“Nooo!” she squealed, pushing at his head. “Too much.”
He kissed her inner thigh before sliding her leg off his shoulder. He rose, turned off the shower, and scooped her boneless body into his arms. “Bed.”
Ash blinked up at him and met his tender gaze. “Ready to claim me properly, then?”
The heat in his crimson eyes dialed up to a blaze. “Oh, my sweet storm, we’re only getting started. That was just a taste of what’s to come.”
She managed a breathless laugh. “I cannot wait.”
Her gaze caressed the sculpted lines of his handsome face, meeting his desire-darkened eyes as he carried her to the bed. He set her down on the navy covers with surprising gentleness, despite the obvious need vibrating through him.
She scooted backward up the mattress.
He moved with her. Water dripped from his hair onto her skin as he braced himself above her, his erection hard and wet, jutting from his body.
“Last chance to change your mind,” he rasped, voice taut as if begging her to be the sane one. “Once I start, I won’t be able to stop.”
She reached up, tracing the tense line of his jaw. “I trust you.”
Something fierce flashed in his eyes. He caught her hand and kissed her palm, but his wariness tightened around her like a vise.
“We’re in this together.” She pulled him to her, and he settled between her parted legs.
He licked a bead of water from her face, his tongue trailing down to her chest, mapping and licking every droplet he found. She stroked his powerful shoulders. He cupped her breasts, swirling his tongue around one tight nipple, then suckled the hard nub into his mouth.
She shuddered and gripped his damp hair. His mouth found hers again, the kiss deep, wild, and primal as his hands roamed her body. Each touch a blaze on her sensitized skin. His fingers slipped through her cleft again, teasing and tugging at the bundle of nerves. Desire resurged in a tidal wave, and she pushed into his hand.
“Race, please…”
“Patience,” he rumbled against her skin, sliding down her body.
She slid her legs over his shoulders as his mouth closed around her throbbing flesh, and she arched into him, sensations flooding her.
God. So, so close again?—
“Race!” She tugged at his hair, but he didn’t let her come.
He moved up her body like the predator he was, all silver hair and blazing burgundy eyes, and kissed her again then traced more heated, open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and throat.
Ash shuddered as his tongue laved the claim mark again, desire surging in waves. His fangs grazed her skin—lightly, teasingly—and his fingers stroked her clit again.
Christ.He was unraveling her completely.
He pushed a finger inside her, and her body clenched, then two more followed, stretching her. Ash whimpered and arched up, unable to think clearly, her body one massive ball of need.
“My venom,” his raspy voice came from a distance. He brushed his fangs along the crook of her neck. “It’s going to hurt?—”
“I know,” she breathed, her eyes locked on his. “Just do it. Please.”
The first puncture of his fangs stung hard, and she froze. Then they sank into her neck, and she cried out as pain erupted.
She grabbed his head. “Race?—”
He gripped both her hands with one of his, holding them above her head.
The burning, oh God, the burning!Like liquid fire pouring into her veins.
Ash couldn’t breathe, and a ragged cry tore free, tears spilling as the venom spread, scorching every inch of her.
