The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts #2)(23)

“And I love you. Forgive me for being a coward. For not confessing my love sooner. Now it comes the eve before I lose you, forever. I thought we had more time. I was never in any rush, believing I had forever with you. I believed I had time to confess my growing affection, my love. Time to change Khalon’s mind about that insufferable law. Time to memorize every dip and curve of your body. A lifetime of seeing your beautiful face, of cherishing your timid smile and those radiant eyes.” He wrinkled his nose as he tried to remain in control of his emotions. “I can’t do this. I can’t let you go.”

“Please, Rayner. If I’m never to see you again, I wish this night to fill my heart so I may cherish it and look back on it always. Make love to me.”

“Yes.” Rayner brought his lips to Toka’s, the warmth of his mouth, the taste of his lips, the feel of Rayner’s body against his own was something Toka would carry with him as long as there was breath in his body. He laughed joyously as Rayner swept him up in his arms and carried him to the bed, where he laid Toka down gently, his eyes filled with so much love, all for Toka.

Slowly, Rayner undressed Toka, his hands caressing as he revealed more and more of Toka’s naked body. He left trails of scorching kisses against Toka’s skin, his tongue tasting, teeth nipping. He took one nipple between his teeth, and Toka feared he might lose himself right then. Rayner toyed with the nub, nibbling and licking, teasing, and sucking. When he finished lavishing attention on the pebbly nub, he moved on to the other nipple. Toka slipped his fingers into Rayner’s hair, a low moan rising from his throat.

“I dreamed of this for so long,” Toka said quietly, afraid it would all disappear if he spoke too loud. Rayner moved his lips lower, kissing down his torso to his stomach. The kiss to Toka’s inner thigh sent a shiver through him, and he hummed in delight.

Rayner’s hot mouth took in Toka’s shaft down to the root, and Toka arched his back, gasping in surprise. He clutched fistfuls of the blankets as he writhed with pleasure. The feel of Rayner’s expert mouth moving around him, his tongue playing with the slit of Toka’s cock, the way he licked and laved was almost too much.

“Oh goddess above.” Toka groaned, his head thrown back and his toes curling in ecstasy. “Rayner,” he gasped, the fire within him threatening to consume him.

“Touch yourself,” Rayner commanded softly as he pulled away and left Toka to fetch supplies. He returned quickly, and Toka bit his bottom lip as Rayner kneeled on the bed between Toka’s legs, his eyes never leaving Toka’s as he slathered the lubricant on his beautiful hard cock. He was resplendent. Every inch of his sculpted body achingly beautiful, from his broad shoulders to his tapered waist and strong legs. Rayner’s lips parted as Toka stroked himself.

“Please,” Toka said through a moan.

Rayner swiftly obliged, bringing a pillow under Toka’s hips before pressing the tip of his engorged head to Toka’s entrance. He was so careful, tender, as he pushed in past the ring of muscle. Toka groaned, and Rayner moved gingerly, pushing in until he was seated against Toka. He bent forward and kissed Toka, sweetly, lovingly. Then he began to move, and Toka tumbled over the precipice into a sea of pleasure. He dug his fingers into Rayner’s back, holding on tight as Rayner pulled out then plunged deep inside Toka. He moved slowly, pulling almost all the way out only to drive himself in deep, making Toka gasp each time. Toka feared he might shatter at the overwhelming joy and pleasure that coursed through him every time Rayner sank inside him. Rayner rotated his hips, and Toka cried out, certain he had reached the stars. Rayner kissed Toka and did it again, striking something incredible inside Toka, sending a burst of light through him.

“Oh my… oh, Rayner.”

“That’s it, my darling. I want to feel your release. Let me see the pleasure only I can bring to your beautiful face.” Rayner laced his fingers with Toka’s and snapped his hips once more. Toka threw his head back, his cry filling the room as his release flared through him, the ribbons of his semen hitting his stomach as he came undone beneath Rayner.

Rayner growled, thrusting his hips against Toka over and over, until his muscles grew rigid, and he let out a roar that shook Toka down to his depths. The white light inside Rayner’s Soldati soul lit up the room until Rayner collapsed, spent, his weight a heavenly welcome against Toka’s body. There was no place he felt safer, happier, or more loved than right there at that very moment, holding his love in his arms.

Toka nuzzled Rayner’s cheek, murmuring soft words of love as he stroked Rayner’s hair. Rayner didn’t speak. He simply held Toka close, welcoming Toka’s comfort. Toka never lost faith. Despite knowing it was unlikely he would ever be claimed by or mated to Rayner, he dreamed of holding Rayner in his arms every night, just like this.

It would seem his dream would have to remain just that. A dream.





Chapter Six


THE RESOUNDING crack of the cat-o’-nine-tails before the knotted thongs sliced through Rayner’s skin jolted Toka as if he had been struck.

As the sun rose, Toka woke to the sight of Rayner’s beautiful face. He watched Rayner sleep for some time, taking note of his full lips and rugged jaw, the way his long lashes rested on his cheeks, his thick dark brows and strong nose. The golden amber when he slowly opened his eyes and his sultry smile were forever seared into Toka’s mind. They had made love again, a tangle of limbs and searing kisses. Rayner brought Toka to release, his name a broken promise on Toka’s lips. For as long as Toka lived, Rayner would be his home, his solace, his heart.