“Hold me.
Don’t let me go,” she said as she nuzzled his neck and sank into his strong
embrace. “Love me,” she whispered in his ear and felt him shiver. She wanted to
feel his arms around her, his lips touching hers—she wanted him to bury himself
deep inside her and shout her passion to her world and to his.

They sank to
the ground and held each other close. She was afraid to let him go, afraid the
emptiness would find her, afraid of losing him, again. With an unending thirst,
she focused on his mouth, the shape of his lips, the kisses that they promised.

His hand
stroked the side of her body from her breast to her thigh, claiming it for
himself. She stretched and molded her body to the contours of his, the way he
liked. One stroke of her breast and she tugged on his shirt. He didn’t
hesitate. He obliged her and pulled it off. Her hand played down the familiar
hard planes of his chest. Her eyes widened when she saw the marks. His back and
chest were covered with intricate symbols. How hadn’t she seen them before?
“These weren’t here.” She traced them with her finger.

He stopped her
hand and brought it to his lips. “For six months I tried to find you. He tilted
her face to his. She closed her eyes and felt the tingling traces of Dark
Magick that thrummed around him.

She moved away,
a concerned expression on her face. “What have you done?”

He pulled her
back into his arms. “I did whatever was necessary. Now be still and let me hold
you.” She settled against him.

“I’ve tried to
remember holding you, feeling you before I love you, reliving every moment with
you.”

She put her
head on his shoulder. He opened her nightshirt and stroked the top of her chest
then, with trembling hands, touched her breasts. A low moan escaped her lips.
She tipped her face to see his eyes.

“Why are your
eyes closed?” she asked.

“I’m seeing if
you are as I remember.” He laughed softly.

“And?”

“Better,” he
said as he bent and kissed each breast.

She pulled his
head away and kissed him. He ignited a flame inside her that set her on fire. A
delicious shudder pulsed through her.

The muscles on
his chest danced as her fingers lightly traced the runes. “This rune is for the
Great Mother.” Her finger poised over the sign. “Thank you, Great Mother,” she
said as her lips brushed against his skin. She watched it deckle in gooseflesh.
Her finger moved on. “This is our sign.” Encouraged by the hooded passion she
saw in his eyes, she kissed the rune and moved on. The tips of her fingers
traced down his chest. “Here it is again.” The rune was below his navel.
Another kiss. Her fingers trailed down further.

He pulled her
up and rolled on top of her. Her body instinctively arched against his. “You
are mine.” His warm breath brushed against her face. Two heartbeats passed. “Do
you hear me? You’re mine,” he said more urgently.

“Yes.” Her
voice was an intimate whisper. His lips tugged into a sideways grin.

It was the
smile that made her bones go limp. It was his magick.

“Forever,” was
all he said as he settled between her legs. Every inch of him was hard and
ready. She focused on his lips while her hands ran over his body. The insistent
need to touch him consumed her.

“Love me, Arik.
Now.” She wanted to taste him, smell him, feel him.

He bent down
and let his lips brush gently across hers. Arik soothed and calmed her with his
touches and kisses only to build her heat and her passion. Tiny licks of
pleasure shot through her while his erection pressed against her.

He slipped
inside her and she let out a sigh of relief. “I please you,” he said his voice
rough with passion.

She answered
him by wrapping her legs around his hips and pulling him closer. Heat rippled
through her body as combustible desire ran through her with every stroke. As
the last wave peaked, they both found their release.