“How did you?—”
“Since you’re so keen on learning, know this…” Her voice had a strange quality to it, similar to when she’d blooded him in the cave. It only made him burn hotter for her. “I’m not a naturally patient person. Surprise. You want to keep your promise? Then do it now, Demon, becauseI’m ready.”
She punctuated her statement with an almost-violent kiss, using her grip to tilt his head wherever she wanted it—and then she was gone, sauntering out of the washroom and into her chamber.
“Are you coming or not?”
Weeping fuck.
“Saucy, bloody minx…”
Brand caught up and spun her around, bending to throw her over his shoulder. When she flailed and fought the hold, pulling his hair to lever herself and trying to wrap her legs around him again, he landed a wet smack on her arse.
Her drawn out moan as he massaged the spot, the way she drooped, contradicted her hissed, “Insufferable, high-handed?—”
“Overbearing Demon. Yes, I know,” he growled, skirting around the sitting area as he made for the canopied bed. “Dry us off.”
“Make me.”
That stopped him dead in his tracks, a bolt of pure lust shooting down his spine.
The only sound while he wrapped his head around it was the soft pitter-patters of water dripping from their bodies to hit the floorboards.
Brand reached across, flattening his palm on the back of her round thigh and dragging it up to the reddened handprint by his face. He kneaded the spot, itching to sink his teeth right into it.
“What did you say?”
“You don’t want to say please? Then… Make. Me.”
His lids slid closed, jaw slackening. It was possible he’d imagined the way she’d wiggled ever-so-slightly beneath his touch, taunting him.
“Just so we’re both perfectly clear, I’m going to ask you to repeat that one more time.” He squeezed a little harder, fingertips grazing her hot core. “Feel free to rethink it, change your wording, take it back. Whatever you?—”
“I said,make me,Demon.”
That time, she absolutely pressed back into his hold, her pitch higher. Almost begging.
His markings flashed briefly. One breath, two… Make her wait.Make her squirm. And…
Smack!She cried out, her nails sinking into his lower back.
“Now, will youpleasedry us off?”
For a moment, she didn’t move, and a knot of dread formed in his gut. Maybe he’d misread the situation and her cues. “Luna?—”
Goosebumps broke out, his body shuddering as the water evaporated.
“Take me to bed, Brand.”
The uncertainty bled out of him. “Exquisite creature,” he rasped, finally giving in to the desire to nip her supple flesh. “Perfection.”
He set Luna down on her feet, her oil-slicked skin gliding over his. “Thisdiscoveryhas been a delightful interlude.” His fingers sank into her curls and he pulled her in. “But this first time, we’re making a choice to be bound for eternity. I don’t want totake youto bed.I want to walk at your side, as you asked me to do, each of our own volition.” He laid a light kiss on her forehead. “No regrets, little moon. Just us. Together.”
Her eyes welled and she shuffled closer, wrapping her arms around his middle. “Together,” she whispered.
The tension built as they stared at one another, their breaths mingling, the moment rife with all the potential of a shared lifetime.
And then it broke.
