Page 17 of Vampire Runner

I swallow, lowering my eyes. There are no words to truly express the remorse for the pain I caused him. I don’t regret it, though. I will never regret saving his life.

“Cassandra,” Ashe murmurs, dipping his head to capture my attention. His free hand trails down my side, leaving goosebumps in its wake. When he reaches my hip, his fingers dig in and he jerks me forward. My gasp is lost as he kisses me, this one tender, coaxing, and filled with love.

The stark difference between this kiss and the one from before leaves me dizzy.

His tongue tangles with mine, his fangs nipping and teasing. He doesn’t draw blood again, though. Instead, Ashe drops his hands to the back of my thighs and lifts me. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist and wind my arms around his neck, holding him close.

“I love you,” Ashe whispers against my lips. “I hate you.” Ashe’s voice breaks. “I need you.” His chest brushes against my nipples as he takes a deep breath. “I miss you.” He slides one arm free from supporting me and I’m pinned tighter against the wall as Ashe cups the back of my head. “I’m so gods-damned angry at you, Cassandra,” he grinds out.

“I know,” I manage. His emotions are pouring into me. I absorb them, welcoming the pain and the anger because I deserve it. I welcome it because it’s a sign Ashe is finally opening the bond between us.

“I’m so gods-damned angry, Cassandra,” Ashe repeats, resting his forehead against my own. “I’m so scared, mate.”

The last word is a broken plea.

“I’m here,” I answer, cupping his face and smoothing my thumbs over his cheeks. “Ashe, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I swear it. We will figure this out. This time it’s not just Eris. It’s all of us.”

Ashe shudders, his breath leaving him in a rush. “I can’t lose you again.”

“You won’t,” I promise him.

“You don’t know that,” he growls. Then he crushes his lips to mine.

This kiss is punishing, all teeth and fangs and blood. Ashe consumes me, his free hand sliding up the inside of my thigh until his fingers find my core. His groan is low and deep as his fingers slide between my folds and discover my arousal.

“Cassandra,” Ashe growls, sliding his fingers free and gripping my hips. He rocks his hips forward, his length sliding through my center. I shudder, a whimper escaping my lips as Ashe’s fangs scrape down the column of my throat.

“Ashe,” I plead. “Ashe, please.”

“Please what, Cassandra,” he murmurs.

I lift my hips, tilting my pelvis to find the tip of Ashe’s erection.

His groan is ragged, his arms tightening around me.

“Ashe, please.”

“Gods, Cassandra.”

He captures my lips as he thrusts up and inside of me. My gasp is swallowed by his kiss. My magic crackles in the air, the purple wisps curling around Ashe and me. My nails dig into his shoulders as Ashe withdraws and slams back into me.

This is violent and primal. It’s the reunion of two souls who’ve been separated for too long.

Ashe is relentless. His movements are hard, driving into me with a force that threatens to splinter the wall at my back.

“Cassandra,” Ashe mutters over and over, his forehead against my own. Our gazes are locked, and I can’t tear mine from his.

“Ashe,” I answer. Magic flows freely from me, wrapping around us both, twining us together. Ashe’s emotions pour into me. Love. Anger. Pain. Longing. Hope. Desire.

“Cassandra,” Ashe whispers, slowing his thrusts. He pulls back, cradling my cheek with a gentleness that shatters me. “Cassandra,” he murmurs again, like a prayer, kissing me.

I melt against him, tears trailing down my cheeks. I had never allowed myself to admit how much I missed this connection with him. I wouldn’t have been able to survive all these years being possessed by a demon otherwise.

Ashe’s pace changes, his thrusts slow and deep, his grip on my hips gentle as he helps me lift and lower my hips. My magic curls around us both, strengthening the bond and our connection.

Ashe groans, burying his face into the crook of my neck.

“Ashe,” I gasp, my core tightening. Pleasure winds tighter and tighter, each brush of his body against my clit heightens the tension.

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