My fangs descend. I refuse to shed a tear, growing accustomed to the heat of his hand until it’s unbearable to take. There’s no way I’m safe wording, no way I’m telling him I’m almost at my limits. What was so bad about me going to take care of business myself anyway? Tell me that. I am a skilled fighter and know what I’m doing. And I’m not apologizing for that!
“Ouch!” His hand shifts right over that tender spot. Again and again, heating my ass with the palm of his hand like he doesn’t give a damn. I sniff, trying to hold back the tears. I couldjust tell him to stop, say red, have it be done. But something deep inside already knows exactly why he’s doing this, why it’s such a big deal to him and why he’s putting in the time. And I did like that he was there to protect me, even though I didn’t need it or maybe even want it, it felt good to know he was there. And I should have told him. I sniff. Damn this compromising shit, admitting when you’re wrong and meeting halfway is harder than people know.
His hand rains a parade of fire on my ass. “I’m sorry, Corvinus.” Tears roll down my eyes. “I’m sorry I ran, didn’t tell you, didn’t trust you enough. I’m sorry.”
The spanking stops as though it had never begun. In two seconds, my hands are unbound, and he has me in his arms carrying me to the large bed in the corner of the room. I nuzzle into the protection of his chest, successfully unzipping his pants and bringing out his hard cock as he strokes my back. I sniff, wiping my nose with the tissue he hands me. “I really am sorry. I wasn’t at first.”
He smirks. “I gathered. Because you’re strong, independent, and have never been able to fully put your trust in anyone. That’s all changed now.”
“I don’t like being spanked like that.”
“You could have always safeworded, love. In fact, I expect you to safeword if it gets to be too much. But that spanking, that was nothing. That was a little bit of heat to show you that I care. You run again, and my hand will be sore next time.”
My mouth gapes. “Your hand isn’t even sore? You dark-hearted beast.”
“Arrogant, dark-hearted beast. I like that better.”
I play with the button on his crisp white shirt, attempting to get him fully undressed. “I didn’t want to safeword. At first, yes. But I am no quitter, and I know you did it because you care.Otherwise, I’d run you through my sword, so don’t get so cocky just because I let you spank my ass, vampire.”
He kisses the top of my hair as my fingers slowly unbutton his crisp white shirt. His hand covers mine as I undo the third button. “What are the rules, love?”
I sniff. “No running, talk to you first, work out a plan first, and then go from there, together.”
Corvinus kisses me on the lips, gently, lighting my whole world up. Even though my ass is still on fire my pussy is so wet for him. “And if you don’t want me to intercede, you’ll tell me just like in the cavern, but at least you’ll have backup. You could have been hurt, Embry. Seriously hurt. You are mine, love, and I protect what’s mine, even from yourself, understand?”
I slide a leg over the top of his lap. “If I tell you what you want to hear will you stop talking and fuck me now, vampire?”
His eyebrow arches, and in one swift moment he rolls me over, caging me, finding the center of my pussy and driving right to the end of me, over and over again until I’m screaming his name.
Chapter 22
Corvinus
Embry rests peacefully, content in bed in my private suite after a couple of long hours filled with sex, a meal of fresh blood, and a little after care for her smarting ass. My chest fills with pride as I redress, then sit to slide into my dress shoes as she places a hand on my pillow. Even reaching for me in her sleep. Trusting me to take care of every one of her needs tonight.
“It’s the same for me, love,” I murmur under my breath. Now I need to make sure everyone including my boss fucking knows it.Sleep well, love.
The club has filled up in the last hours with the late-night crowd. Gone are the minglers who have seductive conversations at the table, testing the waters of their future mates or lovers for the night. No, they’ve either gone their separate ways, are now in the playrooms, or are part of the heavy petting crowd in the corners of the club. Discreet but not discreet at all. Secrecy is an illusion. No matter the heavy price that everyone pays for discretion, one recognition, one small drop of a name accidentally, and suddenly everything is out in the open.
But these men, they don’t care. That’s what I like about Club Descallia. It’s open to everyone for a price, but with noguarantees. You come to play, at your own risk, not ours. A gentleman in the corner with his eye on a pretty little blonde sitting next to him looks up, giving me a nod of recognition. One of our most lucrative clients, a massive importer of whatever anyone’s heart desires as long as the price is right. No telling how he gets it done, but he always comes through with the product and then needs our help.
The humans should have been nicer to him, but they all have their own alliances, leaving him in the dark, or so they thought before he took over the game. Now, our partnership is solid, and the humans want what they can no longer have. At least the crime families in this area act that way.
Master Tuscano and Delilah are downstairs having a drink at the bar, but I don’t stop to talk, too intent on finding Descallia and putting any doubt about my relationship with Embry at bay. A few walks through the first floor of the club, and I retrace my steps downstairs without any sign of them. They must be in a room. I grin. Fucking Descallia. I guess even the fearless leader needs to blow off a little steam with his queen every now and then.
I head to the bar and take a seat on a stool waiting for the barkeeper to step down. The minute he recognizes me he heads my way. “Sorry, Lord Corvinus, it’s so busy it’s hard to keep up tonight. What can I get for you?”
“Business is good then, yes? Did the Delmar come in?”
He nods. “I have a private stash tucked away just for a few of you.” He bends beneath the bar to retrieve his top shelf supply. I glance in the mirror behind him and grimace at the reflection moving my way. Before she even reaches my side, I turn, facing her straight away. “Chelise.”
Her eyes turn red, and those fangs of hers are descended over bright red lips. She’s looking for a fight. “Nice of you to politelymove me to another Descallia Club with no warning at all. I liked it here. I made good tips.”
I have no interest in mincing words or denying fact, and I don’t do it now. “We had a great time, and we were done a long time ago. I thought you would move on. It didn’t happen so I helped things along. If you provide as good of service as you have here your salary and tips should be at least twice if not more. The place is huge. You should be thanking me.”
Chelise puts a hand on a curvy hip. “I don’t like being moved around like a discarded chess piece after you’re done with me. Does the little princess know what you like? That you’re incapable of a real relationship and as soon as you get her to do what you want sexually, you’ll dump her and move on?”
“It’s your night off and it’s clear you’ve been drinking, but make no mistake, I’ll not tolerate you running your mouth about things you know nothing about.”
