Page 96 of Princess Broken

I walk toward the lower entrance to the pool, brazenly ignoring the fact that I lack a bathing costume. I can easily swim in this lightweight dress, but my insides burn with courage and mischief. Maybe I’ll toss the dress off, let Blade and Flame see my nude body before I dive in.

“I’m gonna jump in from up top,” Flame says from behind me.

I turn back, and he pauses at the entrance to a side-tunnel, looking at me with heat in his eyes before disappearing. And I’m beyond grateful to Flame that he’s clearly allowing Blade and I some time alone together. But Blade keeps his distance, staying well back from me.

As I continue toward the swimming hole, I slow my pace, hoping Blade will come closer, perhaps hold my hand, or put his arms around me—or more. Lust races through me, but Blade stays well back making me worry that I misread his intentions.

My physical desire for Blade has increased a million times since we’ve been forbidden from being alone together. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I don’t know if that’s true. But the combination of proximity and prohibition is definitely making my desire grow stronger—so strong it’s turned into an urgent need.

It’s been over a week since Flame and I last had sex, and my body wants it so desperately I’ve been finding it hard to stay still.

The other night, when the five of us were watching a movie, Flame caught me glancing at him, and he looked into my eyes as he brushed his fingers over the bulge in his jeans. I had an orgasm just watching, squeezing my legs together to prolong my inner pulsing.

The space around me grows more humid, and the sound of dripping water fills the air as I get closer to the pool. My hope grows. Blade’s still staying back, but I can feel the electricity between us, hear his heart rate accelerating and his blood rushing to build his erection.

If Blade is still determined to follow the code, I’m just as determined that he break it. Because I feel certain this meeting between Mariano and Crusher will lead to my freedom. I might not like him acting outside of vampiric law, but deep in my gut I know that Crusher will kill Mariano tonight, if he gets the chance.

And then once that danger has passed, I’ll tell the men that Timur and I weren’t mates and release them from their obligation. Then I’ll be free to return to my life. Soon I’ll leave this city. Perhaps this country. Tonight could be the last chance for Blade and I to act on our mutual desires.

Stepping into the cave, I glance up to the small hole I jumped through that first time. Walking to the edge of the water, I hike up my skirt a few inches to dip my toe in. The cold water sends a shiver through me, but it can’t begin to cool the fire of anticipation and hope that’s burning inside me.

Without turning, I feel Blade’s presence as he steps into the cave, but he stays at the entrance, not approaching.

Gathering courage and fabric, I tug up on my dress, and he gasps as the hem passes above my knees. Enjoying my effect on him, loving how his reactions affect me, I resist the urge to move more quickly. Instead, I drag the fabric slowly, until its hem grazes the mounds of my bottom.

“Wait until Flame gets here,” Blade says, sounding like he has gravel in his throat.

Leaving the hem where it is, only the lower curve of my bottom exposed, I turn toward Blade. “Why wait?”

“Flame and I made a pact.”

I turn toward him. “By pact, do you mean Crusher’s rule about not being alone with me?” Taking a step forward, I pull the fabric higher until I’ve fully exposed the triangular patch of hair at the apex of my thighs.

“Crusher’s not here,” I tell him. “No one’s here. No one but you and me.”

His gaze remains on my sex, and Blade licks his lips. “I mean another pact. Just between me and Flame.”

In one quick motion, I pull off the dress and toss it to the side. Flame cuts into the water behind me, and I spin toward the sound, seeing the ripples spread from the place where he entered.

While my gaze is averted, Blade lifts me from behind. Carrying me, he leaps toward the wall, and then bends me forward. My hands fall onto the stone.

“Is this okay?” he asks softly. “Can I fuck you?”

I nod. His surprise attack, moving me here, clearly positioning me for penetration—all of that is more than okay with me, and my insides pulse with need as his fingers slide between my legs.

In my fantasies, I thought we’d talk a bit first, maybe kiss and touch each other, but perhaps he’s worried that Phil will show up to interrupt. And I don’t want anything to prevent Blade from being inside me.

I’m not sure why he waited for Flame to get into the water before he started, but feel sure Flame will stay in the pool to give Blade and I some time. That must be their pact.

But I don’t want to think about that too much. My need for Blade inhabits every part of my body, every pore, every cell, and his hands stroke over me, moving up to stroke my back, my shoulders, my throat, as I remain bent forward, panting, waiting for whatever he’s planning.

I remember the others intimating Blade might cut me, and fear shivers into my need. He can cut me. I don’t care. Vampires heal, and being with Blade will be worth any pain.

I hear another splash, and then Flame’s feet landing on the stone behind us with a wet smack. He’s out of the water. Flame won’t stop us will he?

“What’s your pact?” I ask, breathless.

Blade slices a long finger through my folds, and I rise onto my toes in reaction, my body responding to his digit as it traces through my dampness and grazes my opening. Staying there, he teases my entrance, clearly testing my readiness. I’m beyond ready. Can’t he see that? Feel that? Smell that?

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