She was still mine.
Her hands swept up my back, touching fiercely. She winced as I sucked in a breath when she skated over my healing rib.
She gasped. “I’m sorr—”
I yanked her head back with a fistful of her hood, forcing her to look at me. Her lips were swollen, glistening in the darkness. “You can’t break me, Nila.”
I kissed her again, unable to stand the overwhelming emotion in her eyes. She opened for me, welcoming me to take whatever I wanted. Within seconds, I was drunk. Entirely intoxicated on her taste—all my forward thinking, my plans to put into action—they could all wait.
Because this goddess couldn’t.
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t get enough of her. I wouldneverget enough of her.
We stumbled sideways, my mind awash with need, my body and hands completely uncontrolled. My shoulder slammed into a stall as Nila lost her balance, falling against me. I spun her around, pressing her against the new obstruction, kissing her harder.
She moaned and we staggered again, clashing and fighting but always kissing.
Never stopping.
“I can’t believe you’re alive.” Her hands tangled deeper in my hair, keeping my face locked with hers. “Every night I prayed you weren’t gone.”
I ducked to capture her throat, kissing my way along her jawline, glowering at the glittering diamonds lacing her neck.
No matter what happened and the freedom we earned, Nila would foreverwear that collar. I hated it, but I would prefer to see her wear it every day for the next eighty years, than see it sitting back on its pedestal in the vault just waiting for its next victim.
I bit her neck, sucking her taste, inhaling every part of her.
I wanted those images out of my head. Forever.
She groaned as I captured her breast, squeezing the unrestrained flesh through her nightgown.
“Jethro—”
My cock fucking pounded with desire, my heart permanently located in the rock-hard flesh. I had to be inside her. Only then would this insane need to devour her cease.
Not yet.
Things had to be discussed.
It took all my strength, but I pushed away, dragging a hand over my face.
Nila stayed locked against the stall, her chest rising and falling; her coat opened, showing nipples pinched with lust. The damn hood kept me from seeing any further than her mouth and eyes.
Her gaze met mine in the gloom, tears sparkling on her eyelashes. “Why—why did you stop?”
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her lips. So plump and red and wet.
I’d done that. I’d practically eaten her alive.
The urge to do it again drove me fucking insane.
“We have to talk.” My voice was hay and dust, cracked and dry.
“Oh.” She looked down, her fingers pulling at her coat. The damn hood kept her face in shadow. She hurt as much as I did. Hurt with passion. Lacerated by lust.
Shit.
