Page 65 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

"You want to give me a thank fuck?" He grins down at me, my head still cradled in his hands.

I lean closer, letting his touch linger as I whisper, "You know damn well what I meant." Electricity crackles between us before I wrench myself away, his warmth like molten honey.

"Does this mean you're done with the hunt?" His eyes are hooded and intense, a stark reminder of the power that lies beneath his exterior. He sits back on his heels, his attention over my bare lower half, lips tight.

I shake my head. "No, I need to win." For Wilder. And Az. I swing my legs off the couch and stand, realizing my mistake as soon as I do it.

His nostrils flare as he takes in my scent before his gaze moves up my body with deliberate slowness. His darkened eyes finally meet mine, and the air around us is thick and heady, as though I’m a teacup and he is an endless, churning ocean. His voice becomes low and husky as he asks the question I’m dreading, because I’m tempted to give in. "Sure I can’t convince you to stay?”

I swallow down a strangled whimper and pivot around him. “Sorry, this is too important.”

“Why?” He stands, handing me my ripped pants, his hold on them lingering. “They hold these all the time.”

“I’m going to free Azazel.”

His eyes widen, realization donning on him. “Holy fuck.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, struggling to yank my pants up where I need them.

“What the hell did he do to earn that?” He cards a trembling hand through his hair, mussing the curls.

My lips curl into a satisfied smirk as I think back to our passionate night. Sure, it was him drinking my blood, but I’d never come so hard in my life. “He certainly gave me the best orgasm I’d ever experienced,” I purr, feeling my cheeks flush with heat.

“Just think: two times the cock, two times the pleasure, baby,” he whispers huskily, pressing his lips to my temple as his fingertips caress the nape of my neck. I shudder in delight, feeling an electric current course through my veins.

His hooded gaze sears through me, and while his offer is tempting, I shake my head. Nothing will happen if I break my promise, except it’ll hurt a whole hell of a lot when it kills me. And though nothing bad happens if I lose, Az and Wilder deserve to be free. My tongue is like lead when I try to form the words, "I can't—"

"They vibrate." His sultry response swirls around me like a dark fog, threatening to consume me.

"What?" I manage to breathe, my heart in my throat.

"And I knot," he adds, heat pooling low in my belly.

A choked sound escapes my throat. "Help me win and I'll let you show me," I gasp, wanting to snatch the words back as soon as they tumble out. "I mean, if you help me win, I'll let you show me, but we're not having sex." He doesn't need to know about my deal with Caius.

Emeric pauses thoughtfully before me, his eyes piercing through me like a dagger. "So no sex ..." His gaze drops, and a smirk forms on his lips. "... but are other things on the table?" His suggestive eyebrows waggle mischievously, and it feels as though he's parsing through every naughty thought in my head.

"Maybe," I concede with a sly grin, fully aware that I'm playing with fire. "When I get to know you better."

He steps closer and cups my face, his eyes hooded. "You've got yourself a deal. I'll help you win this, and in return, I'll show you how my cocks work."

* * *

Emeric’s bodyburns against mine, the sealing kiss of our deal sending shockwave after shockwave of pleasure through my veins. He grasps my hips, pressing me closer until I can feel every inch of him, his cocks rising in response to my warmth.

The kiss turns frantic as he explores the softness of my lips, tasting me as though he’s a starving man. His tongue writhes with mine, sending sparks of electric energy down my body, and I can feel his desire unraveling, his whole being throbbing with need.

I rip myself away, lust heavy in his eyes as I unbuckle my breastplate and discard it on the floor.

“Deal sealed.” He groans as he watches me.

My chest heaves as I peel out of my top, tossing it behind me. In seconds, I'm out of my pants, but I struggle with my belt, which has a lone knife tucked at the back, so I abandon the effort.

My bare skin, creamy white, nearly has Emeric crashing to his knees, begging at my altar as he takes me in. Taught nipples beg for his fingers.

“There's something so hot about a woman wearing a combat belt,” his voice croons. “And only a belt.” He looks up at me, his eyes hot with desire and an invitation.

I don't hesitate.

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