe wewerea disaster. A comet heading straight for a planet, the collision inevitable. But who said crashing was a bad thing? With him, I broke apart over and over, and each time those pieces melded back together, I found myself deeper in love with him.
