The fire of his blood rushing through her was an aphrodisiac like no other. She pulled again, her movements becoming more frantic as she raced towards completion again; knowing this time would be the best because he was with her every step of the way.
She had barely sealed his wound when she was once more flipped onto her back and he was taking her with long, hard thrusts. Her legs wrapped around him and she moved sensually against him, her ragged breathing matching his as he thrust harder and faster.
Lights danced before her eyes and she screamed his name as her world splintered completely and she was just a mass of sensation. She could hear him roaring out her name as he emptied himself inside her, his body shuddering with pleasure as they became one for a brief, precious moment.
“We didn’t do that for almost three days?” The incredulous note in Rhianna’s voice, as she gasped the words out between laboured breaths, had Caleb laughing loudly as he cradled her close to his body.
“Rest assured it won’t happen again,” he chuckled softly, relaxing in the afterglow of their lovemaking and the joy of having his Annie back in his arms.
She snuggled into his arms as he pulled a blanket over them and then dropped a lazy kiss on her parted lips. “You’re right, love. It’s hard to take a step back but I know I have to. Gard knows I’m here for him if he needs me.”
He knew how hard it was for her to admit that and he kissed her again, this time a soft, gentle meeting of lips that conveyed just how much he loved her. “It’ll work itself out, sweet one. Everything always does. He knows we’re both here for him.”
He closed his eyes and hoped fervently it would work itself out. It would crush his Annie if Gard was left alone, mated to a woman who rejected him. He would never find happiness if that happened and his woman’s tender heart would ache for eternity for him.
*****
You’re going to meet her?” Freya’s quiet question followed him as he slipped out of the Alpha’s house.
“I’m going to the gallery,” Dayton answered truthfully turning to look at her. “I’m hoping Rayne will show up but I don’t know if she will.” He saw no point in lying to her. She wouldn’t like it but it was something she would have to come to terms with. He had every intention of convincing Rayne to stay if he could find her.
The cold mask was securely in place, her green eyes devoid of all expression as she looked down on him from the doorway. He could almost see the thoughts whirling inside her head. He wondered what she was thinking in that moment.
The mask vanished and a look of confusion crossed her face. “Why does this make me feel so angry, Dayton?”
He walked back up the steps until his face was level with hers. “You know why, Freya. You’re just not in the right frame of mind to accept it yet.” His voice was gentle, his hand reaching out to caress her cheek gently. “There’s no rush. And you have nothing to be concerned about regarding Rayne. So why don’t you kiss me goodbye and then head back in and spend some time with your family?”
She blinked slowly at him and then hesitantly leaned forward to brush her lips gently against his. Apart from that night in gallery, Dayton had always been the one to initiate the kisses they’d shared. This time he asked her for one, holding himself still as she brushed her mouth experimentally against his, feeling strange being the one in control of their small intimacies.
She didn’t understand what his cryptic words meant but she did understand the need to taste him because it was all she could think about. His arms came around her and she deepened the kiss as he responded greedily to her, desire coursing through her body as their tongues duelled erotically.
He gently disentangled one of her arms from his neck, his mouth never leaving hers as he trailed her hand down his chest, over his stomach until he pressed her intimately against his groin. Her hand flexed against his hardness, her fingers curling around the throbbing erection straining against his jeans.
“That’s why you have no need to be worried about Rayne,” he breathed against her lips. “One kiss, Freya, that’s all it takes from you to make me hard as steel, desperate for your touch.”
A soft moan escaped her, liquid heat flooding between her thighs as his words washed over her and he groaned as she rubbed her hand against his body. He was so hard, so thick and long. She wanted to free him, to sink to her knees and taste him in her mouth.
He groaned again and reluctantly pulled away, his eyes so dark they looked almost black. “Remember that when your emotions become confused,” he said gruffly. “Think one kiss and remember. I have to go now. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Freya held herself still, her breathing slightly ragged as she stared deeply into his eyes, reading a promise in their depths. “I will be here waiting,” she finally said. They were simple words, appearing innocuous but it was a huge statement for her. She wondered if he realised that.
“My room’s the second on the left on the first floor,” he answered with a small smile.
Her heart fluttered and she turned her head to look back into the house. “That one?” She pointed to the room two doors down from the top of the stairs.
His smile widened. “That one,” he confirmed with a glint in his eye.
She turned back to face him, her expression thoughtful. “Now I have a location to wait.” She leaned forward and kissed him again, a gentle kiss that was a brief meeting of lips. Then she turned and headed back inside, closing the door behind her.
Dayton didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was slowly coming to trust him and that filled him with such joy but his cock was now rock hard and extremely painful because of her kisses and he couldn’t relieve that ache until after he’d found Rayne and helped her. With a rueful smile, he dug out his cell phone and dialled Rayne’s number as he headed towards his Jeep.
The call went to voicemail but he’d been expecting it to because of their last conversation. He waited for the beep. “Dinner. I’m buying. Gallery. No need to dress up unless you really want to.” He terminated the call and climbed into the Jeep. At least her last picnic hamper would get a second use even if she didn’t show up. He headed out of the compound and away from his mate. He hoped he’d reassured Freya enough. He guessed he’d find out when he got back.