Page 172 of Immortal Bastard

“Christian, let me touch you.”

He released her arms and her fingers forked through his hair, pulling his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss. His hips snapped forward as his body throbbed. His scent seeped from his pores, marking her. Tomorrow, there would be no mistaking who she belonged to.

The bed rocked as he possessively drilled into her. Soft cries punctuated every forward motion as his mind repeated his relentless claim. Mine. All mine.

“I’ll never let you go, pintura. I want to spend all of eternity just—like—this.” Throwing his head back he growled, spilling his seed deep in her body where it belonged.

Her tight sex clamped his throbbing cock, milking every last drop. Her cries turned frantic as his release spiraled into hers,

“Yes, yes! Ah, Christian, don’t stop.” Her voice broke on a moan of ecstasy. “I love when you touch me like this.”

“I love you.”

She sighed in soft contentment, her brow pinching as she studied him for a curious moment. “I love you too.”

Her words shot through him. His intellect battled with his carnal nature to process what she’d just said. He cupped her face and looked into her eyes. “You love me?”

A tear rolled from her lashes and she nodded. “Please just…”

“What?” He’d give her anything she wanted. “Tell me.”

“Just…promise you won’t give up on me.”

Stunned she could even think that a possibility, he hugged her to him. “I could never. You’re my Delilah. My beautiful pintura. My soul.” He kissed her softly. “Do you remember what I told you about the soul?”

She nodded and pressed her hand to his heart. “It’s right here.”

“That’s right. You’re my heart and my soul, Delilah.” He closed his hand over hers, pressing it into his chest. “An immortal’s lost without a soul. I would die if I ever lost you.”

CHAPTER 25

“Sister Delilah, they’re ready for you.”

She stiffened at the strange title then stood. Christian had kissed her goodbye nearly an hour ago and left her in the bishop’s office to wait. She looked at the man with his sleeve pinned to the shoulder and wondered what happened to his arm.

“Come with me.”

She didn’t speak to the man and appreciated that he made no attempt to touch her. Walking closely, he escorted her down the long hall to the room where The Council meetings were held.

At the far end of the corridor, she spotted Adriel and Dane waiting on a bench and her breath caught. Their familiar faces brought a level of unexpected relief. “You came—”

“No talking.”

She had been reminded by Christian several times that she must obey the rules while in the Safe House. Females were not permitted into Council Hall unless subpoenaed. Her required presence came with an order of silence, which she must abide at all times or they would take her voice away.

Adriel caught her hand and squeezed, sending her a wave of reassurance. Delilah squeezed back, knowing this would be brutal for her as well.

“No touching.”

Their hands pulled apart, and Dane met her stare, something cold and hard in his eyes, but his animosity wasn’t intended for her. His concern for her well-being last night forged a strange, unspoken alliance between them. She felt oddly aligned with him when only days ago she assumed he was her enemy.

The double doors opened, and benches creaked as a hundred immortal men turned to look at her. It didn’t matter that they were all in the prime of their lives and gorgeous. Their meek Amish appearance wouldn’t soften her guard. These men were all lethal immortals, and their power stole the air right from her lungs.

“To the front,” the guard said, leading her down the narrow aisle.

Her gaze found Cain and Adam in the pews. Cain slightly nodded, his eyes somber and his mouth tight.

Council Hall was similar to an ordinary court room. A male clerk sat in the left corner and a justice bench stretched across the front, the eyes of several grave men—including Christian—watching her every move. She assumed that was the Elder’s Council.

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