Page 54 of Pieces of Halves

Leaning in, I press my lips against hers – gingerly and carefully. She arches her chest into me, the softness of her breasts making contact with my bare skin. A low growl escapes my mouth, and she deepens the kiss, bringing us closer. The tip of my cock touches the wetness of her slits, creating heat in my veins that makes the world stop.

I move in a little more, letting my erection slide through her soft flesh just a little. The grip around my neck tightens and she moans. The sound leaving her mouth is so intoxicating that I want to drown in it.

Supporting her hips with one arm, I keep her steady. With my other one, I hold her cheek, caressing her skin with my thumb. My movement is slow when I ease myself inside of her. Warmth and wetness surround me, coating my tip and driving me insane. She feels like bliss.

I move in a little further, her walls stretching around me. She gasps and pulls away from my lips, so I pause. Breathing heavily, she rests her forehead in the crook of my neck and nods. Cautiously, I slide in some more, her tightness squeezing me. My groin fills with heat, waiting to explode.

With labored breathing, she whimpers. I stop again, giving her time to adjust. Doing anything I can to soothe her, I rub her back and hold her head. It’s painful to stay so still inside of her when every part of me screams to move and fuck her until she screams my name in pleasure, but she needs to adjust to the size.

Lowering my head, I kiss her shoulder. She loosens her grip on my neck and moves to meet my face. Relishing the satisfied look on her face, I push myself all the way. My spine tingles, blood flow quickly leaving my brain. Her mouth parts and she tilts her head back with a breathy gasp.

Hell, her pleasure is a drug.

I pull back, the friction creating a buzz that travels through my spine and into my balls. My motion slow and fluid, I go back in. She moans, gripping my shoulders, and everything surrounding us vanishes. It is just her body pressed against mine and the sound of her voice creating a beautiful song. It’s the way she holds on to me – as if I am her sanity.

Kissing her jaw, I increase my speed, the desire to burst inside of her taking over my senses. I want to be one with her right now and for eternity. The pressure in my groin becomes almost unbearable with her whimpering at my every stroke.

With a deep thrust, I feel myself close to the edge, but I desperately want to feel her clenching around me. Reaching for the base of her skull, I run my fingers through her hair and tug. Her head jerks back, she moans, and her thighs clamp about my legs. She tries to move her head, but I hold her steady, taking my piece of control. She is mine to please and I want to watch her satisfaction.

Her hips thrash, and the walls of her vagina spams around me, adding more stimulation. Her breathing labored, she moans and I lose control. My cock throbs, and everything explodes as I spill inside of her. With my chest tight, I am euphoric with stars sparkling in my eyes.

Feeling the need to have her closer, I engulf her in my arms and hold her close. She relaxes into me and for a moment, we stay silent, our hearts beating against one another.

“How do you feel?” I whisper while running small circles on her lower back.

“Free. Happy. Excited. Whole.” She exhales.

Smiling, I cannot be happier that she has come so far in her healing. I met her out of pure chance. Now, she has become my everything. She lets me be her strength. She hands her control and trust, allowing me to make sense of at least some part of my life. It is a mess with many unanswered questions, but then there is her. I play with her body, and the answer is clear – I don’t need much more than her.

Panther.

Chapter Twenty-Three

ISABELLA.

This needs to be done, I tell myself as we ride the royal carriage to my father’s castle, the inside of it comfortably fitting four people.

Jacob sits next to me, glaring at Yanuk every so often. I don’t think they found common ground yet, but I like Yanuk. There’s something charming about him. Even though he has a boyish look, he also has a sense of loyalty and determination. Jorgan is across from me, his leg crossed as he rests his ankle on his other knee.

A large stack of books is between Jorgan and Yanuk, making the inside of the carriage appear even smaller. Most are war strategies and manipulation tactics. I scowl at the sight of them. Reading is a lovely way to pass time, but not when it comes to war and politics.

I grew up at the castle. The way royals work makes sense to me. Fake customs and insincere smiles are simple enough to decipher. The problem lies with me being able to control men who ruthlessly kill. I don’t know if I can be strong enough to stand up to them when they won’t bow down to me or when they demand that Nickolas, my father’s cousin, take the throne instead.

Sighing, I have my nose in one of the books Jorgan insisted I read.Tactics of Manipulationis the name of the thick text. I am on thechapter labeled ‘Soldiers’ when I turn my head to look at Jacob, who is throwing daggers with his eyes at Yanuk.

Yanukhasbeen eyeing me a lot, but his stares seem very concentrated and intentional – as if he is studying me. Jorgan doesn’t say anything. Instead, he observes us casually with a small smile on his face; he appears privy to something but does not want to get involved.

“You have been looking at me a little strangely,” I say to Yanuk, and his lips move up slowly.

“I am observing your body language. When we get to the castle, you will need a bodyguard who is unsuspecting. That will be me. Because I will be watching from a distance, I need to be able to tell when you are in distress based on the smallest change in your body language,” he explains calmly, his body relaxed as he gives Jacob a smug side glance.

Yanuk is a smart choice. He is a little bit older than me, but he has an unexpectedly disarming appearance with his light brown hair that hangs messily low on his head. His face is light and smooth with a dimple on his left cheek. The only thing that worries me is the ladies flocking at him from every direction. I don’t know him well enough to trust that it will not distract him.

“Oh, that is a good idea,” I comment and look over at Jorgan, who has a pleased smirk on his face.

“Thank you. It was mine. I happen to think that you will be good for the vampire kingdom. It is best to keep you alive,” Yanuk says and narrows his eyes at Jacob. “No need to be jealous of my gazes. I am only doing my job.”

The amount of male hormones in his carriage is becoming comical.

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