Page 105 of Blood Match

“Wait,” he murmurs, “I’m not done yet…” His mouth leaves mine to trail kisses down my neck. His lips brush my pulse point again, and I shiver once more, wanting to feel him there as much as I want him inside me.

“So goddamn beautiful,” he murmurs between kisses.

I want to argue, to say something self-deprecating, but the truth is, in this moment, with him, I do feel beautiful. I feel desired. My fingers trail over his shoulders, his back, drinking in the feel of his skin, the firm muscles beneath my touch.

And then his mouth is on my breasts, laving first one peaked nipple and then the other with his tongue, taking me even higher.

I arch my back. “Oh…God…ohhh…” Wordless sounds of pleasure tumble from my lips as white-hot need pools between my thighs. His mouth, his hands…it feels like he’s everywhere. And when I can’t take it any longer, I tug at him, silently demanding.

I don’t have to ask because somehow, he understands. How could he not?

He lowers himself between my thighs, his erection nudging at my entrance, and then he slowly breaches me. I can feel the stretch and burn as he pushes inside me, but it only adds fuel to my desire. My body greedily welcomes him, clenching around him as he goes deep.

“Fuck! Yes!” he grits out. We both freeze, breathing heavily. Our eyes lock; his are glowing with passion, and in that moment, I see everything I need to know in the depths of his gaze. There’s want, yes, but there’s also something deeper, something that scares me a little.

He pulls back, only to thrust forward again, and my head falls back, my mouth open in a soundless cry. My fingers dig into his arms, my hips meeting his thrusts, frantic and needy.

As our bodies find a frenzied rhythm, I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him impossibly deeper. Our gasps and moans fill the room, the bed creaks beneath us, and I tighten my legs around him, loving the feel of his weight pressing me into the mattress.

Then, with a final, deep thrust, Darick presses his mouth to my neck, and I feel the sharp bite of his fangs. It should hurt, but it doesn’t, it’s perfect – a burst of sensation that somehow amplifies the pleasure until I feel like I’m exploding from within. I come apart around him, my body pulsing with aftershocks even as his mouth works at my throat, drawing my blood into him.

My fingernails rake down his back, and with a final, shuddering release, he sinks onto me, licking the small wounds closed as my blood slides down my neck. He kisses it away.

For long moments, we stay there, our bodies twined together. He rests his forehead against mine, his breath fanning my cheek as we catch our breath.

I’m not sure who moves first, but suddenly, our lips meet, and we’re kissing, slow and languid, as if we have all the time in the world. The kiss is deep and tender, a promise of more to come. And in that moment, with my body still thrumming from his touch, the fierce pull of our connection, I know there’s no going back.

33

Chapter 33

Rowan

I’m certain it takes a lifetime to get my wits back. Or maybe it’s a moment. Either way, I’m lying against him, pulled firmly against his side. I feel his lips brush the top of my head, and my mouth curls into a smile.

I’m trying to process what just happened between us. My body still tingles from his touch, and I can’t seem to form a rational thought. I glance up at him, half-expecting to see the cold, intimidating vampire I’ve come to know. Instead, I’m met with a softer gaze, his astonishing blue eyes warmer than I’ve ever seen them.

“Rowan,” he murmurs, his voice lacking its usual edge. “Don’t fight this.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my lips. There’s something different about him now, something almost…vulnerable. The hard lines of his face have softened, and a hint of a smile plays on his lips. A real smile. One that warms his hard features.

“This is right,” he continues, brushing a strand of hair from my face. The gesture is so tender, so unlike the Darick I thought I knew, that I find myself leaning into his touch.

I study him, fascinated by this transformation. Gone is the cold, aloof vampire leader. In his place is a man who looks almost boyish in his earnestness. His blonde hair is tousled, and there’s a light in his eyes that makes him look younger, more alive.

“I… I don’t understand,” I whisper, even as I feel myself being drawn in by this new side of him.

Darick chuckles, the sound rich and warm. “Neither do I, little witch. But I’m tired of fighting it.”

I can’t help but smile at the endearment. This Darick, with his charming grin and gentle touches, is even more irresistible than before. And as much as I want to deny it, I know he’s right. Fighting this connection between us seems pointless now.

When he pulls away and sits up, I give a little growl of objection.

“You need water,” he says firmly.

“What?” I frown.

“If I’m going to do that again, I need to keep you hydrated. Blood loss can be dangerous.” He’s getting up off the bed. My eyes track his lean form, his perfect ass, as he heads across the bedroom.

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