Bethany arched her back, drawing him in deeper. She groaned at his thick fullness inside her. He was absolutely huge and yet so very gentle. She ran her hands over his muscular back and down to his waist then to the scars that made her want to hunt down whoever had dared to mar his perfection and make them pay for their cruelty. But she didn't want to think about them right now.
She only wanted to feel Hector and the love she had for him. Lifting her head, she kissed him lightly on the lips. "What color is your hair?"
He paused then gave a light laugh. "A strange time to ask, my lady."
"I know. But I'm curious about the man inside me."
"I'm blond," he whispered in her ear as he deepened his strokes.
"And your eyes?"
"Blue."
She sank her hands into his hair and imagined the beautiful blond curls that teased her skin. Then she traced his brows above his blue eyes, and his sharp cheekbones and jaw. Her Hector was handsome. She knew it.
Styxx bit his lip as she met him stroke for stroke. Every part of him felt like it was on fire and yet strangely calm. Bethany swept her hands from his face down his chest and then even lower.
He gasped as she placed her hand to where they were joined and touched him as he slid in and out of her. The pleasure was so intense that he growled with it. He'd always loved how she used her graceful hands to see, but never more than he did right now. Most of all, he loved that she wasn't timid or reserved. She gave every part of herself to him.
Arching her back, she cried out as she clutched him to her and shook in his arms. He took his cue from her and moved faster and harder. She sang louder and laughed.
Relieved that he'd pleased her and not embarrassed himself, he felt his body starting to tip. But he forced it down until he was sure she was completely satisfied. Only then did he bury himself deep inside her and growl as his own release came. His senses reeled with exquisite pleasure.
For a full minute, he couldn't breathe or think as every part of him shouted in joy. Then ever so slowly, it faded.
Spent and sated, and breathing raggedly, he lowered himself and savored the way she cradled him with her body. His heart pounded so fiercely, he was surprised it stayed inside his chest. A fine sheen of sweat covered both of them.
No wonder men killed over their women. He fully understood that possessiveness now. The need to keep her safe from all threat or harm. There was nothing he could think of that would ever compete with the complete peace and quiet he felt right then in her arms. He never wanted to leave her.
"That was amazing," he breathed in her ear.
"Yes, you were." Her smile made his breath catch as she lifted his hand so that she could nibble his fingers and send even more chills over him.
Styxx tilted his head as he saw the necklace that never left her. It was her sole piece of jewelry. He tugged gently at the thin leather cord until the small silver, oddly-shaped disk was untangled from her black hair. It held the impression of a bow and arrow, and appeared as if it were half of a larger amulet. "What is this you always wear?"
She reached down to cover his hand with hers and touched it then smiled. "My father gave it to me when I was a little girl so that I could feel loved wherever I went."
No wonder she treasured it. Almost every gift he'd received had eventually been taken from him or destroyed as punishment. It was why he didn't like to be given anything at all.
"What does the symbol mean?"
"It's my personal emblem for the goddess of the hunt."
Styxx ran his thumb over it as he remembered the bracelet he'd given his mother before she stabbed him. The goddess of the hunt, Artemis was said to be the protector of women and children ... She must have been favoring his mother over him that day.
He placed the disk between her breasts where it normally fell. "I hope she always protects you, Beth."
"She will."
Not wanting to think about the gods who hated him as much as he hated them, he ran his index finger along her bottom lip, wishing he could stay with her forever. It was so hard to contemplate going back to a place where no one wanted him while he lay cradled by her warm body.
But unfortunately, it was getting late and she didn't need to be walking home in the dark. If anything were to ever happen to her ...
He would be driven insane by it. The mere thought of any harm coming to her filled him with rage.
"As much as I hate to withdraw from you, it'll be dark soon." Rising, he swept her up in his arms.
Bethany's eyes widened as he carried her to the stream as if she weighed nothing at all. Because of her height, she was used to towering over most men, not having them make her feel petite in comparison. And no one had carried her since she'd been a child.