Page 72 of How to Claim A Shadow King

An impish smile floats across her face, and I grin right back.

There’s my sunshine witch.

It takes me less than a moment to get the horse out. I mount the beast's back and easily hoist Aveline up in front of me.

The moment her hips settle against my lap, a violent jolt of pleasure spikes straight through spine. My long arms bracket her body as I take the reins, pulling her back flush against my chest until there is not a single inch of space between us.

I bite back a groan, my cock growing hard between my legs, pressed tight against the soft curve of her ass.

Waiting for Aveline is the sweetest sort of pain.

We ride out into the deep canopy of the Elder Forest, leaving the castle behind. Every powerful stride of the horse forces her closer. I am hyperaware of the shifting of her weight, the rapid flutter of her pulse against my forearm where she leans into my grip, and the scent of her hair whipping against my jaw.

My need for her is a band pulled to the absolute breaking point.

Deep in the thicket, where the ancient oak trees weave a dense canopy that blocks out the rest of the world, I decide I cannot endure it for another second.

I must slake my hunger for her.

I pull the stallion to a harsh, sudden halt.

Before Aveline can even ask why, I slide off the horse's back and reach up, my hands locking securely around her waist to lift her off the horse.

I don’t bother to set her feet on the damp earth. It’s not worthy of her.

Instead, I press her body to mine and pull her legs apart, her back against the solid, rough bark of an ancient tree.

My chest heaves as I pin her there. My cock twitches, the heavy length of it aching with the need to claim her, to seal our bond.

I need my sunshine witch.

"Malakai," she gasps, her blue eyes wide and dilated. Her breasts heave under the tight fabric of her gown, and I groan.

Any illusion of my patience is utterly incinerated.

"I would wait for you until the skies bleed, Aveline," I growl against her skin, my voice a ruined rasp.

I crush my lips to hers, and the world all around vanishes.

The kiss is not some gentle request.

It’s not easy, or searching, or tentative.

It’s desperate.

It’s a reclaiming of the soul I have starved for.

Aveline lets out a low whimper into my mouth, her hands tangling frantically into my hair, pulling me closer. I am drowning and she is the sea.

Her tongue slides against mine stealing the air from my lungs and any restraint I have left.

My hands slide beneath her cloak, mapping the curve of her waist through the linen of her overdress. I can’t help myself, I press my hips into the apex of her sex, needing release, needing the fabric to disappear, and all the while knowing I can’t.

I can’t, and I won’t, not until she says I can.

Still, the feel of her body against mine makes my head spin. I kiss down her neck, nipping at her collarbone, the soft flesh of her shoulder, finally freeing one of her perfect breasts from the cage of her dress.

Her fingernails scrape at my neck as I gently bite on her nipple.