Page 76 of Of Blood and Smoke

I let out a breath. “Because I want to. I want you. I could have anyone I desire but you are the one who fills the void in my soul. They aren’t going to bother you; there is order in the Court, a way of doing things. Tradition is vitally important.”

Moving an arm up, I pushed her thick hair to the side and tilted her head up before I brushed the side of her neck withmy knuckles and trailed my nails down. She shivered lightly and closed her eyes. I tugged her closer, and nuzzled her, breathing her in, tasting her soul before a shudder ran through my body. What a blessing it was; to be able to experience all of her.

Her soul, her blood, her sex.

Her mind, her spirit, and her body.

It all belonged to me.

Della’s flavor and scent filled me and the longing deep inside me rose, coiling up to the surface, demanding a taste. My teeth elongated and I gently scraped them along her delicate column, savoring the anticipation. She relaxed into me, curling one arm around my waist as her other rested on my thigh. With her molded against me, I bit.

The ecstasy hit my tongue, and every cell of my body lit up with the eagerness of a thousand suns, brightening the darkest corners of my heart. Her blood, the unique signature of it, was flavored with cream, spice, and honey—Creator-designed solely for me. I knew this just as much as I knew my heart would never stop beating for her. My eyes would always find her, no matter what corner of the universe we may be dragged to eventually.

Retracting my teeth I licked her clean and sealed the wound. Her hands fluttered up to grab my face, pulling my lips to her mouth. Della licked and kissed the traces of her blood left on my skin, as she moved to grasp my hair. I slid a hand between our bodies and tugged her pants down as she lifted herself up.

Before she knew what happened, I had her flat on her back on the bed and her panties tugged to the side. Grabbing her ankles, I pulled her to the edge of the mattress. The sudden movement had her gasping as she peeked up at me through half-lidded eyes. I stared down at her, with my hand splayed on her belly and my thumb stroking her flesh.

She squirmed under my caress, panting. Her juices glistened at her opening and combined with the lingering flavor of herblood on my tongue, the beast inside me demanded I break her, fill her, and stake my claim once again.

Della moved her hand from my wrist, where she’d been trying to shove my hand down to her pussy and began to massage her breasts. As her fingers toyed with her peaked nipples, I was going to lose my mind.

“Josiah,” she begged, as she reached for me again. I backed away slightly, and her hand fell into dead air.

I let my eyes slowly drag along her luscious form, taking in the sweet curve of her neck, the slope of her shoulder, the bend of her waist, and the arch of her hips. Fisting my cock, I nudged the head against her hot entrance, letting her juices slip against the crown, silky and moist.

Whimpering, she tried to scoot closer, but I pressed a hand back down on her abdomen, pinning her to the mattress. I wanted to take my time; I wanted her to cry for me. I wanted her to beg. To match the weeping in my soul over how I could never be close enough or possess her fully. Every cell in my body pleaded with me to absorb her, to drink her down with shuddering elation so we could beone.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I slammed my cock into her. Her body shook under my efforts as I stretched her, plunging into her over and over, feeling her walls squeeze and milk me.

I memorized every vibration of her cunt, every breathless whimper that slipped through her lips, and I bit her again. She screamed as her liquid spilled over and under my tongue, leaving me mindless with bliss. Her pussy contracted, strangling my cock, as she convulsed below me.

Della dug her nails into my back, breaking the skin as she rode out her waves of ecstasy. I climbed onto the bed and lifted her against me, not breaking our bond. As she trailed a hand down my chest, I saw her stained fingers and that was all it took.White-hot fire gathered at the base of my spine, and I pinned her to my cock, reaching my own nirvana with a roar.

Gently I laid her back on the bed, marveling at the sparkle of her hair against the luxurious blankets. I could drown in her gaze. Every day I spent with her was another day I couldn’t imagine living without her. I licked the twin rivulets of blood trickling down her neck before I told her.

“I love you, Della.”

THIRTY-SIX

Della

There were multiple frantic texts from Ashley on my phone when I woke up. I started texting her back but then I figured it was better to call her.

I didn’t even get to say hi. “Where were you! What happened?” Ashley screeched into the phone.

“Brett. Brett went crazy,” I replied. “I’m okay; Josiah took care of it.”

The bed I was in was empty. The only evidence Josiah was ever beside me was the indent in a pillow to my left, on the side facing the door.

“What did that asshole do?” I knew she meant Brett and not Josiah.

Sitting up, I answered, “He took me to some guy named Vincent’s house and tied me to a chair.”

My friend gasped. “No, he did not. Holy crap. Are you okay?”

“I am. My wrists and shoulder are kinda sore but I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry. I know you care about Brett.” Ashley paused. “Josiah and Micha flew outta the hotel like it was on fire, it was crazy. I didn’t know anyone could move that fast. You should’ve seen them. Where are you now?”

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