Page 55 of Darkest Heart

“What happened to you?” she asked.

I intertwined my fingers with hers, moving them away from my scar. “Death,” I whispered, and her pupils narrowed. “Don’t worry. It’s not nearly as bad as everyone makes out.”

“I’m not scared of death.”

I grinned, baring my teeth, fangs exposed. “Good.”

“Tell me how you died.” Her expression darkened as she rose from the bed. “You want to fuck me, but won’t tell me anything about you?”

“That’s not how this works.”

She tugged at her nightgown again, trying to hide her curves, rolling over so I couldn’t see her stomach, and something untamed in me snapped. “Stop.” I grabbed her wrist, wrenching it from the seams. “Take it off.”

Her chest flushed so prettily. “No.”

“Do as you’re told.” I warned, not fucking around anymore. “Take it off.”

She brought a hand up to the strap, slowly moving it down her arm. If she was trying to tease me, it was working, but I sensed she wasn’t. She cast her eyes downward, the sound of her thick swallows in my ears as she reached her breasts. “I can’t.”

“Show me,” I ordered.

Someone hammered at the door. “Niall!” Adrian’s voice carried through the door. I hadn’t heard his footsteps. He tried opening the door, but I locked it when we came in. “You’re needed downstairs. The tournament.”

He muttered something under his breath as he walked away. Elizabeth’s eyes widened, those honey-browns captivating my attention. She whispered. “Don’t you need to go.”

“I’m not finished yet.” I pressed my fingers against her clit, and she arched her back. It was too fucking hot.

This was just how I wanted to see her.

“Bend over.”

Her legs opened against mine. “What if I say no?”

“You’ll do as you’re told.”

Her gulp sounded in my ears. “Take them off,” I ordered, my eyes sliding up her bare legs to her dress.

“Take what off?”

“Don’t play coy with me.” My stare burned into hers, and her chest flushed red. Slowly, she stepped out of her panties, her thick lips parting as she dragged the fabric of her skirt up her thighs, revealing her naked ass. She flushed pink, trying to cover up again. “Stop,” I ordered, but she kept tugging at the fabric. “I said stop!”

I brought my hand down on her ass, and a moan escaped her mouth. She liked this. “You respond so well,” I said, half-surprised. Her body flushed as she tried to cover up the sound. “It’s okay to like it.”

Her shoulders relaxed a little. “I…”

I didn’t need her to tell me a thing. Her ass lifted, and I slapped again. The sting on my fingers sent me into a sensual haze. The sound of the strike ringing in my ears, followed by a raspy gasp from her mouth. My dick hardened, bulging against my pants, begging to be set free.

I paused, stroking lightly over the red mark, delighting as she jolted under the touch. She lifted her bottom higher, and my lips curved.

“Good girl.” I dragged my fingers over her cheek and over the crease. “Now sing for me.” I sent a second, harder strike down, my dick pulsating as the sting shocked down my fingertips. She moaned, and I licked my lips. She really was fucking beautiful. “I love it when you moan for me.”

She flinched as I rubbed my hand over the sensitive area where I’d spanked her. Her toes curled against the floorboards as I squeezed the skin, gently pulled back, then slapped the other cheek harder than the first. Her waist lifted from the bed, her fingers crumpling the silk sheets as she moaned louder. The sting sizzled on my fingers, and I smiled, knowing how the pain must have felt jolting down her spine. She arched her back, arousal slicking between her legs.

“You really can take a spanking,” I appreciated, sliding her nightgown further down her back. “Now turn onto your back.”

When she turned, her eyes lit up. She seemed just as shocked as I was. I brought my lips down onto hers. At first, she tried to fight it. But as my fangs elongated, she kissed me back. Softly at first, then all-consuming.

She needed this, and she didn’t even know it. How long had she spent protecting her family, never thinking about herself? Always the warrior. Forever on edge. She needed to be taken care of for once. Her hands in my hair, the way she pulled me closer, brought out a protective instinct I didn’t even know was there.

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