Unforgivable Lover Read online

  Her firm breasts and taut nipples rubbed his chest, teasing him. He tightened his grip around her waist and tugged her closer. His erection pressed alongside her hip, straining against his pants, the material cutting into his balls.

  Breaking their kiss, he growled. “My sweet Nicole, what you do to me.”

  “Gaetan…” Nicole tugged her lip between her teeth in that sensual way that drove him crazy. “You can’t blame yourself for other people’s—”

  He placed the pad of his fingertip over her plump lips. “Sh…no talking.”

  She sighed and gave him an acquiescing nod.

  Her acceptance and trust bolstered his love for her. All he wanted was to kiss her and show her what she meant to him. He trailed his finger over her chin and along her collarbone, enjoying the softness of her skin. Through her thin shirt, he grazed her nipple with his thumb and cupped her breast in his palm, the heavy weight sending a zip of excitement along his nerves.

  She inhaled at his touch, and a slow moan eased from her. Before he could react, she gripped the edge of her shirt and ripped it over her head. The material landed on a pile of rocks. With a sly smile, she unhooked her bra, and it slid down her arms and landed at her feet. He sucked in a sharp breath, his arousal growing. She was exposed to him now, and he couldn’t stop himself from admiring how her pink nipples hardened from the chill air.

  The burning need to be with her raced through him. He placed one hand around her waist and another under her legs, sweeping her into his arms.

  A small squeal rushed from her lips, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Would you like to feed from me?” He hoped so, more than he cared to admit.

  Nicole nodded. “If you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? Not at all.” He grazed his thumb over her bottom lip, and her fangs elongated. Pretty and white, they gleamed in the light.

  He cradled her close, and she sank her teeth into the soft spot between his neck and his collarbone. A brief pinprick of pain then a rush of pleasure struck him as she tugged at his throat. With gentle caresses, he stroked his fingers against her thigh.

  Joined in unison, he enjoyed the pleasurable sensation of their hearts beating as one. After a long moment, she withdrew her fangs. A blissful smile curled her lip, and her hooded eyes gleamed with happiness.

  He strode over the stone floor, forcing his bad leg to carry its share of the weight. Blessedly, there was no pain. As he laid her on the bed, her hair framed her beautiful features. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers in a barely-there kiss then drew back to study her.

  The look of pure adoration in her eyes just about broke him and another knot around his heart loosened. She could never love him, not with his broken body and tormented soul, but he’d give her all his love, every last ounce.

  “These have to go.” He gripped the waistband of her pants.

  She worked the zipper, easing it down with a quick zip. The sound echoed in the small chamber. With a firm jerk, he had her pants and underwear off in a flash.

  His mouth went dry.

  Completely naked before him now, her entire beauty took his breath away. Lovely, full breasts with small, tight nipples, a smooth, flat waist that flared into well-rounded hips, and long toned legs begged for a male’s touch…for his touch. He kneeled on the bed with his good leg, his damaged one dangling over the edge.

  Starting at her pretty toes, nails polished in a enchanting green that matched her eyes, he brushed his fingers over her soft, silky flesh. The pads on his fingers tingled.

  She squirmed, and a husky laugh burst from her lips, those beautiful, luscious lips. “That tickles.”

  Oh, how he loved the shine in her eyes, and he wanted to tease her again and again, to burn that look into his memory. He placed his palms on each thigh and gently coaxed her to open to him.

  A sense of unease flickered across her features.

  His heart stuttered. “What’s wrong?”

  “I…I’ve never done that before.” Her cheeks tinged a bright shade of pink.

  “Never?”

  She shook her head.

  That he would be the first, no…the only one to give her such pleasure warmed his heart. An overwhelming urge to please her in this most intimate way raced through him, and the markings for empathy and patience burned on the back of his hand. He stole a glance at it. The lines reappeared, faint, but there. His chest swelled. “My sweet Nicole, I would be honored if you would allow me to pleasure you.”

  She nodded once, desire sparking in her green depths.

  Gaetan’s throat constricted. She trusted him. He wouldn’t let her down. With a gentleness she brought out in him, he slid his hands up each of her thighs, spreading her legs. The delicious scent of melons wafted into the air. He inhaled, enjoying her luscious scent. “My sweet Nicole…”

  A smile tugged at her lips, blooming across her face, brightening her eyes. His heart leapt at the sight. He returned his attention to her moist, pink folds. They glistened with her desire, her want and need for him. He didn’t deserve her, he never would, and that saddened him. How could the bonding only give him a single band? Being with her felt so good, so right.

  Not wanting his negativity to spill over to her, he pushed the thought from his mind. He’d satisfy her until she screamed his name.

  Gripping her thighs with his palms, he planted light kisses up the inside of one thigh, taking his time until he reached the juncture between her legs. With a long, languorous stroke, he licked her warm, slick creases, tasting her for the first time.

  “Gaetan…please…” She gripped his hair, her fingernails digging into his scalp.

  A low growl rumbled in his chest. “Not yet. I can’t neglect your other leg, now can I?”

  “You’re torturing me.” She squirmed, her hips wriggling beneath him.

  Gaetan chuckled. “Perhaps I am.”

  He pulled back and retreated to her knees once again, trailing tender kisses up her other thigh. The need to taste her again, have her writhing from his ministrations, urged him onward. When he reached her mound, he slid his tongue over her entrance. She shuddered beneath him, her breaths fast and heated.

  Her round nub hardened while he circled his tongue over the delicate flesh. She bucked against the bed, and a soft cry rose from her lips. “I’m so sensitive…”

  He tightened his grip on her thighs, holding her in place. With deliberate intent, he moaned as he took her hard clit between his lips, sucking, pulling, tugging.

  On the brink of her orgasm, she trembled, her legs shaking with anticipation. Her gaze never wavered from him, trust reflected in her beautiful eyes.

  “Come for me, my sweet Nicole. Come for me.” He laved his tongue over her folds and her hard little nub, again and again, increasing his speed with each swirl.

  “Gaetan!” At last, her orgasm broke through, her muscles shuddering with her release. He kept up his focused attention, riding the crest right along with her.

  Nicole gripped his hair. “Stop. I can’t take anymore.”

  Not that he wanted to, but he complied with her request.

  She stilled beneath him. The tension in her legs drained away, but a small tremble still fluttered along one thigh.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered.

  His heart swelled. He’d pleased her in a way she’d never experienced before, and she’d trusted him, let him touch her in this intimate way. His throat constricted so tight, he almost couldn’t breathe.

  She slipped her legs from between his grasp and propped herself on her knees. Swift and demanding, she gripped the edge of his pants. A slow, sexy smile tugged at her lips. “Your turn. Let me pleasure you.”

  Gaetan’s mouth went dry. If he removed his pants, she’d see his deformed leg and reject him. A sheen of sweat coated his back. He drew away, sliding off the bed until he stood near the end. “No.”

  CHAPTER 26

  N ikki’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to please Gaetan
the way he’d pleasured her, showing him how much she cared, but he’d backed away, fear etched in the creases around his eyes. He stood at the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed.

  “No,” he growled.

  She slid off the bed and brushed her hands down his arms. “Gaetan, what is it?”

  His leg. He doesn’t want me to see his leg.

  The truth reflected in his gaze.

  She clasped her hand around his and brought them to eye level. “Look at me, medicine man. I care about you.” She wanted to tell him she loved him, but she wasn’t sure he was ready to hear those words. By the remorseful shadow darkening his eyes, he still harbored needless guilt. Besides, she wasn’t sure he could kick his addiction, and long term, she couldn’t deal with that.

  He shook his head, the furrow between his brows deepening. “I don’t deserve—”

  She placed her finger over his lips, just as he’d done to her. “Shh… You care so much for others, let me do this for you.”

  Pain reflected in the tension lines etched in his cheeks, but he didn’t look away.

  She took that as a sign to proceed, so she tugged at his shirt, pulling the material free from his waistband. With a quick jerk, he drew the bit of clothing over his head and it landed next to hers with a soft swish.

  She stroked his firm biceps, slowing for a moment to enjoy the strength under the taut skin. Over his shoulders and down his chest, she brushed her fingers until she reached his ribbed abs. She paused and teased the strip of hair that travelled from his navel beneath his waistband.

  The muscles in his abdomen tightened beneath her touch. Pleased with his reaction, a thrilling shiver raced through her. She smiled at him then slipped her finger under his waistband. The sensitive nerves on her fingertip brushed against the tip of his erection.

  He sucked in a quick breath and gripped her arms. “You tease me.”

  She widened her grin. “Tit for tat, my medicine man.”

  A brief flash of gold flickered in his eyes. “Be careful, my sweet Nicole…”

  She pressed her hand beneath his waistband and slid her palm down his shaft. Oh, heavens, he was long, firm, and so, so smooth. She grasped him between her fingers and gave him a gentle but firm squeeze.

  A growl, low and predatory, rushed from his lips, and his grip on her arms tightened.

  Careful not to cause pain, she rubbed him, slow and steady, working him as best she could given the constraints. She wanted to get him frustrated enough to the point he’d take off his pants and let her see his damaged leg.

  A tic started in his jaw. Hot, fast breaths eased from his lips.

  She stroked him, squeezed him, teased him, and a wave of desire and need crested over her, sending a rush of wetness to the juncture between her legs. The musky scent of her arousal filled the air.

  Gaetan’s nostril’s flared. “I can’t take this anymore.”

  As he pulled away, panic flared in her gut. Had she gone too far in order to get him to reveal his injury? Would he reject her? Walk away from her and leave her stranded?

  Gold flecks swirled in his beautiful aquamarine eyes, and his mouth drew into a thin line, determination tightening his features. He toed off his boots. As each hit the floor, the thump resounded throughout the room.

  He gripped his waistband, unzipped his pants, and without breaking eye contact with her, let his slacks fall to the floor. With a quick flick of his foot, he tossed his trousers aside. Free from its confinement, his member jutted straight from him, proud and hard. His heavy, full balls hung below. Oh, holy hell, he was magnificent.

  Her gaze swept downward, coming to rest at his misshapen leg. Twisted and gnarled, his knee bowed. Scar tissue marred the skin from mid-thigh to mid-calf. The sword had caused horrific damage.

  She blinked back tears and raised her eyes to his.

  His unflinching gaze bore into her. He raised his chin.

  Her heart swelled even as it ached for him, for his loss, his guilt, his personal torment. He didn’t deserve any of it.

  Silence filled the room and it took half a second for her to realize he held his breath.

  She drew her attention to his eyes.

  He studied her, and tension radiated in his taut features.

  Hot tears threatened to spill over her lashes. “You are so beautiful.”

  He swallowed and drew in a large breath.

  “May I touch you?”

  His shaft jerked at her words, as if eager for the attention.

  Unable to help herself, she smiled. “I want to touch you there, too, but that’s not what I meant.”

  “I know what you meant.” His voice was low, controlled.

  Would he let her? Fear twisted her insides into a ball.

  She wouldn’t rush him. Instead, she reached up and toyed with the small shock of gray hair at his temple. She trailed her finger down the side of his face and kissed him, slow and gentle.

  When she broke the kiss, he whispered, “I am yours, now and forever. There is nothing off limits to you.”

  His faith in her, belief that she wouldn’t reject him, warmed her soul. She nodded and knelt at his feet. Brushing her fingers down his thigh, she took a moment to plant a light kiss at the end of his shaft.

  “Craya!” he hissed and wrapped his fingers in her hair.

  She brushed her fingertips along the scar tissue. Although bumpy and mottled, his skin was remarkably soft. She circled the blemish, but didn’t dwell on it, then turned her attention to his shaft.

  Firm and long, his erection swayed with each of his breaths. A bead of moisture glistened at the tip. The sudden urge to lick the end zipped along her nerves. She clasped him, her fingers barely able to circumvent his size. With a quick flick of her tongue, she circled his crown, licking the droplet from the end.

  His low and deep groan rumbled in his chest. He tightened his fingers in her hair, and he drew her closer. She eased him into her mouth, letting him slide along her tongue.

  “Nicole, I can’t take this. I want to be inside you.” After releasing his grip, he grasped her arm and tugged her into his embrace. His warm lips met hers, and he devoured her in a bruising kiss, one that burned all the way to her soul.

  She cared for him, loved him, and always would, even though she’d have no choice but leave him if he couldn’t conquer his addiction. After what she’d endured from her father, she wouldn’t survive another heartbreak.

  His erection pulsed long and hard against her hip. “Nicole, I want you, need you.”

  She drew back, gripped his arm, encouraging him to lie on the bed.

  His jaw tightened. “Not that way.”

  Faster than she thought possible, he flipped her around. With a gentleness that was branded into her soul, he gripped her hips and eased her onto the bed. Knees bent, hands on the comforter, she spread her legs for him.

  He swept loving kisses across her shoulder while he stroked a few stray strands of hair away from her cheek. His compassionate touch only endeared him to her all the more.

  Wiggling her bottom, she pressed against him, teasing him. He groaned and rubbed his erection along her pliant folds, taunting her in return. The sensitive nerves sent tendrils of excitement through her body. She writhed under his attention and placed her cheek against the soft pillow.

  “Gaetan, please.”

  At long last, he entered her from behind, filling her with his engorged shaft. She stretched to accommodate his size, and when she relaxed against him, he moved with a slow grace. Blissful shudders rocked her. She met him stroke for stroke, and the bed squeaked in rhythm to their movements.

  His pace increased, and a bead of sweat dripped from his brow onto her back. Ever so slightly, his erection hardened all the more. In response, a rush of wetness coated her passage and another orgasm rippled through her, sending sparks of light through her vision.

  A deep, feral cry escaped from his lips. He stilled, holding her close as his release filled her with everything that was Gaetan. At his
last shudder, he rolled them both to the bed.

  She turned to glance at him. A slow, sexy smile tugged at his mouth. She traced over the corner then peered into his eyes.

  Warmth reflected in their depths, but the sadness, the unending guilt still remained. How she longed to wipe away his pain, make him realize he wasn’t to blame for others’ choices, but that was something he had to discover on his own.

  “Come here, my sweet Nicole.” He tugged her against him, back to front. With long, smooth strokes, he brushed his fingers through her hair. The soothing sensation relaxed her, and she snuggled deeper into his embrace. She was both elated and somber. Her doubts about them overshadowed her strong feelings of affection for him. Unable to stay awake any longer, sleep finally claimed her.

  CHAPTER 27

  N ikki rolled over and buried her nose into the comfy pillow. Gaetan’s unique scent filtered into her senses, and she tugged the cushion closer. Memories of their day together flitted across her mind, warming her. She slid her hand across the sheet, searching for him and wanting to snuggle once again.

  Cool and barren to the touch, his place on the bed was empty. Goosebumps raced up her arm. She opened her eyes in an instant. “Gaetan?”

  No response.

  She pushed away from the pillow and caught a glimpse of her arm. A dark mark trailed from her left shoulder, around her elbow, and down to her wrist where it split into four lines ending at her knuckle. The mark mirrored the one on Gaetan’s right arm. I’m his mate.

  Her chest flooded with love for him, yet, a twinge of unease danced along her nerves. His addiction was so like her father’s.

  The slight swish of a page turning caught her attention.

  Seated in the rickety chair, Gaetan, wearing his shirt, long pants and shoes, poured over an old text. He skimmed his finger over the page and his lips moved, silently forming the words.

  She draped the sheet around her and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Gaetan?”

  Brow furrowed in concentration, he didn’t move.