Carefully, with infinite patience, he tugged again. This time, the horrible thing slid free of her with a slick, wet sound. Relief flooded through her body so strongly she nearly sobbed. Oh, thank God, it was out!
Brandt dropped the device to the floor with a snarl, his massive chest heaving as he glared at it.
“Just look at that fucking thing! It’s a torture device!”
She watched, wide-eyed, as his golden gaze bled red again. His pupils narrowed, his whole frame going tense. It was scary how fast he could change!
Oh no—he’s going into Rage again.
“I swear I’m going to kill the one who put that fucking thing inside you!” he growled, his teeth bared in a feral snarl. His big hands curled into fists, his muscles swelling. For a heartbeat, Lexi was afraid he might turn and storm right out into the night to tear someone apart!
“Brandt—no!” she cried, reaching out with a trembling hand to clutch at him. “Please—don’t go! Don’t leave me. I…I’m still hurting. I still need you.”
His burning red eyes softened. Slowly, gradually, the molten glow faded back to their warm gold. His chest heaved with effort, but he stayed where he was, his enormous body looming over her.
“Poor little Lexi,” he murmured, his voice breaking with compassion. “Of course you are. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Vengeance can wait. First I need to heal your soft little pussy.”
Lexi felt as though a flock of butterflies had taken off inside her stomach. The words made her blush fiercely…but the promise in his voice sent a thrill through her body.
“How…how are you going to heal me?” she whispered, her voice small.
His eyes grew half-lidded and hungry.
“By licking you, of course,” he murmured. “The compound Dr. TOo-loo gave me should make it possible. But this time, I’ll need to get my tongue deep in your sweet little pussy. I’ll spread you open and kiss you there until you’re soft and wet, and aching only with pleasure, not pain.”
Lexi’s cheeks burned hotter. No one had ever spoken to her like that before—so direct, so dirty, and yet so reverent.
Her ex’s scornful voice tried to rise in her mind, but it was drowned out by Brandt’s steady rumble.
“Your pussy is beautiful, Alexandra—a treasure. It deserves to be worshiped. To be kissed and licked and loved until you’re trembling. Can you let me do that for you? Can you lie still and let me use my mouth to heal you?”
Her whole body was trembling now, her clit throbbing in time with his words. Shame and heat warred inside her, but the thought of his tongue deep inside her—of him kissing her there with that kind of devotion—was too much.
She gave a tiny nod.
“I…I think so.”
His big hand cupped her cheek, stroking tenderly.
“Good girl,” he rumbled, his voice thick. “Then spread those thighs for me again, little Lexi. Let me kiss and lick your sweet little pussy until you feel all better.”
35
BRANDT
Gods, how long had it been since he had done this? Since he had knelt between a woman’s thighs, breathed in her intoxicating fragrance, and licked her until she shook apart in his arms?
Not since his wife. Not since before he swore the oath never to call another Bride. He’d buried that part of himself—buried it deep. And now here he was, drowning in the scent of nectar and female heat, his tongue sliding over Alexandra’s soft folds, as though he’d been starving for this all along.
I should feel guilty. And he did—just a twinge. But the thought was drowned beneath the truth—he wasn’t breaking his vow—not really. He wasn’t Bonding Alexandra to him—wasn’t knotting her or claiming her as his Bride. He was healing her. That was all—just healing her.
Still… gods help him, it felt so fucking good.
Her thighs trembled as he spread them wide with his shoulders. The sight of her sex glistening for him, flushed and swollen, made his cock throb almost painfully.
Beautiful, he thought hungrily. Her pussy is beautiful. Sweet and perfect and mine…all mine to heal.
Her fragrance filled his senses—warm, feminine, heady as spiced Fleuran wine. It clung to his tongue as he licked her, coated his lips…slid down his throat. He growled low in his chest, unable to help himself as he tasted her.