He skillfully unbuttoned my tight jeans and slid them down, revealing the delicate lace of my panties. My breath caught in my throat as his warm fingers pulled on my underwear, leaving me completely exposed to him. His mouth immediately found its way to my most sensitive area, sending jolts of pleasure through me that left me reeling. The intense heat and pleasure washed over me in long, sweeping waves, making it impossible for me to think or even catch my breath. I clutched tightly at the comforter beneath me, my fists gripping the thick fabric as I surrendered fully to his touch.
Jaxon continued to remove my jeans and panties with a sense of purpose, not wasting any time before diving back between my legs. I was powerless to stop him as his mouth worked its magic on me, his tongue darting and swirling around me with skilled precision. With each passing moment, the pleasure intensified until I couldn’t take it anymore. I opened my legs wider, wanting more of the sweet ecstasy that he was giving me. My body arched and writhed beneath him as I experienced the pure bliss of an orgasm that lifted me off the bed and straight into another world.
In a flash of vampire speed, he shed his clothes, revealing chiseled muscles and smooth skin that gleamed in the moonlight. His eyes were dark and intense as he lowered himself to me, flesh pressing against flesh, his hands bracing my thighs apart with a possessive grip. Heat radiated from his body, andI could feel the throbbing hardness of him against my most intimate place.
I was filled with a tingling anticipation as he prepared me for this moment. Then he thrust forward, and I gasped at the tender stretching sensation, my body responding with warm spasms of pleasure as he pushed past the flimsy barrier that offered little resistance. Then it was as if a floodgate had opened, welcoming him into my depths with an overwhelming rush of moist heat. My senses were all on fire as we became one in a passionate embrace, our bodies moving in perfect harmony to the rhythm of desire.
Unsure what to do next, I placed my hands on his broad shoulders and let him guide us. Jaxon’s body moved with mine, thrusting gently yet powerfully, sending waves of pleasure through me. His touch was like silk against my skin as he withdrew and then plunged back inside, over and over, each time going deeper than the last as we moved together, our bodies melding in a dance of desire. Every movement sent sparks of pleasure shooting through me, causing me to gasp and writhe in ecstasy. He was deep inside me, filling me completely and igniting a fire that burned hotter with each passing moment.
I surrendered to him, each thrust plunging me deeper into a fiery abyss of desire. The wet smacking of our bodies filled the room, drowning out all other sounds as we soared higher, further into ecstasy.
His lips trailed hot kisses down my throat, and his sharp fangs dragged across my flesh. A jolt of pain shot through me as he bit me, drawing my blood into his mouth. I dug my nails into his back, riding the waves of pleasure that tore through me. Every nerve in my body pulsed with raw sensation, culminating in a blinding orgasm that consumed me entirely. In the midst of it all, I vaguely registered Jaxon’s own cries of euphoria as weshared an intense, cataclysmic release that seemed to go on for an eternity.
“I claim you as mine, always and forever,” he said in a loud, thunderous voice. Electric currents surged through my body, crackling and snapping like bolts of lightning. A blazing inferno engulfed us, an all-consuming heat that roared from within and bound us together in an unbreakable bond.
Jaxon’s tense muscles relaxed as he stayed inside me, his warm breath tickling my neck. His hands traced the curves of my body, confirming his desire, his need for me. I could see it in the intensity of his gaze and feel it in the way his body pressed against mine. He wanted me, and I wanted him, and I couldn’t deny the connection between us any longer.
He melted into my arms, melted into my body, confirming he possessed a soul, that he was a man who could feel and want and need. “Jaxon, what just happened?” I panted as I stroked the back of his damp head.
“I claimed you,” he growled, his eyes flashing with savage possessiveness. “You’re my mate, now and forever. No one can ever break our bond. I’ll do anything to protect you, Peyton.” His voice was filled with a fierce determination that made my very bones shiver.
My heart raced as I gazed into Jaxon’s eyes, drowning in their depths. The words I’d held back for so long clawed their way up my throat, desperate to break free. Every fiber of my being trembled with the force of my feelings, no longer able to be contained.
“Jaxon, I—” I choked, terror and exhilaration warring within me. As I stared at him, his unwavering presence anchoring me, something inside me shattered. The walls I’d built crumbled to dust, making me finally able to whisper the truth that had haunted me for so long: “I love you.”
The words hung in the air between us, irreversible. There was no going back now—I had laid my heart bare, utterly vulnerable, yet somehow stronger than before.
He cast me a smoldering smile, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down my spine. I found myself breathless as Jaxon leaned in closer, closing the distance between us until I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek.
“You’re mine, Peyton,” he said, his voice low and husky. His hand reached up to cup my jawline, his thumb tracing a soft line along it. “I have always…will always…cherish you.”
I leaned into his touch, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. The world around us entirely faded away, leaving only us and this moment.
Jaxon’s other hand found mine, intertwining our fingers. He brought our joined hands to his chest, pressing them against his heart. I could feel it beating as rapidly as my own.
“You have my heart,” he continued, his eyes never leaving mine, “and always will. Every beat, every breath—it’s all yours, Peyton.”
The sincerity of his words threatened to overwhelm me. I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes from the sheer depth of emotion I saw reflected in Jaxon’s gaze.
I knew now that I could face whatever challenges came our way so long as Jaxon was at my side. He was mine—my grumpy, loyal vampire.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
An hour later, Jaxon and I held hands as we approached Café Du Monde. The familiar scent of coffee and beignets wafting through the air did little to calm the anxiety churning in my stomach. My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as I spotted our friends sitting at a table outside—Finn, Kamaron, Twyla, Valentin, and Rose.
Finn’s gaze locked on us immediately, his eyes sharp and unwavering. The scowl etched on his face spoke volumes: clearly he could tell what had transpired between Jaxon and me. The look of anger and hurt in his eyes stabbed at my heart, making me fear for our friendship.
Kamaron and Twyla exchanged nervous glances, while Valentin’s face remained impassive, giving nothing away. As for Rose, she fidgeted with her napkin, her discomfort evident in the set of her shoulders.
Jaxon squeezed my hand gently, silently reassuring, making me glance up at him. His jaw was set, his eyes fixed straight ahead with a look of steely determination. He was more than ready for the accusations that would undoubtedly be thrown at him and was obviously prepared to weather the storm of our friends’ disapproval.
As we drew closer, the chatter at the table died down, replaced by a tense silence. The clinking of cutlery and murmurs of other patrons became unnaturally loud in comparison. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and squeezed Jaxon’s hand back, drawing strength from his strong presence beside me.
There were two empty chairs at the table, one next to Finn and the other next to Valentin.
As we approached, Finn’s eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Jaxon with undisguised hostility.