Page 81 of Chaos Carnival

“Never,” he vowed, his hands lifting to tangle in my hair, holding me captive as he devoured my mouth with his. “Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen—“

His words turned into a hoarse cry as I broke the kiss, my mouth trailing down his throat, my teeth nipping and tugging at his skin. “Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen—“

“Keep going,” I urged, my mouth moving lower, my tongue swirling over his nipple.

“Twenty, twenty-one—Keep—oh God, Tess, keep going, please—twenty-two, twenty-three—“

His words dissolved into a groan as I shifted my attention, my mouth trailing lower, my hair tickling his sensitive skin. “Don't worry, pet,” I murmured. “I have every intention of making this last.”

“You—ah, yes, yes, you definitely—twenty-four, twenty-five, please, Tess, twenty-six—oh God, yes, like that, please don't stop—twenty-seven, twenty-eight—“

Hearing him beg sent a thrill of energy coursing through me. I loved the way his voice went hoarse and desperate, the way his hips bucked involuntarily as I took him into my mouth, my lips wrapping around him, my tongue swirling and teasing. I savored the taste of him, the feel of his length sliding over my tongue, and the little gasps and groans he couldn't contain.

“Twenty-nine...thirty...” His words were strangled now, his body taut as a bowstring, and I knew he was close. The thought of bringing him to the edge and then pulling him back again made my core clench with need. I wanted to draw this out, to make him lose himself completely in me.

I released him, unhurried, a little pop signaling my withdrawal, and straightened, my fingers trailing up his calves, over the sensitive skin of his inner thighs, and then past his groin, up his ribs and chest.

His breath hitched as I took his face in my hands and pulled him toward me, our mouths meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. I could taste myself on him, the mingling of our flavors driving me wild. His groan of desperation vibrated through me as I kissed him harder, my fingers threading through his hair.

“You said you weren't ready to come, pet. Are you ready to let go now?” I teased, knowing full well that he wasn't ready to give in just yet.

“Please,” he moaned, his voice hoarse and desperate. But he shook his head no at the same time, a silent denial that fueled my desire. I chuckled and tightened my grip on his hair, pulling his head back to kiss and nip at the sensitive skin of his neck, relishing the way his muscles tightened beneath my lips.

Slowly, I worked my way back down his chest and those rippled abs to his cock, and took him in deep this time. He groaned, grabbing my shoulders to brace himself. I swirled my tongue around the tip, reveling in the warmth of his arousal as he bucked into my mouth.

My eyes watered as I took him deeper, my throat constricting around his thickness. It was a delicious stretch, a familiar burn as his hand came to rest on the back of my head. His touch sent a warm current rushing through me as he guided my movements, his grip tightening as he grew more demanding.

With a playful smirk, I pulled off, rising to whisper in his ear. “Keep your hands behind you, pet. I'm the one in control here.”

His chin lifted in that defiant way he had, that silent challenge that made my heart race and my body ache. But then, he gave a short, sharp nod, his voice a husky growl as he surrendered. “Yes, love.”

I couldn't resist a smile as I patted his cheek fondly. “Good boy.”

Lowering back down, I savored the way his breath caught as I pleasured him. The way he surrendered to me, his groans ofdesire filling the room, sparked an invincible feeling within me. It was a wicked sense of pride and power, that I could reduce this man to a quivering mess with just my touch.

Then I pulled off again and looked up. “Why'd you stop counting?”

His eyes were a hazy lust-filled confusion. “Uhhhh… thirty—thirty-one…“

I took him in my mouth again, swirled and teased, tasting his arousal as I went down on him, deep and hungry. His pre-cum coated my tongue, and I moaned at the taste, the sound vibrating around him. I wanted to devour him, to feel his release, and the need to possess and control him in this moment was overwhelming. Reducing this strong man to a pleasured wreck, made my own desire coil tightly within me. As his breath hitched and his groans filled the air, I knew he was close—so close—and my own clit pulsed in time with my hungry mouth.

His words turned into a strangled groan as his release surged through him, his body shaking with the force of it. I held him tight as he came, tasting his essence and reveling in the power I had over him. His body bowed, his breath a harsh rasp, and I gentled my strokes as he gradually relaxed. He was fully at my mercy, and the knowledge sent a thrill through me. I owned him, I branded him as mine, and the thought made my core clench with need. As his shudders subsided, his breath panting, for now, he was sated, but I wanted more. My touch grew bolder, my desire a burning flame that threatened to consume us both.

When he finally stilled, I leaned back, watching him through heavy-lidded eyes. He met my gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable, but his mouth curved into a languid, satisfied smile. “You,” he managed, his voice rough, “are far more dangerous than I ever imagined.”

I returned his smile, my energy thrumming through my soul like a heady drug. “Oh, Maverick,” I purred, running my fingers through his hair, “you have no idea.”

Chapter 36: Ringmaster's Promise

Maverick

“Forfuck'ssake,wholet the demon-bound tiger out of its cage?”

I ducked as said tiger leaped overhead, its shadowy form rippling with eldritch energy. The massive cat landed with impossible grace, then proceeded to chase one of our newly hired acrobats up a tent pole. The poor guy's screams were probably genuine enough to feed three seraphim.

“Stone!” I barked, shrugging into my ringmaster's coat. “A little help here?”

Stone emerged from behind a cotton candy machine, demon-bound goat trotting at his heels. He assessed the situation with his usual stoic expression. “Eris, fetch.”

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