He had wanted to take it slow with her—to make her beg for more. To make her ask him to take her and show her what he had to offer.
And she was so close to begging. She had begun to surrender to the pleasure. She was so quick to adjust and learn. He had savored the moment her body relaxed and opened to him, wishing to take all that he had to give her. And he had so very many things he would like to give her.
All in due time.
Now she clung to him as he took her, feeling the blissful, perfect, volcanic heat around him. She warmed his body, his heart beating fast and loud as her own ecstasy echoed with his. All at once he was in her, and she was around him.
He had expected a terrified child. A trembling virgin he would need to coax and console every step of the way. Instead, he found a shy but very eager little creature dwelled in his companion. Unsure of herself, yet so very willing to explore him. It was not shocking that she could intuit what might bring him pleasure. She could hear his emotions, after all. He could see her take joy in the act. He would teach her to be a master in time.
But now, feeling her desire and his own twist together and merge, he could not help himself. He would not hurt her. He would not leave her sore. But he could not keep the same patient tempo as before. He needed her. He had said it before, and he had meant every word.
I need all of her.
And in that moment, they were one.
18
Bella looked up at the crimson moon. It hung in the air over them, forever full, casting its foreboding red light.
She found it strangely beautiful. Tragic in that it represented freedom for some, but death for others. Such was the way of predators. And that was what sat next to her on the planter box, happily eating the food he had taken from the kitchen for them. They had already had their dinner, but Mordecai was voracious in more ways than his sexual appetite. He had stolen a good-sized plate of food to bring with them.
She couldn’t deny she was helping herself to some of the grapes.
When his tail wound around her ankle, holding on to her, she couldn’t help but smile at him. “What?”
“You were morose. I don’t like to see you in such a mood, so I’m going to distract you. Besides. I love it when you smile at me.”
She stood from where she was and moved over to him. He released the wrap around her ankle as he watched her, curiosity etched onto his sharp features. She gathered up her skirt to straddle his lap, sitting on his thighs.
“Well. All right, then.” He let his hands settle on her hips. His tail was once more wrapped around her leg, this time higher on her calf.
She ran her hand through his hair. It was soft, despite its rough-cut appearance. She loved to rustle it with her fingers, mussing it up even further. He didn’t complain—indeed, he purred. Literally purred like some great panther. His violet eyes slid half shut as she watched him become lost in her embrace.
He loved her.
She had no doubt of it.
And now, she knew she loved him too.
Maybe it was too fast. Maybe it was wrong. Maybe she didn’t care.
“If Eddie comes here, I will choose to stay with you.”
“Bella! Oh, Bella!” He wrapped his arms around her fully and hugged her to him. He leaned his cheek against her chest and let out what she assumed was a happy noise, although it sounded more like a sob, if she were honest. She laughed and held him. His horn dug into her a little, but she did not mind it too much. “I have to ask. I have to. It is okay if you tell me no, but I—”
“I will be your mate, Mordecai.” And there it was. She said it. She had taken the leap, and it was as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She would become like he was—she would let her humanity drift away. But demons could love. And she would taste the freedom that he knew, and she would do it with her hand in his.
She was not frightened. She was…excited.
Dampness touched her skin, and she lifted his head from her. A tear streaked down his cheeks.