I longed to feel her come against my tongue. To do it properly without a bite. To make her beg for more, not because she was overstimulated or drugged from my vampiric kiss, but because she truly needed it.
Because shewantedit.
I won’t push you,I promised her.But when you’re ready, I will consume you. I’ll make you fly. I’ll show you what kings are meant to do to their queens.
It went deeper than worship. It was about making my mate feel like a goddess. To introduce her to an ecstasy she’d never experienced before.
I won’t go easy on you. I’ll treat you like an equal, prove that you’re not breakable, and unleash every ounce of adoration I feel for you. You’ll feel what I feel, our minds connected, our hearts beating as one, our bodies in sync. It’ll be intense. But it will only hurt in the best way.
There would be no biting. Not unless she asked for it.
I’d only memorize her body with my mouth. Caress her. Protect her. Push her limits while ensuring she felt safe.
Loveher.
She was mine.
I would do anything to prove that to her. To help rebuild this trust between us. But she had to let me try. She had to let me in.
And I could hear in her mind that she still wasn’t ready.
Which meant I needed to give her space. Give her time. Let her come to me rather than force it.
I wrapped my arms around her, my chest against her back as I dropped my lips to her ear.
“I’m not giving up, Izzy. I’m here. I’m yours. And I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to let me in.” I pressed my mouth to her neck, her pulse throbbing under my touch. “The future is ours if you want it.”
She swallowed, saying nothing.
But she didn’t have to speak.
I already heard her thoughts, her desire to think.
She wanted to be alone. Not for a while, just a few minutes. And it was a gift I could give her.
“I’ll go order our dinner and meet you back at our suite,” I told her softly. “The choice on how we proceed here is yours, my queen. I won’t push you. And I don’t expect an answer tonight. So take your time. Heal. Just know that I’m here if you need me, all right?”
She nodded slowly, her mind thanking me while her words seemed to fail her.
With another kiss against her pulse, I left her in the makeshift war room.
Keys stood just outside the door, his stance protective. I hadn’t excused him back to our suite, not because I’d wanted him to stay, but because I’d forgotten he was still here.
I briefly considered telling him to come with me, but it seemed wise to leave him with Ismerelda. Just in case. One could never be too cautious.
“Escort her back when she’s ready,” I told him.
His brown eyes glittered with pleasure, the assignment clearly one he desired. “Consider it done.”
I gave him a nod and headed toward the elevators. I’d order him some food as well.
Then hopefully Ismerelda would let me bathe her again.
Or, if her heated thoughts were to be believed, maybe she would let me do a little more.
Maybe she would let me play.
It seemed something I’d said had been right.
