Chosen One (Forever Evermore #6)

I blinked slowly, fully comprehending this set-up, sitting up on my elbows, my gut instantly warming, because it had been bone fucking dry in the sex department ever since my bedroom back at the Temple way too many weeks ago. Cain and I hadn’t found a damn time to do anything sexual, the sharing of the room with the Lajaks not seeming like a wise idea now, plus, my overly extended time in the hospital debilitating, so with my body humming in warmth, and anticipation, I watched as Cain put the book down, and stood fluidly, moving to the door, locking it, and I murmured, “I haven’t been that bad.”

Cain’s shoulders shook the barest bit as he turned to face me, his red lush lips trembling. “Honey, you have been enough that the sedate Elder Samson is now carrying a flask of vodka he chugs heavily on while you’re asleep.”

I eyed him as he began a slow stalk toward me. “You never complained.”

He chuckled quietly, staring at me from under his hooded lids, head dipped the barest bit, appearing like a hungry wolf stalking his prey, his voice a deep rumble. “I guess you could say I’m partial to the patient.” My breath caught in my chest as he slowly removed his gray t-shirt, revealing lots of lovely, muscled olive flesh. “And I’m going to make it my duty for the next hour to make sure the patient is well cared for.” My heart started pounding as he dropped his shirt, continuing his slow stalk, undoing his pants slowly. “God knows, my last,” his wolf huffed as he slid his zipper down, “caring of you was too damn long ago.”

“Agreed.” My voice was throaty as I watched him lower his pants, and I groaned quietly, seeing he had gone commando, and was already hard and heavy. I spread my legs for him, and his gaze instantly flared brilliant navy blue as he stopped at the end of the bed, not really hating the hospital gown I wore right now so much. “Maybe I can take care of you, too?”

His pink tongue peeked out, gliding over his bottom lip, gaze avid between my thighs, inhaling heavily. “I could definitely use some of that.” He flicked a finger, glancing to the gown, kneeling on the foot of the bed. “But first, we need to get rid of that.”

Instantly, I held a hand over my stomach, feeling apprehensive. “Actually, could we leave it on?”

Black brows slammed together when he saw I was serious. “No.” He grabbed my ankles, the action gentle as he spread my legs further, moving up between my legs. Navy blue eyes held mine steadily. “I want to see you and touch you and feel you under me.” He slid his fingers under the gown, holding the bottom of it. “I don’t want this between us.” My lips pinched, but I let him lift it, but quickly placed my hand over the incision’s small thin mark above my belly button before and after my hands were free from the gown. The mark would eventually disappear as it finished healing, the surgeon having done a wonderful job, but it was still red right now, a blemish I didn’t care for.

“Caro…” Cain dropped my gown off the side of the bed, his expression patient, but his eyes were fierce with desire, glowing down on me brightly. “Don’t.” He placed a gentle hand over mine, leaning over me with his other, his heat penetrating, his scent all I could smell, both equally potent. He shook his head softly, black curls dangling on either side of his handsome face. “I don’t think you’re too small a woman or malnutrition or lopsided or have overly large hips or think this,” he squeezed my hand gently, “is hideous. All those things I said before were to hone you into a killing machine, doing my job to keep you safe.” His gaze ran down my body like a flame touching every part of my naked flesh, making me want to bow to its touch, my body beginning to tremble, his tone guttural, and breathy. “In fact, much to my dismay, I much prefer your body over anyone else’s.”

Even with my body warming like a kindling flame under him, nipples hardening, aching for his touch, I still needed the added confirmation, asking quietly, “Promise?”

“I give you my word I prefer your sweet body over any others.” His wolf huffed quietly, even as he tugged at my hand gently. “Although, I still wish you were a Shifter.” My lips lifted a little, still seeing that banked simmering hatred in his gaze, and I let my own show for his unscrupulous, bastard self, knowing that hadn’t changed for either of us, both of us too stubborn, and troubled, for that quick of a change with something we truly reviled. Another tug on my hand as he placed gentle kisses around the edge of my slightly parted mouth, nibbling the barest bit, and he murmured, “I want to see all of you, my spirit bitch, so don’t try to hide from me.”

“Cain,” I whispered softly, a needful echo to the yearning inside me, as I let him pull my hand away from my stomach, his fingers intertwining with mine to hold it against the bed by my head. One hand still free, I ran it through his silken soft curls, tugging a bit as he teased me gently with his soft caresses. “Kiss me.”

His wolf sounded quietly, a soft purring growl as he only continued to nibble the edge of my bottom lip, taking a long lick of it, his tongue moist and warm, whispering, “Say please.”

I grinned softly. “Screw you.”

“You can, if you,” another long swipe of his tongue over my top lip, his dangling black curls tickling my face, “say…please.”

I moaned quietly, bowed a bit—still not able to move as much as I liked—and rubbed my aching nipples against his chest, the soft black curls there an added abrasive, but he only raised his chest, not letting me touch him, just out of range, and I glared up at his hooded eyes. “Fine.”

Lush, warm lips curved against mine, one husky demand. “Say it.”

I tilted my head back, pressing my lips firmly to his slightly smiling ones, and managed to stare down my nose at him, stating gruffly, “Please, my manipulative asshole.”

He chuckled quietly, the sound vibrating against my lips, his sweet hot breath fanning in a duel seductive touch. “Why, of course, my spirit bitch.” His eyes dipped down to my mouth, tone gravelly. “I’ve been dying to kiss you for weeks now.” Eyes flicked up to mine, a twinkle in his dilated dark eyes, grinning a bit, stating on a whisper, “I would have done it without the please.”

“Oh, you goddamn,” But, then I stopped griping. A soft moan taking its place as his lush lips pressed against mine, gentle and coaxing, our lips melding seamlessly. Fire erupted from the kindling flame inside me, and I groaned heavily, holding his curls tighter, stroking his lips fervently, needing him like I need air, but his touch stayed gentle, and I ordered against his lips, “More…”

“No,” he whispered, gliding his tongue softly into my mouth, touching mine on an easy slide, rubbing sensually, my core heating, producing a wet warmth between my thighs before his tongue retreated. He nibbled on my bottom lip, tugging gently. “Your doctor said no strenuous activity, so this is going to have to be,” an unhurried stroke of his tongue against mine, “slow,” a gentle brush of his lips, “and soft.”

I blinked my eyes open, staring up at him. “We don’t do slow and soft.” Hell, I had never done that with anyone.

He grinned against my mouth, his free hand cupping my cheek, his thumb rubbing gently on my jaw. “Yet.” He tilted his head, eyes closing slowly, curls brushing my cheeks as his lips continued stroking mine gently before opening them to speak against my slightly parted mouth. “Just because we haven’t before, doesn’t mean we can’t try, and if that’s what it takes to be with you, inside you, I’m sure as hell going to put forth the effort.”

Ever so gradually, I blinked. “If the alternative means I don’t get my badass wolf man, then I’m game to try.” I grinned when his wolf growled quietly, a contented sound. “Your wolf likes that, huh?”

His wolf huffed gently, but Cain stated on a quiet purr, “Regrettably, so does the man.”