Page 21 of Of Scale and Blood

I laughed softly and popped the final fastening. His erection sprang free, gloriously thick and glistening with precum. The man really did want me soverybadly. “Fires burn best when the fuel is dry, and I’m thinking that’s not the best analogy to be using here.”

“Ah, but is the fuel dry? I rather suspect it is not.”

And with that, he slipped down through my wetness and thrust inside. I gasped in pleasure, then leaned forward, claiming his lips, kissing him hard even as I rocked against his fingers, wanting his touch and yet needing far more.

He slid his free hand through my hair and deepened our kiss, all the while continuing his gentle stroking, causing all sorts of havoc to my breathing and heart rate. His thumb grazed my clit, and another gasp tore past my lips. I reared back, my hands on his shoulders, bracing myself as his stroking intensified. Then he caught one aching nipple between his lips and sucked hard; it was almost my undoing. Almost. As the low-down tremors began to take hold, I pulled away from his fingers, rose onto my knees to position myself above his erection, then thrust down on him, taking him in, all the way in. He was hung like a stallion, and it felt like he was spearing through the very heart of me. But it also felt so very perfect. Like I’d been specifically designed to sheathe this man, andonlythis man.

In the sheer and utter perfection of that fragile moment, neither of us moved. I stared into the glorious blue of his eyes, seeing the heat, the hunger, and perhaps even caring. But there was also power in those deeper depths, and shadows, and secrets, and it was the latter two that scared me.

They had the ability to destroy this perfection.

Something flickered through the blue—an emotion too fast to pin down—then he lightly ran a finger down my cheek and across my lips. I caught it, drawing it gently into my mouth, and he sucked in a sharp breath. The heat and hunger surged, erasing the shadows and the danger, and he began to move, not slowly, not gently, but fierce and hard, all control gone.

I moved with him, just as needy, just as desperate.

When release came, it was explosive, wrenching a cry from my lips as his body went rigid against mine and his seed exploded into me. I shuddered and shook, riding that wave until the very end, then slumped against him with a sigh.

“You must admit,” I said softly, trailing my fingers down his muscular right arm, “that there is something to be said about a fire that burns hard and fast.”

“Which is not to say long and slow is without its merits. I believe it is only fair that we test both statements before any real conclusion is made.”

“I would not be against such an exploration.” Especially when the man inside of me was already thickening for another round. Those who’d whispered of his legendary stamina and resilience had definitelyunderstatedfact, in my experience.

I rose and moved into the bathroom, quickly cleaning up while he fully stripped off and moved over to the sleeping platform. I joined him under the covers and, for the next couple of hours, we explored, touched, teased, ultimately proving that not only were slow fires as equally satisfying as fast but also that Damon wasn’t the only one with legendary stamina.

* * *

I woke just as the first strains of pre-dawn color were beginning to paint the bit of sky visible through the light tube above the bed. There was little sound to be heard, either within the palace or without, though the latter wasn’t really surprising given the thickness of the walls. Still, something had woken me, something that had unease stirring, and I wasn’t entirely sure what.

I carefully slid out of bed, then padded naked into the bathroom to use the facilities.

“Problem?” Damon said, voice rumbly and deep with sleep.

“Right now, only a full bladder.”

“Suggesting something other than a full bladder is worrying you.”

“It’s a niggle, nothing more.”

“Then I had better order us shamoke and breakfast, just in case that niggle becomes a full-blown problem.”

“It probably won’t, but it never hurts to be prepared.”

“So says my drakkon-riding, sword-wielding wife.”

There remained a small part of me that still wanted to rage against the unfairness of our marriage even if it was becoming more and more obvious that we were not only compatible sexually but emotionally as well. “Neither of which she’ll be doing once she moves to Zephrine.”

Blankets rustled as he climbed out of bed. “What if she could?”

I frowned. “Could what?”

“Still wield a sword.”

Confusion stirred. “I can’t see your father allowing that, especially given he no doubt wants his bloodline secured and grandsons born.”

“Right now, I’m not worried about what he wants when it comes to our marriage. Honest answer—given the choice, what would you do?”

I finished my business, then moved over to the washing sink, quickly rinsing my hands before switching over to the hot water so I could clean up. “Aside from stay here? Continue scouting for as long as is feasible.”

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