"See you later," Ginny said when she heard Milana honk to announce her arrival. She didn't really want to do a late lunch with her, but Milana had sounded desperate to get out of the house when she'd called earlier, and Ginny figured an hour or so out with her would be tolerable since Lucius and she weren't doing much, anyway.

"Tell her I said hello," Lucius replied before they kissed goodbye and exchanged loving smiles.

Ginny didn't recognize the roads as they drove through the Irish countryside. "Is this a different way to the restaurant?" she asked innocently.

Milana glanced over at Ginny a couple times. She'd purposely said nothing, but she had to tell her now. "Mr. Noir requests your presence," she stated quickly.

Ginny gasped and then glared at the woman beside her. "What? You're taking me to him? Now?" She knew that she'd have to see him soon, but she didn't think that Milana would be involved in the actual meeting; it was bad enough that she knew to start with.

"He's upholding his end of the agreement," Milana explained curtly. "He thought that using me wouldn't put you in an awkward situation with Teague."

"How thoughtful," Ginny muttered snidely, crossing her arms as she looked out the window. Son of a bitch, she seethed.

Milana pursed her lips and shot her a look. "It is," she insisted. "Mr. Noir doesn't have to give a damn about Teague, but he does."

Ginny thought that her heart was going to pound right out of her body. This was going to happen; she had no choice. When she remembered her and Lucius's trek through the woods, though, she vowed to herself that that would never happen again, and if this was what she had to do to secure it, then so be it. She was more than ready to test Soren's limits.

"So, where are we going then?" Ginny asked, looking back at Milana with a steely fortitude.

"He owns a cottage down the road," Milana answered, pleased that Ginny wasn't putting up much of a fight. "He thought you'd be comfortable there."

"And where will you be?"

"I have errands, but I'll come back to take you home."

"Great."

The cottage was about the same size as the one that she and Lucius were living in, except that this one was covered in large stones on the outside instead of being painted, and the roof was covered with shingles instead of thatch. The small, well-manicured lawn was outlined with a rock wall, and the property was situated on the edge of an inlet. Had Ginny been there for another reason, she would have found it quite pretty.

"He isn't here?" Ginny had expected to see Soren's car already there.

"Not yet," Milana answered, keeping her facial expressions and tone of voice neutral. "He's on the way. Go on in, door's open. I'll be back later."

She knew that she shouldn't, but Ginny hated Milana at the moment, and the knowing smirk that Milana gave her as she got out of the car didn't help. It was Milana's knowledge of her tryst that Ginny mostly hated. Having to face herself was difficult enough, but having to face a third party was almost unbearable, and she really didn't like that.

Instead of going in, Ginny walked over to the rock wall behind the house and stared out across the beautiful inlet to gather her thoughts. She breathed deeply and then sighed. So, here she was. There was absolutely no backing out now. Ginny wrapped her arms around her body, suddenly shivering, but not from being cold, though it was a bit chilly outside. She thought back to that moment at the castle with Lucius. He'd seemed to understand that something was going on, but he hadn't questioned her. She hoped that was a good thing, though it didn't excuse what she was about to do.

Tires crunching gravel caught her attention as Ginny looked around to see Soren's car turn in the driveway, and she thought that she might vomit at any second.

Soren got out carrying a bag and a blanket, and Ginny found it odd for some reason. More than likely he already had a bed inside that was completely made up and a fully stocked kitchen. What more did he need?

"Shayla," Soren greeted with a broad smile. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," Ginny snipped in reply, tightening the fold of her arms across her chest. She pursed her lips and waited for Soren to say something.

Soren could tell by Ginny's defensive stance and shifty glances that she was uncomfortable, but he would remedy that one way or another.

"Breathtaking, isn't it?" he asked, indicating the water behind her with a dip of his head.

Ginny only nodded and then looked down at her shoes.

"Would you join me on a blanket here by the wall for a few minutes?" Soren asked. "We'll relax and have some wine."

Ginny looked over at the cottage and then back at him. "Aren't we going inside?"

"Yes, but not just yet." Soren handed her the blanket and wine. "Here, put this wherever you'd like while I run inside to fetch some pillows and glasses."

A couple minutes later, Soren returned to find Ginny seated on the blanket just on the other side of the rock wall at the top of the gradual slope that led down to the water. He placed the pillows against the wall so they could lean against them and sat down before reaching for the wine bottle.

Ginny watched as Soren poured the dark red liquid into their glasses and handed her one. There was so much that she wanted to say; malevolent words bubbled dangerously close to the surface, begging to be unleashed, but Ginny bit them back.

"To beauty," Soren said, gently clinking his glass to Ginny's. After a long sip, he added, "Come sit by me, Shayla."

Careful not to spill her wine, Ginny reluctantly moved to sit beside of him, leaning back against a pillow and extending her legs out. The wine did wonders for her nerves, so she quickly drained her glass and held it out to him for a refill.

"Do you like the wine?" Soren asked, mainly for conversation. He needed to get her talking before going inside.

"Yes."

"I'm glad that you're here."

That did it. Ginny faced him then and narrowed her eyes. His casual attitude, like this was perfectly all right, was just too much. "Well, I didn't have a choice, did I, Soren?" she finally voiced, adrenaline rushing through her veins and causing her heart to thump incessantly in her chest. "You could have told me that Milana was involved. I thought this was…that it was just between us…and now I find out that it's not."

"My apologies, Shayla," Soren offered, only a little surprised by her obvious displeasure. "I thought that it would be easier as not to arouse suspicion with Teague."

"That's what she said," Ginny spat, her chest heaving in apprehension. "I don't like her being involved, I don't like her even knowing, and I certainly don't like feeling like I'm some whore at your beck and call that you can just send for whenever you get an itch that needs to be scratched, agreement or not." She wasn't sure how Soren would react to her statements, but it sure felt good to say them.

Soren reached for Ginny's trembling hand and held it tightly in his, impressed that she was voicing her disapproval. A strong-willed Detholusin would mean a strong child, and that pleased him immensely. "Is that what you think you are?"

"How can I not be?" Ginny asked bravely, her heart rate slowing since her statements weren't upsetting him. "You've given me little choice, Soren. If I don't do whatever you want whenever you want, my life will be ruined. You've made that clear."

"Have I ever mistreated you?"

Ginny blinked a couple times at his question; it wasn't the response that she was expecting. "Well, you have behaved inappropriately," she reminded him.

"But have I hurt you physically or verbally berated you in any way?"

"No."

"Didn't I help you when you tripped in the park that day?" Soren continued, inching closer to Ginny. "Didn't I provide a car for Teague to drive? And didn't I just allow both of you full use of my ancestral home and all of my staff for an entire weekend?"

Ginny sighed and nodded. "Yes, you did," she answered reluctantly. If his goal had been to make her feel like she owed him, he'd certainly succeeded. Bastard.

"So I ask you, how are you a whore?"

Ginny hated the fact that Soren made valid points. Her trepidation about the situation was toying with her emotions, and the last thing she needed was to start crying. "I don't know," she answered, instantly flustered. "But I don't like being scared of you."

"Are you scared of me right now, Shayla?"

"Well, not exactly."

"Do you find no pleasure in this current moment?"

Ginny couldn't look away from Soren as he sat beside her. The tiny yellow flakes in his eyes sparkled brilliantly as the afternoon sun shone on them, and she could see a hint of red in his beard and mustache. "It's…kind of nice," she admitted hesitantly. "But –"

"Then come sit here," Soren interrupted, opening his legs to make room for Ginny. "Let's enjoy the view and the wine for a few minutes longer before we go inside."

Ginny hesitated briefly, but she couldn't say no, so she moved to sit between Soren's legs, finding herself wrapped in his arms as she inhaled that damn cologne that always made her head spin. Or was it the wine? At this point, Ginny figured it was probably both. She tried to relax, but being in another man's arms made her feel uneasy.

Holding Ginny was like holding a statue. Soren needed to relax her, so he began to massage her shoulders. He pressed his thumbs against her just enough and worked them in slow circles, carefully kneading her tight muscles into submission, knowing that her mind would follow. A bit of wine and some massage, he'd learned, would usually turn any woman into putty for him to play with.

Ginny didn't want to enjoy Soren's touch – but she did. She could feel her tension melting away little by little as he massaged her neck and shoulders, and her head began to feel awfully heavy. When he ran his fingers through her hair, Ginny's muscles turned to mush. She closed her eyes and relished the sensation of his fingertips grazing her scalp and neck as his fingers combed through her loose tresses. She relaxed her neck and allowed her head to lob and roll with his touch. He was an awful man, but what he was doing felt so good.

When Soren slid his hand from the base of her neck up into her red locks and then tightened his hold, he was rewarded with Ginny moaning softly. Then he gently turned her head until her half-lidded eyes met his. Dark, bottomless orbs of chestnut drank her in, briefly darting down to gaze at her parted lips before slowly and deliberately covering those lips with his. It was a wet and languid kiss; Soren was in no rush to push the moment as he tasted the heavenly combination of Ginny and the sweet red wine.

Ginny's upper body was being fully supported by her head as it rested in Soren's hand. She'd wanted to argue with him, to tell him how despicable he was for forcing this arrangement, but the words were distant memories now. She didn't care to voice them, anymore; she just wanted to continue kissing him. His kisses had a way of making her forget the world around her, and she needed that right now.

Soren slid his free hand up her thigh and over her hip until it cupped the bottom of her breast. When he kneaded the plump flesh, Ginny moaned into their kiss and pressed harder against him. His erection strained for release, but Soren ignored it for the moment because he wished to savor the time with her. He'd planned to go inside, but perhaps their first time should be right here; here on the very soil that their child - the foretold Iloscarin - would rule over.

Keeping a firm hold on her head and deepening their kiss, Soren received no resistance from Ginny as he began to undo the buttons of her blouse. When the last one was released, he pushed the thin material away to reveal her white, lacy bra before lightly tracing around the outline with the tip of his finger, causing her to writhe in his embrace. When he discovered that it had a front closure, he couldn't stifle his groan and easily unhooked it. He wished that every woman could understand what that did for a man as he pushed the satin material out of the way.

Ginny whimpered when the cool breeze brushed across her bare breasts, making her nipples harden instantly, and she squeezed her thigh muscles together so hard that they hurt. When Soren gently rolled a nipple between his thumb and index finger, Ginny gasped and clawed at his clothing for something to grab onto.

Soren carefully maneuvered them so that he could lay Ginny down, cradling her head on one of the pillows, and then he covered her body with his. He bent his head, licking and laving one nipple before switching to the other one.

Ginny squeezed her eyes shut. Each lick of her nipple sent a stream of fire to the growing wetness between her legs, and her hips were moving of their own accord. Even the brush of his mustache and beard against her bare skin ignited her internal flame. If she could just touch herself, she could probably come; she was that close. When she reached down to do just that, Soren took hold of her hand and put it over her head, quickly doing the same with the other before securing them both in one of his hands.

"I didn't say that you could come yet," Soren purred, nipping at her neck. "A little longer, Cridecan." To tease Ginny and keep her on the edge, he returned to suckling her nipples and flicking the hardened pebbles with his tongue, but he added his free hand, pressing the tips of his fingers to her sex still hidden away in her jeans and rubbing in slow circles.

Ginny lifted her hips instinctively to the intimate contact, but Soren only allowed so much before pulling his hand away. She moaned and whimpered at the loss, desperate for release. She was right there. When he used his teeth to scrape across her breasts and hardened peaks, he caused another surge of sizzling heat to burn through her. Ginny rolled back and forth under him, mewling for him to let her orgasm. Merlin. How could he get her so close, so quick? The intensity was alarming, but it didn't stop her.

Soren grinned predatorily as he looked up from the valley of her cleavage, both of her hands still pinned under his. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, slowly shimmying them over her hips and down to her knees, but not off. His hand slipped into her knickers that he'd left on purposely, instantly warmed by the heat emanating from her sex.

"Look at me as long as you can," Soren breathed, sliding his middle finger into her wet center and rubbing her clit with his thumb. He could tell that she was fighting to keep her eyes on him by her pained expression, and it encouraged him to continue. "That's it, Cridecan. God, you're so beautiful. Keep looking at me. Does this feel good?" He rotated his finger in circles inside of her, making her gasp and roll her eyes.

"Soren," Ginny breathed, feeling as if she might spontaneously combust from the intensity of her building climax. "Faster…please." Her hands were balled up in fists above her head as her nails dug into her palms while every muscle of her lower body clenched.

Soren complied as he watched the passion grow exponentially in Ginny's eyes. Her entire body strummed with lust, and he watched it explode in her irises. He rubbed her clit faster and faster until her beautiful emeralds widened and her lips parted. She moaned and cried out, keeping eye contact for only a few moments before closing them to ride the tidal wave of pleasure that had been unleashed. It was one of the most beautiful things that Soren had ever seen.

Ginny didn't care that she was outside; again. She didn't care that anyone passing on a boat would be able to see – and hear – her. All she cared about was the rippling and undulating pleasure that Soren was providing. Her entire world seemed to only exist between her legs, and she wasn't sure, but she thought that a string of incoherent obscenities was spilling from her lips.

Soren slowed his hand as Ginny's orgasm lost its turbulence. While she lay a panting, trembling mass of flesh, he quickly undressed and removed her clothing, as well. It was finally time to begin fulfilling the prophecy.

Lying on his side by her, Soren allowed his gaze to travel Ginny's naked body, lightly tracing circles on her freckled stomach with his fingertips, and he thought to himself how perfect she was to carry the Iloscarin. Her breasts were large enough to provide milk to nourish the child, her hips were wide enough to give birth properly and her arms and legs were muscular enough to chase an energetic toddler around. Aside from the practicalities, Ginny was extremely attractive, which was the icing on the cake.

"Have I said how beautiful you are?"

Ginny smiled in a post-orgasmic haze, but she said nothing; she didn't trust her voice.

"I just can't wait any longer, Shayla," Soren continued, his voice raspy with need. "I've dreamed of this moment ever since the day that we met. I'm chagrined to admit that I feel like a young schoolboy all over again."

In a move that she'd never be able to explain, Ginny reached to pull Soren to her hungrily. Her orgasm had only served to ignite a much larger fire that needed putting out, and right away. If she'd had any intention of trying to talk her way out of this rendezvous, she couldn't remember, and she didn't honestly care to.

Soren slipped his arms under Ginny and kissed her tenderly, encouraged by her eagerness. The last thing that he'd wanted was for her to just lay there; he needed her to want this as much as him. Though he was powerful and successful, he was still a male, and he still needed to be wanted – especially by this woman. Everything about this union needed to be perfect.

"Tell me you want me," Soren whispered, guiding his manhood to her entrance, but not pressing any further. "Tell me, Shayla." He had to hear her say it just once. Yes, he could just take her, but something deeper inside of him needed her to genuinely want him. Most importantly, though, the Iloscarin needed to be conceived by choice; not by force.

Gazing into the dark eyes that usually held contempt, Ginny saw nothing but honest longing looking back at her. Soren's ever-present grin was gone, and in its place was an expression that closely resembled insecurity, and it endeared him to her. As badly as she wanted to hate him, as dangerous of a situation as he was putting her in, she did want him.

"I want you," Ginny admitted, her breath a whisper across his lips. "I don't want to, but I do." Merlin only knew what possessed her to say that, but somehow, she knew it was truth.

"Don't fear me, Cridecan," Soren murmured, easing just the tip of his length into her and brushing his lips along hers. "I can give you so much, more than you could ever imagine." Being the mother of the Iloscarin would mean that Ginny would never want for anything in her life ever again; she would live like that of a queen. All of the clan would serve her, the army would protect her and he would provide for her financially.

Ginny groaned and dug her nails into his back as he slid to her hilt. Soren was just a bit wider and longer than Lucius, and his natural curve seemed to fit perfectly inside of her. "Oh god," she sighed when his hips began to move slowly, filling her completely over and over. "Oh…god…yes – "

When Ginny wrapped her legs around his waist, Soren adjusted his angle as he took his time, making sure he felt every inch of her. Moaning and burying his face in the crook of her neck, Soren couldn't deny that this was the most incredible union that he'd ever had, but then again, given how monumental this was and what it would mean for the future, he wasn't really surprised.

Feeling the warmth of the sun on his backside, Soren knew that it was late afternoon and that boats would more than likely be passing by with them in plain view, but he didn't care. Let them see him lying with the Chosen One who would bear his people the heir that would end the war once and for all. Let them watch the prophesized act and revere the sanctity of it. He might not impregnate Ginny with this attempt, but it had begun, and it wouldn't take very many tries; it was only a matter of time.

Ginny was in awe of this unrestricted side of Soren that she'd never imagined could exist. He was vocal, his desperate whimpers and moans an indication of his passion, and it appealed to her to know that his façade could be forsaken. She forced herself to remember that she was not there by her choice, refusing to be enamored by his humanity. Women had been using their womanly wiles to control men for centuries, and Ginny was determined to use hers as much as she could to maximize her rewards; after all, that's what their agreement was based on, and that's what she was going to focus on.

"Look…at… me," Ginny panted in time with Soren's frenzied thrusts. "Watch me…as long…as you can." Gazing into the dark pools of his eyes, she was surprised at just how much raw emotion she saw peering back at her. For just the briefest moment, it was as if he actually cared for her. You're not here by choice, she reminded herself. You don't care what's in his eyes.

Soren stilled his hips for just a second, and Ginny saw a flash of fire burst from his irises. Seizing his lips with hers, Ginny surrendered her mouth to his commanding kisses as his orgasm surged through his body. He held Ginny tighter, gasping and moaning into their kiss. She could feel the gentle pulse of his emptying erection within her, and she smiled when Soren rested his head to her neck once more.

"Cridecan," Soren panted, his chest heaving against hers. "My beautiful Cridecan." Being with the Detholusin was even more amazing than he'd imagined it would be. He could tell that Ginny was fertile and that she'd be impregnated sooner than he'd planned; it was wonderful.

Ginny unwrapped her legs as Soren slipped from her. He lifted his head and kissed her with more affection than he'd intended. The realization of what their child would accomplish suddenly overwhelmed him. He'd dreamed of it for years, but now that it was coming to fruition, he found himself more emotional than he thought he would be. He and Ginny would share a sacred and powerful bond with each other that they'd never share with another. Their child would be revered for thousands of years, and they, as the parents, would be revered, as well.

"Perhaps we should go inside," Soren suggested as he looked around to make sure that the inlet was still clear, suddenly feeling extremely protective of Ginny. He wasn't prepared for the internal shift in his attitude towards her, and it disturbed him greatly. It had only been minutes ago when he hadn't cared. She would carry the Iloscarin, though, and he could not allow anyone to do anything that could possibly defile the purity of their union.

"I agree," Ginny replied, gathering her scattered clothes.

"Grab the blanket. I'll get the wine and the glasses."

Ginny was a little uncomfortable walking to the cottage completely naked, but there were no cars on the road and no house in eyesight. Nevertheless, she kept the large bundle of material in front of her.

"Bathroom?" she asked when Soren closed the door behind her.

"Just around that corner."

The cottage had only four rooms; the kitchen, the den, the bedroom and the bathroom. It was rather modern in design with rewired electricity, new kitchen cabinets, newly tiled floors and wooden timbers that ran the length of the ceiling. It had the necessities, but Ginny could tell by the lack of personal items that no one lived there. She couldn't help but wonder if this was where all of the other women were brought to, then she realized that she didn't want to know.

"In here," Soren called when he heard Ginny exit the bathroom.

Taking a deep breath, she followed his voice to the only room that she hadn't seen. When she walked in, Ginny stopped to stare. The room was simple, but beautiful in its colors and décor. More dark beams of wood lined the ceiling while the walls and floor were soft beige in color. The king size bed was nestled into the far corner with neutral toned linens and a majestic headboard of hunter green velvet. A fireplace made of gray colored stones was on another wall with a huge beige mantel that displayed ten black pillar candles all topped with small orange flames. There were also two nightstands, a small table and one armoire – all in mahogany – and two wingback chairs in a pale coral shade. Ironically, the décor created an inviting and 'homey' feeling.

"Come, join me," Soren encouraged, patting the bed beside of him. He was still nude as he reclined against the pillows with his legs extended and crossed at the ankles, wine glass in his hand. While he'd waited for Ginny, he'd taken a few moments to regain control of his muddled emotions. It would not do to lose focus of what was most important and compromise the future of the Duchans.

Still unclothed herself, Ginny walked over and joined him in the large bed. Contrary to how she thought she'd feel, she noticed that she wasn't nervous or irritated; she was actually rather relaxed, like being with him this way was familiar. It's just because of the dreams, she told herself. Don't get comfortable.

"Are you all right, Shayla?" Soren asked, offering her a glass of wine.

Ginny took it and then looked at him, her lips forming the barest hint of a smile. "Sorry. I just – this is all a bit – surreal, I guess." That was an understatement.

Soren put his arm around Ginny as she easily nestled against his warm nakedness. "I've fantasized about you so many times," he admitted, caressing the curve of her bare shoulder. "But I have to say that there is no comparison to the real thing."

"Well, I'd hope not," Ginny muttered before sipping her wine, causing Soren to chuckle.

"So, tell me, Shayla. What do you and Teague need? Whatever it is, consider it done."

Ginny faced Soren squarely and searched his eyes for deception, but she saw none. If that was how the arrangement worked, she would not be shy. It was as good a time as any to start testing him.

"Teague needs to make more money," Ginny stated matter-of-factly, taking another sip of wine and waiting to see what his reaction would be.

Soren nodded, not at all surprised by her statement. "I'll speak with our human resources department Monday. He's been doing an exceptional job lately, so a raise is certainly in order." When his eyes quickly danced up and down Ginny, his cock twitched and lengthened with renewed interest. His focus instantly shifted to having Ginny again since their time was almost up.

Ginny lifted her eyebrows in disbelief. She hadn't thought that it would be quite so easy, assuming that he would argue with her. "Just like that?"

"Just like that. I told you that I'm very generous." Soren put both of their glasses on the nightstand then and gently pulled Ginny on top of him, not wanting to waste another minute. "Once more before Milana returns, Cridecan," he requested, guiding her hips so that he could slowly slide into her sacred passage once more, inch by inch, as both of them sighed with pleasure when he filled her.

Ginny moaned and let her head fall back as Soren sat up and wrapped his arms around her, nipping at her neck and ear. She grinded her hips against him, and quickly found her rhythm, rocking her body a top Soren's and allowing his groans to encourage her. Usually, she felt a bit self-conscious being on top and, even more so, in broad daylight, but she was so engrossed in how he felt inside of her, she didn't think twice about it. She gripped his shoulders while he squeezed and kneaded her breasts, easily succumbing to the physical ecstasy that engulfed her as if it were quicksand drawing her down into the earth.

Falling back to the pillows, Soren reached up to grip the top of the headboard behind him and squeezed his eyes shut as she rode him in just the perfect way that brought him to the edge quicker than usual.

"Faster, Shayla," Soren panted, digging his nails into the wood frame. "Fuck me harder – so close – " He was no stranger to sexual bliss, as many young women had warmed his bed, but being with the Detholusin trumped them all. Ginny stoked fires deep within him that he hadn't known even existed, and he was more than willing to submit to the heat. In fact, it was the first time that he'd ever entertained the idea of submitting to a woman in any way, period, and it both concerned and intrigued him. Somehow he knew that as soon as he held their child, he would spend the rest of his life giving Ginny anything and everything that she could ever want.

Feeling a bit brazen, Ginny grinned when she realized that she had the upper hand for a change, stilling her hips briefly. "I didn't say you could come yet," she teased, lifting and sinking onto his cock tortuously slow, purposely keeping him right on the brink like he'd done to her earlier. She was close, too, but she would not miss the opportunity to taunt him.

Soren growled as his eyes rolled back into his head. "You saucy little minx," he hissed, desperate for release. He allowed Ginny to play for a bit, but his balls were so tight they hurt; he couldn't take much of her teasing. "Shayla," he warned, his dark eyes narrowed slits. "I'm about to flip you over and fuck you senseless."

The cautionary tone in Soren's voice caught Ginny's attention, but she didn't change the snail's pace of her hips. "Just a minute," she breathed, empowered by him being subject to her for a change.

Soren groaned and whimpered a few more times until he couldn't stand it any longer. Wrapping his arms around Ginny, he forcefully turned her around, pushed her back to the mattress and then began pistoning his cock into her.

Ginny had already been on the edge of her release, and Soren's aggressiveness shoved her straight over it. Her orgasm hit so hard that she actually screamed from the intensity of her internal spasms as she dug her nails into the skin on his back in reaction. The clenching of her womb was three times as powerful as it usually was, and she thought her uterus was going to burst.

Hearing Ginny's stentorian exclamations, feeling the sharp sting of her nails on his skin nearly drawing blood and feeling the sporadic and intense clenching of her pussy around his cock sent Soren hurling off ecstasy's precipice. He lifted his head and roared, emptying his cock in just a few hard thrusts. It was an incredible orgasm, and Soren saw stars as his eyes rolled back in his head again, briefly wondering if he would black out.

Soren collapsed on top of Ginny, as both were gasping for breath and unable to move. They were shocked and bewildered by what had just happened between them physically because it had never happened before.

"That was – " Ginny breathed.

"Powerful," Soren finished, lifting his head that felt twice as heavy as it should have as beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his face. "Intense…doesn't even begin…to describe that."

When he slipped from her, Ginny winced. "My stomach…actually hurts," she told him, rolling to her side and into the fetal position. "Damn." Never in her short 'sexual life' had she ever experienced pain from an orgasm before.

"I'm a bit…sore, too," Soren added, rolling to his back, physically drained.

Both fell asleep immediately.

An hour later, the sound of a car horn woke Soren and Ginny from their nap. They stirred and stretched after disentangling themselves from each other.

"Milana," Soren mumbled, his voice scratchy as he rubbed his face. "Go shower. I'll tell her that you'll be out in a bit."

In a post sleep daze, Ginny stumbled around as she gathered her clothes and staggered to the bathroom, acutely aware that her nether region was very sore. She used the toilet before stepping into the shower and standing under the stream of hot water, hoping it would help clear her mental fog.

What had happened earlier between her and Soren? She'd had sex with two powerful wizards that had never felt like that. Her abdomen still ached; it actually hurt. Ginny reached for the soap and shrugged it off. It must have been an isolated, once in a lifetime moment, where everything had lined up inside of them perfectly; human bodies were funny that way.

As she bathed, a tiny part of Ginny hoped that everything would line up like that again.

Fifteen minutes later, Ginny walked towards the open door where Soren stood in a dark green robe. The thoroughly sated expression on his face matched hers.

"Cridecan," he breathed, enveloping Ginny in his embrace and holding her tight. "I can't wait to see you again." Soren lifted her chin and kissed her hungrily, wishing that they had more time. "I will not use Milana again. We'll work something else out."

"Thank you," Ginny replied with a small smile before walking to Milana's car and getting in. As they drove away, she stared out the window and said nothing.

Milana pushed her jealousy aside and asked, "Better than you thought, wasn't it?"

"Uh huh," Ginny answered simply, still staring out the window in a daze.

"It gets better."

Ginny looked at her then. "Better?" She found that difficult to believe, as the center of her body still tingled from being with Soren.

Milana grinned. "Better."

Ginny moaned and dropped her head back to the headrest. She wasn't sure that she could handle better.

Might be fun to try, though.

Three days later, Lucius picked Ginny up at the antique shop with very good news.

"I've been given a raise in pay," he shared with a smile. "Let's go out for dinner."

Inwardly, Ginny breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that Soren had kept his word. "That's great!" she replied excitedly. "Your choice then."

As they drove away, Ginny was already thinking of what she could ask Soren for next.

Happy Christmas dearest readers! I tried really hard to get another chapter out as a Christmas present for you for sticking with me and this story!

Thank you to HedgehogQuill for taking the time to (quickly) look over my chapters and get back to me. (She's just amazing. Really.)

Thank you to my readers who have taken the time to drop me a line or two. I can't stress enough how GREAT it feels to get a message from you! It lets me know that you're out there still reading and still enjoying, and it encourages me to try very hard to post chapters quicker! I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas!

I have a new poll question on my profile page (it may take a few minutes to show up), and I posted a couple new pictures on my blog page (you'll find the link in my profile).

So, what do you think of Soren's sordid goal? He's just awful, isn't he?