The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld #4)(83)
Author: Gena Showalter

“That wasn’t your choice.”

“I know,” he repeated. “To be honest, I did it for me. I needed to know you were safe. That was stupid of me. Stupid and wrong. I won’t be leaving you behind again. You’re a better soldier than I’ve ever been.”

Her legs straddled his waist, placing the heat of her directly above his throbbing erection. He groaned, gripped her hips to keep her still.

“I can’t trust you anymore,” she said.

“You can. You can trust me. You, more than anyone.”

“Liar!” She slapped him, hard enough to crack bone. His cheek exploded in pain, but he didn’t make a sound, didn’t retaliate or release her. Just slowly faced her, ready for anything else she wanted to dish. He deserved it. He’d let her flay the skin from his body if it meant working this out between them. “I question everything you say now, something I didn’t do even when your demon was drifting through my head at every possible opportunity. More than that, I will never truly believe you trust me. After everything you’ve done—”

“I have weaknesses, too.” The words left him in a desperate rush, quieting her. “You gave me your secrets. Now let me give you mine. To prove that I trust you, that I’ll never leave you behind again.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. “While guarding the king of gods, I lost an eye. Zeus had to give me another. I can’t see great distances like the other warriors.”

As he spoke, her shoulders relaxed a little. Her fingers curled in his shirt, bunching the material and lifting it from his stomach. His hope intensified. “You could be lying.”

“I told you. I can’t lie. I pass out if I try. That’s part of my curse—and another weakness.”

“You said you wouldn’t use my secrets against me. That was a lie, but you didn’t pass out.”

“I meant it at the time.”

She remained silent.

“I hold two daggers while fighting because I have a tendency to grab my opponent if a hand is free. I’ve lost fingers that way more times than I can count. If you can disarm me of a single blade, you can more easily defeat me.” He’d never told anyone these things. Even his men, though they’d probably noticed over the years. Still, he was surprised by how easily—and willingly—he shared with her.

“I—I think I noticed that.” Her tone was softer, gentler. “During practice.”

Encouraged, he continued. “Everyone is sensitive in some place, some way. It’s a weakness, an Achilles heel. Mine is my left knee. The slightest pressure can send me to the ground. That’s why I fight with my body half-turned.”

She blinked, as if she were reliving their practice sessions in her mind, trying to judge the truth of his claim for herself. A few minutes ticked by in silence. Sabin concentrated on breathing deep and even, drawing her scent into his nose.

“To be honest, though, there is one weakness that slays me more than any other. Right now, always, that’s you.” His voice dropped, husky, intent. “If you still want to leave, leave. But know that I’ll be leaving with you. Try to lose me, and I’ll just hunt you down. Where you go, I go. If you decide to stay and wish me to stop fighting, I’ll never again fight the Hunters. You are more important. I’d rather die than live without you, Gwendolyn.”

She was shaking her head, disbelief warring with hope in her expression. “My father—”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“But…but…”

“I love you, Gwen.” More than he’d ever loved another. More than he loved even himself. And he loved himself a great deal—most of the time. “I never thought I’d find myself grateful to Galen for anything, but I am. I could almost forgive him for every wrong he’s committed because he brought you into the world.”

She licked her lips, still hesitant to accept his claim. “But other women—”

“Don’t even tempt me. I am your consort. Not for any reason, even to win a battle, would I turn to someone else. Ever. I’d rather lose the battle than lose you. You are it for me. The only one. Hurting you destroys me. I know that now.”

“I want to believe you. I do.” Her gaze fell to his chest, to where her fingers rested. Those fingers relaxed their grip, even traced squiggly lines. “I’m afraid.”

“Give me time. Let me prove it. Please. I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m willing to beg for one. Anything you desire, anything you—”

“What I desire is you.” Her eyes met his, pupils consuming the irises. “You’re here, and you’re alive, and that’s all I can seem to make matter at the moment. Let me have you.” She ripped his shirt in half and dove down, mouth suddenly sucking one of his ni**les. “I don’t know about the future, but I know that I need you. Show me what you want me to believe. Show me you love me.”

Sabin’s hands tangled in her hair, and he rolled them over. Joy burst through him. Joy and shock, love and white-hot desire. She hadn’t offered the everlasting declaration he’d hoped for, but this would do. For now.

He tugged at her clothing, his own. Soon they were both naked, hot skin pressed against hot skin. He sucked in a breath at the bliss. She moaned, her nails spearing deep in his shoulders.

Sabin kissed his way to her chest, laved his tongue over each of her ni**les, kneaded her br**sts, and then continued his trail of kisses. His tongue swooped into her navel, and she quivered, writhing against him.

“Grab the headboard,” he commanded.

“Wh-what?”

“Headboard. Hold it. Don’t let go.”

She was blinking up at him in confusion, the scent of desire wafting from her. She was lost in the pleasure, drowning in it, but finally she obeyed. Her back arched, her br**sts now high in the air, ni**les hard as little pearls.

“Drape your legs over my shoulders,” he rasped out, reaching up to roll one of those beautiful ni**les between his fingers.

This time she obeyed without hesitation, gasping, trying to grind up against him. When he felt her heels digging into his lower back, he parted the damp folds guarding the new center of his world and bent his head for a taste.

Her flavor was intoxicating. Addicting. Rich and sweet, the perfection he remembered. He circled her clitoris, teasing it, while he sank two fingers inside her. Her cry echoed throughout the bedroom.

“I can’t believe I resisted you, even for a second.”