Page 56 of Crave

“Just you.”

I released her. “Put your veil back on, Christina.” Her arched brows rounded in a question she didn’t ask. Obediently, she went to pin it in place.

As soon as her back was turned, I flicked out the lights.

Her gasp curled through my body. A match from my pocket flared, illuminating the shadows. In seconds, a single candle was lit on the dresser, another in the bathroom. But the room was still dark, the air thick with anticipation.

“I see you, little lamb,” I said softly.

There was a rustle. Christina was moving, hurrying into the bathroom. She halted in front of the mirror, the door open, her back to me.

I grabbed the ice-filled bucket of champagne and followed.

Candlelight outlined her gauzy veil and the elegant fall of her gown, the long dark hair tumbling down her back. A gasp left her mouth when I grasped her bare shoulders.

“What do we have here?” I pressed my mouth against her veil. “A beautiful bride.”

She tried to turn to me, but I held her in place, bunching the fragile veil in my hand. “Are you scared, little lamb? You asked for the wolf on your wedding night.”

She gave me a look from under her thick dark lashes. “Yes, but—”

Deliberately, I stroked her neck, relishing the eager throbbing of her pulse. When I bit that same spot, she gasped. “Just what I was hungry for tonight. A sweet little girl.”

“Please don’t hurt me.” Her plea was breathy and excited, low and warm. Her skin flushed under my hand.

Pulling her close, I curled my fingers around her throat. “Don’t worry, little lamb. I won’t hurt you…much.” She shuddered in my embrace. “I’ll just ruin you for your husband, sweet one.”

“But I’m yours.” She ran shaky hands over mine, struggling for control. It really had been too long since we played this way. “I am your bride.”

I chuckled. “You are now. And I’m going to keep you.”

Spinning her around, I seized her mouth in a kiss. My hand sank into her carefully styled hair. Her fists closed on my tuxedo jacket, pulling at it. Her mouth was eager and alive as she yielded, opening to my tongue, her breath quickening as she kissed me back.

I ran my hands peremptorily over her cheeks, her neck, her bare shoulders and exposed cleavage. “You’re so hot. So flushed. Let’s cool you off.”

Turning her to face the mirror, I reached for the bucket of ice. Christina clutched the bathroom counter, her coal-dark eyes glazed as she stared at our reflection.

The pure, beautiful bride, lipstick kissed off and full lips swollen.

The beast looming behind her in a tuxedo.

“What are you going to do?” Her voice wavered.

“You’ll see.”

I grasped her hair and ran an ice chip over her exposed throat. It melted instantly. Rivulets ran down her warm skin.

“You’ll get my dress wet.” She was flushed, panting with excitement.

“Mm-hm.” I pushed another ice cube between the tight, embroidered top of her gown and her bare back.

“Patrick!” She grabbed my wrists. I twisted free and covered her mouth with one hand. Christina moaned, licking my palm. Her tongue was hot and eager as she wriggled in my grasp.

“Patrick isn’t here, sweet. You’re at the mercy of the wolf now. Understand?”

She nodded frantically. Releasing her, I took two handfuls of ice, the cold biting my palms, and rubbed them over the soft curves of her tits. Water dripped onto the exquisite fabric. She cried out, bucking against me.

“Look at you, little lamb. So excited, and we’ve barely gotten started.”

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