her knees.
The pants needed to get off. Jamie worked his zipper, pushing them down. He wore no boxers, but she had known that. She met his eyes, watching as they darkened, became even more heated than before. Possessiveness entered them. Jamie revealed in the sensation of his eyes on her, of his hands reaching for her, both naked. His fingers pleasured her, feathered over her most delicate and womanly places. When she finally found release, he moved up her body once again and paused.
Something changed, then. Something monumental and dangerous, but...it felt completely right. His large hand caressed her cheek, and his eyes bore into hers. They were so dark, like coals on fire. Jamie felt her eyes water as he spread her legs, pushing a knee between her thighs.
Shudders wracked her body as he took a deep breath, slowly bringing his lips to hers. The moment they kissed, he pushed into her. Fire consumed her, like waves of heat and love and rightness. Everything was perfect —
“Talon.”
Later, Jamie wouldn’t know how to be able to describe the emotions that she felt. He was so soft and gentle, like she was the only one for him, like this was the last time they were going to have each other this way. There was no danger, no fear, no pain. It was everything she could have ever hoped for, and more. She could feel him inside of her, pleasuring her. Tears fell down her cheeks when she finally cried out his name, both of them hitting their climax at the same time, ecstasy making her blind to anything but him.
She felt his ragged breaths at her ear, mirroring her own. Her body went limp, lax as he turned her to her side and came behind her, arms wrapping around her from behind. She could feel him at her hip, hard and ready for more. His hand, so large and gentle, came around to wipe her cheeks. Jamie blinked slowly, wrapping her hand around his wrist so she could keep it to her face.
Jamie fell asleep cradled in his arms.
Talon didn’t sleep — he didn’t think he could have, even if he tried. Her body was so warm against his, welcoming his touch. He started to smile, couldn’t have stopped if he’d wanted to. Nothing could ever amount to this, he thought as her even breath fell on his hand.
Not even the pain he would feel when he left her.
The thought dropped his smile. Slowly and carefully, he turned her onto her back. Her skin was raised by the cold, and her hand reached for him automatically as he pulled away slightly. A frown covered her innocent face and he returned reluctantly. He knew that he should leave, that he should start forgetting about her as soon as possible.
But then he thought of having to go through a day without her, her smile and her caring eyes, and knew that it was going to be close to impossible. Nothing would be the same — hell, without her, he wouldn’t be anything. He would end up killing himself in a fight with Auro to avenge all the pain that he had endured because of them, and what would she do?
Mourn him? Weep for him? Sob with those too-beautiful-to-cry eyes of hers? The thought left him numb. He wouldn’t be able to leave her — but he had too. He had to keep her safe, and if making her forget him and never seeing her again was the way to do it, then so be it. She had a life, she had family — she had something more than a fucked-up man who wanted nothing from her but the affection she gave him. Hell, who was he kidding? Two days ago, he would have said, “fuck love, and fuck you.” But now, after knowing her, after her risking her life for him... He clenched his jaw. If they could only have had more time together, he would have been able to give himself to her. However damaged he was, he would have done anything to be worthy of being with her.
Jamie let out a whimper, and he jerked his eyes to her before loosening his hold. Talon had to physically and mentally force himself to hold her more gently while everything inside of him screamed to stay with her and take care of her, to keep her with him.
He told himself that it was a hero-worship that had him so attached to her, but