Love That Defies Us (The Devil's Dust #2.2)(15)

Shadow grabs both my shoulders and leans his face down.

“Dani, are you crying because you hate it or love it?” Shadow questions, his eyebrows raised with concern.

I run my hand under my nose, trying to get a hold of my emotions.

“B-because I love it,” I respond, wrapping my hands around his neck. I close my eyes and sniffle some more. “Damn hormones have me an emotional wreck,” I half-joke.

Shadow sighs and hugs me back, chuckling in my ear. He pulls away and holds both sides of my face, causing me to look right at him.

“Let’s go inside our new home so I can claim your body in every room,” he demands. I throw my head back and laugh, knowing he will do just that.

Walking inside the house, it’s just as beautiful as I remember.

There is the kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an island in the middle. To the left of the doorway sits the small living area with an overstuffed tan couch, green and white pillows thrown on it. Next to the sitting area is a bathroom which is just as amazing.

But what I love most about this place is the bed in the middle of the house. As soon as you walk in the front door, it’s the first thing you see. It's a big, sand-colored, four-poster bed with white sheers hanging elegantly along all four sides. The comforter is white and fluffy with lots of pillows thrown across it. In front of the bed are two floor-to-ceiling double glass doors which open to a patio which leads to the beach and ocean. I smile and head toward the bed. Lots of memories were made on this bed.

“We can add on to the house, make it just how we like it. Then we will have the bed moved into one of the rooms,” Shadow says, walking up behind me. He bunches my hair on one side of my head and lightly kisses my neck. I loll my head to the side, inviting him in. I am like the poisonous, white Datura flower, needing the darkness of the night which is Shadow to fully bloom and show my worth. I cannot exist without his shadow cast upon me, just as his darkness needs me to illuminate what beauty he is capable of. It’s just in the eye of the beholder to fully see what is in front of them.

He grinds his pelvis against my ass and growls against my neck in acceptance. My breathing picks up as my hand travels across his cheek.

“Wait,” I whisper heavily, remembering my gift to him.

I pull from Shadow’s grip, his fingers digging deep into my hips trying to keep me still.

“I have something for you,” I remark, laughing. He grumbles and reluctantly lets go as I laugh at his sulking. I head over to the stereo inside the wall and turn it on, Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” playing on a radio station. “I’ll be out in a minute,” I explain, grabbing my bag off the floor and heading toward the bathroom.

I set the bag on the green tiled sink and fish out the white top and bottom lingerie set. I quickly take off my clothes and put it on, the fabric hugging my figure perfectly. I look in the mirror and notice my eyes look a little swollen—must be from the lack of sleep. I pinch my cheeks for color and tousle my hair. I look at the woman staring back at me in the mirror. I have come a long way: from damaged naive girl, to mother and soon-to-be wife; a woman. I take a deep breath and open the door to head back toward Shadow. The lights are turned off and there are candles all over the floor, Shadow standing in front of the double doors in all his glory. His tattooed back muscles are outlined perfectly, and his ass cheeks are clenched as he stares out at sea. He has his arms above his head and pressed against the glass, revealing his toned biceps.

My mouth parts as I let out a sudden breath. The two years I have been with Shadow, it’s as if he just gets more handsome with age. He turns as if he senses my presence and his defined jaw clenches, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallows.

“What are you trying to do to me?” Shadow whispers. I look down at my white top hanging to my thighs and tiny underwear, trying to get an idea of what he sees when looking at me.

Shadow pulls his hand up and crooks his finger. “Come here, Dani,” he demands, his voice deep and raw. My feet pitter-patter against the cool floor as I walk toward him, and he leans his head back as his eyes scan my entire body hungrily. When I am barely two feet from him I stop. My heart is beating erratically as my body is on such display. I have never worn lingerie while pregnant, never really revealed much of myself while carrying one of Shadow’s children.

Shadow runs his finger up my throat slowly, making his way under my jaw. He applies pressure under my chin, tilting my head upward, my emerald eyes meeting his sapphire.

“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. How I ever came to deserve you will remain a mystery to me,” he whispers as Hozier sings to us in the background.





I lean down and press my lips to Dani’s, kissing her, needing her. My tongue caresses hers, shooting an electric bolt right to my dick. I feel her pull away from my lips, but just as she breaks her mouth from mine, I dip down and grab her bottom lip with my teeth. Her eyes widen when I refuse to let go, making me smile wolfishly. I lightly dig my teeth into her lip, making her whimper in my hold. With Zane, the pregnancy, and the duties of the club, I know it hasn’t been easy on her, but tonight she is mine, no distractions. I am going to make sure she remembers this Valentine’s Day, because God knows I won’t be able to top this year’s ever again. I can’t buy her a f*cking house every Valentine’s Day. I slip my hands down her back slowly, the silky see-through top sliding beneath my palms as I make my way downward. My fingers walk along the peaks of her ass before grabbing each of the cheeks harshly. She moans and her legs tremble as she arches her body into me, submitting to my will. I turn her around and press her back against the cold glass, the chill against her warm skin making her gasp. She looks up at me as I tower over her, her eyes pleading for me to take her. God, she is beautiful. Even to this day, she is still the lantern to my cavernous soul.