Threads of Fate

Chapter 62 ~ A Proposal Meant

Azael let one of his hands continue to trace Tissaia's back while he unlaced her pants with the other and helped free her legs. Her scars were rough beneath his fingers, and a torrent of emotion threatened to overwhelm him once more, guilt and anger the most prominent. Her scars were brutal, but not hideous. Nothing about her could ever be hideous.

Tissaia's breath hitched as he leaned down to touch his lips to one of the scars that spanned onto her waist. Her fingers found his hair and Azael kissed her skin as she tightened her grip. His palms curved over her soft thighs, finding only a few ridges from the scars she had mentioned.

Tissaia made a small sound as he kissed his way down her hip until his lips found the faded marks. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see them," Azael murmured, lifting his gaze to hers. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see you. I thought I was protecting you, but I was protecting you from the wrong thing."

"The fault is as much mine as yours," Tissaia said, her fingertips lightly caressing his cheek, and he leaned into the touch. "I didn't trust you with them, or myself. But I want to now, because I do trust you. I love you."

He pushed himself upright and caught her lips in a sound kiss. "And I love you."

Tissaia tugged at the fastenings on his tunic and he shrugged out of it as soon as they were free. She smoothed her hands down his bare chest while he kissed her and warmth trailed beneath her touch. Azael's hand wound to the nape of her neck and he angled her head further, kissing her more deeply as her lips parted.

He barely spared a thought to remind himself to breathe. He wanted to ingrain every part of her into himself. The feel of her full lips. The sweet and tart lemony taste of her. The scent of dew and incense that clung to her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, not breaking off their kiss as he eased her down beneath himself.

He braced his forearms beside her shoulders, letting only a portion of his weight settle on top of her. Tissaia ran her hands over his shoulders and sparks burned beneath his skin, feeding the heavy ache that had begun to grow within him. Azael broke his lips from hers finally and dragged his mouth down her throat.

Tissaia tipped her head back with a breathless gasp while he continued down onto her chest and dropped heavy kisses onto her sternum. She curved into him and Azael brought one hand to her waist and let it glide down to her hip. Tissaia made another soft, wanting sound as he kissed her stomach.

"Darling," she rasped.

He dipped his head, dragging his tongue across her center and she gave an encouraging moan. Azael brought his other hand down to her hips as well and held them firmly as he continued, coaxing gentle gasps and moans from Tissaia with every stroke. His own need grew with each sound he drew from her until he couldn't bear the tightness of his pants any longer.

Azael drew back and pushed himself onto his knees. Tissaia watched through smoky lashes while he unlaced his pants and cast them aside. The corner of her mouth curled into a smirk and she sat up. He held her gaze even as her hand slipped below his hips. A shiver ran down his spine at her light touch and he grasped her waist once more.

He buried his face in her neck with a groan while her palm passed over him and pleasure fogged his senses. Her hand went further and the ache within him swelled. He pushed her back, spreading her legs with his knees and settling his hips on hers. Tissaia moaned as he pushed into her only a fraction, then withdrew.

"Azael," she whimpered. Her breath turned ragged when he slid in again, deeper this time. "Please," Tissaia pleaded.

"I'm letting you adjust," he answered.