Page 52 of Shadow's Chosen

"Why not?"

Nezka didn't respond. He lifted the glass to his mouth and drank slowly.

"Nezka, I know you're upset about what happened," she said softly. "You know I don't blame you."

Nezka placed the cup down on the bar and laughed low. "Upset? No, I'm not upset." He turned toward her, and Elise took a step back. "I'm enraged. Do you want to know why?" he said in a hushed tone. "Because I had to almost force myself on you because of that insufferable crooked-fanged piece of shit. And despite what you might think of me, Elise, I'm not fine with that. I know I've come off like some kind of brute, but I don't like my women to be disgusted or afraid. In fact, I hate it." He got real close, backing her against the bed. "I don't want it." He placed his hand on the metal poster behind her. His body shook. "I cannot bear to be with someone who is afraid of me. Who loathes my touch. I want them to be hot and dripping for me, just me. I want them to want it so bad I make them scream," he whispered, leaning close. "I want to see their pleasure and know it is for me. And I want to feel it too."

Elise barely moved or breathed.

"Tell me you don't want me, Starling," he continued. "Just say it, and I won't come near you ever. Not even if someone tries to force me. I will kill them before I lay a hand on you like that again. Just say it."

Elise didn't speak. Nezka went to move back and turn from her, and she stopped him, the tips of her fingers lightly grazing his chest. Nezka stilled, watching her fingers fall along to his stomach. Quietly, Elise loosened her towel and let it fall to the ground. Nezka's pupils widened, eyes glowing hot. Elise grabbed his wrist and placed it on her waist then down to her hip.

"Show me," she said softly. "Teach me."

Nezka didn't move. Elise released his wrist, but his hand didn't drop. He seemed to hesitate for a mere second, as if to just be sure, watching her expression, her eyes, carefully. When she didn't look away from his gaze and even dared to fix him with a little smirk, he moved, closing the distance between them, gripping her hips with both hands.

She was on the bed in an instant with Nezka on top of her. He unclasped his pants and pulled them off, exposing himself fully to her. Elise looked down and found the lower half of him was just as breathtaking as the upper. Though the part between his legs was alien in itself (the rimmed shaft situated above a hardened, slated shell), it still held a human-like appearance that made it recognizable for what it was. Nezka took hold of her thighs and spread them apart.

As if by some well-thought-out assumption he might have had, he lowered his head between her legs and slid his long tongue along her center, twisting in and around her most sensitive place then dipping deep inside. Elise gasped and felt heat burst in her lower belly and between her thighs. She moaned loudly as Nezka slipped his tongue out and lifted back his head. He pinned down her thighs, keeping her spread in place and positioned himself over her. His cock, already hardened and oiled on its own, rubbed against her core before he moved his hips back and placed the tip at her center.

Elise inhaled sharply as he penetrated then slipped deep inside. The shape of him settled nicely against her, and she was surprised to feel almost every part of him. Goosebumps ripped across her body, and she shivered as a sudden lick of heat seared along her center. His body tensed, thigh muscles tightening. Nezka let out a low groan.

"You feel as amazing as I'd hoped," he whispered. Still keeping her legs in place, he began to move, slow at first, in a sensual beat that made her flush. Elise didn't think she had ever felt such intense heat in all her life. She moaned loudly again, uncaring who might hear on the other side.

Nezka's pace quickened with each bow, his groan turning into a growl as he bared his fangs, his face twisting, turning beastly amongst the shadows. Elise thought in any other circumstance, she might find it terrifying but was even more aroused at the sight. The aching heat coiled in her, tightening, making her breathless. She placed a hand on Nezka's chest, letting her fingers claw at him. He pressed himself deeper, hitting somewhere that sent her burning higher.

Her body tightened, and she let out a cry. Nezka hissed and seemed for a moment surprised. He glanced down between them, his expression shocked and annoyed as Elise felt a throbbing, liquid heat fill her. He drew back, cursing, and she felt something wet hit her inner thighs.

Elise lay back for a moment, her hand sliding down his stomach, enjoying the hardness and warmth of him. There was an odd scent in the air that reminded her of baked almonds with a hint of spice. She carefully sat up on her elbows and straightened out her legs as he released her.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

Nezka reached an arm out, brushing back the hair in her eyes then caressing her face gently. "More than all right. I just..." He dropped his hand and laughed softly. "Ah, it's been a long time since..."

Elise tilted her head. "Long time since what?"

He sat beside her on the edge of the bed and drew a hand across her inner thigh, brushing away some of the remains of his passion and rubbing it between his fingers. "Since I was unable to hold myself back. Not since my first time, I think. But I fear I couldn't stop, especially when you tightened like that."

"Oh." Elise smiled sheepishly. "That's a good thing, I guess?"

"Good and slightly embarrassing." He leaned down to her and nipped at her neck with his sharp teeth, flicking his tongue after. "I was just unprepared for the feel of you, my Starling."

The way he said Starling sounded less like her name and more like an endearment.Star-ling.Elise didn't mind. She smiled again, lifting her hand to draw lazy circles along his shoulder. "How did it feel?"

Nezka seemed to think for a moment. "Like...Etharium"

Elise fixed him with a confused expression. "What is that?"

"A place of pure bliss."

Elise gave him a doubtful look. "Are you trying to say I feel like heaven? Because that is simultaneously the most romantic and cheesiest thing I've ever heard."

Nezka shrugged and laughed. "Perhaps. But it is the closest I've ever been."

Elise laid back with a groan. "You're too much. Is this just what you say to all the girls after?" She laughed.

"No."

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