Page 54 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

“Soonto be a satisfied one.”Shecast him a heavy-lidded look. “Youmay continue.”

“Oh,mayI?”

“Dothe piston thing with your hips and get that thumb going again.IfIwere a strategist like you,I’dbite my mate while she’s coming a second time.”

“Yourparameters . . . are sound.”Thumbrubbing, he bucked even harder than before, making her eyes roll back in her head, all thoughts of joking aside.

Anotherthrust.Another.Givingher what she’d demanded as he fought to hold on.

Whenher thighs tightened once more—his woman’s tell—he grated, “Mine,Poppy.Allmine, forever.”

“Doit!Markmehard, demon.”

“Fuhhuh kuhk.”Bodystill working hers, he leaned down to kiss her neck, preparing her for his claim?—

Shegrabbed his horns to steer him! “Now!”

“POPPY!”Hesank his fangs into her giving flesh, and a shock wave reverberated through him.“Uhn!”

Shecame from the penetration.Hegrowled against her neck as her fists gripped his horns and her channel milked his cock.

Ungodslypleasure swept him up.Hefelt as if he floated—becoming one with the smoke inside him—suspended in the space between fire and air.

Allhis life he’d been smoke searching for fire—nebulous and disconnected.Nolonger.He’dfound her at last, his flame.Shewas his reason for being.

Hermindless cries took him to heights unimagined.Seedclimbed.Noturning back.Pressure.

Somuch ravaging pressure.

Hereleased his bite to throw back his head, his roar echoing all around them.Hiships jerked above her, cock pulsing.

Asthat pressure gave way to jets of seed, she branded him, connecting him, lighting his way. . . .

Forever.

* * *

Thedemon lay atop her, his heart thundering against hers.Poppy’smagic and his smoke mingled in the stillness of the ballroom.

Baskingin his warmth, she murmured, “You.”Ilove you.Ineed you.Rökwas hers.

Maybeshe’d come to this place not only to break a curse but to find him.

Henodded and rasped, “Ah,Red,you.”

EIGHTEEN

Hourslater, they lay on the dust cover on the floor, spent.Poppyhad her head onRök’schest as he lazily threaded his fingers through her hair.

Afterindulging in another couple of rounds, they’d shared her apple muffin and some ideas for the future, then they’d set back in.

Eventuallyshe’d beggedno more, and still he made her come again.They’dbroken the divan, so they’d moved to the floor with a vow to buy a stronger one for their new house.

Thisdemon actually hadbeen saving his coin very well.Ifshe desired a mansion near her family with the biggest kitchen they could find, he’d purchase it today.

Butall idylls must end. “Asmuch asI’menjoying this,” he said, voice husky from his bellows, “Idon’t want to be late for the castle’s grand opening.”

WhenPoppyleaned up, his attention stole to his mark on her neck, pride and relief filling him.Alreadyher regeneration was healing it, but the mark would remain forever.

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