“I swear, your arms and legs look like they can move mountains.”
I grasp her hands. As much as I enjoy her touch, it’s stripping me of my self-control. With her tiny hands in mine, I search her eyes.
“This is about more than attraction and sexual desire, Cami. I need you to understand that once I mate with you, there’s no going back. We mate for life.”
“Because I’ll be ruined for all other men?” She says with a smirk.
“Yes,” I answer without an ounce of humor or exaggeration. I purposely leave out the fact that I will be compelled to kill any man who even suggests mating with her after me.
“Isn’t that what every man says? Until the next best thing comes along and leads them astray?”
I cup her cheek. Standing straight and tall, I wrap my other arm around her waist and hold her against me. My length, standing at attention between us, presses against her belly.
“There is no next best thing for me. Only you.” I pause, hoping I’m getting through to her. “For the rest of my days.”
She scrapes her teeth over her bottom lip and shakes her head. “It’s crazy, but I believe you.” After a breath, she continues. “I want you too, Stone.”
I take my time drinking her in before dipping my head down and swirling my tongue over the area at the bottom of her neck. Her hands grasp the back of my head, pulling, pressing, holding me close. Her fingers thread through my hair as she moans withpleasure. I clasp her earlobe between my teeth, lick behind her ear, and pepper kisses down to her collarbone.
My breath hitches as the sounds leaving her mouth affect me. She lifts her leg, brushing her calf along the side of my leg. I slide my hand along her soft, silky skin, reaching for the back of her thigh and raising her leg higher. I wrap her leg around my waist, giving me better access to her core pleasure center. Her head falls back as I adjust my cock to rub against her entrance, then fill my hands with the globes of her backside and massage her ass.
I’m all too aware that only a thin scrap of material separates her warm, wet entrance from my protruding erection. She reaches down and wraps her fingers around my oversized shaft. Thick and textured with veins, she’s unable to close her hand around me. Her tiny fingers cover little more than half of my circumference. Her breaths grow loud and laborious as she glides her fingertips over me with a feather-like touch.
I close my eyes, enjoying the feel of her strokes along my length as she explores me in a way no one else ever has. My hand slips between her legs as I fill my lungs with a deep breath, then crush my mouth against hers. My hand rubs against her mound while my tongue explores her mouth and deepens the kiss. Meeting my energy with fervor, Cami shifts her hips, making it easier for me to pierce her with either my finger or my cock.
Needing to slow this down a moment, I break away and lean my forehead against hers. I plan to give her one last chance to change her mind.
“Camilla Ramos, I offer you my heart and soul. I’m dedicated to spending my life as your guardian and lover. To please you in all ways, physical and emotional, while keeping you safe from any and all harm. If we mate fully on this night, you will be forever tied to me. Branded to accommodate and pleasure only me for the rest of your days. Do you agree to these terms?”
“Forever?” It doesn’t sound like a question; it sounds like a declaration.
“Yes.”
“You picked a hell of a time to talk about forever.”
I knew she didn’t want a husband, but what I offered isn’t about the formality of a white dress and a party. Surprise and disappointment strike me like a scourge. I read this all wrong. I let go of her and step backward. I open my mouth, but am interrupted before I can say anything more.
“Stone, wait! I—”
Her voice is lost in the sound of a crash coming from the store downstairs.
My head snaps to the bedroom door. I’m relieved to find no one there. I turn back to Cami with my pointer finger on my lips. “Shh.” With my other hand, I take hold of her upper arm and lead her deeper into the bedroom.
“Lock the door and stay put until I come back,” I order in a whisper.
Trembling, she nods. I turn to the door when her voice stops me.
“Stone!”
I turn back in time to catch her as she lunges into my arms. Gently but firmly, I push her back.
“Stay here,” I order. “Wait for my word that it’s safe for you.”
I don’t bother to dress; I can’t waste time before assessing the threat. I open her bedroom window overlooking the street, remove the screen, and climb onto the ledge before diving off and soaring toward the ground.
