“I am.” I bit her earlobe.
“Faster.”
I met her gaze. “No, this time we go slow.” I took my time, each plunge unhurried and thorough. I tilted her hips so I grazed her clit.
I didn’t look away from her soulful brown eyes. I felt the pleasure building. Her eyelids fluttered.
“No, eyes on me, Lark.”
Her chest hitched. I knew she felt the intimacy. Our connection.
I hiked one of her thighs higher. Desire grew into knots inside me, and I had no choice but to move faster.
Soon, she was panting, clinging to me.
Each time I moved inside her slick warmth, a low groan escaped me.
“Bastian.”
“Go over, Lark. I’ll be right behind you.”
Her body tensed, then she was coming. She cried out my name.
As her inner muscles clenched on me, I lost the grip on my control. With two more hard thrusts, I was coming.
“Fuck. Jesus.Lark.” I thrust her head to the side and sank my teeth into her neck.
She came again with a sharp cry.
I wasn’t sure how long we stayed there, pressed to the tiles, both of us panting and the water rushing over us. But finally, I managed to slap at the faucet and turn the shower off. I gripped Lark’s ass and carried her out of the shower stall. I snagged a towel on the way and carried her to the bed.
I laid her back in the covers. She looked flushed and content. I gave my body a quick swipe with the towel, then started to dry her off. I took my time, watching the goosebumps rise on her skin. I played with her pink nipples until they were hard. She made a soft sound, her eyelids drooping.
Then I turned off the lamp and curled my body around hers. I slid an arm around her, holding her close.
“Sleep now, little bird.”
She made a sleepy murmur. “Safe.”
I felt her breathing even out. Emotions moved around inside me, intense and clear. I nuzzled her damp hair, enjoying my scent on her skin.
“You’re always safe with me. You’re mine. Forever and always. No one escapes the Reaper.” I breathed her in. “I love you, Lark.”
Then keeping her close, I let sleep take me.
CHAPTER 40
LARK
Ilay in the darkness, so many feelings writhing inside me.
I wasn’t asleep. I’d heard Bastian’s words.
You’re mine. Forever and always.
I love you, Lark.
I lay there, frozen, panic squirming inside me.
