• A chill ran Anima’s spine. She knew He stood behind her before the first warm breath even graced her neck. "Acerbus... " the whisper left her lips on a contented sigh as she leaned back, her shoulders fitting comfortably across His firm chest, as if they were built as a matching pair. His strong arms crossed over her waist, holding her close as His chin dipped low to rest lightly on her shoulder, His silence wreaking havoc on her nerves. She rested her small hands upon the much larger ones settled just below her stomach. She felt that familiar ache begin to smolder deep within the very core of her being.

    "Acerbus..." her voice now hinting at a lingering frustration. Anyone else would run at the mere hint of this tone... He stayed. He drove her crazy. This wild woman that lived with no restraint, no boundaries, no ties to petty morality. Yet here she was, simpering at a simple breath on her neck. This... this... Man! She could not tear herself from Him! He exuded something... something she craved. She needed it. She was addicted. Even daily functions became difficult in his absence. Her hands shook so hard she dropped things, body ached with pain no remedy could alleviate. Some days it infuriated her... others she wanted no more than to kneel at His feet, whimpering and begging for His touch. His graces. The sting of His hand.

    Suddenly, His grip tightened. Strong arms now pressed her delicate frame to His much rougher, harder one. She understood. Her nerves calmed, as well as the trembling of her frame. She was safe in His grasp. Never forgetting... He would cause her pain. No doubt in that. But her heart would never be unsatisfied, nor her soul or mind. She was, in every sense... content.