“Youarespoiled.” I stare at the light.
He closes his fist and the heat disappears, his palm warm as he strokes my cheek. “Tell me something else, nightling.”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you agree to be my consort?” His golden eyes are too intense, too focused on me, so I look away.
“To save the others.”
“Save them from a life of luxury in my company?” There’s a smile in his voice.
I’ve thought about his question more times than I like to admit. Why did I choose to go? He could’ve brought the others. That might have taken the heat off me, and I could spend my time painting and whiling away the hours in the warm sun. But I didn’t let it happen. Ichosehim.
“Why should they all bear the tyranny of your affections when I can take the brunt and be a hero?” I give my flippant answer without looking him in the eye.
“Would you like to know what I think?”
Yes. “Maybe?”
He laughs, and I luxuriate in the sound. “I think you wanted me all to yourself.”
“Is that so?”
“Definitely.”
“Then why did I have you make that vow?” I challenge and sit up, but when I do, I feel his hard length beneath me. My body heats as I try to scoot off him, but he pulls me back, his lips only a whisper away from mine.
“I think you were afraid of how much you wanted me.” He cups the nape of my neck, the warmth from him melting every bit of my resistance, not that I had much left. “So you put up a barrier to save yourself.”
I look at his lips, and I can’t deny I want them all over me.
He inhales, his fangs lengthening. “But you can’t save yourself from me, nightling.” Pulling me to him, he takes my mouth in a delicious kiss that makes me curl my toes. I grip his shoulders as he slants his mouth over mine, his wicked tongue diving and tasting me. He kisses me until I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t do anything but chase the rush of feeling he gives me.
I cling to him as he kisses my throat, his fangs dancing along my skin as my heart skitters and stops, then beats again to the rhythm he directs.
He stops and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” I lick his taste from my lips.
“After what happened, I shouldn’t—”
“You should.” I pull him closer. “Burn away that shadow, please. Replace it with this.” I kiss him again, and his resistance falters. His hands rove me again as he takes over, mastering me and filling my thoughts and heart with him. Nothing else.
Rising, he carries me through the secret door to his chambers and lays me on the bed. His kisses continue down my throat as I run my fingers through his hair, the strands soft and thick. With a pull, he unties my sash and opens my robe.
He stands, his burning gaze on me as he looks over every inch of my nakedness. His gaze lingers on my breasts then between my thighs.
“Solano, please.” I don’t know what I’m asking for, I just know I need it from him.
Dropping to his knees, he spreads my thighs and presses his tongue inside me. I arch and grip the blanket as he devours me, licking and sucking until my fear is gone and nothing is left but desire. He flattens his palms on my thighs, opening me wide as he presses his mouth to me, covering me with his lips as his tongue whips against that perfect spot that sends tingles rushing through me. I writhe on the bed, my release rampaging toward me as he gives no mercy and takes everything I have. I give it to him, meeting his golden gaze as he watches me come apart, my moan shaking out of me as my body rolls and tumbles and spirals in the purest pleasure I’ve ever felt. He keeps licking, purring against me as I gasp for breath and shy away from the overload of sensations.
Crawling up my body, he takes my mouth, sharing my own taste with me as I clutch him close, my hands around his neck, my body rocking against his. I can feel his thick cock through his pants, and my desire spikes again. This is the moment when I break, because I want him inside me. I want to feel him moving on top of me, to ride him and drown myself in all of him. But I can’t. He gave his word, and it can’t be broken. I growl in irritation at the thought.
He pulls back, a slight smirk on his lips. “The vow?” he asks.
“The vow.” I lick up his throat, and he shivers. When I bite down, he purrs louder, the vibration making my nipples ache and my body tighten.
He kisses down my chest and takes a nipple in his mouth, then tortures me with his hands, his tongue, his teeth until I’m moaning and desperate for him. He doesn’t stop, and my control snaps.
