“Yet you still challenge me.” He mused a small laugh escaping him as if he found it humorous rather than alluring.
“I have always challenged you. That has not changed?” I asked, my confidence wavering for just a second before I forced it back into place. I wanted this, wanted him to say it, to admit that he wanted me. To give in, even if it was just once and it never happened again. I would prove I could break him, that I was worth something.
“Neither has your status,” he said, his voice low as he stepped forward closing the distance between us. We were now chest to chest, so close I could smell the smoke from the tavern on his skin. His eyes looked down on me, a flash of desire crossing his features before it disappeared.
“Prove it. The Siren Queen knew you desired me. She said it!” I whispered, my voice soft where his was hard as I tilted up my head so I could maintain eye contact.
“My desires do not come into it. I am King!” He sighed and I wanted to curse. Instead, I took in a deep breath, thinking of my next words carefully before they escaped my mouth.
“Not here you are not.” I reminded him, my eyes searching his own, begging him silently to be the man I knew he was, not the Kingeveryone wanted to see.
“Elara,” he warned, one hand moving to brush a strand of hair from my face. The touch was tender, soft, wanting but not taking.
“If nothing has changed, prove it. Walk away now. Sleep in the bed or on the floor and don't touch me. Don't think of my body pressed against yours, or the way my lips feel against your skin.” I whispered, my lips brushing against his but not fully touching. Just a whisper of skin against skin.
“You test me.” He groaned, his hands raising to grip my waist, keeping me still against him.
“I am asking you to prove it,” I repeated, pressing my chest to his. Warmth flooded my cheeks, knowing if he denied me now I would never be ready to do this again. Even if he asked for it. Even if he begged.
“Fuck it!” He growled before I watched his control shatter.
Chapter Twenty Eight
His control, the immaculate, iron control that he wore as armour, shattered like glass before my eyes. He kissed me. It was not gentle or cautious. Rhael’s mouth claimed mine with heat and frustration that felt dangerously close to desperation.
I felt it in the way he gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my skin tight enough to bruise. He lifted me off the ground one hand sliding from my hip to my ass, wrapping my legs around his waist.
I kissed him back without hesitation, my arms winding around his neck, holding him against me as I dug my heels into his back. I was vaguely aware of him moving across the room, I could hear the floorboards creak beneath our shared weight, but I did not pay much attention. My focus remained solely on the feeling of his mouth against mine.
I gasped, separating contact as I was thrown onto the bed. The hard mattress creaked beneath me as he followed. I barely had time to register the coolness of the sheets against my back before Rhael was on me, his bodycovered mine. I could feel the heat of him, the strength and power that radiated from every inch of his skin.
His hands roamed over my body, pulling at the fabric of my dress, tearing it away until I was bare beneath him. His teeth nipped at my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. I could taste the coppery tang on my tongue, it should have repulsed me, but it only spurred me on further.
A moan fell from my lips as my fingers trembled, pulling at the rest of the buttons of his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders, my nails raking over his skin. Watching as red, raw lines became visible.
“Fuck!” He cursed his own hands working on his trousers, tugging at the fabric as if he could not wait a second longer. I was glad when finally, he was naked before me. His skin pressing against mine.
It was not the first time I had seen his cock, but the size still surprised me. The metal of his piercing caught the low light as he rolled to his side, his lips finding my neck. He peppered kisses over my scar, and for once I did not recoil. It was different, comforting to feel him kiss the thing I had kept to myself for so long.
“Rhael,” I moaned, pushing my head back exposing more of my skin. The cool air ran along my overheated skin, making me shiver. Goosebumps appeared under his touch.
Slowly his lips moved lower down my body, his hands running up my sides as he took one of my nipples into his mouth. Rolling his tongue over my nipple, a smirk playing on his lips as he caught it between his teeth causing me to gasp.
I could only whimper in response, my body was his to do with what he wanted. It was not lost to me that in this moment, I was more of a slave now than I had ever been. But I gave myself to him willingly, opening my body offering my soul if he decided to take it.
“So sweet.” He praised, his hands moving to spread my thighs as he settled between them. I could feel the cold metal of the piercing pressing against me. His mouth released my nipple as he hovered above me, his eyes looking down at mine, his hands either side of my head keeping me trapped.
“Why are you stopping?” I whispered arching my back trying to get him to move.
“Tell me you want this,” he said, his voice breathy as I watched him over me, his eyes searching mine for any signs of doubt.
“I want this. Don't stop.” I replied, pulling his mouth back down to mine in a bruising kiss. I wanted this, I needed it.
I had been with men before, not all of them had been of my own free will, but I had never felt desire like this. The need to be claimed. To be owned. To completely and utterly surrender.
That was all it took, he thrust inside me in one smooth stroke. My back arched off the bed as a strangled sound escaped my mouth. Everything felt too hot, too much, yet so right at the same time. Even in the dark, dingy room of a slums tavern I would not have wanted to be anywhere else.
“So, fucking wet for me,” he growled, pulling out all the way before slamming back inside. Icould only moan in response, my hips bucking up to meet his thrusts as he fucked me harder and faster. I could feel the headboard slamming against the wall, hear the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin as he pounded into me.
