He rose, shedding his tunic, then his breeches, his hardened shaft springing free, engorged and throbbing. She stared, a mixture of awe and fear, at the sheer power of him.
"Look at me, Maria," he commanded, his voice rough with need. He positioned himself between her legs, his tip pressing against her entrance. "This is for us. For all the lost nights."
She whimpered, a small, frightened sound. "It won't fit."
He smiled, possessive curve of his lips. "You'll take all of me."
He pushed, slowly at first, then with increasing pressure. A sharp, searing pain tore through her, a cry escaping her lips. Her body stiffened, a single tear tracing a path down her temple.
"Shh," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers, his breath hot on her face. "Just a moment. It will pass."
He held still, letting her body adjust, the pressure an aching throb deep inside her. Then, with a guttural groan, he plunged deeper, breaking through the final barrier
A fresh wave of pain, followed by a strange, undeniable fullness. A small bead of blood bloomed on her inner thigh, a crimson stain against her pale skin.
Her eyes squeezed shut, but then, as he began to move, a slow, deliberate rocking, the pain receded, replaced by a burgeoning pleasure, a deep, internal ache that demanded more. Her hips began to move with his, hesitantly at first, then with growing abandon.
"Yes," she panted, her fingers raking his back, leaving faint red marks. "Cassian… yes!"
He pounded into her, each thrust harder, faster, deeper, as if trying to erase the two years of separation with the sheer force of his desire.
The rhythmic slap of skin, the wet, squelching sounds, filled the night.
"You are mine, Maria," he grunted, his voice raw, triumphant. "Always mine."
He pulled out, then flipped her onto her stomach, her bottom rising invitingly. He re-entered her from behind, a gasp tearing from her lips as he filled her once more.
"I imagined this too," he whispered fiercely in her ear, his voice laced with dark satisfaction.
"Your beautiful hips, rising for me. During the war, when the longing was too much, I'd take myself in the tent, thinking of this. Thinking of you, bent over, waiting for me."
He thrust harder, his balls slapping against her cheeks with each powerful stroke.
"I'd picture your mouth, wide open, calling my name, just like you are now."
"Cassian!" Her voice was a ragged scream, her body bucking beneath him, a symphony of moans and gasps. She was utterly lost, consumed by him, by the raw, untamed pleasure he ignited within her.
"I… I love you!" The words tore from her, unbidden, pure.
His thrusts faltered for a moment, then intensified, a primal roar escaping his throat.
"I love you, Maria! More than life itself!"
He spilled himself deep inside her, a hot, pulsing release that left her trembling, utterly spent. Her body convulsed around him, clinging to his every muscle, every tremor, as if to hold him there forever.
The forest spun, the moonlight blurred, and the only reality was the two of them, tangled together, breathless, reborn.