Page 145 of The Vampire's Bride

I love the weight of him atop me, and I hold tightly to his powerful form until it is only him and me as the world fades around us.

“You are mine,” he rasps. “And I am yours.”

Nothing exists outside of this moment, as our bodies move as one.

His wings spread out above him as he thrusts into me. He is masculine perfection, and I cannot stop touching him. A deep growl rumbles in his chest as I move my hands over the soft leathery folds of his wings, tracing my fingers along the muscles where they meet his back.

Pleasure coils tightly within as he quickens his pace. I’m mesmerized as I stare up into his obsidian eyes, all traces of their normal red coloring gone. His fangs are bared, his gaze full of fire and possession as each stroke becomes longer and deeper.

Tight heat blooms in my channel, almost to the point of pain, but not quite. “Valaric,” I barely manage. “What is—”

“My knot is expanding,” he grinds out, his expression somewhere between desire and agony. “We must stop or else it will lock us together and I’ll spill my seed inside you.”

“Don’t stop,” I whisper. “I want you.” I wrap my arms and legs tighter around him and stare deep into his eyes. “All of you.”

My words loose something within him. He growls and begins to move faster, each thrust sparking fire deep within as he makes love to me like a man possessed.

Pleasure builds in my core like a giant wave.

He lowers his head and the tip of his fangs graze the spot directly over my heart, sending a shiver of anticipation throughmy entire body. “Tell me you want this,” he murmurs against my skin. “Tell me you want to be mine.”

“I want to be yours.” I tighten myself around him. “Claim me. Mark me as yours.”

Sharp fangs pierce my flesh, but the pain is quickly replaced by a wave of intense pleasure. Delicious warmth spreads through my veins as he injects me with his venom, marking me as his mate.

Pleasure rushes through me and I fall over the edge, crying out his name.

His obsidian eyes stare deep into mine, full of possession, as his stav begins to pulse. He beats his wings furiously as intense warmth erupts deep within. “Mine!” he roars as he fills me with his seed.

His release triggers another orgasm within me, this one even stronger than the last. It feels as if it goes on forever as he floods my core with his essence.

Panting heavily, he collapses on top of me a moment before he rolls us to our sides. Still knotted inside my channel, he folds his wings around my form. He skims the tip of his nose alongside my own and then captures my mouth in a claiming kiss.

When he pulls back, he drops his forehead gently to mine. “You are my heart.” He stares deep into my eyes. “And I am yours, my Juliet.”

“You are mine,” I whisper against his lips. “And I am yours.”

He growls and rolls me beneath him in one swift motion. I moan out his name as his knot throbs deep inside, flooding me again with his seed.

I love the fullness and the connection between us as he remains knotted inside me. “How long will we stay like this?” I ask softly.

He brushes the damp hair back from my face. “As long as you wish.” He begins to move his hips in a slow and deliciousrhythm. “I want you again.” His dark eyes search mine. “Will you take me?”

“Yes.” I cup the back of his neck. Pulling his mouth back down to mine, I brush my lips against his. “Always.”

CHAPTER 60

JULIET

Awareness slowly trickles back into my mind. I’m completely enveloped in warmth and the rich, masculine scent of my husband. When I open my eyes, I’m nestled into Valaric’s chest. His heart beating a strong and steady rhythm beneath my palm.

I lift my head and find Valaric’s gaze already upon me. “How long have you been awake?”

“Not very long.” He leans in and presses a tender kiss to my lips.

Warmth fills me as I float on a wave of blissful happiness.“Can you sense my thoughts, my ashaya?”Like a caress, the words enter my mind, wrapping around me like a soothing balm.

“Are you speaking in my head?”

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