Page 98 of Given to the Black King

“Mine to protect.”

“Not enough.”

He drives deep and holds there.

“Mine because you came.”

Heat breaks through me.

“Yes.”

“Mine because you ran.”

“Yes.”

“Mine because I caught you.”

“Yes.”

His fingers move faster.

“Mine because you chose me.”

The orgasm hits before I can answer.

My body locks around him. The whole garden drops away. I hear myself shouting his name and feel him lose the last of his rhythm behind me.

He bends me forward again and thrusts hard through every contraction.

His teeth close on the mark at my shoulder.

His climax comes with a roar against my skin. He spills deep, hips locked to mine, claws tearing the cloak instead of me.

For several breaths we remain like that.

His chest on my back. His cock still inside me. His mouth open over the mark without biting.

Then his grip changes.

He releases my shoulder and licks the bruised skin. His fingers pass over the claw lines on my thighs, checking them. He turns me carefully and pulls me against his chest.

I am shaking.

“So are you,” I say.

“Yes.”

My ruined gown lies in three pieces around us.

He draws his cloak over my body.

I touch the dark crescent on my breast. “Will that show?”

“If you choose the right dress.”

Dry humor returns to his face.

I smile.