to kiss you now,â he said.
Only when she whispered her consent did he lean down and press his lips against hers. Softly at first, barely even a touch. But the sweet scent of her was in his nose, her nipples hard against his chest, her thighs pliant against his, and soon he had to have more. He licked at her, and her lips eagerly parted. His tongue glided past their teeth to intertwine with hers.
Heâd had her blood, but heâd never had her mouth. To his delight, this was even better. Sweeter, headier, not for living or healing or even to relieve hunger, but simply for pleasure. It was addictive, and he wondered how heâd gone without this for so long.
Tentatively, she tangled her hands in his hair. And at first, her tongue was hesitant against his. Seeking, as if she wasnât sure what to do with it. But the more he explored her mouth, the bolder she became. Soon their teeth were banging together, their bodies writhing against each other. Sweat was beading over his skin, his blood heating as though lava flowed in his veins.
âGoing toâ¦suck yourâ¦breasts now,â he managed to say between pants. âLike that?â
âYes. Yes.â She, too, was panting. She, too, was sweating. Her eyes were closed and her head was thrashing from side to side.
I did that . Pride filled him as he lowered his head, fitting his lips around one tight little pearl. He laved it with attention before turning to the other oneâcareful, so careful to deliver pleasure without any sting.
When he kissed his way down her stomach, she quivered and gasped his name.
âStop?â he asked. Would be difficult, but he would find a way.
âMore.â
Thank the gods. Never had he been more determined in his life. He would know this woman, every inch of her. Nothing would be prohibited. Body, mindâ¦soul. Mouth watering, he licked between her legs. Wet, wild, wanton.
A memory of doing this very thing to the demon queen slipped into his mind. Heâd once hated this actâuntil heâd tried it on Nola on that island. Oh, how he had enjoyed doing so, which had shocked him. Since then, heâd craved itâanother shock. He wanted this to last forever. Nola was precious, a treasure, her cries a drug for his ears. Do not think about the demon. She has no place in this wondrous moment.
âLike?â Please, please, please.
âMmm, yes. Before, they just ripped at my clothes and shoved their wayââ
âNo, no. None of that.â As sheâd spoken, sheâd stopped writhing. Had released her death grip on his hair. âThat does not belong between us. Itâs just you and me in this bed. You and me.â
Her eyes were luminous as she nodded. âBite me, then. Take my blood and remind me that my vampire is claiming me.â
âNo. No, I canât.â
âBecause you do not take from living beings?â she asked hesitantly.
âYou, I would gladly take from. Anytime you would have me.â It was the truth. âBut as I told you, I know your kind abhors that, and I will never ask you to do anything you do not want to do. I will find my nourishment elsewhere.â
âNo!â she shouted, and it was a soldierâs cry. She might appear delicate, but she truly had the soul of a warrior. âYou will only ever take from me.â
A possessive warrior, he realized, wanting to grin. He crawled up her body, fit his cock against her moist entrance. âI will only ever crave you, sweet. That much is true.â
âI need you inside me. I need to feel you, as deep as you can go. Your shaftâand your teeth. Take all of me. Please.â
Oh, that pleaseâ¦Heâd seen the way her expression softened when heâd uttered that word. Now she thought to use it against him , bless her. Inch by inch, he sank inside her, careful, meticulous. Never had he exercised such exquisite care. Finally, though, he was in her to the hilt.
Debbie Gould, L.J. Garland