The muscles in my core pulsed, taking what he gave with a blinding pleasure. Spots of molten starlight danced across my vision. That magical feeling consumed my senses. Even after the initial release, the orgasm kept building. The effect was soul-binding.
Ivan rolled us over a moment later. He gripped my legs and brought them high on his back. “I’m going to stay inside you, keep my seed from leaking out,” he rasped.
It felt like my brain short-circuited. Part of me died a little. A mini death. But in its wake was a sweet euphoria. I clung to Ivan as my heartbeat slowed. His matched the pace, thrumming above me. We lingered like that for what seemed like an age. Somewhere in the peaceful aftermath, time and space lost meaning. There was only us—and the possibility of more.
Chapter 39 – Ivan
Mancini:I have a present for you.
Me:Is it something I want?
Mancini:I’m bringing it to your den. If you’d rather I cut its throat and throw it in the lake, tell me now.
Me:I’m on my way.
The skin of her ear was delicious. Soft and smooth, it curved into the perfect shell. I brushed my nose down the length, rubbing the lobe once…twice.
“I’ll be back soon,” I promised.
I should have known better. She was a light sleeper.
Poppy sat up with a sharp inhale. “What’s going on? Ivan!”
I grinned, pulling her naked body into my arms. “Hush, flower, it’s alright.”
Poppy dropped her head against my shoulder.Ebasi.I could stay here, lose days and nights with her cradled close. Who needed sleep—or food—when there was this stunning creature in my arms?
Unfortunately….
“I have to run to Noshtuvka for an hour or two.” I squeezed her close. “I’ll be back by dawn.”
“What the heck? What time is it even?” She craned her neck, staring into the dark. “We just fell asleep.”
“Two hours ago,” I chuckled.
Poppy ran her hand up my bandaged arm and down my back. “You really have to go?”
Resolve steeled inside me. “I do.”
Something in my voice made her hand still. “What happened?”
I debated hiding the truth. But she had as much stake in this matter as I did.
And now that we were married in my eyes, everything was tied between us.
“Steve Dallas is there,” I said simply.
Telling her what lay in store for the man, how tonight was his last on earth, was something I couldn’t voice. She’d decided to stay. She was back in the underworld of her own free choice. But that didn’t mean I had to share the gruesome details. That, at least, I could spare her from knowing.
Clever girl that she was, Poppy already knew. She stiffened, sitting up straight. Though it was dark in the bedroom, her gaze found mine.
“I’m coming.”
I opened my mouth, but she shook her head. I felt more than saw the reaction.
“I’m coming, Ivan. He crossed a line, and I have every right to be there.” Her tone was final. She scooted out of my hold. I let her go. “Can someone come stay with Brady?”
“Of course,” I murmured.
