Page 22 of Monster's Heart

I did not have to. Sten answered for me.

“Mine,” he growled, eyes bright.

“Menon—Sten, you must be sure.”

“I am sure. She is mine,” he growled and took off, me bundled in his arms.

“Sten,” I whimpered.

The burning in my center was so damn hot, I thought I might die from it. It was like having pins and needles all over my body. A feeling of utter desperation filled me, I needed—well, I didn’t know what I needed, but it was something.

“I got you,” he whispered, and I trusted him.

I had no reason not to trust the man carrying me like I weighed nothing, so I did. Too far gone to care that I was not one of those skinny girls who was used to being picked up princess style. I knew what I was, and since he was the one holding me, Sten did, too.

For the first time in my life, I felt petite and cherished. His chest reverberated with his growl and the lavender and spice scent of him increased, filling my nostrils, and making me want. We’d spent almost every day together over the last two weeks, and I trusted Sten more than I did most people I’d known all my life.

I was vaguely aware of trees blurring past us, even though I would have sworn I saw Sten grab onto a shadow coming from the window, as if it had substance, as if it were real and wrap us in it. Like we were wearing a blanket of darkness. But I didn’t mind it. I was not afraid of the dark.

In fact, I craved it.

“Sten,” I whimpered his name.

I actually fucking whimpered. But I needed something, and I was beyond reasoning. Plus, I had a feeling only he could give it to me.

His rumbling grew louder, and sooner than expected, we were in his room. He dropped me on his bed, following me down. His lips crashed into mine, the intense heat I felt eclipsed, and I moaned.

Fuck.

This felt good. It felt right.

But when I went to clutch him to me, he resisted. Sten braced himself on all fours, hovering over me.

I should have been scared of him, the way he seemed suspended in the air like some beautiful blue god. But I wasn’t scared. I was needy. I wanted him for my own.

“You must be sure, Luna. Once I do this, it cannot be undone.”

He was speaking in riddles, but I didn’t care. Electricity sizzled like tiny bolts of lightning flashing between us. His hair moved like there was a breeze in the room only he could feel, and I wondered if that was power.

Was that magic?

I had so little myself, but I felt it then. Power blooming inside of me, wanting to break through whatever veil it was stuck behind.

“What will it be, Luna? Will you let me have you?” he asked. His voice was so deep and impossibly sexy. I felt it curl around my body like hands, or maybe that was his tail.

I flexed my hips unconsciously, wanting to feel him. I nodded. Yes, he could have me. He could have all of me. Especially if that meant I could have him, too.

Now.

Right now.

“Words, Luna. Tell me,” he growled.

“Yes, Sten. You can have me,” I said, and moaned as he crashed down onto me without ceremony.

His mouth was hard and demanding, opening mine as he plunged his tongue in deep, so deep. I needed more, wanted more.

I grabbed his shirt, tugging on the hem, and he understood, parting our lips just enough to pull it over his head. Doing the same with my clothes between kisses, gasps, and growls. His heated skin felt delicious against mine.

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