Page 90 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“It’s nothing.” She urged me closer, arching against me.

The hell it wasn’t. I ought to be more careful.

I used her sensations to guide me and to be as gentle as possible. It was a study in sweetness and trust. We both held our breath when I was fully inside her, surrounded by velvet and warmth.

Moving back and forth carefully, I dipped my head to bite her. I didn’t want to lose control and suck too much blood or move with too much energy.

When I broke the skin of her neck and her blood flowed into my mouth, a groan eased out of me. I was tasting the very essence of happiness and love.

She arched her back, gripping me hard with her hands and legs, whispering and caressing my hair. It felt so good to have her blood in my mouth and her warmth around me.

The connection between us amplified every little sensation. The pleasure was multiplied, the sensations were stronger, and we didn’t last long.

Our releases were welded together by heat, pleasure, and love. So much love, I didn’t think it was possible to experience it without bursting. The wave of ecstasy seemed to go on for hours until we were both spent, holding each other desperately.

I hadn’t realised her gold cross rested between her breasts and touched my skin, and I was so bloody glad it didn’t bother me in the least.

“How can I live a normal life after this?” she whispered. “How can I go through my day and talk to other people without thinking of you?”

“You’re asking the wrong person. I have no idea. I was thinking the same about you.” I caressed her flushed face, wishing I could take her away and just be with her, without worrying about anything else.

We held each other, shutting out the world and conquering our own small paradise, even if it would be only for a moment.

An air of mourning lingered when I covered her naked body with the blanket.

“How are we going to find Odette?” A hint of fear crept into her voice.

“I count on Darius. Maybe he’s right when he says we rely too much on his magic.”

She put a hand on my chest. “I hope she’s alive, but breaking her curse will be difficult.”

“Darius will do his research and come up with a plan. We’ll discuss other options if he doesn’t find anything.” I was impressed with myself. Darius’s endless optimism had infected me.

She ran her hand over my chest. “So you want to spend more time with me.”

“Do you have doubts? Haven’t I been clear enough?” I held her by the waist and pulled her up gently until she straddled me.

She laughed, and I was mesmerised by the sound, her gleaming sapphire eyes, and her golden hair falling over her naked breasts.

“I want to be with you forever,” I said as she lowered herself onto me. I groaned with pleasure.

She moaned, placing her hands on my shoulders. “So do I.”

She moved like a wave, and I helped her by holding her hips. We found a rhythm immediately, staring at one another. Her long hair tickled my skin, and her breasts bounced as she moved in sensual rolls. She delivered my name in a breathy whisper when the release caught us and made us shake with pleasure.

When we were both satiated, she slept in my arms, her head on my chest, as I’d always wanted her to be. And I watched over her.

I would always watch over her.

34

THE END OF A HURRICANE

Irene

The golden globes were a welcome addition to the otherwise gloomy corridors. The fairy lights affected even the plants because the flowers close to them started to blossom again although the fog and the snakes still engulfed the palace.

But it didn’t matter. Today, a hurricane could be sweeping across the hallways, and I would keep smiling.