pleasure you’ve given me, Zarek. This is for you. For your pleasure now. I want to give you what you need.”
Groaning in ecstasy, he eased his cock out until only an inch remained inside her swollen sheath. He pulled her delicate folds open wider and in one quick trust he pushed into her. Hard. She gasped with euphoria and pitched forward as he rode her with the utmost expertise. His fingers bit into her hips and would surely leave bruises. Every erotic sensation running through her body heightened.
She moaned.
He growled.
Her muscles tightened in bliss as she indulged his cock. She ground her clitoris and whimpered as another orgasm tore through her.
As her muscles tightened around his cock, air rushed from his lungs. He pushed into her then stilled his movements, joining her in orgasm. “That’s it Caira. Come with me.” He came so hard she could feel his seed pulse through her body.
Caira dropped onto the bed, Zarek laid over her. He whispered into her ear. “You are amazing.”
She drew a breath, trying to regulate her voice. “You are too,” she whispered back. She’d had sex before but it had never been like this. “That was the most wonderful, intimate thing I’ve ever done.”
He brushed her damp hair off her shoulders. He eased his cock out of her and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. The look in his dark, passionate eyes turned serious. “I love you, Caira.” The love in his eyes took her breath away.
And she knew, even though he was her dream lover, she loved him too. She touched his face and pressed a light kiss over his sensuous mouth. “I love you too, Zarek.”
Caira snuggled in closer, resting her head against his chest. Zarek pulled the blankets over them and tipped her chin until their eyes met.
She stifled a yawn and smiled up at him. Her eyes felt so heavy. She could no longer keep them open.
“Rest now, Caira. When you awake you will have much to understand.”
Four
He had to warn her. Prepare her.
He touched her chin. “Caira.”
She stirred and snuggled in tighter. “Yes?” Her voice was whispery soft.
“Look at me, Caira. I need you to understand what I am about to tell you.”
Caira perked up. She lifted her gaze to his. Her blonde brows puckered. “What is it?”
Zarek drew a breath. “You shouldn’t have recited the incantation, sweetness.”
She smiled. A slow sexy smile that stirred his blood. “Why? Didn’t you enjoy being with me?”
“You know I did. But now you are in danger.” Zarek sat up on the side of the bed. He gathered Caira in his arms and held her tight.
She rested her head against his shoulder. Her heavy lids fluttered. “Danger? Why would I be in danger?”
“Your father placed a curse on me, Caira.” He touched the scar on his cheek. It ached. It always ached. It was a deep scar crafted by her father’s sword. A reminder that Bella was never to be his.
She glanced up at him and placed her delicate hand over his.
“He placed a curse on me, banishing me to an eternity inside your portrait. To watch over you yet never be able to claim you as my own. By reading the incantation, you broke that curse, but you’ve also awakened the Keeper of Darkness.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Oh yes, the legend. It’s not real. None of this is real.” She closed her eyes, slipping back into sleep.
Zarek looked at his hands. The blue glow was fading. His time was almost up. He touched her cheek, bringing her back around. “It is real, Caira.” He made his voice harsh so she would understand the seriousness of the situation. “My time is up, but before I go I must warn you.” He felt his body grow cold, his movements were slow, his speech harder to come by. “You have awakened the Keeper of Darkness from his slumber and now a great evil will soon descend upon you. I cannot help you. The battle is yours and yours alone. You are the only one who can vanquish him.”
Alarmed, her eyes sprung open.
He gently tilted her face up so he could look at her. “Just remember, I am with you.” He reached out and placed his hand over her heart. “Here and always.”
She blinked. The look on her face alerted him to her fear, her confusion. Zarek’s heart ached for her. He fisted his fingers and fought down the anger raging inside him. He hated that he was so damn helpless.
“How? What if I can’t?” There was desperation in her voice.
Zarek buried his face in her hair and inhaled her fragrant scent. “Then I fear death is the price of failure.”
Hours later, Caira awoke, blinked her eyes open, and stretched her naked body. Early morning rays of sun burst through her window and warmed her bare flesh. She rolled onto her side. Her whole body felt lethargic, exhausted, as if she’d just climbed the world’s highest mountain. Ignoring her discomfort, she drew in a rejuvenating breath and glanced at her clock. Just enough time for a quick shower before she had to deliver the cake to the reception. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she twisted and threw her legs over the side of the bed. As she stood up, her shoulder throbbed, and her hips ached.
Suddenly, her mind filled with memories of last night’s dream and the way Zarek’s strong hands had gripped her hips and squeezed her shoulder.
The locket!
The incantation!
Dear God, it was a dream. Wasn’t it?
Her heart slammed against her chest. Her mouth went as dry as burnt toast.
She quickly jumped from the bed and ran into the living room. Zarek was in the portrait, looking exactly like he always did. His dark haunting eyes stared down at her.
She blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Of course it had been a dream. A very real, vivid, sexually satisfying dream. She must have simply kinked her shoulder in her sleep. Her mind urged her to believe none of it was real, because the alternate was much too scary to consider. Yet something in her gut compelled her to examine this further.
Desperately trying to shrug off her worries, she showered and grabbed a quick bite for breakfast. Before she headed out her front door, she took a moment to look at the locket draped around her neck. A cold shiver ran through her veins as her hands closed over it. When she brushed her fingers over the incantation a movement in the corner of her room caught her eye.
She turned in time to watch her cat jump up on her side table. Misty sat perfectly still, staring at the portrait of Zarek. The tiny hairs on the back of Caira’s neck tingled as Misty starched her spine in apprehension.
The poor animal looked spooked. Caira crossed her arms and hugged herself. The cat wasn’t the only one spooked. “Misty, come here.”
The cat didn’t budge. She sat there, immobile. An uneasy feeling closed in on Caira as she glanced around the room. Her gaze settled on the clock. If she didn’t get moving she was going to be late. That wasn’t good for business. She’d have to deal with her cat when she got home.
Stepping outside her apartment, she locked the door and made her way to her car. The whole time something in the back of her mind kept nagging at her. She’d never seen Misty act like that before.
But that wasn’t what was bothering at her. It was something else. Something else in her apartment. Something wasn’t right.
With her thoughts consumed by Zarek, Caira’s day flew by rather quickly. She’d delivered the cake to the
