Skin Deep (24 page)

It was her eyes that did it, though, that changed everything. The bright marigold-colored irises met his gaze and realization swept over him like the rush of the Red Sea.

My feorh.

She’d known he would follow, known he would see her for who she really was, but she couldn’t have stayed in that apartment any longer if she tried. There was a desperation inside her, demanding to be freed.

The animal.

As she reached the edge of the clearing, she’d known he was behind her. She’d been able to sense him the moment she entered the cover of the trees. The weird thing was she had enjoyed him stalking her through the darkness. Something hot and needy burned inside her that was frantic for him. Frantic to have him, but even more eager to make him work for his meal.

Where did that come from?

She threw herself into the clearing anyway, knowing what he would see, but taking Maryline’s advice for once.
“You have to be strong.”

The smoldering look in his darkening green eyes entranced her, making her feel trapped, rooted to the spot.
No, I can’t let him see me like this!
A desperate part of her screamed inside, giving her the strength to break free of his fiery gaze. She yanked her legs into motion.
Can’t bear to see the revulsion in his face.
An animalistic snarl sounded from behind her, kicking her body into overdrive.

She could hear him crashing through the undergrowth as she sprinted across the opening of the trees. Adrenaline kicked in as she heard him gaining on her. A quick impulse had her dodging to her left and racing to the other side of the clearing. She felt the brush of his fingertips against her shoulder, barely missing her.

She forced herself to push harder and she gained speed, running faster than she ever had before, though it wasn’t fast enough. Just as she reached the tree line, Cain’s masculine body slammed into hers from behind. Powerful arms wrapped around her, tugging her backward and flipping her around until she was no longer shadowed by the trees, but bathed in the moonlight of the clearing. Her back met the ground lightly. Cain loomed over her.

Kiera squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see the disgust she knew would be there, burning her, scalding itself into her mind next to all the other memories she never wanted. A ripping sound brought her from her reverie as the cool night air assailed her chest.
What the hell?
She opened her eyes to see Cain hovering over her, his breath coming out in sharp, animalistic bursts as he held the remnants of her shirt in his hands.

His green eyes were so dark they were nearly black, causing hot liquid to pool between her thighs. His eyes were greedy on her as he stared down at her chest, now only clad in a white silk bra.

“You’re different.”

Kiera cringed at the edge in his voice, pulling her arms up to shield herself.

“Don’t ever hide from me,” he growled.

“Let me go!” She tried to wiggle out of his grasp. His hands clasped her sides and yanked her chest up his face.

“What are you doing?” She squirmed against him, anxious to be free. A snarl escaped his lips as he snapped his teeth, severing the thin lace between her breasts. He licked at the exposed skin. Her body immediately responded. She curled her fingers, desperate to clutch him to her.

“I don’t understand,” he growled against her skin, bringing her out of the pleasurable haze she had begun to settle into.

She twisted her body, taking him by surprise when her knee connected with his erect cock.
He has an erection?
He released his hold on her, a
whoosh
of air escaping his lips. She took the opportunity for what it was and scrambled up, dashing back across the clearing. She made it to the tree line again, but could hear him behind her.
Let him catch you
, a voice whispered across her mind as heat engulfed her body.
He was hard for you.

Her burgeoning thoughts didn’t slow her body.

“Dammit, Kiera, I can smell your need.”

The grumble of his voice made her feel hotter, more frantic to have him. She leapt over a fallen branch, amazed at how gracefully she landed on the other side. The urge to turn into her animal pressed at her insides. A mist hovered over her vision as a powerful roar sounded from behind her. His hot, muscular body slammed into hers, forcing the mist to disappear. Cain didn’t pull her back against him to keep her from falling this time. Her body slammed into the damp earth. Just as her chest made contact he flipped her over with rough hands, pinning her body to the ground. “How is this possible?” He seemed breathless, and she knew it wasn’t from the run.

She wasn’t tired in the least and knew he couldn’t be either. His gaze roamed over her face, as if he was drinking her in and he … liked what he saw? Kiera gasped as he pressed his erection against her thigh.

“All along it’s been you.
You.
” He growled the words as his eyes focused on her exposed nipples. They hardened under the onslaught of his ravaging, desperate gaze.

“What—”

“You’re mine.
Mine.
No one else’s.” His words shocked her, sending a jolt of awareness skittering across her spine, a balm to her ears. He ran his large palms down each side of her face, leaving a hot trail in their wake. She could feel his hands trembling as he reached her chest.

Trembling?

In a quick movement, he was off her and so were her running shorts, snatched off in one smooth tear of fabric, leaving her exposed in only white bikini panties. He hovered over her, staring down at her form, like a madman with an itchy trigger finger. She watched the incessant flex of his fists with wonder. A vicious snarl tore from his mouth as his gaze zeroed in on her thigh. She turned, trying to cover the scar from Roth’s bite, but he was on her, tearing her legs apart so he could see.

“He did this to you?” The words were lethal.

“Yes,” she whispered as she stared at the canopy of trees above her. She’d survived Roth for the second time, but not without a horrid scar to remind her forever of what he’d done. Just like before he had marred her body, which was already a million miles from perfect.

“If that motherfucker wasn’t already dead, I would kill him.” His guttural voice had her glancing at Cain, who was poised over her with a feral look in his eyes.

“Roth told me I’m his … his
feorh
.” Kiera didn’t know where this came from, but she had to tell him. Something in her screamed that he needed to know.

“He has no claim over you. You’re mine.
Mine!
”

She watched in awe as Cain shoved his pants down his hips, revealing the thick erection she never thought she would see again. Under her gaze it pulsed and a bead of pre-cum wet the tip. A shiver ran across her body.
I want him in my mouth.
But before she could move, he snatched the fabric of her panties, shredding them to nothing, leaving her bare before him.
He wants me? Even like this?

“Tell me, Kiera. Say the words,” he bit out as his hands grabbed her hips and spread her thighs wide before him. His gaze focused on what lie between her legs and he sucked in a breath. Kiera could have sworn she saw his pupils dilate.

“Say them.” His gaze flicked up to meet hers again. A look of worry flooded his face. “I’m losing control. I don’t have long. The animal in me is … demanding its due. To claim my mate.”

“I’m yours,” she snarled, digging her fingers into his scalp as she wrenched his lips against hers and he plunged his cock into the depths of her body. She cried out, her wet folds accepting his steel-hard member with utter repletion. His body pounded into hers as she tore at his shirt, reveling at the ease with which it ripped beneath her fingertips.

“More!” she moaned as pressure built inside her body. The sudden loss of his cock inside her had her crying out. He gripped her hips and flipped her onto her stomach, jerking her ass up in the air.

He plunged back into her and Kiera rocked her hips backward, meeting his powerful thrusts with her own as she dug her fingers into the cold, damp leaves beneath her hands. She inhaled the woodsy scent that surrounded her, coupled with Cain’s sandalwood one. She felt the orgasm build inside, growing deep within her body, a clawing wave of bliss that was desperate to break free.

She bowed her back, stretching her arms in front of her as the cat inside told her, to give him better access to her body as he pistoned his hips, slamming his engorged cock to the hilt inside her tight sheath. Each thrust sent her nipples raking across rough earth, spiking a pain that only added to her pleasure.

“Yes, Cain, yes!” The orgasm built with mounting anticipation, coupled with feelings of animalistic hunger that demanded more. Demanded she have all of him at once, right now and forever. His fingernails bit into her ass as she felt his movements become erratic, pounding into her without holding back. She knew his orgasm wasn’t far away.

She pushed her body against him, spreading her thighs even wider. The climax caught her off guard as it spasmed through her body, sending every cell in her flesh abuzz with blissful ecstasy so powerful, it bordered on painful. Somewhere amidst the pleasure, she heard him release a strangled roar and felt the hot spurt of his cum deep inside her body. A sharp pain burned in her shoulder at the same time as Cain embedded his teeth in her flesh.

He’s claiming me.
Her body convulsed as another orgasm rocked into her.

When the quivering left her body and Cain ended his bite, he licked at the wound, sending ecstasy rippling through her. When he stopped, Kiera tried to turn over, to look at Cain, even though a part of her was afraid of what she would see. A possessive snarl met her ears as Cain’s hands flexed on her hips. She glanced over her shoulder to see his bare torso, the muscles rippling in the moonlight. His white-blond hair had fallen over his eyes. He shook his head, flicking the strands across his forehead.

His solid-black gaze met hers as he swiveled his hips, moving his still-erect cock along her channel, making her inner walls spasm anew with pleasure. He didn’t take his gaze from hers.

“Again.”

Cain stared at Kiera’s sleeping form, in awe of her in every way. She had one hand thrown over her head and the other at her side, trapped between their bodies, resting lightly on Cain’s rampant erection. He’d been like that all night. Even after he’d taken her three times on the forest floor, he’d still been hard as granite. His erection never ceased, wanting more than even he’d thought possible.

He’d brought her back to the apartment after that, wanting to give her a chance to rest. She’d followed him quietly as they snuck into the building without being seen—her in particular, since he’d shredded every article of clothing she wore. The second they were inside her loft, she had pushed him against the door and climbed him like a tree until she was sitting on his erection and thrusting her thick hips in way that had him thanking the gods for her existence.

He brushed his hand through the silken curls spread across her pillow. The deep red stood out, stark in contrast to the ivory cloth. He had thought her beautiful before, a woman he couldn’t get out of his head, but now she was so much more, a feat that had seemed impossible only the day before. He glanced down at her naked form. The sheet only covered her to her stomach, revealing the large spheres of her breasts. He ran the tip of his finger over the nipple closest to him and watched in awe as it responded, tightening into a little pink bud before his eyes.

She was his.
My feorh.
Fear flared in his breast at the memory of his father and how he had callously discarded his mother, as if she were nothing. Breaking his
feorh
bond with the intent of leaving her to die alone. He didn’t want to be that way; he didn’t want to be like his dad. Kiera shifted in her sleep, turning her body toward him, and he knew he could never do that to her. He could never hurt her that way.
If she sickened tomorrow, I would care for her until her last breath and follow her to the grave with peace in my heart.

I’m not like him.
He’d known it all along, but he had never been sure, not until now, as he stared down at his beautiful
feorh.
He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips as he stared at her with lustful anticipation, taking in the thickness of her waist that arched into lush hips. Hips he’d been between all night. His tiger flexed with pride at his female lying before him.
Mine.

He hadn’t realized he growled the word until Kiera’s eyes popped open, wide marigold eyes that stared up at him in wonder.

My female is perfect and if she doesn’t know it, then I’m going to make sure I remind her every day of our life.

Kiera couldn’t hide her shock as she stared up into Cain’s eyes. He was real and here with her. Her memories seemed like a dream, especially after coming back to the apartment and the way she’d … had her way with him. Riding his body like it was the last train home. She cringed and turned away from him. A large warm hand wrapped around her arm, forcing her to look up into his piercing green eyes.

“Why are you hiding from me?” A frown creased his blond brows.

“I-I don’t know,” she stumbled over her words, not wanting to sound like an idiot in the face of this handsome man. It had been easy to feel confident and beautiful before, but now, now she knew what she must look like in his eyes.

“We need to talk.” His voice was stern as he spoke, making her want to sink beneath the covers. “Tell me why you look different.”

He didn’t look angry, just curious. In a rush, she spilled the story about the spell, needing to tell him after all this time. The truth felt good leaving her lips. He could take it or leave it. He sat there, listening to it all, a blank look on his perfectly sculpted face. Once she finished, he did something she never expected.

He laughed and flashed his straight white teeth as a delicious rumble emitted from his chest.

“Oh Gods! I thought you were going to tell me something so much worse,” he said between chuckles.

“What do you mean?” Kiera could feel the heat seeping into her cheeks as she pulled the sheet tighter around her body.

“That’s why I didn’t recognize you.” He brushed a hand across his face and looked up at the ceiling, seeming to be lost in thought. “It was the spell.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The spell and the body, it kept me from recognizing who you are.” He looked at her again, the smile widening on his face. “My
feorh
.”

Kiera sucked in a breath.

“Are you sure?” She said the words even though she knew the truth of them. She could feel the connection flowing between them, the utter rightness of it all.

“You know you are. You can feel it too.” He spoke the words with such conviction Kiera felt like weeping.

“I can feel it, but …” She shook her head as she climbed out of bed.

“But nothing.” He growled, seeming angry with her denial. “I marked you. You’re mine. It can’t be taken back.”

Kiera brushed her hand against her neck. The flesh was smooth, unmarred, as if he’d never bitten her.

“The bite of a mate leaves no physical mark. It completes our bond and other Immortals will be able to sense my claim.”

“How could fate pair you with me? I mean, look at me.” She dropped the sheet she had been clutching to whirl around in front of Cain. Parts of her body that shouldn’t jiggle, did. She looked down at hips that were far too wide and thighs that were much too thick, not to mention the scars that seemed be everywhere.

“Kiera, stop.” Cain got out of bed, a look of surprise on his face. “This is why you hid from me? Because you thought I wouldn’t love you anymore since you don’t like the way you look?” He did air quotes as he spoke the last word.

“Well, yeah.”

He came to stand before her but didn’t touch her. “You gave up the body you always wanted … for me?”

Kiera stared into Cain’s face, unable to read the emotions playing across his features. She nodded.

“Don’t you see?” He waved his hands around. When she didn’t immediately respond, he continued, “I fell in love with you, and not because of your looks. Hell, I like your body better the way it is now, but that’s beside the point.” He gave her a smile that sent butterflies flapping through her chest. “I fell in love with the woman who told me no,” he took a step closer, “the woman who kept me guessing until the very end. I loved you even before I knew how perfect you really are”—he gestured at her body as he leaned into her, letting his lips brush against her earlobe—“inside and out.”

Kiera sucked in a deep breath as he mashed his body against hers. The feel of his erection pressing hard against her stomach sent vigorous desire tingling through her body.

It was hours later, after he’d taken her in every position known to man, that Kiera lay in her bed with Cain’s sleeping form spread across her body. She didn’t know what the path of her life would look like tomorrow, but she knew she wouldn’t have to walk it alone.

She stared up at the white ceiling of her apartment and realized that the beauty she had always wanted was something she’d had inside herself all along. True beauty wasn’t something that was always on the surface or in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes it was hidden, lost in a world where perfection was an aspiration, yet it was something that could be accomplished by no one. No one was perfect. Kiera ran her hand down the stomach that was far from flat, skimming over the scars that would forever be a part of her, and for the first time in her life she didn’t shy away from them.
True beauty
is
more than skin deep
.