Page 68 of Forbid Me

"Our bond? Or the one between you and your king?"

I cocked my head at her, remaining silent. She looked away, but I knew she felt it too. Even though she'd said the words to break it, it took two to officially destroy a mating bond.

"There are only two options left for me," I said, my gaze fixed on her, trying to convey the depth of my struggle. "I can reject you, which I swore I would never do. Or you can fight me to the death, as a rejected mate must do to earn their freedom."

The words hung heavy in the air. Stella's expression shifted from shock to horror at the gravity of my words.

"I hope you choose to fight me. To feel your lips at my throat one more time would be worth it, princess."

"I'm not a princess, Oz." She balled her fist and punched me in the chest. "I'm going to be queen."

She punched me again, and then again.

"I'm going to marry Dion." Another punch. "I'm going to take him to bed." Another punch. "And I'm going to scream his name."

Tears streamed down her eyes as she continued her assault on me. The punches were ineffectual. The tears undid me.

I pulled her to me. She continued to pound me. Then she slumped against me. I pushed her deeper into the darkness of the alcove as I tried to soothe her with nonsensical words.

"I hate you," she sobbed.

"I know, princess. I deserve it."

I pressed my lips to her forehead, to her temples. I lapped up those tears. She wrapped her arms around me and held me like her life depended on it. My beast demanded that I make it better.

My death warrant was already signed by those tears. What would a little treason in the king's gardens hurt?

Tentatively, fully expecting another rejection, I pulled away from Stella's temple. I moved slowly, millimeter by millimeter, until my lips hovered just in front of hers. It was the only move I dared make. The only distance I dared travel. She would have to?—

Stella crushed her lips against mine. Her kiss was pure hunger. I answered, giving her everything she asked for and more. My cock ached between us, eager to answer her hunger in its own way.

She moaned into my mouth. Her hands dug into my back as our bodies pressed together. I felt her heart racing against my chest, matched only by the quickening beat of mine. The lust in her eyes was undeniable.

I was about to lose myself in her. Reaching down, I lifted her thighs up and around me. She locked her ankles behind my back, not once breaking the kiss.

She plunged into my mouth as she reached down to guide my aching erection toward her hot entrance. She moaned in approval as she positioned me. I was all set to plunge up, but Stella sank down, claiming me as her own once again.

I felt her muscles pulsate and clench around my head. With a final push, I found my way into her, both of us releasing a deep groan. As I thrusted up, I felt her heat envelop me. The sensation was indescribable. It was as if my entire world had come down to this moment, and there was no turning back.

She was mine, and I was hers. Her moans of pleasure only fueled my desire. I gripped her hips tightly, thrusting deeper and harder with each stroke.

Stella met my every thrust with her own. Her movements matched mine with a fervor that brought me close to tears because of how much I craved her. It terrified me because I didn't know how I'd let her go again.

Her eyes were half-lidded, lost in the passion of the moment. She was close. Which was good, because I was about to burst. Thepleasure was building within me, an intense heat that threatened to consume me. I knew I couldn't hold back for much longer.

Stella threw back her head, her muscles clenching down on me enough to steal my breath, to stop my heart, to claim my soul. I let go of everything I had and gave it all to this woman. She had taken my heart; she could have my life.

I held her tightly as she came down from her orgasm. More than anything, I wanted a round two. This time preferably in a bed or some soft place to lay her down so that I could feast between her legs.

All thoughts of carnal play went out of my head when I heard someone approach. Whoever it was had the common sense to stay back a distance. We both heard them clear their throat.

"I beg your pardon, your highness, but King Dion has returned."

CHAPTER 47

Stella

It was a fast walk and hasty mend kinda interlude as I magicked my clothes back into order. I wasn't sure where Oz got clothing from, but he didn't look at all put together. I stopped myself from reaching back and fitting the low slung trousers he'd pulled on. He hadn't even bothered to cover up his chest—which had numerous scratches over his old wounds that if they were DNA traced would lead right back to me.

---