Blackthorn held my hand to his length, pressing into my palm as he swallowed my blood down. Had I been in my right mind and not consumed by the pleasure of his bite, I would have wondered at how he grew beneath my touch, hardening and lengthening with every pull of my blood.
Just when my body was about to break upon the shores of my release once more, Blackthorn released me. He lapped at the wound briefly before capturing my mouth with his own.
He tasted of blood and something earthier. Me.
Rocking into my hand, his kisses became more urgent. I pulled at the snaps of his pants, wanting to feel him heavy in my hand. To know what he felt like inside of me. To make him lose control the way I did.
Blackthorn released my mouth with a groan, leaning back as his eyes dipped to where my hand reached into his pants. The blood had turned his skin hot, his length hard and twitching in my hand. Much larger than the only other I’d ever touched, I marveled at the feel of it, my hand moving up and down, capturing the liquid that came from the tip.
Eyes lifting to meet his, I lifted my hand and sucked the taste of him into my mouth.
A low growl was my own warning before Blackthorn’s vines lifted my legs up, spreading me wide. His cock notched at mycenter, the blunt head of him pressing but not yet entering. He practically vibrated, holding himself there as if waiting for me to stop him.
But I’d had enough waiting.
Hands on his forearms, I bucked my hips, sinking the tip of him inside of me with a gasp. He shifted and pressed deeper, his pants sliding down his hips. My mouth fell open in a silent cry, eyes closing as he sank to the hilt.
Then we were moving. Slow precise movements that made me scratch at his arms, whimpering for more. Blackthorn never changed pace, driving into me with practiced thrusts that had me burning from the inside out.
I grabbed at his shirt, pulling at it until the buttons popped open baring his chest to me. My hand pressed to his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath.
It was my blood that made it beat. Beating for me, beating because of me.
Blackthorn released one of my legs and placed his hand on top of mine, our eyes locked together. Each thrust a message to me.
I need you.
Thrust.
You’re mine.
Thrust.
I’ll protect you.
Thrust.
I love you.
Thrust.
All the things he had said to me and hadn’t. Each one made a promise that sent me higher and higher until I cried out his name, my thighs fighting against the vines’ hold on me.
Blackthorn thrust a few more times before his body stiffened, a long, drawn-out groan coming from his lips. He lowered his head to my chest, stilling inside of me while I caught my breath. The vines fell away, their lengths caressing me as they went.
“Mara,” he hummed, rubbing his face against my breasts. “Never leave me.”
He hadn’t asked a question, so I didn’t answer him. Blackthorn rolled to the side, dragging me into his arms, his heart beating against my back.
For the first time in years, I felt safe, desired, and I wished more than anything to give him what he wanted.
My eyes closed, my body sated, and my heart full. Every ounce of me begged to stay right where I was. Where I belonged. In Blackthorn’s arms.
Chapter 26
Excruciating pain ripped through me. I screamed. My body yanked out of bed as if connected by some unseen cord. I fell to the ground, hands and knees smacking hard on the floor. My dress around my waist, the cool air of the bedroom not even registering through the gut-wrenching pain.
“Mara!” Blackthorn’s concerned voice only just broke through the pounding of my heart in my ears. Hands touched my shoulders briefly before something shoved me onto my feet. The pain blinded me until I smacked into the bedroom door, my body trembling, hands grappling at the door handle.
