Page 69 of Soul Redeemed

The moment she did as he’d asked, Calix’s strong hands pressed against her back, moving in long, gentle circles.

An exhausted whimper escaped her as he dug his fingers into the tight knot of muscles, loosening the toxic vestiges of her toil. Ava was thankful she lay on the bed or she’d have collapsed into a pile of goo, as he eased the ache she wasn’t aware had twisted up there. Across her back, he rubbed and kneaded, knowing when to add more pressure and when to let up, like a pro masseuse.

“How’re s’good at this?” The slur of her voice reflected the relaxed state of her muscles, her drowsy mind begging for sleep. “You do this for all the girls, don’t you?”

A chuckle escaped him as he worked her arms, and Ava released a pleasured moan at the halo of pure heaven with each press of his fingers, and the rush of endorphins that had her feeling like she’d just taken a hit of Abyzz. “You’re the only girl who gets my premier service.”

“And you’re the only boy who gets me.”

His fingers stilled and his chest pressed against her back, his warm cinnamon breath fanning her ear. “Tell me that’s true, Ava. Tell me you’re mine.”

She’d wanted nothing more than to believe it herself, but a sadness settled over her, stripping away any such hope.

“Calix … I don’t think … I’ll never … I can’t bear a son for you. I’m ruined.”

“You’re more than enough. If it’s only you and me for eternity, I’m happy with that. I don’t want another.”

“You say that now, but … you’ll want a son someday. A legacy.”

“No doubt every male wants a legacy. Some are blessed to have a son, to carry on future generations. But few know the pleasure of having a beautiful female to enjoy the present.” He kissed her cheek and dragged his lips down to her back, kissing along her spine.

“Du amec,” she whispered into the sheets, thinking he wouldn’t hear her.

“Du amec,” he responded, and flipped her over beneath him. Leaning forward, Calix crushed his mouth to hers and stole her breath with another kiss.

*

Ava sat on the bed, sipping blood through the straw poked into the plastic bag, but crimping her lip, she pulled it away. “Ugh. This one tastes a bit metallic.”

“Logan hunted that one for you.” Calix smirked, pulling his dark jeans over his hips. “Child abuser. Said he had a bit of fun with him first. He worried there might be a strange flavor to it.”

“What kind of fun?” As much as she wanted to quit drinking it, she couldn’t stop herself. Perhaps it was all the sex with Calix, sapping her energy, but her craving for blood had doubled in intensity over the last couple of days.

“Said he made the asshole swallow shrapnel.”

“Why?”

“Who the hell knows? It’s Logan.” He shook his head, before slipping a black button-down over his shoulders. Nabbing his dagger from the nightstand, he sheathed it at his hip and rested his hand there. “I feel sorry for the kid who asks his daughter to prom.”

She eyed the blade at his side, then set her gaze back on Calix. “Think you’re going to need that?”

“Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

Ava smiled at that and polished off the last of the blood, shivering at the lead flavor as it coated her tongue. “Can I go with you?”

Tipping his head, Calix stroked a finger down her cheek. “Not yet, baby. Not until I find the bastards who’re after you. I don’t want anyone making the tragic mistake of taking what’s mine.”

She turned to kiss his palm and gripped his wrist. “Okay, Boss. If you say so. I need to find something to do, though. I’m not used to all this freedom.”

“I want you to enjoy it. Indulge. Relax for once.”

“What about you? Are you relaxed now?”

A roguish grin tugged the corner of his mouth, and Calix bent forward, urging her to lean back until his fists were planted at either side of her, his body held up by his massive arms. “More than I’ve ever been in my life.” He kissed her throat, and his growl rumbled against her skin, the tickle prompting her to laugh. “I’ll see you later, and we’ll pick up where we left off this morning.”

“Anything in particular I should wear?”

“Nothing,” he said against her skin, before kissing her jawline. “And a pair of heels.”