When they stepped out of the Peripatos back into the dark of their home, Ari turned to look at Jai. He turned to gaze at her, and the air around them became pressure against her body. The searing expression in Jai’s eyes locked her in place, and she found her breathing grow shallow, her skin prickling in anticipation of his touch. Focusing on the energy in the house, Ari sent little feelers out and discovered they were completely alone.
“Trey’s not home,” she told him, her voice raspy with too much feeling and expectation.
Jai didn’t say a word. One minute there was a few feet between their bodies, the next she was caught in his hold as he collided with her, his arm catching her around the waist, his other hand around the back of her neck in preparation for his kiss.
What a kiss.
Ari sighed into it, melting against him, her hands kneading the muscles in his lower back as he deepened the kiss.
Usually Jai started out slow when they were making out and as soon as it hit that heated sexual place, he’d pull back. This time, he went straight for the heated sexual place. He pressed her toward the stairs and Ari stumbled.
They parted, their mouths brushing one another’s as she panted, “Let’s go to your room.”
Jai nodded, his eyes lidded with want as he gazed down at her. He reached for her mouth again and then lifted her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Ari held on tight for more scorching kisses, her body sliding against his as he carried her upstairs to his room.
She heard the door slam shut behind them and then she was falling onto the mattress.
“Oh my God, this is going to happen,” she whispered up at him, excited.
Following her down onto the bed,
Jai smiled, but his intensity didn’t fade as his hands coasted up her thighs, pushing her dress higher. “Definitely happening,” he murmured.
In seconds, she was divested of her clothes, lying beneath Jai, heart pounding against her ribs. She knew she should feel vulnerable, scared, but other than nervous anticipation, Ari felt like she was right where she belonged.
Jai sat up, his eyes devouring her.
“You are so beautiful.”
“So are you.” Ari smiled and tugged at his shirt. “But I want to see more.”
His mouth twitched but he happily consented and soon Ari was marveling over him, her soft hands memorizing the feel of him as they kissed, taking time to get to know one another.
Soon their kisses and touches grew desperate and Ari found herself beneath him, his body poised above hers. He pulled back from her mouth, his expression loving but concerned. “It’ll hurt a little. Just tell me to stop if you need me to.”
She nodded, the nerves fluttering wildly in her stomach.
And then he was there, pressing inside her. It hurt. It really hurt. But through the pain was Jai’s murmured words of love, the brush of his lips against her cheek, her mouth, his fingers threaded through hers, and the amazing feeling of connection she’d never felt with anyone.
Mingling with the pain, suddenly there was heat, pleasure.
He dropped his head to the crook of her neck, his lips pressed to her hot skin. His grip on her hands was almost painful as he anchored her to him, taking them both to the heights of their lovemaking.
She shuddered against him, and he let go. Coming down from the high, they wrapped their arms around one another and held on tight.
“I love you,” Ari whispered, a happy tear trembling on her lashes.
Jai nodded against her shoulder,
his muscles flexing around her. “I love you too.”
5
The Hit Meant for You Bruised Me
A breeze swept through the White King’s loose hair as he lounged on the large balcony abutting his music room. Only a few white clouds interrupted the azure sky above, and the sun, high in its summer ceiling, caused the mountains of Mount Qaf to glitter triumphantly in the light.
His brothers Gleaming and Shadow lounged with him, sipping hibiscus tea and appearing as though they were nothing more than lords at leisure. Appearances were always deceiving.