We lay in the center of a circle. The circle of life as it ebbed and flowed, not caring who it hurt, blessed, or doomed. Beneath us were bones of animals and people. Their remains now part of the woods that’d sustained me for the past decade while I’d waited for salvation.
Goosebumps shot down my back.
I wanted her.
The desire in my blood was hungry for connection and pleasure, but it was more than that. I wanted to sink inside Gemma while we lay on the top of dead bastards. I wanted them to see what love looked like, not hate. As much as they’d tried to rob me of a future, I wanted them to know that this incredible girl had given it back to me.
I want to show them I survived.
I needed her to understand that. That this wasn’t me unable to control myself. That I wasn’t twisted enough to lay claim to her after another man had knocked me out. Wherever Jareth was, I was grateful. I would shake his hand the next time we met because he’d protected her for me, from me.
“I want you.” I brushed aside a lock of hair on her cheek. “I want you, away from Fables, beneath the sun and amongst the trees. But most of all, I want you here. Where I ended a nightmare and chose a different future. I know now why I didn’t leave this valley.” I nudged her nose with mine. “I was waiting for you. I was waiting to live and now...now I want to start living. I want you to show me how. I want...”
Her lips smashed against mine, violent when I was doing my best to be gentle. Her hands looped into my hair, pulling me onto her.
“Gem—” I mumbled between kisses. “Tell me to stop if you’re too sore. If I hurt you too much—”
“Shut up, Kas.” She opened wider, kissing me harder.
With a groan, I gave in.
I let her sweep me out of the shame of hurting her and straight into intoxication. Her hips rose beneath me, her feet hooking against the back of my thighs as her nightgown rose up her legs.
Something let go inside her. Propriety fell away. The way she rocked against me, kissed me, and invited more reminded me of something.
Something on the outskirts of my mind.
Something...familiar.
The slosh of water came and went.
The crackle of a fire.
The heat of her body and wetness of her need as I slid inside her.
Her lusty scream as I fucked her, sending water spilling over the—
My eyes flew wide as pieces of something forgotten exploded into my mind. “I remember...”
She searched my face, lips kiss-swollen and breath quick. “Remember what?”
“The bath.”
She froze for a second, then smiled. “You do?” Taking a breath, she added, “All of it? What we talked about? What we did?”
“I remember fucking you. You...wanted me. You honest to fucking God wanted me.”
Her cheeks blazed. “I did.” She rose up and kissed me. “I want you now.”
I shook my head with disbelief. No lies in her tone. No ulterior motives. Just honesty and love.
I folded over her, kissing her reverently.
Another spark ignited in her. She bit my bottom lip, demanding more.
My mind swam, but I did my best to stay soft, slow, gentle.
She let out a frustrated groan. “Stop holding back.”
“I’m trying to give you what you deserve.”
“Then let go. Be with me.” Her hand dropped down my body, pushing my shorts over my ass.
“Wait—” I grunted as her hand dipped between us. Grabbing my hard-on, she thumbed the tip, driving me fucking insane. “I’m trying to go slow. I want to treat you right this time.”
“You treat me right every time.” She stroked me, making my vision stutter. “It’s never been like this with anyone before. I like what you do to me. I love being wild with you.”
I grunted again as she jerked me off, using her other hand to push my shorts down my thighs. I clenched my teeth, struggling to speak around the bliss she granted. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
She wrapped her fingers tighter, wriggling beneath me. “You’re not. Not anymore.”
“Christ, you’re not making this easy.” I dropped my forehead to her chin, fighting for control as my hips arched on their own accord, filling her hand. “I want to be slow. To make you come and—”
“I don’t need soft, Kas,” she whispered in my ear. “I just need you. I need you however you need me.” Letting my cock go, she yanked up her nightgown, revealing her wetness. I glanced down. My head swam as pain pulsed. Where Jareth had struck me pounded in time with my heartbeat. Whiteness flickered on the edge of my vision, hinting I was playing a dangerous game.
Would I black out the moment I sank inside her? Would I forget?