The Fortunates

  Kade laughed under his breath and cupped her face in his hands. “You’re ambitious.”

  “A little.”

  God, she was young. Her skin was smooth and full, her eyes bright and innocent. It almost felt wrong to want her the way he did. Constantly, he had to remind himself that while he was twenty-five she was only eighteen. And while Nine certainly had the body of a blessed woman, she had the expectations and the naivety of a child.

  Eighteen.

  Eight. Teen.

  The number sounded so small in his head and he wondered how a girl as young as Nine had the capacity to care about anyone other than herself. If another Unfortunate was in her shoes, would they risk everything they had? Or would they be soothed by their newfound luxuries? These were pointless questions, but Kade genuinely wanted to know.

  “Kiss me,” he whispered and the corner of her lips twitched.

  The twitch on her lips pulled her mouth into a smirk. “On the mouth?”

  His cock jerked as Nine dragged her thumb over its swollen, eager head. Swallowing hard, he cleared his throat. “For starters. If you play your cards right—”

  “If I play my cards right?” She laughed, squeezing his shaft in her fist. “I’m not the one who has to play their cards right, Master Kade.”

  He leaned in. “Is that so?”

  “Mmhm.”

  Nine moved her hand slowly, squeezing and pulling, pushing and relaxing, building him up to a point of no return. His heart pummelled his ribs, pounding faster than ever, and he revelled in it. Being with her was the only time he felt alive. It was the only time he felt remotely human.

  Sighing, Kade pressed his lips to hers. It lacked the relentless fire of the first kiss, but it was filled with passion. It was overflowing with love. Why? Because it was important that she knew how much he valued her, how much he respected her body and her mind, and that he was thankful she’d let someone like him inside her. Some saw sex as the opening of legs and nothing more. He used to, but now he revered it as the opening of a soul. It was the one place two could truly become one. It’s where passion was born and life was created. In retrospect, it was the most sacred place on Earth.

  And she wanted to share it with him.

  Only him.

  Kade tensed his thigh and pushed it harder against her core as their tongues caressed each other. In response, Nine gasped into his mouth and rolled her hips against him, wanting more friction, seeking more pleasure. Who was he not to give it to her? Who was he not to give her anything she desired? She wanted war? He’d bring down the Heavens. She wanted peace? He would paddle her out into the middle of the ocean and read her a book. She wanted him? He’d give her everything he had until there was nothing left to give. He would sacrifice everything because she’d given him a glimpse of a world he longed for—breathed life into the humanity he thought he’d lost. That was worth more than control, more than power, and more than gems. Peace on earth was worth more than prejudice, more than the separation of social classes. Once upon a time he thought the purpose of life was to be powerful. He thought that in order to live a fulfilling life, he had to build a legacy no one could forget. That wasn’t true. The deeper he fell into love, the more he realised the purpose of life was to live. Some butterflies live for two weeks, but in those two weeks they live a lifetime. Kade had been on this earth for twenty-five years and what had he achieved besides crushing his own happiness? Nothing. Then along came a beautiful butterfly who showed him a life worth living.

  ∞ Nine ∞

  In one heartbeat he’s kissing me sensually and in the next, his teeth are against my collarbone, his hands gripping my hips as he presses his thigh harder between my legs. I love being intimate with him—not because he shows me pleasures I’ve never known, but because it’s the closest two human beings can be.

  And I want that.

  More than anything.

  “Nine…” He sighs my name into the nape of my neck, sending a sharp flurry of tingles down my spine.

  In a show of fireworks, they clash with the sensations emanating from the pit of my belly. Every hard press of his thigh stokes the fire that threatens to consume me. He kisses my chest, my breast, my flat tummy, and the inside of my thigh. I rest against the wall, allowing him to explore me any way he wants. He takes the quest seriously too. The tip of each finger at the back of my thigh dances elegantly, coaxing me to lift it high enough for him to hook it over his shoulder. My breath hitches as he presses his lips to the inside of my thigh and smooths the palm of his hand over my backside, pulling my hips away from the wall.

  I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the water as it crashes against the tiles. Kaden brushes his jaw along my inner thigh and his warm breath blows across my skin. He leaves me in suspense and I savour the moment, letting my brain roll and swirl without a care. It’s nice to feel so complacent since I spent most of the morning stressed and worried. I’m alive and healthy. These are the things that should matter the most.

  My breath hitches in my throat as Kaden pushes his tongue against that teeny, tiny magic spot. Forget prejudice. Forget war. This is where it’s at.

  Sighing, I drop my head back against the tiles. The strokes of his tongue aren’t assaulting or relentless, not like I was expecting. They’re sensual and slow.

  Firm and precise.

  I slide my fingers into his hair and massage his scalp. Soon, the sounds of the shower are drowned out by the pulsating beat of my heart in my ears. Despite the alcohol swirling in my blood that desperately tries to distract me from the pleasure Kade brings to life inside of my body, I moan. He presses harder and licks a little faster, building up the ball of chaos in the pit of my tummy. It has been so long since he’s kissed me between my legs. I still remember the first time he did. I was so nervous, so worried we’d be caught, and that took away from the experience a little, but not today. Today I revel in it.

  Unashamed.

  I gently rotate my hips to feel more of tongue, more of his lips. Kade groans and a rush of air shoots out of my mouth. The thought of him on his knees in front of me coupled with the sounds of him enjoying the act of pleasing me is too much for me to bear. It fast-tracks my build up.

  “Oh…” I barely have time to catch my breath as my legs tremble uncontrollably and my stomach ties itself into euphoric knots.

  The more my legs shake, the faster he licks me. It takes one violent shudder from me to send him from careful and gentle to viciously starved. I tighten my fingers in his hair and pull, wanting him closer. My breath leaves my body in heavy pants and my thighs inch closer together.

  Then it hits me, like an unexpected crack of thunder before the rain. I cry out, my toes curl, and my legs fall out from underneath me. Somehow he holds me up, pressing me hard against the wall without much effort. He doesn’t stop licking or sucking. Not until my moans of pleasure bubble into light giggles. I release his hair and slide my hands over my cheeks to hide my blush.

  Satisfied with himself, Kade plants a quick kiss on my thigh and slides my leg from his shoulder. I push off the wall as he stands up, levelling my face with his chest. I hope that wasn’t too uncomfortable for him. I don’t know how he does these things with our height difference, but somehow he makes it work.

  Kaden slips his hands against my hips and tugs me forward, pulling me into the hot jets. I close my eyes as water sprays against his shoulder and covers my face in a gentle mist. He runs his soft hand over my body and slips it between my legs, washing the slipperiness left by his mouth away. When he’s done, he reaches around me and I open my eyes. He cranes his neck and I place my hands on his biceps as he lowers his face to mine.

  “You should eat,” he states, his stare flicking to my lips and back.

  “So should you.” I lean in for a kiss and he follows, only to pause a centimetre out.

  He shuts off the shower and I frown as he pulls back, fighting a playful smile. My heart soars. I love it when he allows himself to feel human, even if it’s
brief.

  “I just did,” he simply says.

  I grimace as he opens the shower door and steps out. Cold air swoops in and clings to my skin, making me shudder. “That’s kind of gross. It also doesn’t count as a meal.”

  He laughs and its deep, melodious tune dances around the room. “I’ll have someone bring food up to the room.”

  Kade throws a white towel over the shower glass and I catch it, cradling it to my chest. I rub my cheek against it. It’s warm and fluffy. Nothing like the dry, scratchy pieces of fabric I was used to at the Unfortunate camp. These towels are like soft pieces of cloud in comparison.

  Kade dries himself quickly and slips into his slacks while I remain in the shower, cuddling the towel like an idiot. Where is he going, anyway? I’m not finished with him.

  Eventually, I get out unscathed and I even manage to dry my hair without knocking myself out. I grab Kaden’s shirt off the floor and shrug into it. As I button it up, I study myself in the mirror. I’m still thin. Still sick and gross looking. How Kade can even stomach having sex with me I have no idea. At least my bruises are turning from purple to yellow. That’s a plus.

  I squint at my reflection. My eyes seem small and tired. Is it a side effect to the alcohol? Does everyone look like shit when they drink too much? I shrug. Eh. I might not look good, but I feel good, and that’s the main thing.

  I don’t know how long I spend in the bathroom brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and spraying perfume in my eyes, but when I come out I’m overwhelmed by the delicious smells. I inhale through my nose and fill my lungs with heaven. Aaah. I could eat a horse.

  “It smells good,” I say, tiptoeing into the room.

  Kade sits in the middle of the couch, shirtless and comfortable, cradling a bowl of assorted berries in his hand. He smiles at me as he lifts his leg and rests his ankle on his knee. “I didn’t know what you’d want so I got a bit of everything. Bread. Meat. Fruit. Vegetables.”

  I scan over the food on the coffee table. The extravagant platters barely fit. Does he really expect me to eat so much? It’s such a waste. Besides, I don’t want to eat. Not yet.

  Kade slips a blueberry into his mouth and crushes it between his strong teeth. “Come here.”

  Lowering his leg, he sets his bowl on the armrest as I meander over to him.

  “You’re not going to force feed me, are you?”

  Kade leans forward and grabs me behind the knees. “Force? No. Feed? Yes.”

  He pulls my thighs either side of his and tugs me forward. I squeak as I drop into his lap, straddling his hips. My stomach coils at the feel of his strong, hard muscles against my bare ass.

  Food? How can he think of food at a time like this? Do I not drive him crazy the way he drives me crazy?

  Kade grabs his bowl and holds it in front of me. Without protest, I pluck a blackberry out, pinching it between my thumb and index finger, and examine it. Berries are Kaden’s favourite, which I find intriguing. One would assume a man of his size favours steak, but no. Berries are his go-to snack.

  I remember the time he wrote on my skin with a berry. It had stained me. I glance at the berry in my hand. A drop of juice rolls down my thumb and onto my wrist, leaving a purple trail in its wake.

  “Do you remember writing your name on my skin?” I ask, smiling sweetly.

  “I remember,” he says as I lower the berry to his chest. His body clenches beautifully. “Don’t waste it.”

  I lift my gaze and our eyes lock. His concern would be endearing if the hunger behind it wasn’t so overpowering.

  My lips twitch. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  I press the berry against the middle of his chest and push it around, bypassing his nipples. As I curve it down toward his belly button, he snatches my wrist and lifts the berry from his skin.

  His eyes are black and growing darker by the second and the hairs on the back of my neck stick up in the most delightful way as he guides the squished berry to my mouth.

  “Eat it,” he orders.

  I part my lips and allow him to push it into my mouth. It’s soft and sweet on my tongue. I swallow it without chewing.

  “Good?”

  I shrug. “I think all the flavour is absorbing into your skin.”

  Kade’s beautiful black irises dance with indecent excitement and I can’t help myself. I crane my neck and lower my mouth to his chest, allowing myself a taste of the berry. Under my lips, his hard stomach muscles tense and he groans deep in his chest.

  “You need to eat,” he mutters, but he’s not convincing anybody.

  I lift my head and slide my palms over his chest. “Later.” I kiss his mouth. “There are more important things that require my attention.”

  “Your health is—”

  I grab his face in my hands and kiss him harder, forcing my tongue into his mouth. Kaden’s hand snaps to my ass and air is sucked from my lungs as his mouth devours mine. Forcing myself onto him is all it takes to break his self-control, to revert him back to the hungry beast he was in the shower. That’s what I want. That’s what I need.

  We’ve made love. I’ve had my fill of that. Now I want him, the raw him. The primal him.

  Why? Because I don’t feel pretty. I don’t feel desirable, especially not after seeing myself in the mirror. I want to be crushed under his desperation and smothered by his need. As sad as it is, I want to feel like I did when I was his Unfortunate. He wanted me then. Maybe it’s the alcohol making me feel insecure and irrational…either way, I want him to rip this shirt from my body.

  Kade flicks his hips and traps me in a fumble as he rolls me to the side, pinning my back against the lounge. Heat blooms under my skin and the bowl of berries spills over and rolls over my legs. Berry juice runs up my thighs and soaks into the couch as Kaden moves to suck at my neck.

  “Sex then food,” he says, positioning himself between my legs.

  “Rinse and repeat,” I gasp.

  I reach for his pants and pop the button. He grinds his hips into mine, pinning my hands between us.

  “No rinse. Just repeat,” he murmurs, biting my skin between his sharp teeth. I hiss and he snaps his face to mine, sucking my lip into his mouth.

  Kade lifts his body, freeing my hands. With them, I grab his zipper and push it down. His pants loosen and slip down his hips, inching over the curve of his ass. He releases my lip and rests his forehead against mine. With a gentle sigh, he plants a tender kiss on the tip of my nose. “What do you want from me?”

  Everything. I want everything.

  His love…

  His name…

  His children…

  His hopes…

  His dreams…

  His heart.

  I want him and all that comes with him.

  “Just you.” I swallow hard. “Only you.”

  Crunching my body, I slide his slacks down his thighs until they bunch at his knees. Keeping my eyes on his, I smooth the palms of my hands up his strong quadriceps muscles, over the scar of his bullet wound, and along his clenching stomach. My chest rises and falls with quick breaths. He notices it and I see it click in his eyes. He realises how bad I want him.

  And he understands.

  Kaden rears back onto his knees and I fight hard to keep my stare north of his belly button. I fail miserably, of course, but my gaze doesn’t stray for long. He grips the hem of my shirt in his hands and tugs it outwards, sending buttons scattering in opposite directions. They bounce across the floor and skid over table tops, but they don’t pull my attention from the burning desire in Kade’s face. I slide my hands over my stomach, covering the scratches and bruises. He watches me, frowning as I move my palms over my hip bones.

  “What are you trying to hide?” he asks, grabbing my wrists.

  I tell him, resisting as he tries to guide my hands away. “They’re not nice.”

  He flinches and releases my wrists. “They’re not nice?”

  “No.”

  I sink my teeth into my lower
lips as Kade glides his palm over my left hip. “You know what they tell me?”

  “What?”

  “That my woman is a warrior.”

  I scoff. “A warrior? You’re crazy.”

  “It’s true. Your body reminds me that, unlike everyone around you, you had to fight to get where you are. You think a few scrapes and bruises affect how I see you? You could lose an arm tomorrow and I’d still want to be with you.”

  “You would?” I touch his forearms and slide my fingers up over his biceps as my heart balloons in my chest.

  He lowers his body against mine, pressing our hips together. “I fell in love with your humanity. Not your appearance.”

  He’s soft and sensual, feeling like silk against me. Like always, our bodies connect, effortlessly slipping together like the pieces of a puzzle. He dances the tips of his fingers down my thigh and glides them under my calf. With a gentle tug, he hooks my leg over his hip and swallows the distance between our lips.

  “I love you,” I manage to blow out on a sigh before he presses his lips to mine.

  He touches my cheek and moans his agreement into my mouth. I can’t help a small smile as he pulls his hips back far enough to allow the very tip of his length to press against my entrance.

  Where I need it to be.

  Kade pauses, focusing only on the way he kisses me. Sensually. Deeply. Like the only thing that matters in this moment, even when he’s a centimeter away from entering my body, is how loved I feel.

  I’ve never felt so loved. Not ever.

  Pushing his hips forward, he reaches between us to guide himself inside me. His smooth, thick cock fills me inch by inch and I revel in the pressure as he gently stretches me in order to accommodate him. Kade blows air through his nose and ends the kiss, dropping his head against my chest. He mutters something, something I can’t hear over the sound of my heart in my ears, so I touch him to let him know I’m listening. Even when I’m not. I slide my hands over his strong shoulders and touch his back. He has flawless skin. Skin that’s as smooth as glass and as hard as marble.