Page 75 of The Bond That Burns

His eyes moved over my breasts, my hips, the downy red curls between my thighs and I felt every inch of my body heating up with desire.

“This can’t happen,” I whispered, the words almost a plea.

His face hardened. “Oh, it’s happening.”

And so help me, I couldn’t muster the willpower to disagree.

CHAPTER 18 - BLAKE

She lay beneath me, her chest rising and falling with every uneven, ragged breath she took. Her fiery hair streamed out across my bed like a halo of blood. Her wide, green eyes stared up at me, almost fearful as they met mine.

I already knew what else I’d find in her eyes if I looked hard enough. Hatred. Desire. Two sides of the same coin. I knew because they were mirrored in my own eyes.

Her bare skin glowed under the lamplight. She had freckles. Not just on her face—those I’d known about. No, these were everywhere. Mapped out like constellations. I wanted to touch each one, memorize them with my hands, worship every beautiful speck with my mouth until she was moaning beneath me from the pleasure of it.

Fuck, but she was beautiful. Of course, I’d found her attractive since that first day. But now I knew I’d really had no idea.

She was a work of art. Sculpted in a way that left no room for flaws. Pale, smooth skin stretched over delicate curves. Every inch of her, a perfect balance of strength and femininity.

My eyes lingered on the soft sweep of her shoulders, the curve of her waist that dipped just enough to make my chest tighten. There was something about her that felt untouchable. Like she was carved from the same stuff as dragons and was just as otherworldly. Impossible to fully claim. But hell, if I didn’t mean to try.

Though her gaze was still defiant, she couldn’t hide the flush on her cheeks—or the perfect flush of red that swept across herbreasts. I could smell the sweet wetness between her thighs. It was driving me wild. She might despise me—I already knew that much—but her body clearly didn’t.

Pendragon had been hiding dark desires. Now I could see them lurking in her emerald green eyes. Sinful thoughts. Sinful lusts. I wanted to fulfill every single one she’d ever had about me.

I lazily trailed my hands over her breasts, brushing my fingers over the peaks of her nipples until she gasped.

“You’re quiet for once, Pendragon,” I murmured, my voice mocking. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

Her eyes flashed. “You’re insufferable, even in bed.”

I chuckled. “Yet you don’t seem eager to leave.” My gaze roamed her body, slow and deliberate, enjoying it as she flushed even more deeply. “You might hate me. But your body is telling a different story.”

“I don’t want you,” she said, without any conviction. “You’re detestable.”

“And you’re lying,” I shot back. “You can hate me all you want. But part of you wants me, too. Just as much as I want you.” I leaned down to whisper against her lips. “Admit it.”

She shocked me then. She lifted her mouth and pressed it against mine.

The moment our lips met the world ignited.

Her taste was intoxicating. Almost as good as her blood.

I moved my hands over her, gripping her hips, then cupping her breasts. I wanted to touch her everywhere. The heat of her skinburned beneath my hands. I wanted to consume her, devour every bitter retort and ounce of venom she’d ever dared throw my way. The fury in her kiss matched mine and fed whatever this was raging between us.

Her lips parted beneath mine and I darted my tongue into her mouth hungrily, feeling her sharp intake of breath, hearing the faint, almost unwilling mew she made as her fingers curled against my chest.

Not enough. Not ever enough.

I intensified the kiss, my teeth raking her lower lip, demanding more, more, more. Her hands slipped into my hair, tugging me closer towards her. Our bodies moved against one another, and I let out a groan as our bare skin touched. Her breasts pressed against my chest and the sensation was incredible. Better than anything I’d ever felt in my life.

This. This was what I’d needed. What I’d wanted since last year from the very start. I didn’t just need her blood. I neededher. All of her. I wanted her more than anyone I’d ever met.

I pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, searching her gaze. Her cheeks were rosy, her lips already swollen from the force of the kiss.

“This is how it should be,” I murmured. “Do you feel it?”

“What do you mean?” she whispered. Her hands twitched, like she couldn’t decide whether to push me away or pull me closer.

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