A Surrender Of Hope (Umbra Hunters #3)

19. Valen

NINETEEN

Valen

I pace the floor in front of my large primary bath, listening to Meyer hum a soft song under her breath as she steps from the shower, where she rinsed off all the mud, and into the bath I had drawn for her. She had mentioned her shoulders and back were still sore, sending my anxiety spiking even more than it had been, and I had insisted on a bath to help soothe her tired muscles. When Nox is finished talking to Father, I will have him look her over to ensure she’s not still injured from her fall.

The need to keep her in my sight is pressing at me, hounding me to go into the bathroom with her instead of pacing out here like a fool. But I’ve kept to my room, knowing I would have little to no self-control if I had joined her in the bath, and after all she’s been through the last few days, I don’t want to pressure her into something she might not be in the mood for.

“Valen?” her sweet voice sounds from the room, and I still, head snapping toward the partially opened door. “Which of these is shampoo? There's like a hundred bottles in here,” she giggles.

“All the bottles on the right are shampoo. The middle section is conditioner, and on the left, there is body wash and bath salts,” I rumble out, my mind still spinning with worry, my heart beating too fast for comfort. Swallowing hard, I close my eyes and try to calm myself, knowing my control is in tatters right now. Ever since I released my Shade on the battlefield after Meyer’s death, I’ve been struggling.

I didn't realize how strong my Shade form had become. I knew my magical capacity had grown since I had been taken. Having four years of nothing to do but master and create every spell imaginable for a Dream Walker, would do that to a person, but I didn't realize my Shade form would also grow in strength by that much. Honestly, it terrified me. I had never wrought that much destruction before. I had been in several battles over my life span, and not once did I manage such a feat as I did that night outside the castle.

There is a brief pause from Meyer before she starts to laugh again. “Uh, you have thirteen bottles of shampoo?” she asks, and I frown, feeling my cheeks heat at her remark. I have always had a fondness for the finer things in life. My clothes and personal items often times were much finer than my brothers, who only cared about their basics. But there’s something about having a selection of different items and clothes that brings me immense joy. “And they are all color coordinated,” she adds, and I sigh, moving toward the door, deciding it’s useless to fight my need to see her. I already know I’ll eventually break and rush in there to check on her. I might as well do it now and stop torturing myself.

“Is that a bad thing?” I ask, leaning against the door frame, watching as Meyer grabs a bottle of shampoo, opens it, and brings it to her nose before she closes it and opens a new one. I marvel at the room in front of me, noticing how every bottle is exactly where I left it. The rugs I had selected years ago are still on the floor. The comb I used the day we set out for the European rift still lays on the vanity like I haven’t been gone all these years. It both soothes and hurts me to see it all. I have missed so much, but I am beyond grateful to be back home.

“No, I love a selection. I think this one is my favorite,” she adds, pouring the shampoo into her hand from the ornate, amber bottle and lathering it through her long ash-blonde hair. I smile when I see her using the shampoo I use the most, thrilled that she will smell like me.

“Are you going to come in or watch from the door like a creeper?” she teases as she leans back in the water to rinse out the suds. I have to bite my lip as the soft curve of her breasts appears above the water, her back arching so she can rinse out the soap in her hair, gifting me the most mouthwatering view of her pebbled pink nipples.

“I’m pretty sure there is only enough room for one creeper watching us, and that title belongs to Razar,” I rasp, licking my lips as I shift on my feet, trying to subtly arrange the bulge in my pants.

“True,” she agrees, grinning as she sits back up and holds a hand out to me, her fingers wiggling in the air. “Come on.”

“I probably shouldn't. Mom is waiting for us to have dinner.” I shake my head, and Meyer narrows her eyes at me as she nods slowly.

“Oh, right. I forgot,” she admits, her brows furrowing as she grabs the washcloth and drags it over her shoulder and then down her chest, soaping her skin and turning it a beautiful shade of pink as she goes.

Shit . I clear my throat, the hand I was trying to adjust my erection with moving to cover the bulge since there is no hope of it going down anytime soon. I know she’s only washing and trying to get clean so we can go to dinner, but I swear she’s purposely spending extra time on those perfect fucking breasts just to torture me for saying I couldn't get into the tub with her.

“Could you get my back?” she asks, her bright green eyes looking up at me with so much fucking innocence that I hate myself for perving on her like this. I should be better than this; I am better than this. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nod, standing up and walking toward her, hoping she doesn't see the tent I’m pitching in my pants.

“Of course,” I whisper, grabbing the cloth from her just as her other hand snaps out, and suddenly, I’m toppling into the bath. I dart my hands out, trying to catch myself on the sides of the brass tub before I completely crush her under my weight, but that is thwarted the moment Meyer winds her arms and legs around my waist and back, clinging to me like a monkey and giggling as she submerges me fully clothed into the warm bath water. “Meyer!” I cough, gasping as water lodges itself in my airways and makes me sputter as I try not to drown her under me.

“Oh shit. Are you alright?” she asks, twisting under me and grabbing my arm, pushing me to turn and sit against the back of the tub as she straddles my lap, an embarrassed expression on her face. “Sorry. I wasn't trying to drown you.”

I cough and bring my hand up to wipe at the water on my face, faking a glare as my hands fall to her curvy hips, grinding her down on my painfully hard cock. She moans, her eyes fluttering as she rocks her hips against me.

“That was rude. Now my favorite jacket is wet,” I rasp, leaning forward and nipping at her ear, making her shiver in my hold.

“So magic them dry,” she suggests, and I smirk, letting my magic wrap around me until the fabric separating us dissolves, letting me feel the full heat of my girl's hot center grind against my now bare length.

“We are going to be late for dinner,” I manage to get out as she leans forward, pressing her cherry-red lips to mine in a sweet kiss. I lick at the seam of her lips, needing to taste her, and groan as she opens to me, allowing me to deepen our kiss as she continues to rock her pussy along the length of my cock.

“Worth it,” she whispers back, and I nod, fully agreeing. Hell, I would stay here all night and eat her for dinner if she allowed me to.

“Fuck, Meyer,” I groan, my eyes rolling back in my head as she grinds herself even harder against me. “Do you have any idea what you do to me? The permanent state of arousal you keep me in is going to start causing actual damage. My cock is always… fucking … hard for you,” I grind out, thrusting my hips upward with each word, my fingers squeezing her hips, making sure I can feel her folds wrap around my length, teasing me in the best possible way. She gasps, her head falling against my chest as she wraps her arms around me.

“I need you to fuck me,” she whispers, and I’m already nodding, but I need to do something first. With a surprised squeal falling from her lips, I lift Meyer off my lap, moving to my knees to set her on the thick edge of the bath pressed against the wall. I jerk her hips close, tipping her back slightly, making her curse and grab the edge to avoid falling back in as she gasps, and tries to close her legs as the cold air hits her. Growling, I stop her and quickly position myself between them, shoving her creamy thighs as far apart as possible, moaning at the sight of her pretty pussy spread in front of me.

“Valen, what— oh fuck!” Meyer's head falls back as I slam two fingers deep into her, fucking her pussy hard, her inner muscles spasming at the sudden intrusion.

“You’re soaked,” I praise as I dive forward, sucking her clit into my mouth, dying to taste her sweet pussy. She trembles and writhes above me, her fingers twisting into my hair, holding me to her as she starts to move, riding my face and taking the pleasure she needs from me. My name falls from her lips in delirious moans, and my cock jerks, as I suck that little bud that makes her body tremble uncontrollably.

She smells like fucking heaven, her arousal washing over me is the sweetest damned thing I’ve ever tasted. I look up at her, our eyes connecting as I lick at her sex, pressing my tongue against her entrance and then dipping inside. Her pupils are blown wide, her face a twist of wonder as I lick and nibble, seeking out her pleasure like it's my own.

“Do you like my tongue fucking you, Mi Sol? Do you like the way you can feel me all the way inside you?” I ask as I push my tongue deeper, feeling her walls clench around me.

“More, more, please,” she whimpers, her pleas somehow getting me even harder as my fingers slam into her over and over again. I can feel her cunt quiver just as her back bows, and she screams, thighs clenching around my face as she rides through her release.

“Oh shit! Please. Valen, I need you now!” she begs, her voice rough with need as her thighs release my head, and I lean back, licking her arousal off my lips. The need to turn her over and fuck her against the side of the tub makes me reach down and grip the base of my cock, trying to get it to calm down so I don’t come before I can even get inside her. But I know if I allowed myself that, I would take her hard and fast, and I don't want to hurt her; I won't risk it. Standing, I haul her still trembling body into my arms, stepping from the tub and striding into my room before tossing her on my bed.

She bounces with a laugh as I climb up after her, grabbing her ankle and yanking her so she’s under me. Her skin is pink and still wet from the bath, making her look so damn fuckable.

“What do you want?” I ask, lowering myself on my elbows as I press my knee between her thighs, spreading them wide and encouraging her to wrap those long, lean legs around me. I roll my hips forward, letting the tip of my cock move through her folds until I hit that swollen little bud, and press my weight down on her.

“Oh shit,” she whimpers, eyes darkening as she wraps herself around me, pressing herself up so that we are as close as possible. “You, I want you,” she whispers, her lips brushing mine in a barely there kiss as she wiggles her hips under me, trying to move my cock away from her sensitive clit to her entrance so I can give her what she wants.

I can feel her hot arousal on my cock when it rubs against her as I grab her hands and bring them over her head, kissing her breathless as I start to rock against her. Mi Sol's hips thrust up in response, and my cock throbs with a need to be buried deep inside her cunt. I can feel my pre-come beading at the head of my cock as it brushes against her, and my hands move up, pinning her wrists in one hand as I reach down and line myself up with her entrance, too impatient for any more foreplay. I need to feel her wrapped tightly around me, strangling my cock as I fuck her hard into the bed.

My mind is blessedly silent for the first time since the night of the Demon attack. The dark memories of my past are chased away as I fall apart in the arms of the woman that I love.

“Valen, please, ” she begs when I don't immediately thrust into her.

“Wait, I…shit. Are you still sore? I can make this gentle if you… ooph, “ I exhale as Meyer slams her mouth back to mine, then fucking bites my lip! My control snaps and a growl builds in my chest as she fights against my hold, trying to lift her hips enough to take me inside her.

“I don't want gentle. I appreciate the thought, but the three of you have been treating me like I’m made of glass. I need you to fuck me, Valen. Show me that I’m still alive and here with you.” I groan against her lips and nod at her words, the permission I need to let go and give her all of me.

“I love you,” I whisper against her lips, making her pause, then pull back wide-eyed. Was it the best time for declarations of love? Probably not, but I had to say it. I had to tell her where I was with our relationship because she’s the only thing I want and need. I could live in that hellish blackness another four years, hell a hundred of them, just as long as I knew Meyer was going to be there for me at the end of them.

“Wh-what?”

“I need you to know that I love you, Mi Sol, because I’m about to fuck you like I hate you,” I admit, my eyes shifting to hers as I try not to grip her too tight. Her skin feels so soft under my hands, and my Shade form is close to the surface as I try to keep the darkness at bay. My cock hardens to the point that I would usually try to calm myself down, but there is no calming down from this, not with Meyer naked and needy under me.

“I…”

“You don't have to say it back if you don't…” She slams a hand over my mouth and grins, shaking her head at me.

“I love you too, Valen,” she whispers, making something deep inside me click into place, the feeling of rightness surrounding me at her words. “But, I really…. Really need you to fuck me now,” she admits, and that's all it takes before I slam into her, forcing her body to submit to mine until I’m buried to the hilt.

“Fuuuck!” My eyes roll back as her back arches, her eyes slam shut, and her mouth opens in a silent scream. I look down at her in wonder. Her pretty pink pussy is stretched wide around my length, and a thrill shoots through me as I pull out the smallest amount, then thrust back in, letting my balls slap against her. “Just like that,” I praise, looking up and meeting her eyes to ensure she's still okay while trying to ignore how amazing her fluttering pussy feels around my dick.

“More,” she says breathlessly, her hands fisting into the covers above her head like she's trying to ground herself in the moment. My hips start to piston into her with hard, brutal thrusts, and I let my hands move from her wrists down and cup her ass, lifting her up enough to fuck her even deeper and make her face twist in pleasure and pain.

“Fuck, you take me so well,” I mutter, watching as I pound into her, going faster and faster with each thrust until her eyes roll back from the intensity of it.

The erotic sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room, accompanied by Meyer’s soft whimpers and moans as I keep fucking her at a punishing pace. “Don't stop,” she mutters, sweat dotting her brow as I spread my knees wide and thrust upward, making her cry out my name.

“I wasn't planning on it.” I grin savagely, my Shade moving beneath the surface, pushing me to form a mate bond with her. I push it down, knowing I can't until I talk to her about it. She didn’t get the option of her first mate, and I’ll be damned if I take the choice from her for a second time. Meyer will choose me when she wants to and not while I’m fucking her silly. I won't mate her any other way.

Her breaths start to come in short pants, her fists white-knuckled, and the muscles in her stomach tighten as her orgasm starts to build. “Are you going to come for me, Regina?” I ask, and she nods in a short, jerky motion just as I release one of her hips and bring my hand down, pressing my thumb to her swollen clit and making her scream.

Her body locks up, her inner walls clench around my dick so hard I swear I see stars as she comes. My hips snap forward with almost too much strength, making her eyes fly open with a hint of pain, and I have to leash my Demon side slightly. I want to fuck her enough to feel me for days. To sit at dinner tonight with my cum dripping from her and my scent all over her, but I don’t want to cause actual injury. I slow my pace slightly, making Meyer’s brow furrow in frustration, her legs wrapping more firmly around my waist as she urges me to go harder.

“Don't,” I warn her, loving how she enjoys a little rough sex as much as the soft and sweet side of it. There is nothing better than waking up next to the person. your person and making love to them, but it's equally good to fuck them into your mattress until they can't walk straight. The telling tingle at the base of my spine has me yanking out of her so quickly that we both gasp.

Meyer’s eyes fly open in anger, and she pushes herself up on her elbows, reaching for me with a snarl on her kiss-swollen lips. “You feel too fucking good, and I’m not ready for this to be over,” I explain, sitting up and grabbing her by the waist, flipping her onto her belly before spreading her wide and sinking back in at a different angle.

“Valen!” Meyer yelps, wiggling back on me as I grab her hair, making her arch back into me as I sink deep inside her. I chuckle and lean forward, letting my fingers slide through her swollen sex, then move to rub her clit before grabbing her hips and yanking her to her knees. Pressing my hand in between her shoulder blades, I force her down, making her press her cheek to the blankets at the foot of the bed just as the door to my room flies open.