Page 25 of Filthy Royal

She’d never been as needy and wet as Damien Skolov made her with just a few rubs of her clit against that enormous bulge stretching his leathers.

“That was…” She shrugged. “I lost myself for a moment.”

“Same. I meant to at least introduce myself before climbing on top of you.” He shook his head, running a hand down his jaw. “My brothers would have my ass for that. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine. And I can’t wait to give you so much pleasure that all the colors of the galaxy dance behind your eyes as you come screaming my name.”

Scarlett pressed her thighs together, finding it hard to catch her breath, much less keep from squirming. The picture he painted was all she could see.

She craved more of his sweet words. Hungered for his teasing and intense declarations.

Most of all, she wanted him to touch her like before.

And it didn’t matter that this was too fast or too reckless. There was something about Damien Skolov that had her running headlong toward the edge. Something about him that made her believe he’d catch her, no matter what.

Which was why her voice shook as she said, “I’m inspected every suns’ rise. If we do this, you can’t come inside me. If we’re discovered, it will cost us both. They’ll punish me and ban you from the tournament.”

“Ah, sweet Scarlett.” He traced the cuff at her wrist, as if he knew what lay beneath, his touch sending shivers down her spine. “Hurting you is the last thing I want. I will control myself from here on out. I promise.” His fingertip feathered across her brows and down her jaw. “There’s no rush, anyway. You and I are going to have all the time in the galaxy for fucking and knotting.”

“What does that mean?” Her heart slammed against her ribs as foolish hope sparked.

“It means, beautiful”—he gripped her chin and guided her to her knees on the bed, tilting her gaze up to lock with his—“that this is not a short-term thing.”

“But Egan—”

“Fuck Egan.” Damien’s grip tightened. “I’m not just fighting for a prize. I’m fighting for my female. For our future. You’re going to be my prime omega, Scarlett Skolov, and I won’t let anyone get in the way of that.”

His prime omega.

Her heart turned over in her chest.

Not just some short-term trophy.

His forever. Just as he’d be hers.

An offer made because of a genuine connection, not an obligatory favor done out of pity and care for her brother.

Never in a thousand planetary rotations would she have imagined that fate was possible for a Consortium prize.

Now she wanted it more than anything.

“I mean it, Scarlett. I might not currently have the reputation some of these other fighters have, but I’ll be well-known some rotation soon. Maybe one of the greatest champions to grace these rings. I can promise you that.”

The tension in his tone made her realize he’d taken her silence as doubt rather than surprise.

“I believe you.” Her hand curled around as much of his wrist as she could hold in her grip.

“Yeah?” He let out a slow breath, his shoulders loosening.

“Absolutely.”

“Good.” He slid his hand down so their palms touched, threading his fingers with hers. “And you’ll be by my side, sharing the glory. My greatest prize, and so much more. You’re my inspiration. My mate.” He raised their intertwined hands and kissed each of her knuckles. “They might call my name in the ring, but I know exactly whose name I’ll be calling out with every beat of my heart.”

Her soul took flight.

She could never have imagined Damien Skolov.

Being with him was forbidden… reckless… stupid.

She was doing it anyway.

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