Killjoy.
Mireille turned back to face Ronin, who was sprawled against the headboard, long legs spread.
A king of beasts awaiting his sacrifice.
With one hand behind his head, he dipped the other below his waistband, stroking himself. Pinning her in place with his heavy-lidded stare, a faint smirk twisted his soft, cruel mouth. “Here’s how this is going to go. From now on, you are under my command. If you’re good, if you please me, I will reward you. If you defy me, you’ll be punished. Do you understand?”
She nodded, the tumultuous beat in her chest matching the pulsing, liquid heat slicking her panties.
“Say the fucking word, Mireille,” he growled.
“Yes,” she breathed. She could barely stand upright. Wanted him to touch her so badly it physicallyhurt.
“Good.” The headboard creaked as he settled back against it. “Take off your clothes. Show me what’s mine tonight.”
Clasping the hem, she lifted her shirt over her head. Ronin’s attention seared across her exposed chest. She slid her silk pants off and tossed them aside, then stood upright, drawing her shoulders back and pushing her breasts forward.
She trailed her hands down her stomach, Ronin’s gaze a fiery brand upon her overly sensitive skin, then reached for her panties.
“Leave those on. For now.”
Unsure of what to do next, she left her hands at her sides, fingers trembling. Ronin seemed content to let her stand there,soaking up every inch of her as his hand moved below his waistband.
After what felt like an eternity, he shifted, throwing his legs over the side of the mattress and spreading them wide, palms braced behind him.
“Come over here.”
She took a tentative step forward.
“No. On your hands and knees.” His marbled eyes gleamed—a predator stalking through midnight woods. “Crawlto me.”
His command pelted her, a physical blow that stole her breath and deepened the ache between her thighs. She crouched down, eyes glued to the soft carpet.
“Eyes on me.” His lips curved upwards, exposing his sharp fangs. “I want to remember this. The impervious Mireille Valette, crawling across the floor, her body shaking with anticipation for my touch.”
She held his gaze for the entire length of her journey, her back arched and her drenched panties chafing.
Electric energy flowed between them. As if everything they’d experienced together these past weeks—the bickering, the fighting, that explosive kiss, the blood drinking—had led them to the precipice of this moment.
Once she reached him, she sat back on her heels, knees spread with her hands on her thighs and her head bowed. Awaiting his next order.
At the heavy weight of his perusal, she dared a glance upward. The longing and lust she found on his handsome face nearly stopped her heart.
His hand shot out to grip her chin, and he turned her face side to side. “Verygood.” His praise trailed gentle fingers across her clit, and she sucked in a sharp breath as he ran a callused thumb along her lower lip. “Now show me what this pretty little mouth can do.”
He released her face and leaned back on his palms, his stiff cock tenting his pants between them. A challenge. One she was determined to surmount.
She rose onto her knees, reaching for his waistband, but he slapped her hands away. “No. Mouth only.”
She cocked an incredulous eyebrow, and he circled her wrists in a single hand, hauling her face toward his. “Really? Defiance already?”
His breath on her lips tasted like frosted pine needles, the cool, crisp scent heightening her arousal.
“Nuh-no,” she shuddered out, and he squeezed her wrists, just this side of painfully tight. She knew he could break them with little effort.
“No, what?” he grunted.
“No, Ronin.” She tried to look contrite. Normally, pulling such an expression would have infuriated her, but shewantedto be good. Wanted to please him.
