Sage Read online

  “I know that, Anni. Do me a favor and leave,” he said gruffly. His hands were fisted so tightly they hurt, and he knew if she didn’t move away soon, his control would snap. No more. The last memory he had of them together, he wanted to at least have the illusion that they might really matter to each other. And he didn’t have that now.

  Her lips skimmed over his shoulder and he felt the mattress shift just a little as she pushed up onto her elbow. “There’s not much anybody can do to change what I feel, Sage. Not you, not me…not anybody,” she said softly. As she spoke, she stroked one hand up and down his back.

  But her hand wasn’t bare. He felt the smooth, velvety texture of the synthetic leather gloves she wore.

  She hadn’t had them on five minutes ago.

  Just the gloves…he had said something to her just days earlier, about her wearing just the gloves. As the image of that formed in his mind, hunger blistered through him and bitterly, he loosed his fragile grip on control. So much for illusions.

  He flipped over, moving so fast that Anni fell flat on her back. Her hands landed by her head and he groaned as he saw the smooth, formfitting black that covered her hands and wrists, halfway up her forearms. Grabbing one wrist, he brought her hand to his face and nuzzled his cheek against her palm.

  Okay, what would one more time hurt? Sage let go of her hand as he levered his weight over her. Wedging his knee between her legs, he pressed his hips tightly into the cradle of her thighs. He could still pretend, right?

  “I love you.”

  Stiffening against her, Sage closed his eyes. His imagination wasn’t that vivid. But maybe it was. He knew he hadn’t really heard that soft, throaty whisper.

  Her hands slid up his sides, the tips of her claws pushing through the slits in the fingertips of her gloves. A trail of fire streamed along his skin under her touch and he buried his face against her neck.

  One of her hands came up and fisted in his hair, tugging slightly. He trailed his lips up her neck, along the line of her throat, seeking out her mouth, but she just turned her head away. “Damn it, Sage. Will you look at me?”

  Her stormy gray eyes stared into his and this time her voice was louder, firmer. “Did you hear me? I said I love you. I have for years.”

  Her black-gloved hands came up, cupping his face and they stared into each other’s eyes as she slowly brought her mouth to his. The heat was there—whenever he looked at her, thought of her, touched her—the heat was there. But this time, there was something else with it.

  His heart raced and Sage felt like somebody had come and wrapped a giant fist around his lungs, squeezing the air from his body. I love you… That wasn’t even something he’d ever let himself dream of. Slowly, he pulled his mouth from hers, lingering to lick at her lips before lifting up to stare at her. “Say it again,” he whispered gruffly.

  That slow, sexy smile curved her lips, a smile that was totally feline, totally female. “I love you,” she murmured, her voice a low, velvety purr.

  Lowering his head, Sage pressed his brow to hers. “Years, huh?”

  “Hmmm…I started daydreaming about you practically the first minute I met you.”

  Sage levered up onto one elbow, staring down into her face. “You were just a kid.”

  Anni ran one fingertip down his shoulder. “I didn’t stay a kid, though, Sage. Daydreams can turn into something a bit more…obsessive.”

  He scowled down at her, brows drawn low over his eyes. “You never said anything.”

  She laid a finger against his lips as she grinned up at him. “Well, you still haven’t.”

  Opening his mouth, he bit down lightly on her finger, watching as the pupils in her eyes expanded, feeling her heart skip against his. Sage reached up and closed his hand around her wrist, gently pinning it down on the bed. He lowered his head and bit her chin lightly. “No…I haven’t.”

  As he stared down at her, his hazel eyes unreadable, Anni decided that she wanted to bite him. And not in a good way, either. Before she could really settle into her sulk, though, he covered her mouth with his, pushing his tongue inside.

  One big, hot hand swooped down her side, kneading her hip and then sliding down to cup her leg just behind her knee. As he brought her knee up, Anni whimpered. She could feel him now, the denim-covered ridge of his cock throbbing against her. Sage started to move with slow circular motions and each movement made her burn hotter and hotter.

  He brought her to climax just like that, his mouth on hers, his hips moving against her sex until she exploded underneath him, screaming into his mouth, her fingers digging into the hard, bunched muscles of his biceps.

  Then he left her. Anni cried out at the loss of his body, weak little mewls that sounded foreign. Seconds later, he was back, pressing a soothing kiss to her mouth. “Shhh…” he whispered as he wedged a knee between her thighs.

  She clenched her legs together as his muscled thigh brushed against her. Arching up, she rubbed herself against him hungrily. Sage chuckled against her lips as he lifted up, pushing back until he was on his knees. Anni reached for him but he caught her hands and gently pressed them down into the mattress. Anni couldn’t stop the soft, frustrated growl, but lay still, closing her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him.

  Her claws tore into the tough, synthetic leather covering her hands. His hands came up, palms pressed against the outside of her thighs, slowly skimming upward until he reached the apex. Then he shifted his grip and moved his hands to her inner thighs, pushing her legs apart. That done, he settled against her. Anni cried out at the shocking heat of his cock—thick, heavy and naked—pressing against her.

  Anni reached for him, locking her hands around his neck and pulling his mouth to hers. She kissed him hungrily as she pumped her hips against his. She slid slickly over him and he throbbed against her.

  “Look at me,” Sage demanded as he pulled his mouth away.

  Her lids were heavy, her brain fogged with need, but she forced herself to look up at him, staring into eyes that burned with a hunger that echoed her own. He pressed against her as their eyes met and pushed the first inch of his length inside her. “I love you,” he murmured.

  Anni felt tears sting her eyes as he continued to move inside her, a slow possession, surging in, withdrawing, each move slow and designed to drive her out of her mind. She arched up to meet him and clenched the muscles in her sheath around his cock, trying to keep him inside her.

  As tears started to trickle down her cheeks, he lowered his head and kissed them away. “No…no crying, baby,” he crooned as he pushed completely inside her.

  “Can’t help it…say it again.”

  He laughed softly, covering her mouth with his. The pace of his thrusts picked up and she whimpered, feeling him throb within her.

  She clenched around him, gripping his cock like a silken fist. She was hot, silky and wet, her pussy convulsing around his cock in a milking caress as he pumped in and out.

  Sweat beaded on his flesh and Sage groaned, shifting higher on her body so he could ride her clit. As he brushed against the hard little knot of flesh, she cried out. In the cradle of her hips, he circled against her, shifting his angle so that he’d brush against her G-spot with each stroke.

  The scent of her grew stronger as her body heated more. A soft flush spread upward from her breasts until her ivory cheeks were pink. Lowering his head, he traced his tongue around the hard crest of first one nipple, then the other.

  Anni wrapped her legs around his waist, arching up against him. He slid a hand under her, cupping her butt and lifting her. His thrusts picked up in speed and she cried out, tightening around him. Sage nuzzled her gently and then bit down lightly on her nipple.

  As he did, she convulsed around him and started to come. While she sobbed, he lowered his head. Sage bit down on the lobe of her ear and then he muttered, “I love you…damn it, I think I always have.”

  Then he gave up to the burning inside and exploded with her, feeling her arms w
rap around him, holding him as he lost himself in her. He rode it out until the very end, emptying himself completely before he collapsed against her, shifting down so his head was pillowed between her breasts.

  Her hands stroked up and down his shoulders and he caught one wrist in his, bringing her palm to his lips. Her fingers twined with his and they stayed like that as they tumbled into sleep.

  Sage’s last thought was, Finally…she’s mine.

  About the Author

  They always say to tell a little about yourself! I was born in Kentucky and have been reading avidly since I was six. At twelve, I discovered how much fun it was to write when I took a book that didn’t end the way it should have ended, and I rewrote it. I’ve been writing since then.

  About me now...hmm... I’ve been married since I was 19 to my high school sweetheart and we live in the midwest. Recently I made the plunge and turned to writing full-time and am looking for a part-time job so I can devote more time to my family—two adorable children who are growing way too fast, and my husband who doesn't see enough of me...

  Shiloh welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1056 Home Ave., Akron, OH 44310.

  Also by Shiloh Walker

  A Wish, A Kiss, A Dream anthology

  Coming In Last

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails II anthology

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Tales From the Temple IV anthology

  Every Last Fantasy

  Firewalkers: Dreamer

  Her Best Friend’s Lover

  Her Wildest Dreams

  His Christmas Cara

  His Every Desire

  Make Me Believe

  Myth-behavin’ anthology

  Mythe & Magick

  Mythe: Vampire

  Nightstalker: Back From Hell

  Once Upon A Midnight Blue

  Silk Scarves and Seduction

  Telling Tales

  The Dragon’s Warrior

  The Dragon’s Woman

  The Hunters: Ben and Shadoe

  The Hunters: Delcan and Tori

  The Hunters: Eli and Sarel

  The Hunters: Jonathan and Lori

  The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila

  Touch of Gypsy Fire

  Voyeur

  Whipped Cream and Handcuffs

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com