Page 54 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

He cocked his eyebrow and followed my gaze. “See what?”

My cheeks grew hot, and I felt a twinge of self-doubt. “Nothing. I guess.” Maybe I had imagined it, my mind playing tricks on me in the throes of ecstasy. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something extraordinary had just happened, something that went beyond the normal realm of physical pleasure.

I was about to voice my thoughts when Angelo ran his hand down my shaking thigh, his touch sending electric sparks through my body and effectively derailing my train of thought. “Now I’m going to claim you,” he declared, his voice low and filled with promise.

My mouth went dry at his words, my mind too focused on the anticipation of what was to come to dwell on the mystery of the blazing candles. As Angelo’s hands and lips began to work their magic once more, I surrendered myself to the sensations, pushing the strange occurrence to the back of my mind. But even as I lost myself in the pleasure of his touch, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was just the beginning of something much larger and more profound than I had ever imagined.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Serenity

Angelo slowly climbed off the bed as he kissed, licked, and scraped his fangs down my trembling leg, his touch leaving a trail of fire on my electrified skin. He stood by the edge of the bed, his eyes locked with mine as he stripped so fast, I barely saw him move. When my gaze finally landed on him, I was left breathless.

I had never seen a naked man before, and Angelo’s gloriously bare form sent a sharp rush of heat to my cheeks, spreading down my neck and all across my chest. My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I felt torn between the instinct to avert my gaze out of modesty and the overwhelming desire to memorize every detail of his sculpted physique.

Adonis himself could not have been more beautiful,each muscle and sinew a testament to Angelo’s raw masculine perfection. A mixture of curiosity, desire, and trepidation coursed through me as I realized this magnificent male specimen, this Herculean figure, was about to become my lover.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry as a fresh wave of nervousness washed over me. How could I possibly compare to the perfection that stood before me? But then Angelo’s gaze softened, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and I saw the adoration and reassurance in his eyes, and any concerns were swept away. He would guide me, cherish me, and worship me, just as he had promised.

As my gaze traveled over the contours of his body, I found myself transfixed by the tattoo that adorned his neck. I had noticed it before, but hadn’t realized it swirled down his body, winding its way across his muscular chest and toned abdomen. As my gaze followed the intricate, swirling lines, I swear it looked almost alive, the inked design seeming to dance and shimmer on his skin with each breath he took.

The tattoo featured blood droplets and red roses, blending seamlessly into a vine that appeared to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The colors were so vivid and the lines so crisp, I couldn’t help but wonder whether the tattoo had been inked by human hands or by some supernatural force.

The vine of blood droplets and red roses snaked its way down his neck, curling and twisting like a living entity. It continued its path along his chest, the thorny stems and delicate petals standing out in sharp contrast against his pale skin. Lower and lower the vine snaked, until it finallycame to a stop just above his navel. There, the blood droplets seemed to pool, forming a small, glistening reservoir that somehow caught the light and drew the eye inexorably toward it.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I studied the tattoo and contemplated the meaning behind it. Was it a symbol of his vampiric nature, a reminder of the blood that sustained him? Or did it hold another, more personal significance, a story waiting to be unraveled?

As if sensing my intense scrutiny, the tattoo seemed to shimmer and dance, the vines undulating softly on his skin. I blinked, unsure if it was a trick of the light or if the tattoo truly possessed a life of its own. A shiver ran down my spine, and I tore my gaze away from the ink, both thrilled and unnerved to take in his entire physique again.

He was a vision of masculine perfection, his body chiseled and defined as if sculpted by Michelangelo himself. Every muscle was honed to perfection, from the broad expanse of his shoulders to the taut planes of his abdomen to strong, powerful thighs. He was a living, breathing embodiment of strength and beauty.

His cock was erect and huge, jutting out proudly from his chiseled hips. I swallowed hard, shock shooting through me as I took in the impressive size of his manhood. A mixture of desire and apprehension swirled within me. How would that possibly fit inside my untried body?

But it was more than just his physical appearance that took my breath away. It was the way he looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire, adoration, and vulnerability. In that moment, I felt that he was baring much more thanjust his body to me—he was revealing his soul, his very essence.

Angelo clearly sensed my nervousness, for he took a step closer, his hand cupping my cheek with a soft tenderness that belied the raw passion burning in his eyes. “We’ll take it slow, beautiful,” he murmured soothingly. “I would never harm you. Yes, it will hurt briefly, but then you’ll experience pleasure. Trust me to guide you and to show you the heights of pleasure we can reach together.”

My heart swelled with jumbled feelings so profound that they almost brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t identify them, but no other man had ever touched that part deep within me that I kept hidden. He spread my trembling thighs apart, his hands gentle but firm, as if he had every right to be there, to claim me as his own. As I lay there, exposed and open for him, I felt a heady cocktail of exhilaration and nervousness coursing through my veins. Slowly, he climbed back up on the bed, his body a solid, comforting presence as he wedged his hips between mine.

I sucked in my breath and braced myself, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. The rigid length of his cock pushed against my inner thigh, a tantalizing promise of what was to come. I tried to quell the panic swelling inside me, focusing instead on how much I trusted Angelo.

“Serenity,” he rasped, his voice rough with emotion. “My little Nephilim. Look at me.”

I met his gaze, seeing in his eyes a reflection of my own desire, tempered by a profound tenderness and understanding. He brushed his thumb across my cheek gently, wiping away a tear that lingered there.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. “I’ll always be here for you, to protect you, to cherish you. You’ll be safe with me, now and forever.”

He raised his hips and slowly pushed into me, breaking down the last barrier I possessed. I tensed and sucked in a sharp breath, my eyes squeezing shut as a searing pain shot through me, momentarily overshadowing everything else. My body stretched wide, straining to accommodate his substantial size, the sudden discomfort causing me to dig my fingers into his shoulders.

Angelo instantly stilled, his breath hot on my neck as he whispered soothing words of encouragement. “Breathe, my little Nephilim. The pain will pass, I promise.”

As I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths, the pain did gradually begin to subside, replaced by a satisfying sense of fullness and connection. The discomfort melted away, giving way to a blossoming pleasure that started at my core and radiated outward, spreading warmth and tingling sensations to every part of my being.

I tentatively rocked my hips against his, marveling at the exquisite friction where our bodies joined. Angelo groaned, his eyes dark with desire as he matched my movements, slowly at first, then with increasing intensity. Each new thrust sent fresh waves of ecstasy crashing over me, drowning out any lingering traces of pain and leaving only pure, unadulterated bliss in its wake.

I opened my eyes and stared into Angelo’s handsome face. His gaze was filled with tenderness and understanding even as he took what he wanted from me. Ultimately, he was putting my well-being above his own desire. I hadn’texpected that. A surge of feelings swelled inside me, feelings I couldn’t name…or was too afraid to name.

“I’m okay,” I managed, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s...intense. But I like it. I want this, Angelo. I want you, all of you.”

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