Page 31 of When Ashes Fall

With her hair still in hand, I skimmed my index finger down her jugular, tracing the rapid beat there. “You used to love my touch.”

“That was a different you.”

My mouth curved into a cruel smile. “I didn’t hear you complaining when my tongue was in your pussy a few days ago.”

“That’s because you finally shut up.”

When I gave her hair a small tug, her eyes blazed in response. Nor could she hide her scent; she wasn’t scared… she was angry… and aroused.

I extended a claw and ran it down her chest to the edge of the white binding. I preferred it when she forgot the irritating material, but it was easy enough to remedy that.

Briar’s breath hitched when I slid my claw down her binding, slicing it open as far as she’d unbuttoned her shirt. When the creamy tops of her breasts swelled out of the material, my cock stiffened as the beast roared.

It clamored to sink its fangs into her and brand her as its mate forever. She still bore my first mark on her neck; the scars would never vanish, but that was a different animal, and the beast was very aware of that. It demanded to leave its claim upon her, but I wouldn’t allow it, and that incensed the creature.

Her breasts rose and fell with each of her breaths as I trailed my claw down them to dip it into the valley. She’d always been so enticing, warm, and inviting as she yielded to me, but she remained rigid.

When my eyes met hers again, I stepped into her, letting her feel the rigid evidence of my arousal. Her pupils dilated, and she bit her lip but didn’t relax into me.

I eyed her red, luscious lips as I resisted kissing her. “Your mouth can do such magnificent things,” I murmured.

“I thought it only spewed lies.”

With her hair still entwined around my finger, I pulled her head back a little as I grasped her knot. “Does it spew lies, Briar?”

“I don’t know, Knox, why don’t you tell me?”

Lifting my hand, I retracted my claw to run my finger over her bottom lip. “I remember the way it slid over my dick, taking me deep until it hit the back of your throat.”

The memory caused my testicles to tighten in anticipation.

“And the sounds this mouth made as you called my name and begged for more,” I continued.

Through the winds of time, her voice whispered through my mind. It enveloped me in memories as my balls ached.

Why can’t I resist this woman?

My hand slid away from her lip as I grazed my knuckles down her body and dipped my hand between her thighs. She gasped when I cupped her mound.

“I remember how wet your pussy was and how eager it was to accept my cock.”

Her heart raced faster as her breath became little more than pants.

“I remember everything about you, Briar. I’ve tried to forget, but it’s impossible.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Briar

I didn’t know what to make of his words as Knox towered over me. He was so big, so hot, and so tempting that while my mind screamed to stay away, my body yearned to melt against him. His words not only elicited a deep desire but also set my blood on fire.

When his hand moved against my clit, I couldn’t stop the frisson of ecstasy that spiraled through me.

Push him away.

Instead, my hips swayed toward him as I bit my bottom lip to keep from moaning. This wouldn’t end well.

Closing my eyes, I bit harder on my lip as I tried not to give in to my body’s endless hunger for him. When I opened my eyes, his fiery orange ones filled my vision. His pupils were slitted, but I saw no other signs of the beast.