Feathers and Thorne Series Books 1 - 3: The Complete Collection

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Isabella

“Speaking of bigger things to focus on, tomorrow you and Tristan are going to the mansion in the woods,” Carter states, clearly changing the subject away from children.

I lean back and stare at Carter incredulously. “What? Why?”

“Because I have a war to win, and I can’t do that if I know you’re not safe.”

“I can stay at Anita’s,” I offer, my mind racing to come up with possibilities. “Or I can stay in a hotel or something. I don’t want to go to the mansion alone.”

Especially because the last time we were there, we were attacked. An image of the man’s inert body springs to mind, and I shudder.

“I don’t want to go there, Carter. Please.”

“It’s the only place safe enough and remote enough, dove,” Carter replies with a little more force than necessary. “Tristan is going to be with you, and I’ll see if we can spare anyone else.”

With the war, I know that leaving Tristan with me is difficult enough. I don’t want them to be stretched thin.

Not on my account.

“I don’t need anyone else,” I tell him in a small voice. “I just want to stay here and wait for you.”

“It’s not possible, dove. Everyone who isn’t in the war is going into hiding, including you. Anita is going to be in a safe house not too far from where you are.”

“Can’t she come with me?”

Carter shakes his head. “It’s not safe to have the two of you in the same place in case security is breached. But I’ve made sure you’re as safe as can be.”

My stomach fills with knots, and unease races up my spine. “What if they break in again? Tristan can’t save me by himself.”

Carter stares at me for the longest time.

Wordlessly, he gets up and rummages through a drawer. When he swings his gaze back to mine, he’s holding a small gun in his hand. He takes both of my hands and closes them around the sleek and cold metal. Ice settles in my veins.

“I don’t want this.” I try to give it back to him, but Carter moves out of reach. “Carter, seriously. Just take this back. I’m not going to use it.”

“You shouldn’t have any reason to use it. This is for my own peace of mind, dove,” Carter responds before taking a few more steps away. “Tristan will show you how to use it. You need to make sure you keep it on you at all times, put it under your pillow or something. But always make sure you have the safety on.”

My hands begin to tremble, and tears pour out of my eyes. “Carter, please. I don’t like this. I don’t want the gun, and I don’t want to go to a safe house. There’s got to be something else I can do, somewhere else I can go.”

Carter remains unmoved. “I need to keep you safe, dove. This is the only way to do that. You trust me, don’t you?”

I nod through my tears. “I do, but this has nothing to do with trusting you.”

It has everything to do with the outside world coming for me. Again.

Whenever Carter and I are apart, bad things happen, and I’m not looking to test my luck. Not now, of all times.

Carter kneels in front of me, and his eyes move over my face. “You have to trust me, dove. When this war is over, I will come for you. In the meantime, Tristan is going to keep you safe.”

I stare at Carter until the tears stop. Until some of the knots in my stomach unfurl, and some of the ice in my veins melts.

When he takes the gun out of my hands and places it on the dresser, I’m only too relieved to hand it over. Then he pulls me to my feet, and I let him. His hands drop to my waist, and Carter kisses me like he’s been starving or I’m the air he needs to breathe.

Like he’s been wandering the desert for a thousand days.

I kiss him back like he’s the only thing keeping me tethered to the ground, and I need him to keep from disappearing. Carter makes a low growling sound in the back of his throat, and I tilt my head to the side. He nips on my lower lip, and my mouth parts, allowing him access. His tongue darts in and begins a sensual battle for dominance.

His fingers dig into my back, and wave after wave of pleasure rises within me.

I moan when Carter keeps a hand on my waist as the other darts up to cup my breast. He flicks one nipple and then the other until they’re both as hard as pebbles. With a growling sound that sends shivers breaking out across my skin, he pushes them together.

Molten-hot desire continues to build within me.

Carter wrenches his lips away and presses hot, open-mouthed kisses over my jaw and down my neck. His mouth, that searing, hot, capable mouth of his, traces a path down the slope of my chest. He stops when he reaches my waist and looks up at me. I’m trembling by now, and I’ve got a thin sheen of sweat on my forehead.

None of it seems to matter.

All that matters is the man lowering himself onto the floor in front of me and spreading my legs apart. I fall backward onto the bed, the breath whooshing out of me. Carter pauses to hoist me up and tie my hands together. Wordlessly, he kneels back down in front of me and buries his head between my thighs. Slowly, he kisses a path along the inside of my thighs, driving me more and more crazy.

I think I might explode if I don’t feel his tongue between my wet folds. Or his hands playing with my breasts.

Every part of me aches for him and yearns for him in a way that still surprises me.

Carter’s hands move up, and he grips my hips. He rubs his head against my center, the days’ old stubble sending little pinpricks of desire through my veins. Then, his tongue darts out and licks a path down the center. I jolt, and my body lurches forward. Carter pinches my skin, and I sit up straighter, spots dancing in my field of vision.

His tongue darts sideways, lapping up my already gushing juices.

I swallow and try to keep my gaze fixed on him. “That feels so good, Carter.”

He makes a low noise and runs his tongue back and forth. Over and over, he brings me close to the edge of oblivion and stops. Finally, he reaches between us and pushes me so my back collides with the mattress. I’m staring up at the ceiling when Carter stops devouring me and stands up. His eyes stay on my face as he pushes his boxers down and reaches for one of his toys.

With a smirk, he places it between my wet folds and pulls me to my feet.

When he gives my ass a firm slap, dual waves of pain and pleasure ricochet through me. Carter kisses me again, and I melt against him. Without deepening the kiss, he spins me around so I’m on my hands and knees, my ass hanging in the air. His hands move to the front, and he does something to the device, so it comes to life.

It starts vibrating, and I almost collapse against the mattress.

The tiny device inside me sends little bursts of energy through me, so I press my lips together. Carter strokes my behind and rubs himself against me. I whimper and try to bridge the distance between us, but Carter is determined not to give me what I want.

He wants to drag this on for as long as possible.

And I want him to.

But I also want him inside of me, filling every inch of me, so I can’t tell where he begins and I end.

In one quick move, Carter pulls the toy out, thrusts inside me, and groans. “Fuck, how are you always so tight, dove?”

I grind against him and gasp. “You’re so big, Carter. And you feel so good.”

Carter’s hands dart between us, and he pinches my nipples between his fingers. He thrusts in and out of me at an even pace while continuing to roll them between his fingers. I’m panting and sweating. I call out his name when Carter slams into me again. This time, he holds himself absolutely still as he fills me to the hilt.

I wriggle, but he slaps my ass hard.

I know it’s going to leave a mark, but I don’t care. I want him to mark me, to leave an imprint of himself on my skin.

A part of me wants the whole world to know what we have, how unshakeable it is.

As soon as the thought leaves my mind, Carter straightens his back and grips my waist. He keeps me in place while he thrusts in and out. I hear a low clicking sound, and the device inside me starts making low vibrating sounds. All my senses are invaded at once, and it takes everything I have not to collapse onto the mattress in a heap of pleasure.

I don’t even know how I’m holding myself upright.

With an exhale, I press my lips together and focus on the headboard.

The bed dips and creaks underneath us, and Carter strokes my back. My skin is flushed and eager and tingling, but Carter still won’t give me what I want. He is torturing me, one practiced and eased thrust at a time, and there isn’t a single thing I can do.

Except let him have his way with me.

My stomach does odd little somersaults when Carter brings his head to rest against my back. His mouth parts, and he presses kisses there, sending shivers racing through me. I tug on my restraints, but it’s no use.

Whatever Carter has planned, I’m going to have to follow his every order.

His every whim and desire.

“Don’t even think about coming yet, dove,” Carter whispers into my ear. “We’ve got all night, and I plan on making every second count.”

I cry out when he rams into me again.

“You’re going to be screaming my name, and you’re going to be sore that you’re not going to be able to walk straight for days,” Carter says, punctuating each word with a thrust harder than the last one. My muscles contract and expand, and sweat forms on the back of my neck and down the sides of my face. When I’m covered in sweat and nearing my release, Carter stops, and I whimper. He pushes me forward so I’m on my stomach. I twist my head to face him, and Carter helps me so I’m curled up sideways on the bed.

Then he presses his lean and powerful body against mine and buries himself inside me.

I rock back and forth against him, the swell of emotion within my chest growing.

He presses my breasts together and uses his free hand to stroke my center. I move my legs further apart and marvel at how everything feels. From the way his fingers glide over my skin like I’m made of glass to the way his cock feels inside of me, like its sole purpose is to shatter me.

To break me.

I have no idea how much longer I can hold on, but I’m not surprised when tears prick the back of my eyes.

What Carter and I have is transcendent; it makes the earth move and shatter.

I want to cling to it for as long as possible, so I squeeze my legs together and stop moving against Carter. He digs his nails into my waist and sinks his teeth into my neck. A jolt of electricity rises through me as Carter throws a leg over me and pins me against the mattress. Both of his hands move to my chest until my breasts are tender, my nipples as hard as pebbles.

Still, it’s not enough for him.

Carter rams in and out of me like a wild animal that both surprises and excites me. I try to match his energy, but my heart is galloping wildly in my chest. I can barely hear past the pounding in my ears, but when I realize I’m breathing heavily and Carter hasn’t broken a sweat, my stomach dips.

He is still sucking on my skin, and I’m sure it’s going to leave a mark.

At this point, my entire body feels like Carter’s canvas, a work of art to be admired by only the two of us. I lean into his touch and shudder. Carter’s hands fall to my waist, and he grips it hard. Then he removes his mouth and buries his face against my hair. His breathing is hot against my skin, and it’s sending more and more butterflies to my stomach.

My breath quickens, my muscles clench, and my entire body explodes.

I writhe and spasm, falling as the force of my orgasm rips through me. Carter doesn’t stop moving inside me, doesn’t stop dominating my body with his. Spots dance in my field of vision, and I think I’m going to shatter into a million pieces. Then I come back down to my body to feel Carter’s fingers inside me.

A tremor still moves through my body when he flips me onto my back.

My vision is still hazy, the thick and heavy fog of desire settling around me as Carter positions himself on top of me. He drapes my legs over his shoulders and thrusts into me. I gasp at the impact, at how it feels to be so exposed and so vulnerable, but I don’t care anymore. Especially when Carter starts moving, his pace slow and measured, like we have all the time in the world.

I link my fingers together and moan. “Carter, Carter.”

“Keep saying my name like that, and I’ll push you up against the wall and fuck you until you can’t speak,” Carter warns in a deep and husky voice. “Do you want me to punish you, dove? Is that what you want?”

I barely manage a nod.

Suddenly, Carter tugs me to my feet and pulls me to the wall. I am facing the wall when Carter lifts my arms on either side of me. I feel something brush against my skin, and then Carter ties my feet together. When I twist to face him, he has retrieved his belt from the dresser drawer. I don’t look away as he rubs his fingers over it and brings it down against my skin.

I jolt at the impact.

He whips me again, the hunger on his face growing more and more animated. “I’m the one in control here, dove. You answer to me. You submit only to me.”

I swallow and press my lips together.

He kicks my legs further apart and tosses the belt away. His hand connects with my bare skin, and he starts to stroke me. I lean my head against the wall and ignore the pounding in my chest. Carter nudges my legs further apart and positions himself at my behind. I brace myself when he pins my arms against the wall and thrusts in.

Every part of my body comes alive. I’m tingling and brimming with sensation.

He groans and grunts against me, and I fall again. My lungs burn with effort while I struggle to keep myself upright. Using one hand, Carter keeps my arms pinned together, and he uses his other hand to wind his fingers through my hair. He tugs my head back, exposing my neck to his mouth. He latches onto it and presses hot, open-mouthed kisses there.

Then he sinks his teeth there, over the previous mark, and I’m sure he’s drawn blood.

But I don’t care. I want his ferocity, his single-mindedness, his determination. I want all of it, all of him, all the time.

Carter removes his teeth and gives my hair a firm tug, sending little pinpricks of pain through my scalp. I tilt my head back and release a deep, shaky breath. Carter continues to thrust in and out of me. Abruptly, he stops and moves me to the bed, where my knees give out, and I fall onto the mattress. Carter climbs on top of me, never once breaking our contact.

I listen to his heavy breathing, to the bed creaking and groaning underneath it, and I think my heart can’t possibly feel more full.

Or more alive.

Until Carter buries his head between my shoulder blades, and I come undone again. I am floating and drifting on clouds as I try to remember how to breathe. Carter gives a few more quick thrusts, and his own release follows. I feel warmth pool between my legs and exhale. A short while later, Carter releases my restraints and pulls me against him. I bring my head to rest against his chest and go limp.

“I think you’ve killed me,” I murmur, a pleasant tingling sensation racing through me. “Not that I mind, but it is definitely going to be hard to function after this.”

Carter runs a hand down the length of my back and pauses at my ass.

Still sore and tender, he gives it a firm squeeze, and I yelp. “No, you feel alive to me. That means I haven’t quite done my job properly, have I, dove?”

I lift hooded eyes up to his. “What do you mean?”

Carter tilts his head to look down at me. “I promised that you wouldn’t be able to walk for days. I think I can do better.”

I shake my head. “Are you kidding? I can barely breathe. My entire body is sore. You’ve definitely done your job, Carter. Unless you want me to be stuck in this bed.”

Carter’s answering smile is wicked. “That is definitely something I want to see.”

My lips lift into a half smile. “It can be arranged.”

Carter captures my hand in his. “I know what you’re trying to do, dove. You’re hoping I’ll fuck you hard enough that I won’t be able to leave in the morning.”

“Am I that obvious?”

Carter presses a kiss to the inside of my wrist. “Yes, and as much as I’d love to be buried in that tight and sweet little pussy of yours all night, we can’t.”

I throw a leg over him and use my fingers to trace a path down his chest. “Are you sure I can’t convince you otherwise?”

Knowing I’m going to be separated from Carter, regardless of the duration, makes me want him even more. The fire inside me has yet to be quenched, and I don’t know how to tell him. Carter prides himself on his virility and mastery in the bedroom. Anything less than that is unacceptable, but I also know that he’s right.

In the morning, before he heads over to Anita’s, Carter has to take me to the safe house.

This will be our last night together for God knows how long.

I want to make every moment last, but I also want to savor how he feels pressed against me, his arm around my shoulders, and the smell of him wafting up my nostrils.

I wish I could freeze this moment and keep us here.

“You’ve become very persuasive, dove.” Carter’s voice pitches low, and his eyes blaze with emotion. Still, he captures my other hand in his and pins me to the mattress. When he straddles me, my heart misses a few beats and starts thumping erratically. He bends down to kiss me, and I forget how to exist.

All too soon, he pulls back and collapses onto the mattress with a groan. “You’re too irresistible, dove. I’ll need to sleep in another room if I’m going to be well-rested for tomorrow.”

“I’ll behave,” I murmur, pausing to leave a few inches of space between us. “Don’t go.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about.” Carter pulls me to him and buries his face in my hair. “You’re inside of me, dove. Every last part of me. You’re in my veins, in my lungs, and everywhere else, too. I couldn’t escape you even if I wanted to.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and inhale. “I can’t escape you either, Carter. And I don’t want to.”

No matter where this life takes us or what the future holds. I belong here… with Carter.

My decision is made, so I lean back and press my lips to his. He growls into my mouth and climbs on top of me again. This time, I wriggle and squeeze my breasts together. The look on Carter’s face is almost enough to make me take it back.

Almost, but not quite enough.

With a smile, I roll my nipples between my fingers and study his reaction. His eyes are tight around the edges, but there’s no mistaking the hunger and desperation in his eyes.

I hope it’s mirrored in my own.

For the rest of the night, Carter and I explored each other with frenzied impatience, the kind that takes my breath away. At the crack of dawn, when the first rays of gray light peek out from below the horizon, I fall backward onto the mattress, exhausted and spent. Moments later, Carter tucks me into his side, and I curl into him, sleep already calling to me. Through sleep-filled eyes, I study Carter until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.

When sleep beckons, I succumb, the smell of Carter still on my skin.