Page 73 of Dangerous King
Thank fuck, she melts against me with a sound that nearly ruins me, her small hands clutching the front of my shirt with a ferociousness that should be impossible for someone as small as her. I cup the back of her head and angle her mouth to mine, taking more, until the rest of the world disappears.
Her soft moan vibrates through me, straight to where I'm already hard and aching, the part that wants me to push forward, to push for more. Fuck, I could take her right here on this pier, on my jacket, under the fucking stars, but I won't. I remind myself that a few days ago, she hadn't even been kissed, that she's a virgin.
I break the kiss because my fucking cock is humming, and my balls are pulsing with desire for her. I need to stop before the last voice of reason is drowned out by the blood rushing into the lower part of my body, leaving my brain in a caveman-like state where I would do things I'd regret. We're both breathing hard. I lower my forehead against hers, let it rest.
"I've got you, Piccolina," I whisper against her lips. "I'm not going anywhere."
There is no warning. Well—one.
A low growl, quick and sharp, like a furry little demon signaling the end of my goddamn moment. Then, pain, as needle-sharp puppy teeth clamp down on my calf, right through my slacks, and pull.
"Cristo santo—!" I bark, stumbling back a step.
Cat gasps, startled, and then the sound she makes: shelaughs.
I'm still trying to pry the damn beast off my leg while she doubles over, covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Shadow's tail is wagging like this is the greatest game of his life, snarling like a wolf cub as he hangs from my pants.
"You've got to be kidding me," I mutter, glaring down. "You biteme? After everything?"
Cat can barely breathe through her giggles. "He's just… protective."
"Possessive little bastard," I growl, finally shaking him off. "Whose side is he on, anyway?"
"Mine," she says, grinning now. Glowing. "Obviously."
I scowl at the dog, who yips smugly and prances off in a circle like he's won something. The moment I look back at her. My heart is done for.
Her cheeks are flushed. Her lips are swollen from my kiss. And her laughter, that soft, unguarded joy, is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen or heard.
"I think he likes you," she adds, teasing.
I arch a brow. "That waslike?"
"You should see him with people hehates."
"Remind me never to piss him off."
A mischievous grin plays along her lips, and she takes a step towards me, but it's too quick; her foot slips on the dock's slick planks. Everything happens in a blur. I see her start to fall, her arms flailing, and I reach out to catch her. But it's too late. Time seems to freeze as she hangs in the air, her eyes wide with shock, before she plunges into the water.
I don't think; I just act. I tear off my jacket and dive in after her; the water isn't too cold. I surface to see her spluttering and wiping the water from her face. And then she laughs. It's a beautiful sound, pure and full of life, but it grates against the worry still coursing through me.
"It's not funny," I growl. She's ten years younger than me, and sometimes it shows. This is one of those times.
"It's very funny," she counters, flicking water at me with her fingers. The droplets hit my face. Oh, she's asking for it now.
I lunge towards her, a low growl in my throat. She shrieks, half in delight, half in alarm, and starts swimming backward. I chase her, my strokes powerful and sure, until I have her trapped between my arms in the water. The laughter dies between us, replaced by something heavier, something primal.
Her breath hitches, and I can't help but notice how her shirt clings to her, highlighting every delicate curve. And me? The water does nothing to hide my reaction to her. Her gaze flickers down, taking in the bulge in my slacks, and her eyes widen.
"You see what you do to me?" I murmur, my voice low and rough. "You've barely touched me, and I'm hard as a fucking rock."
She bites her bottom lip, a nervous habit I find endearing. I let my hands trail down to her hips, pulling her against me. She shivers, but she doesn't pull away. Instead, her legs wrap around my waist, tentative at first, then tighter.
"I shouldn't want you this bad," I breathe against her neck, treading water, keeping us both afloat. "But I do. I want you so much it's driving me insane."
Her hands flatten against my chest, and I can feel her heart racing. "I... I feel it," she whispers.
I need to take control, to show her how good I can make her feel. But I won't take what she's not ready to give. I kiss her throat, my lips soft but hungry. "I'm not going to take what you're not ready to give," I tell her. "But I want to make you feel good, Piccolina. Let me take care of you."
