Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,61
laugh as I tried not to let my tears turn into a full-on sob, and then pulled back just enough to see his face, refusing to let much space between us after months of being apart.
“You scared me!” My hands held his jaw, feeling the light scratch of his five o’clock shadow. I melted into Joshua, my Phoenix chirping happily. I released a burst of heat to warm us as other shifters who had returned with Joshua skirted around our reunion to head inside.
“I scared myself too, to be honest,” he muttered. “God, is this real? Are you real?” Sheer hope glimmered in his eyes as a sheen of water sparkled on the rims.
I openly stared into his light blue eyes. Even in the warm, low light spilling from the hotel, I could see how haggard he looked, yet there was still so much hope and love in his gaze. My heart squeezed with how much I loved this man as the wet streaks down my cheeks cooled.
“I’m real,” I promised Joshua. And then I proved it. I tangled my fingers in his short hair, gripping the length as best as I could as I brought my mouth to his, our lips colliding in a soft, passion-filled caress. With a groan, he lifted me higher until I wrapped my legs around his waist, his fingers digging deliciously into my ass. Joshua moaned into my mouth as I tilted my head and deepened our kiss, flicking my tongue where his lips met before our tongues clashed together. He stirred to life below me, his hardness nudging my core, so I angled my hips and subtly rubbed myself against his arousal while I hungrily devoured his mouth. The grip on my ass tightened, and Joshua nipped my bottom lip hard before licking the tender spot to soothe it.
A throat cleared nearby, but we were too oblivious, lost in finally getting to see—and touch and taste—each other again. Joshua was too big of a temptation to pull away from, and it was only when I heard a soft chuckle in the back of my mind that some of my lust-filled haze cooled.
Was that worth the wait, brother? Damien’s voice was full of mirth as he shared our emotions with each other, heightening every lick and graze, and enhancing our love for each other until I didn’t know where he ended and I began.
I moaned, feeling how much Joshua needed to touch me, to remind himself that the horror he’d just lived through was over. That we were together again. Nothing would take him from me again. I sent that promise to all my mates, their low rumbles and growls ringing in unanimous agreement.
The air around Joshua and I was toasty warm, my Phoenix enveloping us in our own little cocoon of heat. Joshua sighed happily, even as we separated. I grinned sheepishly, but Joshua was beaming, refusing to let me down as he carried me into the hotel.
“Joshua, you were hurt. Put me down. I can walk!” I batted at him playfully, hoping like hell Ryder had been able to heal all of Joshua’s wounds. Joshua was being careful not to share too much of what he’d been through, that, or Damien was shielding me from the worst of it. At least for tonight.
“I may never put you down again, Nix,” Joshua murmured into my ear, sending shivers racing down my spine from the possessive growl that followed.
I bit my lip and rolled my hips into his before leaning forward and licking the shell of his ear. “I won’t complain.”
“The only thing I want you complaining about is how I won’t let you come until I’m ready,” Joshua rasped, his cock hard and hot between us.
“Oh, fuck!” My pussy fluttered, the sexual tension between us building until my clothing felt scratchy. I wanted nothing more than to take it all off.
I think it’s safe to say she likes that idea, Damien purred, his mind conjuring up all kinds of scenarios of all of us together. Out loud, he said, “It’s good to have you back, brother.”
With more than an ounce of regret, Joshua lowered me back to my feet as the guys surrounded us. The smallest whine of protest erupted from my throat, but Joshua never lost contact, his hand twining with mine even as Damien moved in to give Joshua a heartfelt hug. His eyes were nearly glistening as he patted Joshua on the back.