A tear falls from his eye and lands on my cheek, melding with the salty tears I didn’t know I was shedding.
“You’re safe with me,” I say. “I love you.”
“I know, and I love you. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. Not even me.”
27
PHANTOM MENACING
JADE
After Flint helps to clean me up, Calder and I snuggle in bed. His mating fever abates with our bond. He’s clear-headed again. He confesses to me what he can stomach to tell me about the torture he suffered. How she violated and mutilated him. It makes my stomach turn, picturing him abused like that.
I’d say I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, but it would be a lie. I wish that witch would feel the same pain she inflicted on him. I want her to experience how she ruined him all these years.
However, I suspect she’s messed up because someone hurt her, but that doesn’t give her a free pass to be a torturer.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have burdened you with all that,” Calder says, turning his face away from me.
“No. It isn’t a burden. I’m here for you, just like you have been there for me. Even when you didn’t like me or trust me, youlistened when I told you about Rob’s abuse. I didn’t feel so alone when you understood how much he had hurt me.”
Calder’s hand lightly strokes my cheek. “I hate that when you were under the spell that I asked you to remember it all.”
“Are you kidding me? That was a brilliant idea. Now I understand why I felt the way I did. I was brainwashed.” I search Calder’s face, trying to read him. “Are you unhappy that I gave you back your soul pieces?”
“Of course not.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “It will take some time for my soul to integrate. If I didn’t have it back, I don’t know what kind of a mate I would be for you.”
Calder sits up and moves the pillows to the wall at the head of the mattress. Then he rests his back and opens his arms, inviting me.
I get to my knees and knee walk toward him.
My gargoyle moves closer, worried.
Calder nods to Flint. “Stay close.”
“She enjoys this sexual position. Bouncing on top,” Flint says and gives me a slanted smile when I blush.
“Flint!I didn’t take you as a kiss and tell type.” I pout, then laugh.
“I’m not planning on fucking… right now, but thanks for the tip, big guy.” Calder catches me by my waist and easily lifts me onto his lap, my knees landing on either side of his hips.
Damn, these guys are fucking strong.
His cock perks up with my vagina’s proximity.
I feel awkward, unsure where to put my hands, so I rest them on my thighs until I understand what’s going on. I know he’s trying to get over his nightmare experience, but I worry he’s pushing himself too hard, too fast.
Calder’s finger catches under my chin and lifts my face so I’m looking into his eyes. They no longer look as haunted as they did when we first met. “I want you to touch me, my flame. Exploremy body. I need to get used to it. And I crave your touch. It’s driving me insane.”
Taking my hands in his, he places them on the sides of his face.
I don’t move, waiting to see his reaction. Instead of fear, I see hope and affection in his expression.
“If it gets to be too much, tell me,” I say, moving my fingers to trace over his fantastic cheekbones and his chiseled jaw.
His unshaven beard is softer than I expect. I’ve kissed him, but I was so overcome with desire that I didn’t notice how unusually soft his whiskers are. I feather my fingertips over his strong brow, and he closes his eyes in bliss. I run my thumb over his plump lower lip, and he pokes his tongue out to lick the tip.
I move my hands down over his neck. He snaps his eyes open and shivers when I stroke my hand over his throat. He tenses, and I worry I’ve triggered him.
