Wickedness kindles in her gaze as her pink tongue sneaks out from between her lips.Shifting slightly, her tongue glides slowly against my jaw.My claws embed themselves in her sides, feeling her warm flesh.My groan echoes around the room, rattling her discarded bowl and goblet.
“Taste so good,” she finishes.“This is the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
She licks her lips for good measure, and my restraint hangs on by a thread.I haul her closer.Her lithe thighs stretch around my waist.The scent of her arousal chokes me.I can feel her soaking the front of my pants.One quick tug and I would be deep inside her tight, wet heat.
“Do you want more?”I ask, my voice sounding not like my own.
Willow’s eyes brighten as she nods eagerly.
“Please.”Her lips press against my jaw where her tongue just was.“Everywhere.”
Her wickedness teases my own.Primal possession surges within me.A satisfied grin spreads across my face.The heat in my blood loosens my tongue.
“You would’ve wasted away inside that monastery,” I decree.“A woman as wanton and passionate as you should’ve had your desires satisfied long ago by an eager servant.”
She hums deep in her throat, her lips falling against mine, but I hold back.Looking into her eyes, I let her glimpse my madness—at what her slight touches have turned me into.
“I will become your most ardent worshipper.Even if it is only for tonight, I will kindle the flames of your lust and give you the pleasures you so desperately seek.”
“Please, Baezal.Kiss me again.”
Satisfaction spreads throughout me.Her words about my prowess when it comes to the other males who have kissed her please me.I can only hope that with each touch I bestow on her, the memory of their touches will fade into nothing.
“Here?”I ask, brushing my lips against her throat.
Willow’s head falls back, and the long dark tendrils of her hair brush my hands on her waist.I lick over her pounding pulse.My teeth graze her tender flesh and delight in her whimper.My exploration is slow, measured.I will savor her tonight knowing that our time together is fleeting.
Lavender dances on my tongue as I lick behind her ear.Her breasts rub against my hard chest as I nibble her earlobe.A voice whispers at me to bite her—mark her as mine—but I manage to resist it.My lips trail down her throat again, loving the way she holds me close to her.
Beautiful and trusting, Willow is beyond my wildest dreams.
My teeth graze the column of her pale neck.Her arousal swirls around us and makes my mouth water.For a moment, my control slips, and my teeth press down.Not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to make her gasp.Her eyes fly open—black pupils nearly devouring her entire iris.
“More,” she demands.
I nip at her again, delighting in the shudder that runs through her.My claws skim up her sides, tickling as I go.They linger at the top of her gown, shaking with the need to pull it off her, but I hold off.I must go slow, for both our sakes.
“Would you like a kiss here?”I ask, tongue skimming along her collarbone.
My chest rests against the fleshy swell of her breasts as I taste her soft skin.Willow’s fingers tighten on my head, holding me closer to her chest as I lick and suck my way across.Her moans are soft, pleading with me to keep going.
“Baezal,” she sighs.“I need more.Touch me everywhere.Don’t stop—I’ve never felt like this before.Never wanted another as much as I want you.”
If my ego had been satisfied before, I am fairly certain I am floating.This glorious angel wants me—even if it is only for tonight, and she will realize the error of her desire soon enough.Her declaration pleases me.I will take care of her, knowing that her lust for me is misplaced.She would’ve felt this way about anyone who rescued her.I am sure of it.Still, I will be grateful for even the chance to touch her.It’s more than a monster like me deserves.
My lips find her throat, licking into the hollow.
“You are a goddess,” I murmur against her skin.“Bestowing this kindness on a wretch like me, I’ll honor your sacrifice.The True Faith sought to cage you.Tonight I will help free you.I will stoke your passion until you find the one you truly desire.”
Lust and devotion thrum through me.The candor of my words barely registers until Willow stiffens in my arms.I play back what I just said and curse myself for being such a simpering fool.Glancing up, all pleasure is gone from her face.Her dark eyes are hard as they stare down at me.
I want to bash my head against the nearest wall.Why did I have to say anything?She’s clearly coming to her senses now and sees me for who I truly am.The monster she was about to debase herself with—she will be repulsed by me.I don’t know if I will be able to withstand her rejection.
I’d rather be cursed into stone a thousand times over than lose her touch.
However, that is exactly what happens, as Willow gathers her skirts and slides off of me.The loss of her warmth is a physical blow, nearly sending me to the floor.The scent of her pleasure is retreating.The roaring fire paints her lovely face in deep shadows.
“What you say is blasphemous.”Willow swallows thickly, before shaking her head.“But it is also untrue.I am not a goddess—merely a woman of twenty-one who knows very little of the world beyond the walls of the monastery.There is, however, one thing I know.One thing not even Father Knoll or Sister Grayvle could take from me, and that was what I know ofmyself.”
