“What can it hurt, Rae? You wouldn’t have even thought to try it before . . .”
I take a breath and nod. “Perhaps you’re right. What can it hurt?” I touch my jaw. “I don’t think my teeth are sharp enough.”
Kian laughs. “Don’t you worry. I’ve got that covered.” He draws a dagger from his boot and holds it up to his throat.
A bolt of fear rushes through me at seeing him in such a vulnerable position, and I yelp, dragging the blade away. “What are you doing?”
Kian frowns. “Just a shallow cut, love. How else will I bleed for you?”
“I don’t know . . . Maybe this is a terrible idea.”
Kian tsks. “I am full of terrible ideas, but I’m certain this isn’t one. Now let go.”
I reluctantly release his hand, and he makes a small cut on his throat with his blade.
“Have at it, little goddess.” He smiles.
I’m completely and utterly out of my depth, but the scent from the slow trickle of blood has my mouth watering. “I . . . I don’t know how to start,” I admit shyly.
“Come here.” He beckons me closer, then pulls me to straddle his lap.
I gasp at the sudden contact, my hands landing on his shoulders. My gaze darts to the small stream of blood, and I lunge forward, closing my mouth along the spot. His blood bursts to life in my mouth, and I can’t contain the moan that comes out of me. It’s as if I’m tasting the finest wine, and this tiny taste is not enough to quench my thirst. I latch on deeper, sucking harder, and Kian lets out a low rumble from his chest that vibrates through me.
Gods. I need more of him. I sink down onto him, immediately greeted by his hard length, which only causes me to moan again as it presses against my core. Kian’s hands grip my waist, pulling me impossibly closer, and I grind myself onto him as I continue to suck on his neck.
“Rae, love . . . You have no idea what you do to me.”
A whimper escapes my lips as my insides coil tighter and tighter. I rock against him, and he encourages it, one of his hands reaching around and gently squeezing my rear. My thin robe isn’t much of a barrier, but there is still too much between us.
A wave of pleasure builds and builds, and finally, I let go, crying out as my release hits, my entire body a quivering mess of pleasure. With a final swipe of my tongue, I pull away from Kian’s throat and lean into him, resting my head on his chest while his heartbeat thunders beneath me. Before I can even say a word or have a moment to feel mortified about essentially dry humping my husband, images start to flash before my eyes.
I stiffen, and while I can faintly hear Kian calling my name, I’m whisked away into memories. Memories of a dark-hairedboy with a joyous smile . . . memories of splashing in a fountain. The feeling of warmth, sunshine on my skin . . . A royal wedding and meeting those smoky grey eyes across the room. Familiar yet foreign. An ache grows in my chest as I realize what these are . . . stolen memories . . . memories of falling in love and forgetting. Memories of discovery being ripped away. Then there’s that kiss . . . all-consuming, all-encompassing . . . a kiss that rearranged my life, re-centered me in a way I can’t explain.
A sudden trepidation fills me, fear at what memory is coming. I’m helpless, staring up at Dylan, a monster who wants to take from me, steal from me, and I scream. I keep screaming, my body thrashing.
Distantly, I hear my name being called again, and I sob. I’m stuck in a memory I can’t get out of.Help! I want to scream, but it’s as if my vocal cords are frozen in an unending shriek.
“Rae! Come back to me.” Kian’s voice cuts through the haze, and I reach for it, I reach for him.
I blink.
Terrified eyes bore into mine.
I blink.
Hands cup my face.
I blink again.
He’s closer, pullingmecloser, and then his mouth is on mine, silencing the scream, flooding me with peace and comfort.
Belonging.
Safety.
I gasp, and he kisses me deeper, claiming me, owning me, restoring me.
When he finally pulls away, I whisper, “Kian.”
