His answering growl vibrated through her bones.
He lifted her effortlessly, reverently, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to his bed. Her arms went around his neck, her lips brushing his jaw, his throat, tasting the saltiness of his skin. Every inch of him radiated power restrained by will.
She trusted him to hold that line, and she trusted him to break it when she needed it to break.
Esag set her down gently, as though she were fragile, and she caught his wrist before he could step back.
"Don't handle me like glass."
His gaze flicked to her belly. "You're pregnant."
"I'm immortal."
"You are precious."
The word punched the air from her lungs.
Precious.
She pulled him down beside her. "I'm strong. If you hurt me, I'll tell you. If I need you to stop, you will. If I want more, you'll know."
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if steadying himself. "Your word is my command, my lady."
"Good." She brushed her fingers over his lips. "Because I want everything. I want your venom bite."
His breathing deepened. "I'll give you everything. But are you sure the venom is safe for the baby?"
She smiled. "Of course it is. Immortal females don't stop making love when they get pregnant."
His pupils flared wide, and a low, reverent sound escaped him. He kissed her again, slower this time, as though savoring each pass of her lips. His hand slipped over her body, tracing the curve of her thigh, the swell of her stomach, the under-slope of her breast. Everywhere he touched, it ignited.
"You feel warm," he murmured.
"Pregnancy does that."
"I like it."
His hand moved between her legs, and her breath caught as his fingers teased, explored, and coaxed. Pleasure sparked up her spine, sharp and immediate. Her hips jerked, seeking more, needing more.
"Don't tease me, Esag. I've waited for this for too long."
"I know," he murmured against her throat. "Allow me to learn you."
She arched into him, trembling as he stroked her in slow, deliberate patterns that unraveled her thread by thread.
"Beautiful," he whispered into her skin. "Everything about you is perfection."
Normally, she would have mocked anyone for the sentiment, but tonight she let it seep into her.
Somehow, between kisses and caresses, he'd managed to remove his pants, and as he settled between her legs, his hard length nudged her entrance, but he was in no rush to join them. Instead, his lips trailed along her neck, his breath hot, his fangs pressing lightly but not breaking skin. Testing. Asking. Waiting for permission even after she had already given it.
She was under the impression that the bite was the culmination, not the appetizer, but perhaps Esag liked doing this in reverse.
She didn't mind. She wanted both, and the order didn't matter.
Her hand tangled in his hair. "Yes."
He groaned. "Tula…"
