Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,68

to his back. “I need this. I need you.”

He started to move again, his movement careful and gentle at first before he started to speed up and push in further until the entire length of him was inside of me.

I moaned, overwhelmed by his size, and the feeling of completeness that engulfed me as he sped up.

“Ainsley,” he breathed my name, before kissing my neck.

I grabbed onto his neck and pulled him down on top of me. I wanted to feel his weight.

He relented for a moment before pulling up my legs to give himself even more access. I wrapped my legs around him, eager to feel all of him over and over.

My breathing picked up, and the pleasure intensified. He pushed me over the edge before he shuddered.

He relaxed on top of me, both of us sweaty. I looked up at the star filled sky. “Perfect.”

“I agree, you are perfect.” He kissed my neck again.

“Tonight is.”

He rolled off me, but pulled me tight against him. “Every night can be this perfect. It will be.”

“Every night?”

“Every night,” he repeated his words. “Every night should be as intense as this.”

“One day you will tire of it.”

“Never.” He leaned up on his elbow. “And I will not allow you to tire of me.”

“Give me a repeat of tonight every night, and I can assure you that will not be a problem.”

“What about a repeat of it right now?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“Yes, please.”

25

JAMES

Mine. The word repeated in my head over and over as I stroked Ainsley’s back. She had fallen asleep after a second glass of wine and a third round of making love. For that was what it was with Ainsley. It was more than anything I had ever hoped to experience. I may have tried to deny it, but we were truly destined for each other. She was truly made for me.

There were details to consider. There were issues to face, but none of them mattered. She could never return to her old life, because that would mean leaving me, and I could not allow that. I would find a way to make her happy, to give her anything and everything her heart desired. I would keep her satisfied and content for the rest of her life—her very long life.

I had already felt the spark. We were truly connected now. No one had told me it would feel this way. I thought it was more a general attachment rather than a physical spark, but something had passed between us during that first intense connection. It was more than just our bodies joining together. It was like the moment in the waterfall. We were forged as one again. Two halves becoming a whole.

I rested my head on the pillow. She was using my chest as hers, and although I knew it was not soft, she seemed comfortable. Her position gave me access to her beautiful back, but in the dim light from the last bit of candle I could also see the swell of her breast pressed against me. I always slept naked, and she would now do the same. I could provide her more warmth and comfort than any clothing she could wear.

As the last candle went out, I closed my eyes. Ainsley was right where she belonged, tucked securely in my arms. Nothing and no one could touch her now.

Mine. The word swirled around my head as I tried to sleep. The possessiveness was new, but it was only a side effect from having met my kindred. She was mine, and I had every right to feel that way. Still the voice felt foreign.

Ours. The voice changed and became darker. Louder. Ours.

The voice was not mine. It was sickeningly familiar, and one I had hoped to never hear again.

Mine. I argued with the voice that had no place in my head. I argued with my father.

Yours in the flesh and in the soul. Ours in the power.

The voice could not be real. He could not be back.

Miss me, James?

No. I spoke inside my head. You are dead.

A Cipher cannot die.

Kevin killed you. Calvin gave his life. Fighting darkness took light.

The light destroyed my body, destroyed what I was as a man.

What do you want with me?

Our time has come.

There is no ‘our’. I hate you.

But son, I have given you the greatest gift ever.

I want nothing from you.

It is too late.

Take it back. Anger swelled through me. I wanted nothing to do with him.

This is not a gift that