Page 260 of The Ascended
"Shhh," I interrupted, looking up. "I want to taste you."
The muscle in his jaw ticked as I traced my lips over his erection straining against the fabric of his trousers. "You're playing with fire, starling."
"Good," I replied, freeing him. My eyes widened at the sight of him. "I want to burn."
I wrapped my hand around him, unable to fully encircle his girth. "Tell me how you want it," I demanded, giving him a teasing stroke. "Do you want it slow and gentle?" I demonstrated with a feather-light touch that had him hissing through his teeth.
"Harder," he ground out.
I increased the pressure, maintaining an agonizingly slow pace. "Like this?"
A growl rumbled from his chest. "You know damn well that's not what I want."
"Then tell me," I taunted, deliberately provoking him. "I want to hear you say it."
His eyes burned when they met mine. "It’s rather simple, starling. I want you to take as much of me as you can."
Desire curled through me. "Is that right?"
Without breaking eye contact, I leaned forward and licked himfrom base to tip, savoring the taste of him. His whole body shuddered, a strangled curse escaping his lips.
"Gods, your mouth," he groaned as I took him between my lips, sucking hard. His hand tangled in my hair, not guiding but holding tight as if he needed an anchor.
I took my time, alternating between torturous gentleness and intense suction, watching his control unravel thread by thread. When his breathing grew ragged, when his grip in my hair became almost painful, I met his gaze deliberately, challenging him.
Understanding flashed in his eyes. The hand in my hair tightened, and he began to move, slowly at first, testing. "Is this what you want?" he asked, voice strained.
I hummed my approval around him, and that small vibration seemed to snap the last thread of his restraint. His grip became firmer, more commanding as he controlled the pace, gradually increasing the depth with each careful thrust.
"Take more," he urged, watching me with blazing intensity. I relaxed my throat, allowing him deeper access, and was rewarded with a guttural sound.
He released my hair suddenly.
"Stop," he finally commanded, voice harsh. "I'm not finishing like this. Not tonight."
I pulled back, deliberately licking my lips as I looked up at him. "Too much for you to handle, Prince?"
His eyes were wild and untamed. And the war in them set my blood on fire.
"Get up. Now."
He practically dragged me across the study toward the tall library ladder. With quick efficiency, he tested the mechanism before locking it into place with a decisive click.
He stepped closer, his chest pressing against my back. His hands ran slowly up my sides, tracing every curve. The warmth of his palms burned through me as they continued their journey upward, skimming over my shoulders and down my arms.
He guided my hands forward, placing them firmly on the wooden rungs at shoulder height. His hands clamped around mine.
"Don't let go." His breath was hot against my ear as he leaned in. My knees weakened.
He released me to trail back down my arms, my sides, eventually settling on my hips. He used his knee to nudge my legs apart, positioning me exactly as he wanted.
He pressed against me from behind, his hardness digging into my lower back. "You enjoy provoking me, don't you?" he murmured, his lips brushing the sensitive spot below my ear.
"Yes," I admitted shamelessly. "Desperation is a great look on you."
His hand slid between my legs. "Look at you," he said, voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "Soaked already, starling.”
I moaned as his fingers explored me, teasing but never giving enough pressure where I needed it most. "Xül, please?—"
