Black Diamond Heart, page 20
Oh no. Six o’clock. Felix must have gone to the roof just after she’d been taken. She imagined the sight. Poison, bloody and wounded. Her heart ached at what he must have felt seeing all that blood.
Her gaze hung on a single scrawled word. She could never unsee it. It practically glowed from the page.
Love.
Was it really true? She knew her own feelings but it was so hard to imagine him returning them. Her heart swelled with possibilities that she couldn’t bear to hope for until now.
“What is your answer, corazon?” His voice was rough and low. Measured, like he’d somehow gained a smidge of patience—barely contained.
Skye stared at him.
Could it be his Firecat?
“Have you shifted?” she asked.
A crease formed between his eyebrows. “Does it matter to you?”
She blinked. “Of course it does. The animal is part of you.”
He nodded slowly. “I shifted after I realized you’d been taken.”
“Because you were angry?”
Something flashed in his eyes. Not the flames deep in his gaze that she noticed earlier. This was an emotion. And she couldn’t name it no matter how hard she tried.
“Angry?” He shook his head as though he was bewildered. “I was angry. But that wasn’t how my animal broke through.”
“Then how?” Skye whispered the question because it felt like a secret.
Felix pushed off from the wall. Three measured steps brought him to the edge of the bed and he reached down for her hand. Pulling her up, he brought her close, grazing her cheek with his fingers. His touch was gentle, almost reverent. His eyes were steadily locked with hers. As if he was seeking home there.
“I was completely gutted, corazon.” Skye could feel the pain radiating from his chest in her own. “The thought of losing you…” His throat bobbed with a heavy swallow. “I was fucking scared, that’s how. Fear brought my cat out, just like it did when I was little. That’s the damned truth.”
Did he think being afraid made him lesser in her eyes? Because it didn’t. It just meant that he cared enough to be afraid of losing. In fact, it made him seem like a giant.
“But I needed you to know that I had already decided, with or without it, me and you? We are for each other. We are…” He stopped, seemingly searching for the right words. “Skye, baby, we’re unstoppable. I was right before, you’re the sun. But I’m not the darkness blotting you out—as if anything ever could. I’m not even a planet orbiting you. I’m a fucking comet. No matter what happens, or where you are, I will hurl toward you at full speed just to burn up in your atmosphere.”
God. No one had ever said such a beautiful thing to her. Don’t cry, don’t cry.
In case a tear slipped out, she pressed her cheek into his hand.
“Now, tell me. Would you have met me up on the roof?” His voice rasped. As if he ached for an answer. “Would you have chosen me after everything?”
“Yes, yes,” Skye whispered. “But the thing is, I think…” She covered his hand with hers, sliding her fingers between his. “I think I will always choose you.”
His eyes dug into her. “Why?” he asked, as if he couldn’t fathom the answer.
She could tell him. Her stomach twisted with trepidation, but only because she meant it so much. Tell him, Skye.
“Because I think… I love you.” She slammed her mouth shut. That wasn’t how it was supposed to come out. I think I love you? How did she manage to mess up something so important?
Felix made a noise that sounded hurt. She had to explain.
“I mean—” His finger went against her lips to stop her.
“You already said it.” His words, barely a breath. “Don’t take it back.”
“No, I’m not. I just… didn’t mean to say think. I meant…” She swallowed her nerves. “I meant I love you.” Felix closed his eyes, pressing his forehead hard to hers. “I probably won’t be very good at it, loving someone, as I’ve never done it before. But I won’t ever stop trying. Because you’re worth it.”
He shook his head, still pressed tightly to hers. “I’m not, my heart. I’m not, but I’m sure as hell going to try to be.”
“Well, with both of us trying so hard, I bet everything is going to be okay.”
Felix pulled back to stare into her eyes. “Unstoppable.”
“Unstoppable,” she answered.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Felix had never experienced such a thundering in his chest before. He’d never felt emotion that literally pulsed through his veins like electricity.
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Skye’s words whispered through his mind like a prayer, making him dizzy. Was this what it felt like to be loved? Was this what made the other men so utterly stupid for their females, this feeling? He wanted more. He wanted to drown in it. In her.
Oh, shit.
He’d never felt like this before. Like making love to a woman was as crucial as breathing.
Making love? Fucking hell. He’d never wanted to do that before.
He’d fucked and been fucked. Too many times to count. But he’d never given himself to a woman like he was about to give himself to Skye.
There was nothing holding him back now. For the time being, the clan was safe. There was a fight at Mack 10’s compound, but Ratchet was dealing with the fallout. Felix trusted him to handle it. Poison was in a coma, and Doc Logan wasn’t sure if he’d pull through. The only thing to do was wait. Skittles could deal with everything else until tomorrow.
Tonight, nothing was more important than bonding with Skye.
Felix led her to the bathroom, stopping near the shower. Reaching behind, he turned the water on to let it warm up. As he began carefully undressing her, something strange zinged through his bond.
Pausing, he found her worried eyes. “What is it?”
She shook her head and her gaze fluttered away. “I’ve never…”
Felix frowned. Not for the first time, he wished he could read her mind. With his thumb on her chin, he guided her back to him. “Talk to me, mate.”
He felt her swallow where his fingers rested on her throat. “I’ve never done this… you know… willingly.”
The reminder of what she’d been through sent shivers of rage ricocheting through his bones. How could he expect this to be easy for her?
“We’re just going to shower,” he said. If his mate needed more time to get used to this, she would have it. He would give her as much as she needed. Nothing mattered except getting things right with her.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, she seemed disappointed.
He reached for the hem of her shirt anyway.
“Wait.” She stopped him with her hand on his. “You first,” she said.
Felix scowled in question. “You are mine. You need bathing. I intend to do it.” And he was going to take his goddamned time exploring every inch of her as he cleaned.
“Yes. You’re right. But…” Skye’s teeth came down on her lower lip to stop the rest.
Something was wrong. The feeling coming through their messy bond was the opposite of ready.
“Tell me,” he demanded.
“I’m…” She cleared her throat. “I’m nervous.”
“Nervous?”
Skye nodded. “If you go first, maybe it will help.”
Shit, he was doing this all wrong if she was nervous.
“Skye, I won’t hurt you. I swear it.” His throat was thick with emotion. “I know my word is shit, but when it comes to you, it’s fucking law. You’re safe with me now. My beast will see to it.”
She blinked. Twice. “Felix, I’m not nervous about you hurting me. It’s not you at all.”
“Then what?”
“It’s… it’s me,” she blurted. “Many, many men have seen me naked.” Fucking hell. Jealousy ripped through him in a way he’d never experienced before. He’d spent plenty of time thinking about Skye naked, but he’d never considered it in reference to what she’d been through. “Too many to count,” she continued. “But that was never my choice. This time, it is. It feels different. It feels… special.”
Special.
That was the only thing she could have said to bring him back to center, to quell the rage.
She was nervous because this was important. That, he could understand. Shit, he felt the same way.
Felix ran a hand through his hair while he gathered his thoughts. Then decided, fuck it. If she needed him to bare it all first, he would.
Instead of peeling her shirt free, he lifted his own, whipping it over his head and tossing it to the floor. The bathroom was beginning to steam up from the hot water, but Skye’s bright blue gaze was all he cared about. It raked over his chest, leaving a burning path in its wake.
He so fucking liked the way she looked at him.
Before she could speak, he eased her shirt up and over, leaving it on the floor next to his. The cups of her bra were overflowing with soft flesh that he was beholding for the very first time, but the only thing he could see was the forming bruises near her collar bone where Bisset had hurt her.
Tried to take what’s mine, his animal snarled.
Skye held her breath as he reached up to trace his fingers along the darkening skin.
“One day, he will pay,” Felix murmured.
Wordless, she turned her back to him. “Undo it,” she said, and it took him several breaths to realize she was talking about her bra.
He didn’t wait for her to ask a second time.
Sliding his hand up the center of her back, he hooked his finger around the clasp and pulled it free before sliding the straps over her shoulders. His hands ached to keep going, to remove it completely and replace the silky fabric with his palms.
But he would give her time. Just like he’d said. Even if his cock was harder than he thought possible.
Skye let the bra drop to the floor, but when she turned around, the breasts he was dying to see, were covered by her hands. “Now you,” she whispered.
This is how it was going to go. Give and take. One piece of clothing for another. That was fine, but he wanted near her sooner rather than later.
Solution? Take it all off.
Boots and socks were gone before she could even guess at his intention. With his eyes set on her, he undid his belt, jerked his zipper down, and released his throbbing cock. It bobbed, rigid at his waist. Her eyes found it immediately, but he tried to forget that it even existed. At least for the moment.
Damn, when had he gotten so good at self-control?
When you found her, his beast answered.
She was the key to it all. Her safety, her happiness.
Her trust.
He would crucify himself on a rusty cross before he did anything to fuck this up. And that was the thing that gave him the most comfort. The Sorcera were right. He was ready for this. He’d come through the curse a changed man, just like they’d always intended.
He kicked his jeans free and stood before his mate completely bare. Her eyes took him in, inch by inch, and the animal in him noticed the way her breathing increased.
Felix stayed very still, letting her come to him, when he wanted to go full alpha on her.
Not yet, not yet. Not until she was ready.
Skye stepped closer, her loose sweatpants riding low on her hips. When she was an arm’s length away, she dropped her hands, letting Felix see her for the first time. He had to clench his fists to keep from touching her. She was perfectly shaped, perfectly smooth. Perfect in every way. But that wasn’t why he wanted to touch her so badly.
It was the vulnerable look in her eyes. It was the way she was unsure of her moves. And the way he could feel her desire for him through their mating bond. He wanted to satisfy her. He didn’t doubt that he could for even a second.
Not yet. His Firecat guiding him was a relief.
“You have to do the rest, corazon,” he rattled. “If I touch you now, I’ll never want to stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Feeling you. Loving you.” Just saying it made him feel too close to spinning out of control. The jerk of the reins from his animal was done in perfect timing. “Join me in the shower when you’re ready.” A thin wall of tempered glass separating them would be smart, right?
Felix stepped under the spray, letting the door shut behind him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of Skye.
***
Skye chewed her lip, contemplating her next move. Join me in the shower when you’re ready.
Baring all to Felix was harder than she’d ever thought possible. Not because she was worried he wouldn’t like what he saw—he clearly wanted her. In fact, the thought of his arousal gave her an incredible thrill. She couldn’t count how many times she’d wished a man wouldn’t find her desirable. But with Felix everything was different.
It always would be, she realized. Always.
He was made for her. And she, for him. They’d both been biding time, going through the struggles… turning into diamonds… before they could be right for each other.
Now, he was waiting for her. Felix, who waited for no one. Felix, who always took what he wanted, waited for her to be ready.
Was she ready?
He chose her. Saw the best in her, just like she saw the best in him. She hadn’t given up on her dreams of a family of her own. But a forever love was waiting for her now. All she had to do was move out of the shadows of her past.
Her heart thundered as he watched her from the other side of the glass. Yes, she wanted to be in there with him. She wanted to be everywhere with him.
She was ready.
Before she could let fear change her mind, she slid her fingers under her waistband and let her pants drop to the floor. She kicked her panties free before she dared to look at Felix. But when she finally did, the flames behind his eyes were bright enough to have her gasping. Were his eyes actually… on fire?
He didn’t move a muscle as she reached for the shower door and stepped inside. The steam and his heat formed a warm cocoon around them, relaxing her even more, but he didn’t touch her yet. This close, she could see the flames in his eyes actually did burn free instead of being contained within. It was the most incredible thing she’d ever seen, this tiny part of his Firecat peeking out at her.
“Are you afraid?” Felix’s voice was rough. Sharper than it was before.
Skye shook her head. “No.”
“I won’t burn you.”
“I know.”
He blinked and the flames were gone, replaced by the dark gaze she was used to. “Turn, corazon.”
She did as he asked, staring through the glass and into the mirror above the sink. They were slightly warped in the odd reflection but it made her smile because it was so perfectly fitting.
Felix removed the sprayer from the hook and methodically doused her from head to foot. The warm water felt like fingers, but maybe that was just because she was anticipating his touch so much. She leaned her head back, and he let the water wash over her face.
Still, he didn’t touch her.
Blinking away droplets, she found their reflection once again. Felix was soaping up the frilly pouf Mama Kitty gave her when she first moved in. Skye had never used it. Always seemed frivolous in her own hands. But such a feminine item in Felix’s hands? It was whispering promises of luxury.
He went still for a moment, as if contemplating where to start, before his fingers brushed her long hair aside. Skye held her breath for his touch, but it still didn’t come. Not directly anyway. The soapy pouf was all she would get as he dragged it softly along her neck and then her shoulders. She closed her eyes at the sensation. No one had ever bathed her before, and she’d always considered that a good thing really. But now?
“My mate likes this.” His low rumble was almost inaudible, except they were too close, his mouth so near her ear. “I will do it everyday,” he murmured, and she could feel his satisfaction through the connecting bond they shared.
Dragging the pouf down her back and over her hips, he continued his attention. Skye fought a shiver as he moved over her butt and down her legs, even making sure the bottoms of her feet were cared for. When he stood again and she could see him in the mirror, she wondered if he would let her wash him the same way. She wanted to explore every part of him. What a thrilling way to feel. She loved it.
“Turn around,” Felix instructed.
Facing him, she felt like a queen. Bent crown, sure, but a queen nonetheless. His queen.
Felix ran the pouf across her collar bone and down between her breasts, stopping just at her belly button. He moved slowly, every swipe deliberate. She noticed the way his muscled chest contracted with breath. Faster and faster, hers keeping time with his.
“Hands on your head.” Felix’s deep thrum rattled her insides, turning her molten, as she obeyed.
He swept the soap from each elbow and down her ribs before finding his way back to her breasts. His gaze went hot again as he bathed each mound, focusing unnecessarily at the tips until each nipple was so hard it stung. She ached for him to do more even as she wondered if she could take any more teasing. Touch me, she begged with her mind. This desire was such a new feeling. Wanting to be touched by a man, by him… it was a lot to unwrap, but she wanted to tear the paper open like it was Christmas morning.
A soft growl left his throat and he braced his free hand on the wall of the shower. As if he was dizzy with her. Was he? Because she was, with him. He made her feel like she was floating.
“Almost done, mate.”
She wasn’t in a hurry.
He looked down between them as his hand holding the soapy pouf hovered near her waist. “I’ll make it quick,” he said, and it was the only warning she had before he stroked down and between her legs. She gasped at the intimate contact, her knees going weak at the sensation of the soap and his gentle care. She clutched his shoulder, unable to do anything else. “I know, fuck. I’m sorry, Skye baby.”
