He tried to be gentle as he swooped down and claimed her lips, he really did, but his need was too fiery. He'd nearly lost her, would probably lose her again when her emotions drifted away with the daylight.
As he tongued her, he ripped the leather top from her and tossed it aside. Her tiny skirt was given the same treatment, leaving her bare. His gaze cut through the dark and drank in the tattoos he so adored. I've licked them. Will again.
"Layel!"
He snapped out of the momentary lust-daze and attacked her breasts, flicking his tongue over the hardened pink berries he found there. Her hips writhed; she moaned.
"I'm burning up for you," she gasped out.
"You and no other."
"You and no other," she agreed. "I love you."
"Oh, gods, Delilah." So beautiful, those words. They would define the rest of his life, for they changed him, turned him from beast to man.
He laved her face with nips and kisses, then licked away any sting he might have delivered. All the while his fingers explored her body until finally sinking deep into her wet core.
She cried out.
"Love you," he said, working a third finger into her.
That was all her desire needed. Her inner walls clenched around him, drawing him deeper. Moisture flooded his hand, hot, slick as he pumped, taking her higher. So high. "That's it. Give me everything."
Her hands clutched at his back, squeezed the muscles so tightly he would carry the bruises for weeks. "More," she said on a broken breath. "Do that again."
"My pleasure, though I plan to use something else on you."
He kissed her then, and her eyelids popped open. Their gazes met in a tangled web of desire. She must have seen his desperation because she pushed him to his back, worked his pants off and straddled him.
Her blue hair fell around them like a curtain as she positioned herself at the tip of his mighty erection. Shaking, he reached up and cupped her cheeks, fingers gliding easily over her sweat-soaked skin.
"You arms are cut," she said. Arousal morphed into concern, and she traced a fingertip over his brow.
"They'll heal."
She wrapped her fingers around each of his wrists and brought his arms to her mouth, one at a time, kissing his injuries. "I don't know why I'm feeling again, but I'm glad that I am."
"As am I." The gesture warmed him, body and soul. "As am I."
Her face was soft, glowing with love. She sank an inch...then another..."You really love me?"
"Gods, that feels good! More than I could even say. You are my strength. You are my joy. My peace."
She nibbled on her bottom lip. "I like the contradictions of you, you know? You are light and dark, brute warrior and gentle protector."
He squeezed her hips, grinding his erection another blissful inch.
"I was drawn to you from the first," she said, head falling back. "Have thought of nothing and no one since."
"I fought my desire for you with all my might, but in the end there was no denying it. You are the woman for me. You are my woman. Take me all the way inside, Delilah."
"Let's take each other."
"Always." He rolled her over, spread her legs as far as they would go and pounded all the way home. They cried out in unison. He fit her perfectly, sublimely, for she was the piece of him that had been missing all these many years.
"Bite me," she commanded him.
"Not yet. Need you strong." She was going to win this challenge and he was going to help her, just as he'd promised.
"Please."
"Delilah," he said, glancing at her neck. Her pulse hammered wildly, and his mouth watered.
"Layel," she moaned. "Please."
"Not yet." He would take too much. In and out he continued to pound. He hooked his elbows under her knees to spread her even wider. Her head arched back, gifting him with a better view of her neck.
Her nipples rubbed his chest, and he released one of her legs to roll a sweet berry between his fingers. "Yes!"
She was meeting his thrusts with her hips, driving him deeper. Deeper. So good. He kissed her mouth, plunging his tongue just as deep. Her inner walls squeezed him, his testicles slapped at her, and then he was coming too, pouring into her. Shuddering.
She groaned, massaging his neck, and he realized his teeth were in her, drinking the sweetness. Rather than draining her, he gulped back a mouthful and gently pulled from her. Even while enthralled,