AN: I'm not usually big on AN's unless necessary. As any long time reader knows I did the WHF series, (6 stories) the 6th 'Dawn of a New Age' never being finished. As I've evolved as a writer POV has become my preference and 3rd is something I no longer prefer to write in, nor do I think it's fair to force myself to do so. Long story short, in a desire to finish DOANA along with take three stories I love and apply the skills I have developed over the years, I am redoing Darkness Within, Retribution of the Fallen, and then will finish Dawn of a New Age. Not only do I owe an ending to myself, but to everyone who is still waiting for one. As a warning there will be new/longer scenes, probably quite a few along with a deeper insight as POV allows. And some scenes will have to be cut. I thank everyone who was on the first journey, and I hope that you will join me on this new and what I expect to be improved journey.

Thank you to a special someone who inspired (in more ways than one) and encouraged me to believe in my skill and has given me the support to take risks.

Thank you,

Pokie.

PRELUDE: Fumbling Toward Ecstasy

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"I'm just saying that the sexual spectrum is seriously vast." I pause, taking a slip of my Smirnoff. The otherwise smooth and favorable liquid growing slightly bitter in its warmth. "I mean it was wide before and within the past decade it's become nothing short of vast. As we progress as a society, there are new levels that weren't even there before. People just don't seem to grasp it, or realize the potential that could come from actually focusing a little bit of thorough study on it. Forget just human or basic Fae, but the insight we would get into the succubi and incubi-of course nymphs as well, but the succubi and incubi have been for the longest time rare enigmas. "

"Mm-hm." She nods, rim lingering on her lips long enough to let her mouth fill completely. This interesting expression written in her features, but not once have her eyes left my face since we've sat down.

"It's truly amazing." I take another drink, she just nods. "Have I bored you?" My brow raises, straightening my back.

"Oh, tremendously." She can't contain her laugh, leaning against the couch. Her fingertips idly tapping the bottle, not loud enough to hear, but still noticeable.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She shakes her head, this little grin curving her lips. "Absolutely nothing babe." Grin turning into a smile as she says 'babe'.

"I've been talking too much about work." Sheepish smile coming onto my own lips, quickly taking another drink trying to hide it. "I'm sorry, I just-I'm just rambling on and on. Sometimes I forget to shut it off. These studies I dabble in now, they just remind me so much of past, before when work was fun. But I am completely shutting up now. Promise."

"No, no. I love hearing about what keeps you busy when I'm not."

"That sounded more possessive than taking an interest."

"Oh, I'm aware." Her lips curving into smirk as she nods, extending her leg just enough to nudge mine. "Really though, I'm not bored and I do love hearing about you day."

"That's sweet Bo, but-I am done talking now." I take another hardy drink, finishing off the bottle. "It's all you now baby," I keep my eyes on her, leaning over as I put my bottle on the cluttered table. "Entertain me."

"Um, can I appeal this decision, because I am just-nope, I got nothing." She chuckles, her eyes finally moving away from my face for the first time in at least an hour.

"You must have something you want to talk about."

"Nope."

"Bo."

"What?" She laughs, looking back into my eyes. "I really, really don't babe. I was enjoying listening to you."

"Mm-hm." I can't help rolling my eyes playfully, laughing as I do. "Well then tell me my love, what's on your mind?"

"Hm?" She sort of chuckles, sitting back up.

"What is with you tonight?" I laugh out, watching as she shakes her head with this silly smile plastered on her face. "What are you thinking about?"

"Absolutely nothing." She laughs again. Taking a drink to finish off hers, though she keeps the rim to her lips long after the cloudy liquid has gone. She's trying to buy time.

"Bo?"

"I was thinking about how I'd love for you to continue to tell me about this sexual spectrum research thing."

"Okay." I nod. "Now what was the non-G version of what you were thinking?"

"How exactly do you know there is a non-G version?"

"Because I know you."

"Better than anyone else ever has." She dips her head just a bit. Her smile lessening until it's just this little one that could almost pass as shy, but it's so genuine that I can't help returning it.

"That's so sweet, but I still want to know."

"Do you remember that time—"

"Which time?"

"I'm getting to it." She laughs, giving me this 'don't interrupt me' face. "We were watching-something, and you passed out on me, it was still kinda early."

"Nope." I shake my head smiling, curious about which time she was actually referring to. "Never happens."

"Well, there was one—more than one actually." She gives me this playful glare, leaning over and setting her bottle next to mine. "You woke up, apologized of course even though you knew it wasn't needed. I was completely ready to lay down and cuddle until we drifted off to sleep. I mean it was like—three something in the morning, I can't even remember now why I was up so late without you. Anyway, you just completely surprised me—and were so-you were just so sexy and in charge. It was amazing."

"That's-an interesting thought to be having at the moment." My brow furrowing as my eyes run over her face, along her jawline.

"Just popped in my head," She smirks, her eyes lingering around my collarbone. "One of the sexiest nights ever."

"I remember." Smile growing as I begin leaning forward. "What's on your mind now-the non-G version?"

"How hard you're gonna make me work to get you out of those scrubs."

"Hm," Eyes lingering on her lips, she's leaning forward now-but just a bit. "Now, what's the non-R version?" My words almost a whisper, but by the way she tilts her head and stares at me, I know she heard.

"Lauren," she trails off, eyes dancing all over my face. Whatever momentary hesitation melting away as she gets her devilish trademark smirk. "I was wondering how you taste."

"You don't remember?" My eyebrow raising, leaning back slightly.

"Nope, it's been such a long time."

"It was Tuesday-and it's Friday."

"See, looooooong time."

"You are so," I can't help the laugh that escapes me. "Shameless. Just so shameless."

"Must I remind you I am a succubus?"

"Actually," I trail off, eyes running along the curve of her neck. The thought of my lips on her, teasing her in the spot that drives her wild, taking my mind somewhere far away. "You might need to."

"Is that so?" The way she asks forcing my eyes to hers. She's got this look now, this hungry look that lets me know there's only one way tonight is ending. So many roads to take, but only one destination. Her hands go to the cushions, one on either side of my thigh as she maneuvers onto her knee. Lips lingering over my own, her nose playfully grazing mine. "Do I really need to remind you," Her lips brushing against my own. "Or do you just want me to?"

I can't help the way my lips curve into a smile. Hands running up from her wrists, over the length of her arms stopping when they reach her neck. Sliding up just a bit more until my fingers are intertwined in her hair. Eyes dropping from hers to her lips, leaning in ever so slightly. Tip of my tongue teasing her lips, earning the tiniest of moans. Her lips begin to part, and I can't help but to smirk at how she thinks it's going to be so easy. A gentle nip to her bottom lip, followed by another playful swipe of my tongue.

"I think you already know the answer to that." My words soft as I pull away.

"Where are you going?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I glance back over my shoulder at her. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"I don't think there's anything that I'd enjoy more than what was just about to happen." She has this sort of pout, sort of scowl as she leans back into the couch.

Tearing my eyes away from her, I grab the little remote from beside the television. This feeling of hesitation beginning to pull at me. I hadn't done this for her in so long -not even really in the mirror. What if I look stupid? What if she isn't into it? Am I about to make a fool of myself? What if the song that comes on is ridiculous, I can't exactly stand her and change it.

My finger seems to have a mind of its own, my brow raising as this slower beat begins to play. I guess no turning back now. I drop the remote and take several deep breaths-let's see if this is as sexy as I remember it.

Turning around with a smirk, my eyes run over her, she's just so curious now. Slowly walking back over to her, I pull off my scrub top, my undershirt far better attire for what I have in mind.

"L—Lauren?" She lets out as I push the little table back with my foot.

"Shhh." My finger going to my lips, this smirk that I can't shake. Maybe it's that I'm actually about to do this, or maybe it's at the fact that I have her hanging on my every movement. Her eyes running over my body frantically, as if she can't decide where to look.

My hips sway with the hypnotic beat. Eyes running up the inside of her leg, from her bare feet over her thighs that her sorry excuse for shorts are hugging ever so perfectly. Fingers idly playing with the strings of my pants, loosening the knot allowing them to slip just a bit.

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(((-Baby, I wanna touch you-I wanna breathe into your well-See, I gotta hunt you-

I gotta to bring you to my hell-Baby, I wanna fuck you-)))

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Each sway of my hips the waistband falling a little more, the hem of my shirt riding up just a bit further. Anxious hands finding a temporary home on my thighs. My eyes glued to her as she remains statuesque, hands at her sides, head tilted ever so slightly to the right. The rhythmic rising and falling of her chest increasing as my hands slide up the insides of my thighs, slipping under my shirt. A soft whimper escaping her as she watches my caress myself underneath the cover of soft, white cotton.

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(((-I wanna feel you in my bones-I'm gonna love you-

I'm gonna tear into your soul-)))

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I can hear her shift as I turn my back to her, slowly pulling off the shirt and letting it fall. Hands roaming over myself, letting her imagination run wild. Running over my stomach to the small of my back, fingertips slipping beneath the tight waistband of my panties, pulling them down just enough to tease her. Pants once barely clinging to my hips now slipping to my ankles as I sway down into a crouching position. Playfully swaying I sand back up.

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(((-Desire, I'm hungry-I hope you'll feed me-how do you want me-

how do you want me-how do you want me, how do you want me-)))

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Turning back around, hands going to her shoulders as my knees push hers apart just enough to let me slip between. Her hands sliding up the back of my thighs, fingers slipping under the thin material of my panties. She tilts her head up, darks eyes staring into my own.

"What?" My question a mere whisper, lips kissing hers once-twice-three times. She just shakes her head, squeezing my ass tighter slowing my swaying.

"W—where did this come from?"

"Don't like it?" Brow raising as I lean down, teasing bites to her shoulder.

"No." It's not the seriousness in her voice that tears my mouth away, but her hands on my cheeks forcing me to look into her eyes. "I love it." Her lips forming another smirk as she guides my head down.

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(((-Honey, I wanna break you-

I gotta hear from your mouth-I wanna taste you-)))

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Pulling my mouth from hers I turn in her embrace. Her hands never once leaving my body, feeling every piece of exposed flesh she can find. Soft moans escaping her the harder I push against her waist. Her body slipping down just enough to make the moves of my hips more effective. A moan of my own following hers, the heat between her thighs enough to feel through two layers of material-albeit very, very thin layers.

Gripping handfuls of the couch as skillfully curious hands of hers push my bra up. Fingertips teasingly pinching already sensitive nipples. Her mouth wreaking havoc on every bit of exposed flesh her needy lips can get to.

"Slower." She growls against my skin, the warmth of her breath causing me to shiver.

My hips obeying her command, slowing to a near painfully teasing rhythm. I find myself whining as her hands slide from my breasts. Short, but effective fingernails being dragged down the length of my stomach. My body trembling as I tilt my head further back against her shoulder. Once playful nibbles and kisses turning into quick bites and ever quick sucks.

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(((-How do you want me, how do you want me-I wanna feel you, I want it all-

I wanna feel you, I want it all-How do you want me, how do you want me-)))

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She pulls at the small amount of fabric keeping her from what she really wants, but by the way I press down against her and she's arching up-they won't. She growls against the curve of my neck, something that makes me giggle-until I hear the ripping of fabric. My eyes fluttering open as I look down, her hands busy ripping my very expensive, date-night panties.

"They were in my way." She whispers, nibbling at the top of my ear.

Her left hand running back up my body stopping only when it reaches its destination. Fingertips back to teasing my nipple all the while she idly massages switching between rough and gentle. What causes my eyes to flutter shut again though is her mischievous right hand. She's dragging her nails down over my hip, over my thigh-another moan passing my lips despite my best efforts. Her hand coming to rest on the inside of my thigh. Fingers so close to where I know she's dying to touch—where I'm dying to be touched. Just the thought of fingers slipping inside of me enough drive me to the edge sanity.

"Touch me."

"No."

"Bo-touch me." I beg, voice breaking as her fingers manage to move ever so closer.

"No." She repeats, almost laughing. A sharp pinch to my nipple, pulling ever so slightly to earn herself another moan.

"Please." I reach my hand up into her hair, tiling my head back and to the side doing the best I can to see her. "Baby, please." Our lips crashing together causing me to lose whatever train of thought I had. Kisses broken by moans, and moans drowned out in the depths of each other's mouths.

Her hands moving, left switching to my attention deprived breast. The other finally touching me, the feel of her fingertips lightly running over my wetness almost enough to make me cum right this second. Feverish kisses doing nothing to calm the burning in the pit of my stomach. My hips barely able to move any more, but somehow they don't once falter.

Fingertips slipping between wet lips, teasing strokes, slipping so low I'm sure she's going slide deep inside me-but every time she drags them right back up. Moans of pleasure spilling out of me, some drowned out in her mouth, some on her skin and others filling the loft like echoes in a vast cave.

"God," She breathes out into hair, her left hand wandering again. "I love how wet you get."

"For you." My words devoured in a moan. Her left hand doing nothing short of impressive, every part of my body aching, all the while her mouth retails over areas now so sensitive it almost hurts. The only thing I can focus on though is how she rubs me, circles after circles, clockwise and then counter clockwise. Tantalizing pinches and pulls just enough to force my eyes open as I cry out her name, but she makes sure it's never enough for release.

"What?" Her breathing so shallow now, God why is everything she does so hot.

"You should have said," I trail off, hand finally dropping from the back of her neck to her wrist. She tries to keep her hand tight where it is, but there's a limit on how much she's willing to fight me. Hand sliding over hers once I know she won't resist. Guiding her down just enough, guiding one and then two fingers inside of me. I have to bite my lip to keep from screaming her name. Current train of thought almost completely derailed by her new form of 'torture'. My own hand gripping just above her wrist. "You love how wet I get-for you."

"Lauren." She moans my name, fingers slipping from me as she resumes her pervious actions. It's different now though, she has a goal this time. Her movements harder and faster, never hesitating. "Come on baby." She whispers along with other words of encouragement, but all I hear is sound of her moans and the way she breathes.

It's only moments-if that, that she gets her desire. Hands griping the cushions, as my hips fall to a still. Every muscle in my body tightening as her name rolls off my tongue so effortlessly. Eyes forced open as my body rides the violent wave of release. Moans turning to whimpers as she teasingly continues to play. Oh how she loved to do that.

Not long after does her hand still, her face resting against my shoulder as the rhythm of our chests fall back into sync. My eyes staring up at the ceiling as I can hear again, more than the sounds of my wife or myself that is. Ironically the song playing keeping within the mood of the moment. Small smile working onto my lips.

"You owe me a new pair of panties."

"You have plenty."

"Not date night ones."

"What's the difference?"

"These are slutty," I tilt my head again, looking at her the best I can. "Thus how you ripped them off so easily my love."

"Hm," She sighs, arms wrapping around my waist tightly. "I never seem to notice what you're wearing once the pants come off."

"No shame. No modesty." I slip around within her embrace, sitting in her lap. "No regard for expensive lingerie," My words trailing as I place a soft kiss to her lips. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Oh, so-so-so many answers for that question." She laughs sweetly, this loving smile covering her face as she looks up at me.

"Care to share?"

"Use your imagination."

"I see." I nod, standing up from her embrace. What's left of my panties slipping down my legs, I reach around undoing the clasp of my bra before it meets the same fate as the rest of my discarded clothes. I watch her watching me so intently it's maddening. Smirking to myself I turn my back to her, walking off toward the bedroom without a word.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm using my imagination Bo." I look over my shoulder to see she's come as far as the start of the hall. "Do you need a formal invitation?" I tease, walking into the bedroom. Stepping to the side of the door, the darkness doing a great job of hiding me. As she walks in, my hands grabbing her face seconds before my lips find hers. Surprise causing a delayed reaction, but it's only a second before her hands are roaming wild again.

My own hands wasting no time, pulling off her shirt-smirk coming over my lips. That's my wife-no bra and no panties-how is she so sexy? Eyes roaming over her body finally adjusting to the darkness. A quick tug and her shorts are on the floor. One step to the right and three back, her legs are hitting the bed. Just a little shove and she's falling onto her back, the headboard hitting the wall.

"What has gotten into you tonight?" She laughs, looking up at me through this smile that's just as curious as it is intrigued.

"Well you a few minutes ago if we're being technical." This time it's my turn to laugh, hands on her knees as I drop to mine. "If we're not being so technical," My hands wrapping around the back of her calves pulling her further down the mattress. "Then the memory of that night coupled with the fact that you just looked so beautiful sitting there, listening to me rambling on and on. All I could do was think about kissing you." Words trialing once again as inquisitive lips explore the inside of her thigh-and then the other.

"Baby-Lauren." Her legs closing against me.

"And if we're being completely honest, at this point-" My hands sliding up her legs, coming to rest on her hips. "—I just want to kiss every single inch of you." My head dipping as I run my tongue over her lips, the sweet taste filling my mouth. "I love how you taste." I whisper against her, no real thought put into if she could hear me or not.

Her legs effortlessly wrapping over my shoulders, her heels digging into my back sure to leave a bruise, but my delectable reward more than enough to make up for it. Her hands finding a home in my hair, she's gently guiding my head down-as if the way she arched her back up wasn't enough of an invitation.

Nearly twenty years of marriage, I probably could tell every reaction she was going to have before she does it-yet it's still the hottest thing in the world. I know the harder I suck, the more I use my teeth she's going to grab the sheet squeezing it harder than she'd ever touch me. I know it the same way I know as my tongue teases her in small circles she'll whimper begging me to let her cum. It's also the same way I know as I slip one-and then two fingers inside of her she loses pieces of her resolve.

Heels digging harder into my back, fistful of hair and sheet alike. Her enchanting songlike moans of my name causing me to forget everything other than her. Forget everything other than how delectable she tastes on my tongue. Forget everything other than my need to give the woman I love what she desire most in the world-release.

Slipping between the use of my lips and tongue I make sure to drive her right to the edge. The way she withers beneath me tells she's at my mercy, one more skillful bite or movement of my fingers buried deep inside her and she'd be screaming my name.

Smirk firmly on my lips, as I push her hand away. Pulling my head back, playful licks to her lips as my fingers slip from her. She tries so hard to keep me in place, but again there's always limits as to how much force she'll use.

Slithering up her body, wet kisses all along her stomach. Scattered and reckless kisses to her breast, the attention I planned to shower them with being cut short as she pulls me up. Hungry lips on mine, her tongue demanding its way into mouth, permission a distant thought now.

"Why," she breaths out against my lips, in between soft and frantic kisses. "Did," Another. "You," Another. "Stop?" And yet another.

"I wanted to look at you." My leg slipping in between hers, she tries to flip us. "No." I laugh softly, shaking my head as the most she accomplished was turning us onto our sides. "Always trying to be on top."

"You like it when I'm on top." Her right hand reaching up for mine, fingers intertwining much the way our legs are.

"I love it actually." Lips curving into a smile, eyes finding a home in hers. My free hand going to the small of her back, holding her against me.

I'm not sure who actually began rocking their hips first, me or her-it doesn't matter, not really. A tangled mess of legs and arms never being sexier than in this moment. My lips kissing anywhere they saw fit, now a mind of their own. Small marks left across her shoulder and neck. Tongue darting out to tease tender spots already given far too much attention. Her hand on the back of my thigh, forcing my leg up higher for no reason other than to feel as much of me as she can.

"Look at me." I demand, her eyes fluttering back open. I was never one for kissing with my eyes open. It just wasn't attractive to me, to me it lost a great deal of intimacy, but now-fumbling toward ecstasy I wanted nothing more than to look in her eyes and watch them change. What as something inside her changes.

Her hand leaves my thigh, going to my cheek. Desperate and wild kisses coming in between a symphony of moans. Her body trembling against me without care. Her hand squeezing mine so tight it should hurt, but all I can focus on is the way her pupils dilate as she cries out my name. Beautiful brown being swallowed up in mere seconds and it's one of the hottest things I've ever witnessed. Her body involuntarily slowing as I can feel her body relax against mine.

It doesn't matter now-my forehead resting against hers as I pant her name. My own body quivering against hers as I slip from the edge of resolve. Every muscle in my body contracting to the point it's almost unbearable, but the cry of her name is followed by a bliss not even Hemingway or Shakespeare could put into words.

We slip into a lull, neither bothering to move. It's not long until our chests find that familiar rhythm and realty comes into play. The mess we've made of ourselves no longer hidden behind a curtain of desire. Our legs slowly coming apart as do our hands, allowing me to fall onto my back. Smile working its way back onto my lips as I feel her moving. Soft kisses over my breast, ribs, stomach until her head comes to rest just above my hip.

"Comfortable?" I ask, right hand going behind my head as the left finds it's way into her hair.

"Mm-hm."

"Good." I can't help but laugh softly, her arm draping over my legs as her foot idly plays with mine.

"I'm not sure where that came from-but I'm not complaining."

"No?"

"Not at all."

I just smile as I feel her snuggle against me, my fingers playing with strands of her hair. Eyes focused up on the ceiling. It's not an awkward silence by any means, I just can't think of anything to say, but why say anything? I'm enjoying the feel of her body on mine. Enjoying the slowly dissipating feeling of an unbelievable orgasm. Enjoying the remaining traces of her taste on my lips, coating the inside of my mouth. Enjoying the intoxicating aroma of her scent that I can't tell if its lingering in the room or rather my nose. Enjoying knowing that even after all this time I can still make her feel as good as she makes me. Enjoying knowing that I'm the only one who will ever hold her this way-see her this way.

"Did you fall asleep on me?" She teases, soft, little bites to my hip.

"That tickles you know."

"Just making sure you haven't passed out on me."

"I wouldn't dream of it." I can't help but to giggle as she nibbles again, before tilting her head up causing me to look down at her. "What?" I ask softly, hand coming to rest on her back.

"Nothing."

"You're thinking something, I can see it."

"I was just thinking how much I love you."

"I love you too baby." I smile down at her, running my hand over her shoulders as we slip back into silence.

Most of all what I was enjoying though was the feeling that she was mine and I was hers, not by force or necessity, but by choice alone.