Page 37 of The Blood Moon Oath

“That was beautiful, kitten,” I say. “Damn, if I’d known it was going to look that good, I would have made you come a long time ago.”

“Look that good?” she whispers, blinking up at me, her fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns across my chest.

Her touch sends a ripple through me, something far deeper than just the heat of her fingertips against my skin. It’s strange—intimate in a way that should make me recoil. I’ve never let anyone get this close before, never allowed anyone to touch me like this, as though they had a right to explore what’s mine. And yet, with her, I don’t stop it.

Her fingers move over the ridges of muscle and the ink etched into my skin, lingering on the lines that tell a story I’venever shared. For anyone else, this would feel like a violation. For her, it feels... right. Too right.

I catch myself holding my breath, my body tensing beneath her touch as though I’m waiting for something—her next move, her next word. It’s unnerving, the control she seems to have without even realizing it. But instead of shoving her hand away, I let her keep going, my chest rising and falling under her touch. For her, I’ll allow this. For her, I’ll let my guard slip—just for a moment.

I lean in closer, watching her face, the way her eyes widen just slightly, the tension in her shoulders pulling her tight like a coiled spring. She’s so guarded, so determined to keep everyone out, and it makes me want to break down every single wall she’s built.

But it’s not just about the fire in her, or the fight. It’s more than that. It’s her.

“I saw your soul,” I say, my voice dropping lower, more serious than even I expected. Her breath hitches, and it pulls a slow grin out of me, but this time, it’s softer, unguarded. “And damn, kitten, it’s the prettiest one I’ve ever seen.”

I let the words hang in the air for a beat, watching her reaction. She blinks at me, and I can see the conflict in her eyes—like she’s not sure whether to laugh, roll her eyes, or run. It’s perfect. She doesn’t know what to do with me, and I like it that way.

But it’s not just a line, not really. Ididsee her soul, even if she doesn’t realize it. For a moment, I saw past all the fight, all the fear, all the snark she hides behind.

And what I saw? It was stunning. Pure. Untamed.

I’ve seen plenty of souls in my time. It’s impossible not to when you’re in the business of taking them apart. Most are predictable, dull. Dark and twisted in all the same ways. But hers? Hers was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Wild anddefiant, yes, but there was something else, something I can’t quite put into words. A light that burned so fiercely it made me want to reach out and touch it, just to see if it would burn me alive.

And the worst part? I’d let it.

She looks at me now, her lips parting like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t. Not yet. So I press on, letting her feel the weight of what I’m saying.

“Most people? Their souls are predictable. Same shades, same cracks, same scars. But yours...” I trail off, shaking my head as if I can’t quite believe it myself. “Yours is different. It’s wild, like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful, kitten. Raw. And it makes me want to protect it and ruin it all at the same time.”

Her cheeks flush, and she looks away, but I don’t let her escape that easily. I reach out, brushing a finger under her chin to tilt her face back toward mine.

“I’m not saying this to mess with you,” I murmur, my voice softer now, more dangerous in its honesty. “I mean it. You’re something special, kitten. Somethingrare.And you don’t even see it, do you?”

She swallows hard, her pulse quickening where it beats in her throat. I can feel it like a drumbeat, and it sends heat curling through me, low and insistent. It’s not just about wanting her body, though, gods know I do. It’s about wanting all of her. Her fire. Her fight. Her soul.

She shakes her head slightly, trying to break the moment, but I don’t let her. “I saw you,” I say again, my tone firm, insistent. “Not just the walls you put up or the snark you throw at us to keep us at arm’s length. I sawyou,kitten. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone snuff that out.”

Her eyes lock with mine, and for the first time, I see something flicker there—something like trust, like maybe she believes me. It’s enough to keep me close, to let the moment stretch just a little longer.

I lean back slightly, giving her space, but not too much. Just enough to let her breathe. “Prettiest soul I’ve ever seen,” I repeat, my voice lightening with a grin. “But don’t let it go to your head, kitten. I still like it best when you try to stab me.”

That gets a small laugh out of her, soft and reluctant, and it’s enough to make me smirk. Because I know I’ve just gotten another crack in those walls of hers. And I can’t wait to break through them all.

Her mood shifts slightly. "Did you...take it?" she asks, trembling just a bit.

“Not a part of it. Not even close. I would never do that, kitten,” I reassure her. “If I had touched it, you would know. You wouldn’t have been able to miss it.”

She nods, letting me know she trusts me. The thought fills me with joy and makes me want to fuck her even more. I want to pound her into next week.

“Come here,” I murmur. She crawls over and I press my lips to hers. “Now, it’s my turn.” She smiles at me and the smile turns into a gasp as I begin to pump my cock a few times. Her eyes widen.

She looks down and sees my cock already starting to get hard again. She starts to reach out and stroke it, but I stop her. “I’m going to show you how good it feels to give pleasure too, kitten. To both of us.”

I lay on the bed and she immediately starts to straddle me, which isn’t what I want at all.

I sit up and toss her to the bed. “What are you doing?” she asks.

“Stand there.” I point in front of the bed at the floor. “Kneel down to all fours. Then crawl up and put your faceover my cock."