Fallen Death (The Trihune Series Book 3) (17 page)

“Why are you sad? Is this about my past? It’s over. I’ve moved on.”

She rubbed a hand over her eyes. “You haven’t moved on if it still motivates your choices.”

His Asjhone, so smart. “You’re right, but remember that healing part I talked about? You’re my medicine.” He pulled her close. “And I want,
need
, another dose.”

A smile played at her lips, but she shook her head. “I feel selfish.”

“Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m selfish for not giving you what you want. For continuing to tease you, only to pull away.”

“That’s stupid. You can’t be selfish for not having sex with someone you don’t want to have sex with.”

He groaned, head falling forward to land just above her breasts. “We’re going in circles. Are you even listening to me? I do want you. So much. But right now. What I really, really want, is for you to take off the rest of your clothes.” He gave in to temptation and kissed his way across her collarbone. She tensed, then moaned softly. He thought about taking her mouth so she’d stop thinking for a bit, but desire demanded he taste her nipple again.

Her hands clenched around his biceps, nails digging in. “Oh, God,” she breathed, before pushing against his chest. He moved back with a grunt of protest that died off when her hands drop to her waistband.

In one graceful move, she stripped off her pants, left only in a pair of black lace panties.

Was there a word better than exquisite?

Never had he seen anything like her. An angel with gentle kind eyes and a loving smile. A body made for sin with firm, high breasts, a stomach that didn’t eat only salads, and toned legs that went on forever.

Her fingers grasped the string straps of her panties. He stilled. She slowly pulled them down.

Perfection.

She kneeled in front of him on the bed.

A vision.

His hands settled on her waist. Gaze on the small dark triangle of curls in between her legs.

And he’d thought her breasts were scary.

Which, hey, good idea.

But he hadn’t even palmed one yet, before Asjhone stopped him. With her hand on top of his leading the way, he glided passed her belly button, through her curls to cup her completely. He sucked in a breath. Wanted to pause for a moment to savor, but she wasn’t done showing him what she liked.

She guided his hand back up until his fingers pressed against a hard nub. Slow, small circles to start.

With his free hand, he squeezed her breast, played with her nipple. Her moans grew. He was to circle faster, harder. She placed open mouth kisses along his neck.

“Inside,” she whispered. “Put your fingers inside me.” Then showed him by pushing his hand down until his fingers were right above the center of her wet heat. He slid inside.

So warm. Tight. He groaned at the same time she did. No more instruction was needed. He pulled out, thrust back in. Fingers slick, he rubbed the tight nub, fast and hard, before diving back down.

“Yes. Yes. Just like that.” She shuddered. “God. Don’t stop.”

A faint sheen of sweat coated her skin. He cupped the back of her head, pulled her mouth toward his, plunged his tongue between her lips in sync with his finger.

Mewls of pleasure escaped from her mouth, seconds before she erupted. A loud scream tore from her throat as she climaxed. He slowly moved his finger in and out, used his thumb to brush against the nub. His mouth trailed across her jawline, down her neck.

She licked her lips, pushed her hair away from her face, breath still heavy. “That . . . was . . . absolutely amazing.” She rested her forehead on his chest. “Just . . . give me a second.”

He guided her to the bed. Stretched out next to her. Her eyes were closed and he traced his finger down the features of her face. Shoulder. Side of her breast. Around her nipple. To the other breast. Down her side. Curve of her hip. Through the coarse hair.

“I want to do something,” he said.

“Mmm?” She didn’t open her eyes.

On his hands and knees, he hovered over her, scanning her face again, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her stomach, thighs. He gently pushed her legs apart.

Her lids opened. She spread for him. He eyed glistening swollen lips that he’d explored deftly with his hand moments ago. That he wanted to continue exploring, but not just yet.

He took a nipple into his mouth. Swirled the tightening bud with his tongue as he gently sucked. A hum of pleasure vibrated in his throat and he heard Asjhone give a low moan. She cradled the back of his head with her hand. His mouth led the way to her other breast, giving it the same lavish attention before making his way down her stomach until he was at her core. He paused.

An addition to the smorgasbord. Where should he start? He contemplated his choices while running his lips and tongue along her inner thigh. She spread further apart. “Sarid. Sarid.”

His kisses drew closer to her center. The scents of jasmine and chocolate were so strong he almost felt high from it. He swiped his tongue up her center in a slow delicious swirl. Then lost all manners and dived in.

Licking. Sucking. Plunging his tongue inside her. He drew the tight nub into his mouth. Swirled his tongue in mimic of how his fingers moved earlier.

Asjhone’s legs wrapped around his back, knees squeezed his head. Moans were nonstop.

“Oh God. Oh God. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Sarid!” She screamed his name as her back arched off the bed. Her nails dug into his scalp, but he didn’t mind the pain. The sight of her breaking in front of him was better than anything else. When she fell back to the bed, arms and legs limp, he continued to nibble.

“No more,” she said on a breath. Arms reached for him.

He placed a few more kisses on her inner thigh and moved up her body the same way he went down it, this time ending at her mouth. She wrapped her arms around him, held him close.

“Can I do something for you?” She asked when his lips moved to kiss and suck at her neck.

“You’ve already given me a gift.”

She cupped his head, brought his face up. Concern marred her features.

“I need nothing else.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Except your arms around me.”

Her forehead smoothed, face softened. “I can do that.”

“Perfect.” And he leaned in to kiss her again.

Chapter 31

FOUR DAYS LEFT

Sarid had his Asjhone buffet once more before Keandre came home.

They had fallen asleep after the first time. Waking her with his mouth, watching her eyes flutter open, her sleepy expression slowly changing into desire, need; absolutely perfect. He’d gladly be her alarm clock every single day of the week.

Now he sat across from Pastor Ken. Her taste was still on his tongue. His thoughts centered on getting back to her and Keandre. To spend the day with them. Maybe go out.

Would Gabe know a suitable place? Probably not. His
ach
would say something like a painting class and Sarid would show up with Asjhone and the boy to find the subject was a nude model.

Yeah. Maybe Martha could help.

“You seem distracted. Anything new?”

Sarid focused on the pastor, shook his head.

“Is the demon bothering you?”

Another headshake.

The
choghen
paused. “Only four days left. How does that make you feel?”

He frowned.

When Sarid didn’t speak, “Keandre tells me you’ve been spending time with him and his mother.”

His eyebrows furrowed.

“I was surprised. How is the demon with Asjhone and Keandre?”

“Different.”

“How?”

“Quiet.” After a beat, he added, “I sometimes feel he is soothed by their presence.”

The
choghen’s
eyes widened. “What do you think that means?”

“I have no idea.” Pause. “It could be a trick. To weaken my defenses.”

“Hmm, has the demon tricked you before?”

“No. It normally goes for the straightforward, candid response. But there’s always a first time.”

“Indeed.”

There was something in the pastor’s tone. He studied the male sitting on the couch across from him, but couldn’t decipher anything. “I’ve gotten close with Asjhone.” The words fell out of his mouth and wished he could take them back.

“I’m happy for you,” the pastor said, no hesitation.

Sarid’s frown returned. “She wants to get closer.”

“Hmm, and you don’t?”

“No.” He may have shouted his reply.

The
choghen
tried to hide a smile behind his hand. At Sarid’s glower, his expression turned serious. “You’re afraid.”

“Of course, I am. What happens if I turn, right in the middle—” His fists clenched.

“That’s a scary thought. But what if you don’t?”

“That’s a hell of a chance,
choghen
.”

“It is. But from what you’ve said, the little you’ve said, the demon is soothed by Asjhone—”

“I said, I think he is.”

“—You’ve gotten close to her already and nothing has occurred.”

“But that was because I was in control the whole time.”

“Hmm.”

He scowled. “What does that mean?”

“When Loretta was alive, control and the bedroom rarely coincided. But perhaps we were different.” He smiled. His gaze moved past Sarid. “She could make my blood boil with just one look. Even after thirty years of marriage I couldn’t keep my hands off of her.” His smile dropped, eyes grew sad.

Sarid watched the pastor. He opened his mouth. Closed it. Ran a hand down the back of his head. Opened his mouth again.

“It wasn’t always easy,” the pastor said before Sarid could speak. “With Loretta and I. We had our challenges. And when we were at our darkest, do you know what I did?” He raised his head.

“What?” Sarid asked, matching the
choghen’s
subdued tone.

I turned to the Creator. Trusted him to see me through. Find your trust, Sarid. Trust the Creator, and trust yourself. You’re stronger than you think.”

Chapter 32

“Is your homework finished?” Asjhone asked Keandre. They’d just gotten home. She set her purse on the table near the door and headed into the kitchen to start dinner. Her gaze darted to the clock on the wall. Running late. Again.

“Yeah, I mean, yes,” Keandre said from the hallway.

“Set it on the table so I can look through it, then go clean your room. Mr. Sarid’s coming over for dinner. He won’t be able to play with you if he can’t even walk in your bedroom.”

Keandre grumbled.

“Every Lego in the bucket, lil’ man. I mean it.” She raised her voice to be heard. “I’ll be checking under your bed, too.”

More grumbling.

“I can’t hear you, Keandre.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Asjhone shook her head at his exasperated tone and pulled the last pre-made dinner from the fridge.

Insomnia meals had finally dwindled. Same with her nightmares. She contributed both to Sarid. Along with the smile she wore practically all the time, even when Tynice and Tony made fun of her. She was happy. And happy she was happy.

After unwrapping the pan, she set the oven to four hundred. Lasagna, a family recipe. “I miss you, Mom,” she whispered. What she wouldn’t give to tell her all about Sarid. How good he was with Keandre. And with her.

At first, Mother would be displeased. When Asjhone was a teenager, any conversation that turned to boys would end the same way.
Just remember, Asjhone. Like goes with like.
Her mother wasn’t a snob, not truly, just raised a certain way.

Eventually she’d see what Asjhone saw.

Daddy would like him right off. Sarid was who he said he was. No pretenses. Her father would like that about him.

When tears pooled in her eyes she squeezed them shut. No time right now. Her shift had run over and then the pastor was chattier than usual when she picked up Keandre. The oven dinged its pre-heatedness. After placing the pan inside, she moved to the front room. Folded the blanket on the couch. Straightened the magazine and remotes on the coffee table. Her eyes caught a few of Keandre’s toys on the floor by the TV.

The pastor asked her about Sarid and—

Bounce. Bounce.

“That wasn’t nearly enough time to do a proper job, Keandre. Back you go.”

“I wanted to ask you something.”
Bounce.

“You can ask when your room’s clean. And, here, take these toys back with you.”

“Devan’s going camping this weekend and his dad invited me. Can I go? Please, Mom.”
Bounce. Bounce.

“No weekend trips, Keandre. Maybe when you’re older.”

“I knew you were going to say that,” Keandre wailed. “Why can’t I ever do anything? It’s not fair.” He stomped his feet.

“What isn’t fair is your attitude, young man.” Her voice rose. “If you want to be able to play with Sarid later, march your butt into that room and clean it up without another word.”

“You’re so mean.” Keandre slammed his ball to the ground with both hands.