He growled against her, the vibration sending another shockwave of pleasure through her. His rhythm was relentless, his mouth and fingers working in perfect harmony until she was teetering on the edge, her grip in his hair tightening.
"Come for me," he ordered, his voice dark with command.
She shattered. Pleasure ripped through her like lightning, her back arching as her climax tore through her with such force she nearly collapsed. Damon held her up, his arms wrapping around her waist as she rode the waves, her cries of pleasure mingling with the crackle of the fire.
When she finally came down from her ecstasy, boneless and breathless, Damon pressed a kiss to her inner thigh, his lips curved in a satisfied smirk.
Elena could barely think at all. But one thing was certain—she didn’t want to right now. She just wanted to enjoy this incredible man before her.
Elena knelt beside Damon, her naked body glowing in the firelight as she gently pushed him onto his back against the cavern floor. His green eyes burned with hunger, tracking her every movement as she reached for the cloth around his waist. The moment it fell away, his cock stood thick and ready between them, and her breath hitched at the sight of him—all hard lines and primal need.
She straddled him, her thighs bracketing his hips, and guided him to her entrance with deliberate slowness. His hands gripped her waist, his fingers digging into her skin as she sank down onto him, inch by glorious inch, until he was buried deep inside her. A gasp tore from her lips at the stretch and the fullness, the way he fit her so perfectly.
Damon's jaw clenched, his breathing ragged. "Elena, you feel like heaven."
She rolled her hips experimentally, savoring the way his cock dragged against her inner walls and the way his muscles tensed beneath her. "And you feel like mine," she murmured, leaning forward to brush her lips against his.
His growl vibrated through her chest as his hands slid up her back, pulling her flush against him. She began to move in a slow, deliberate rhythm, each thrust sending sparks of pleasure spiraling through her. His hips lifted to meet her, driving deeper and harder, until the cavern echoed with the slick sounds of their bodies moving together.
Her wolf surged forward, wild and ecstatic, howling in delight at the claiming it had waited for. Damon's grip tightened, his control fraying as his thrusts turned rougher and more possessive.
"Look at me," he demanded, his voice rough with need.
Elena met his gaze, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as pleasure coiled tighter inside her. His eyes were pure dominance, dark with desire, and it sent a thrill through her. She leaned down, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss as their bodies moved in perfect, primal sync.
His hands slid down to grip her ass, lifting her slightly before slamming her back down onto him. The sudden shift in angle had her crying out, her nails digging into his shoulders as pleasure exploded through her.
"Damon—I'm close?—"
"Let go, Elena," he growled against her lips. "Let me feel you come undone."
The command shattered her. Her climax ripped through her with such force her vision whited out, her body convulsing around him as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. Damon's hips stuttered, his rhythm faltering as her tight walls clenched around him.
And then—sharp pain.
Elena gasped as his teeth scraped against her neck, his canines pressing into her skin. For a heartbeat, she thought he would bite all the way—would claim her fully—but then he stilled, pulling back with a ragged curse.
Her fingers flew to her neck, coming away smeared with blood. Her wolf whined in protest, aching for the mark that had been denied.
Damon's expression was a mix of horror and regret. "Elena—I didn't mean to?—"
"You could have finished it," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I wanted you to."
He shook his head, his jaw tight. "Not like this. Not when we still have so much to figure out."
She swallowed hard, the sting of rejection warring with the understanding in his words. But before she could argue, he cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.
"I will make this right," he vowed, his voice low and fierce. "But I won't claim you in the middle of chaos. You deserve more than that."
Elena exhaled shakily, her heart pounding. For the first time in her life, she wasn't running—she was standing still, tethered to something real. To him.
"I know you will," she murmured, pressing her forehead to his.
EIGHTEEN
DAMON
The November sunlight slanted through the cavern entrance, cutting across Damon's face and pulling him from the most peaceful sleep he'd experienced in years. Elena lay curled against his chest, her blonde hair spilling across his bare skin and her breathing soft. The dying embers of their fire cast a warm glow over her naked form, and for a heartbeat, Damon allowed himself to savor the sight of his mate in his arms.