Page 31 of Little Mate

The sky outside his windows goes from pre-dawn to the sun blazing high in the sky, and with it comes my rumbling stomach.

The sound is loud in the quiet space, and I blush, knowing he heard.

“I’ve already ordered your meal, sweetheart. I’ll be picking it up soon.” There’s humor in his velvet voice, and I peek back at him. He’s staring at me, the softest look on his face, and it’s a complete contradiction of the man I know he is.

I turn in his arms then to get a better look at him. To study every inch of his face; from his dark hair to amber eyes that flick to red and back the longer I stare. They’re beautiful, an enchanting ruby that pulls me in and I fall, without doubt or reason. I find myself giving in.

He’s mine. Truly made for me.

My eyes shift down a bit, and I take in his lips: pouty and soft, yet the teeth he hides beneath are sharp. A shiver runs through me at the reminder of his fangs, but not in fear or disgust. If anything, I’m wet. Swollen once more for my mate.

I feel the ghost of them sweeping across my lips once again. The way they pricked the skin, the sharp and quick sting, and then the glory of his tongue soothing the nick.

I want them again.

“Do it.” The red of his eyes darkens and his tongue wets his bottom lip. “They won’t disturb us; the guards and staff know better than to come near this floor until I’ve had my fill of you and even then, I want you all to myself. I don’t share.”

I don’t share.

Those words cause me to whimper, and I kiss him, my lips molding to his and sucking the bottom one between my teeth. Something in me pushes me to bite him. To sink my teeth in deep even though I don’t think he’ll feel it as I do, and yet his response is glorious.

Every muscle in his body locks—tightens—and an animalistic growl builds in his chest.

That sound is heady. It causes me to respond with a noise of my own, this kittenish whimper that he soothes by running his hands up and down my sides, pausing on the outside of my breast as he did a few hours ago, but instead of skimming them, Theo cups each and gives a small squeeze.

Not hard, but just shy of a little pain, and wetness seeps from my clenching hole. It coats my inner thighs and his nose flares, muscles tight, but then I’m pulling back as something registers.

His words.

And while every part of me protests this, my mind won’t let up. “Is that why I was able to get in so easily? Because no one stopped me, and I expect more from the vampire king than low protection of his home.”

“You seem more at ease.” That’s his response, no reproach for stopping, and before I can ask him again, Theo shakes his head. He also bops me on the nose affectionately and I pout, already needing another kiss. Why couldn’t I wait to ask? “Our home is always being guarded, Gabriella. I have eyes everywhere, and yet, you got through without anyone being the wiser. My guess is you either cloaked yourself, which points out a flaw I’m not proud of, or the men on rotation last night dropped the ball and need to be dealt with accordingly. Which one is it, sweet girl?”

“A little of both.” I give him a sheepish look, and the man does not react as I expect. Theodore throws his head back on the pillow and laughs, the heavy vibrations rumbling through me, and I can’t help but giggle. It feels as though he’s tickling me, hitting every one of my weak points and exploiting them to his gain. “Please stop.”

His laughter turns into a hum, smirk deepening. “That whine of yours is quite adorable.”

“And you’re not being fair.”

“Maybe that’s because you’re irresistible and deserve to be punished.”

“Punished?” I squeak, and yet the thought isn’t unpleasant. I’m a virgin, not a monk, and I’ve heard enough mated women speak of sex to understand that with the right partner, it’s a divine experience. There’s also no doubt in my mind after the way he made me come earlier—stole my first kiss—that he’s a giver. He enjoyed watching my every reaction to his touch.

“Intrigued?” Once again, my face heats up, but when I try to look away, Theo tsks. With the tips of two fingers, he turns me back, expression serious—a bit of his beast shining through the bright red eyes. So bright red for aroused, and the darker tone for anger. Noted. “Never hide from me, pretty girl. I always want to have those gorgeous green eyes on me. Understood?” I nod, and he makes a low hissing sound of displeasure. “Use your words.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good girl.”

“You suck.” I’m looking at him from beneath my long lashes, lips twitching, but I keep back my smile. The man isn’t playing fair, and I can’t deny the way those words affect me. Damn it all, I find the hidden threat a little sexy.

Or maybe a lot. Very much so.

“I will. Promise to bite a little deeper next time, too.” No shame. Not lying either.

At once, I flush from head to toe and before I can protest, I’m on my back with a god-like creature above. Looking at me with tenderness, yet behind the softness, there’s more.

Heat.

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