Page 61 of Awakened Light

My heart stalled in my chest. “That’s less than two weeks away!”

She sat silently. “It’s part of the tradition. We need to be married before I take power to ensure we keep up our end of the pact.”

Jealousy and rage ripped apart my insides, but I waged a war to tamp them down.

“Maybe you can just say no. So what if they want to wage war? They can’t hurt you, right? Just kill them all with a lightning bolt and run off with me. Or hell, let me and my family loose on your island, and we’ll finish the job we started. It’s been centuries since I’ve had werewolf blood in my mouth. I’m not going to lie... it’s a bit of a delicacy.”

Even though I said it in jest, I secretly hoped she’d answer with “Okay.” Instead, she just laughed softly and shook her head.

“If we break the pact, the safety of not being able to harm a Pict disappears. They could wipe us out if they wanted. And we’re not going to kill them all. They are part of my tribe now, and it’s my duty to marry him.”

I couldn’t bear to talk about her with another man for a second longer, and I knew I’d never convince her to deny her duty. “I know it is. I’m sorry I brought it up. We’re not supposed to be talking about the future while we’re here. Just you and me enjoying every second together while we can.”

“And I am.” She slid her hand across my jaw and lifted her lips to mine. “So much.”

When her lips touched mine, every nerve in my body fired. She slid onto my lap, straddling me as she deepened our kiss. I raked my hand through her hair and pulled her tongue into my mouth, working open my shorts button with my free hand. Our passion exploded as she ground against my hard cock while I pulled it out of my shorts.

“Take me now,” she whispered in my ear before she nipped it.

We’d forgone condoms once I’d explained vampires couldn’t procreate, and for the first time in my life, I cursed that my immortality made me unable to father children. The primal animal clawing its way out of me wanted to implant one inside her belly and claim her as mine. Create something with the love for her that incinerated me from the inside.

She slipped her underwear off to the side and lifted her dress. When her wet heat slid over my throbbing cock, I moaned and pressed my hips against hers. She lowered herself down my shaft, and I growled into her neck as I buried myself inside of her. With panting breaths, she writhed on top of me until I was calling her name on repeat, and her body glowed with the blue light I was sure they could see from the ships docked in the ocean below us.

After her colors faded, she collapsed against my chest, and I wrapped her up in my arms.

All I wanted to do was say, “I love you” over and over, but instead, like I’d done every time the words wanted to escape, I kissed her again.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Catrain

THE GENTLE CRASH OF the waves on the shore added to the fire-lit dinner atmosphere at the beachside luau. Other tourists dripping in vibrant colors and leis filled up every table around us, and the dancers kept us entertained through every course.

“You are missing out so much,” I said with my mouth full of lobster. “This is amazing. I know I’m supposed to be eating the traditional pork with everyone, but I’ve been eating wild hog my whole life. There’s nothing like this on my island.”

Thorne leaned back in his chair and twisted a clean fork in his fingers. “Aiden couldn’t stop raving about the stuff. I can’t even imagine what that crusty little thing tastes like.” He wrinkled his nose.

“Better than blood, I’m sure.” I rolled my eyes.

“Ah. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

“Pass.”

“Well, you may not like drinking blood, but you certainly would love having me drink your blood. It’s supposed to be orgasmic. Better than sex.”

It seemed impossible to imagine anything better than sex with Thorne, but for a moment, I wondered what it would be like. As quickly as the thought popped into my head, I shook it back out. My mother was certainly prepared to skin me alive for spending time with a vampire, but to let one drink my blood? She’d probably drop dead on the spot if she found out—the ultimate abomination.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” His eyes narrowed, and the light of the tiki torch burning beside our table seemed to ignite the mischief more.

Heat flushed to my cheeks as I shook my head. “No. No way.”

“Just say the word, and I’ll make you glow so many colors you’ll look like a disco ball.”

Even though I didn’t know what a disco ball was, the warm heat in my cheeks cranked up to scalding.

“Can I get you another piña colada?” our server asked, interrupting our silent stare-off.

“Yes, please,” I said to him quickly after clearing my throat. “I would love one.”