He shook his head even though what she said made sense. “And that's why you weren't scared of me that night.” That's why he zoned into her location tonight without any effort. “Why you’ve never been afraid of me.”
She wound her arm around him, flattening her palm against his stomach, pressing her cheek to his back. “The goddess would never give me a mate who would hurt me.”
“Bullshit.”
He had hurt her.
He'd killed her.
If Lilith spoke the truth, her goddess had mated her to the worst sort of bastard.
I curse you to destruction . . .
Was that what this was, his punishment? He'd killed her in a previous life, now she'd get her revenge in this one?
“James?”
What else could it be? He held no delusions Lilith might want anything more than sex from him.
He broke from her embrace and started to head for the door.
“Where are you going?”
Shit. He didn't dare leave her alone, he still needed to protect her. But, damn it, he didn't have to listen to this shit.
James strode toward the stairs.
“Aren't you going to say anything?”
“No.” He hit the stairs two at a time.
“I'm your mate.”
He whirled around. Came back down halfway. “I didn't ask for a mate. I asked for my fucking humanity. My goddamn reward.”
“James.” The disappointment infused in her tone twisted his gut.
“I'm a daemon.”
“I know.” She stepped closer.
“A vampire.”
She didn't stop until she stood on the stair beneath him. “I know.”
“Yeah, well, I'm not convinced you've taken any time to ponder the significance of that.”
Lilith leaned back against the wall and turned her head to the side, baring her throat.
“You think I won't?”
“I have faith in you.”
He sucked in a hard breath. She always did that. Gave him things he didn't even realize he wanted. She stood there, calmly watching him while inside he felt like he was breaking apart. “Stop it.”
She shook her head. “I. Have. Faith. In. You.”
His lip curled in a snarl, the desire to lash out brimming over.
“I'm your mate.”
He took a threatening step toward her. “Says you.”
“I love you.”
He slammed his fists against the wall on either side of her. The whole thing shook, but not Lilith. She smiled. Slid her hand up his chest to cup and pet his neck.
“Maybe you just need to have a little faith, too.”
And just like that all the rage slipped right out of him.
She offered him everything he'd never risked wanting.
He'd be a fucking idiot not to take it.
For however long this lasted.
One night or two.
The memories would keep him warm in the Eidolon Wastes.
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”
He held her face in his hands. Pressed his forehead to hers while he absorbed those words. Never, not once in the millennium he'd walked the Earth had anyone spoke those words to him. He wanted to say them back, but the burning in his throat kept anything he might have said at bay. He gathered her deeper into his frame, tilted her face up and kissed her. Whispered his lips over hers, trying to be sweet, trying to give her romance.
She lightly sank teeth sank into his lower lip, making shivers gather at his lower back. “I won't break, James.”
Not on his watch, she wouldn't. He lifted her, letting her wrap her legs around his waist. The short little skirt she wore rode up, giving him access to her soft thighs, the wisp of lace between her legs. He pressed her into the wall, rolling his hip so the bulge in his jeans hit her just right, just enough to make her gasp.
He stroked his hands up her thighs, pushing her dress up higher until it bunched around her hips.
She glanced up at him through her lashes. “So, we're good?”
He held her face in both hands. “You've teased me. Sassed me. Lied to me. Withheld information and failed to follow my order to stay put. If you were mine, I'd spank your ass.”
Her breath hitched and he'd be damned if her eyes didn’t flare with jade fire.
Christ, did she like that idea?
The air in the room seemed to grow thin, his breath sloughing in and out of his lungs like liquid fire. “My mate doesn't withhold information.”
She shook her head. “No more secrets.”
“She doesn't lie to me.”
“No.”
“My mate obeys me.”
Her chin came up a notch. She didn't pull away, didn't get angry, just challenged him with her stare.
“Take off the dress.” He didn't move an inch to make the job easy, keeping her pinned with her back against the wall, her legs around his waist.
Slowly, she lowered her hands to the clasp on her lower, right hip. With a flick of her fingers, it gave and she spread the first fold open to reveal a little string tied into a bow on her left hip. She tugged it free, shrugged her shoulders, and was free.
She hadn't worn a bra. Her small, firm breasts stood at full attention.
He pulled her away from the wall just long enough to let the dress to fall to the floor.
He slipped his fingers under the thin bits of elastic holding her panties up and gave them a sharp tug.
She jumped a little. Chuckled. “I liked those.”
“I'll buy you more.” He pulled her panties out from between them.
All she wore now, were those knee-high leather boots. The scent of lavender, leather, and aroused woman shot straight to his cock.
“It's my job to keep you safe and you've made it impossible. Going where I can't follow. Walking the streets at night. Keeping secrets.”
One, single nod of acknowledgment.
He rubbed the flats of his hands on her ass. Slow, full circles. “And you failed to obey a simple request.” The tips of his fingers brushed her slit. Her bare slit. Holy Christ, she'd shaved bare. His breath seemed to get caught on the realization. Focus. “My mate obeys me.”
She shivered. “You seem stuck on that point.”
“Yeah.” He smacked her ass.
She gasped, her nails bit into his neck. Shivers shot down his back.
“You will obey me.” His hand covered more than one of those soft, round cheeks of hers. Damn, she was small. Gently, he rubbed the spot he'd smacked.
Her thighs flexed slightly, dragging her against the bulge in his pants. “Make me.”
Fuck. Her dare rolled through him, sending another shot of desire through him. His fingers twitched. He landed a slap to her ass. His fingers burned, he damn well knew her ass did, too.
She moaned, arching her back and pressing into him. Lifting those sweet breasts.
James raised her higher on his hips, taking one rigid little point into his mouth, sucking hard while soothing her bum with his hand. Gently, he bit down on her nipple and tugged.
“James.”
His hand glided over the warm, curved surface of her ass. So soft. So smooth. Smack.
“Gods, yes.” She held him to her breast, rubbing against him, seeking what she needed.
“Yes, you'll obey?” He reached lower, letting his hand hover just below her slit.
“Yes.”
Half pleased, half disappointed, he moved his hand.
“No!”
He lifted his head, watching her expression. Moved his hand back to her pussy. “Here?”
She ground down on him. “Please.”
He let his hand fly.
They both moaned.
Her legs tightened around his hips, she arched up, biting her lip, closing her eyes as if savoring the sting.
Now. He needed to be buried in that tight pussy before he came in his goddamn pants again. He turned, carrying her up the remaining stairs and int
o his room. He kicked the door shut.
Lilith wriggled out of his grasp and backed away. She held up her hand to stay him when he would've followed. “Get undressed.”
He grinned. “Make me.” He didn't know why he said it, she had no hope of forcing him to much of anything, maybe just to see what she'd do.
She flicked her wrist.
His clothes disappeared. He jumped a little, frowning. “Goddamnittohell.” He took a step towards her. “No Magic.”
Her lips spread in a devious smile. “Then I guess you'll have to do what I say.”
All his muscles tensed, his eyes narrowed. He didn't like the sound of that. “Like what?”
“Put your hands behind your back.”
“Lil—”
Her smile disappeared. “Now.”
A prickle of unease slithered down his spine.
Maybe you need to have a little faith, too.
Jaw clenched, he did as she said, clasping the fingers of one hand over the wrist of the other. More than anything, because he wanted to see what she was up to. “Happy?”
Her gaze stroked over him, head to toes, as tangible as a caress. “Not yet.” She came to him, ran her palm over his chest. “Don't move.” She lifted up and kissed his jaw, trailed little bites down his chest.
“What are you doing?”
Light as a butterfly's wings, her fingers trailed over his nipples. Her mouth followed, her teeth testing his pectoral muscle. “Before you go all alpha again, I want my turn.” She stroked her tongue over his nipple and his cock jumped.
She circled his dick in a light grip as she made her way down his body, until she knelt in front of him, naked except for those goddamn boots.
“Lil—”
She took him into her mouth, all that warm silken heat surrounding him, scattering his thoughts.
He reached for her, unsure if he wanted to pull her away or drag her closer. As soon as he touched her face, she pulled back her lips, holding him in her mouth with nothing but teeth.
Right, then. He put his hands behind his back.
With a chuckle, she tucked her lips back around him, dragging her mouth down his length, closing her lips and pinching his head slightly as she withdrew.
“Christ.” He closed his eyes, searching for his control and finding none. “I'm not gonna last.”
“Don't want you to.”
“Lil—”
“You'll be rock hard ten minutes after.” She cupped his nuts in her palm, weighing them. “So, give me this.” She blew over his head and gooseflesh broke out over his skin. She met his gaze and lapped up the bead of pre-come that appeared. “Let me see what I do to you.” Her lips stretched over his shaft as she took as much of him as she could, one of her hands following every stroke making up for what wouldn't fit into that luscious mouth.
Chills darted over his skin, gathering at the small of his back. His breath came harsh and fast. He couldn't contain the little jerks of his hips that sent him deeper into her mouth. She kept her hand on him, taking care of herself and making sure he didn't go too far while she pleasured him. He liked that, not having to worry, having permission to let go even if only in this.
With her free hand, she raked her nails down his stomach, drawing his attention back to her. Their gazes met while she worked him, while she fondled his balls. The slick stroke of her mouth urging him to come. She hummed in the back of her throat and he jerked as the vibration washed over him. Helpless, he held her face, stroked her cheek while he came. Her mouth tightened around him, that soft tongue lapping at him, her throat closing around him as she swallowed.
Weak-kneed and overwhelmed, his whole body twitched as she let him fall from her lips. He dragged her up into his arms and she instinctively wrapped herself around him in a full body hug. Christ, he liked that.
He carried his mate to the end of the bed.
His mate.
His.
“On your knees, sweetheart.”
She grinned. “Did we find your favorite position?” She lowered her knees to the bed and turned around, positioning herself on hands and knees, giving him a prime view of sweet ass and damp pussy. She crawled back a bit until her feet hung over the edge of the bed. “How about this?”
“That works.” He'd just come so hard he'd seen stars and already he dick started to thicken again. He ran his hand over the red hand print on her ass cheek, reached down to cup her mound. He stroked down her scarred back with his other hand.
She tensed. “I forgot.”
She started to get up and he pushed her back down. He'd forgotten, too. The scars from Nan's whip covered most of her back. Thick knotted lines and thin white streaks. Christ, he didn't deserve her. Didn't deserve any of this.
“Just go, then.” Her voice trembled. Her body shook. She seemed to draw inside herself right there before his eyes. Gone was the temptress from a few seconds before.
Hell, she must have sensed his withdrawal and came to the wrong conclusion. He pulled her back against him, sensing sympathy wasn't what she needed. He fisted her long hair, twisting once until her head came back to rest on his shoulder, baring her throat. “You just fought like hell for this, and now you're telling me to leave?”
“You don't want me.”
He pressed his erection against her ass. No way in hell could she hold that lie. “Try again.”
“It's ugly.”
“I'm ugly.”
She shook her head. “No you're not.”
He kissed her neck. “When I watch you looking at me, I feel like the sexiest male around.” He trailed his lips down to her shoulder, nuzzling. “But when I see others look at me, all I see is fear and revulsion. So, am I reading you wrong?”
“No.”
He eased away from her, letting his gaze trail over her body; her breasts, high and proud, the sleek muscles of her abs, that bald little slit he needed so desperately to get inside. “And when you watch me, looking at you, how do you feel?”
Her breath hitched. “Hot.”
He grinned, releasing her hair, stroking his hand down her back. “Smoking hot.” He met her gaze. “Are we done?”
“You were withdrawing. I felt it—like you'd left the room even though you stood right here.”
“I failed you that night. Again.” He shook his head. “It'll never happen again. Understand?” She nodded and he almost flinched at the absolute trust he found in her gaze.
Crowley would die.
They would run.
He'd keep her safe.
“Take me inside.”
She lowered herself to her hands, reached between her legs and fitted his dick to her heat. He helped her spread her legs wider and watched as he disappeared into her. Watched as her muscles clung to him as he pulled out. “You're mine.”
His to protect.
Breathless. “Yes.”
“All of you. I want it all.”
His to love.
“Yes.”
And in return, she'd get him, for whatever that was worth. He leaned over her, covering her with his body, kissing the marks on her back.
She tightened around him, her inner muscles gripping, signaling her release. He reached around and gently pinched her clit, staying her orgasm. She cried out. “I was—”
He grinned. “Waiting for me. Right?”
Her low moan wrapped around him, drawing his balls up tight.
***
James stilled inside her. For a long moment, she hung there, suspended on the cusp of release, but the way he held her clit lessened the urge, diminishing it. “James.” Her accusatory tone did nothing but make him chuckle. “You're killing me.”
“I'm making this last.”
Releasing her clit, he started to move, letting the need build again. She pressed back into every thrust, his balls slapping against her clit, his hips smacking her ass. Her breasts swayed and bounced with each thrust and even the kiss of the air made her tingle and arch. As if he'd heard her thoughts, his hands came
around to cup her breasts, kneading, then lightly pinching. The tension wound tight in her belly, demanding release. Just as she began to tighten around him, he withdrew.
She gasped, her unfulfilled desire so sharp it almost hurt. She fisted her hands, ready to fight when he turned her over.
He easily caught her swing, pinning her hands over her head as he came down on top of her. “Feisty tonight?”
She frowned. “You're a pain in the ass.”
“But I'm your pain in the ass.” He kissed her, slow and sweet, nudging his way back into her. “Together, then?”
She wrapped her body around him, nodded into his neck. He rocked against her, setting a steady pace and as she got caught again in desire, she couldn't stop petting him. Couldn't keep herself from kissing and nipping and biting. He did things to her, this male, her mate. Made her wild and uncontrolled and inconsolable in her desire for him. She arched and clung, her whole focus on the slick glide of him, the weight and strength of his body.
His mouth trailed along her exposed throat, kissing and licking. His lips parted against her throat, she felt the edges of his teeth and her breath caught and held.
They hung there, suspended, his mouth over her throat, his cock sliding in and out, their arousal heavy in the air. His muscles all locked tight around her, holding her close, protective and threatening at the same time.
And then he kissed her throat. No bite. No teeth. But she still felt marked, possessed. Claimed.
“Gods, I love you.”
His mouth came down over hers, his thrusts grew faster, harder. Her pussy clenched tight around him, she clenched tight around him. Release hit like a flash fire, hot and fierce at first, lingering and smoldering after.
His hips jerked once, twice and pressed hard, as if trying to sink as deep as possible. His whole body shook with the force of his orgasm. His arms contracted around her as he shuddered, and when he relaxed, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Love you, too, sweetheart.”
Chapter 28
There was no doubt in Rowena’s mind after dinner tonight. The coven was uniting against her. They were keeping secrets. They were protecting Kat from her.
And it was all Lilith’s fault.
The Beacon (The Original's Trilogy Book 1) Page 22