Page 107

“Shit, Cerise.” His voice was strained.

But no, this wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want him to stand here while I had my way with him. As much as I would enjoy it, it wasn’t what I needed.

No, I needed us both to come undone together. I needed him to burst, just like me.

I released his cock and took a single step back.

“Touch me,” I commanded him. “Show me just how much you want me.”

His eyes slowly opened, his golden irises molten with desire. His nostrils flared, and a hungry, primal look gleamed in his gaze. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly. “Because once I start, I won’t be able to stop.”

“I don’t want you to,” I bit out. “Erupt with me, Alaric. Do not hold back.”

He bared his teeth, and a low snarl built in his throat. I stood there, taking in his stiff form, the way the veins stood out against his throat and shoulders. The muscles in his chest were taut.

He closed the distance between us with preternatural speed, his large body crowding me. He leaned in, and his mouth claimed mine. His hand cupped the back of my head, angling me so he could better devour me. He swept his tongue along the seam of my lips before prying them open fully. I tasted him in turn, but he was in charge now. His mouth roved over me hungrily, desperately.

His lips skimmed along the corner of my jaw and the base of my throat. He licked my collarbone, tongue dragging with excruciating slowness. I threw my head back, my skin pebbling and liquid pooling in my core.

Fabric ripped, and my dress split open, baring my breasts to him. Alaric gazed at them in awe, breathing heavily, before he cupped one in his hand. I shivered as his calluses scraped my nipple.

“So beautiful,” he murmured before lowering his head and capturing my nipple in his mouth. His tongue flicked over the sensitive bud, and I cried out, my insides turning molten. He closed his teeth and dragged them slowly up and down the nipple. I let out a strangled sound somewhere between a gasp and a shout. I was melting. My body was condensing into nothing more than a quivering puddle.

Alaric sucked and nipped at my breast, his ministrations slow and purposeful. I writhed under his touch, squirming and panting. Then he moved to the other breast, licking and tasting until I thought I would die from need.

And he still wasn’t finished. His mouth inched downward, brushing over my navel and pressing kisses to my bare skin. As he moved lower and lower, he ripped away more of my dress until, with one last tug, it fell in tatters on the sand.

I didn’t have time to register that I was naked before him for the very first time. He was already nudging me backward, my head meeting the sand as he buried his face between my thighs. He spread my legs wider, and I trembled as he brought his mouth to my center.

Heat spiraled through me, and I groaned, back arching as his tongue glided upward. The tide rolled in, and cool water spread around me, soaking my hair and skin. But regardless of the chilled waters, my skin was on fire. I wrapped my legs around him, my feet draped along his back as he licked me again, deeper this time. My legs quivered. My breaths came sharp and fast. His tongue shoved deeper, stroking and probing. I lifted my hips, grinding against his mouth, urging him onward.

Deeper. Harder.

Each thrust of his tongue had me moaning, but still I wanted more. His fingers tightened on my thighs as he swirled his tongue around my most sensitive area. Liquid heat crashed over me just like the waves around us. Alaric inserted a finger and curled it inward. I shuddered underneath him, tension building higher and higher.

When he clamped his teeth down on that singular sensitive spot, I came undone. Stars burst in my vision, and I felt weightless as I shattered. Release split through me, making me scream myself hoarse. And still, Alaric kept licking me, his tongue never stopping its demanding movements.

My body settled, but the beast within me wasn’t finished. My thighs tightened around him, and I rasped, “More.”

Alaric didn’t hesitate. He lifted his head, his lips slick with moisture, then pulled me upward until I was settled on his lap. His hard length pressed between my legs, making my core throb with need. Gasping for breath, I brought my palm to his chest, closing my eyes as I felt his own hammering heartbeat.

“Eyes on me, witchling,” he growled, and my eyes flew open. “I want to look at you when I thrust into you.”

My mouth went dry, but I held his gaze. His eyes were wild and frenzied, making him almost unrecognizable.

But I wanted this side of him. I wanted all of him.

“Spread those thighs for me,” he commanded.

I obeyed, letting my legs fall open. His hands met the small of my back. With a single push, he slid inside me, and my entire existence burst into flames. My blood boiled, and my skin hummed. Power and energy coursed through me, setting me ablaze.

Mine, he is mine, all mine, said the voice within me, and I chanted along with it.

He shifted me, angling my body so he could thrust deeper. He groaned, the sound loud and drawn out. I wrapped my legs more tightly around his middle, bringing us closer. His mouth went slack, and I threw my head back as I felt his cock pulsing inside me.

“Eyes. On. Me.” His husky voice was deep and commanding, and I had no choice but to obey. My eyes met his. His pupils flared until there was hardly any gold left in his eyes.

He rocked his hips, plunging deep, and we both cried out, our hot breaths mingling. My lips brushed against his, both our mouths open from our gasping. He sucked on my lower lip, eyes still fixed on me as he plunged into me again, harder this time. My hands clawed at his sweaty back. Still, our gazes held, locked onto one another. He grunted as he shoved again, filling me completely.