down the side of my face, his caress lighter than a hummingbird’s wings. “When Lord Tolas threatened you, I watched as you valiantly fought him, and when that didn’t work, you used your intelligence as a weapon, attacking his pride and virility. So I will not tolerate hearing you berate yourself in any fashion, not when I’ve seen the strength of you.”
My lips tremble as emotion swells in my chest. “Do you really mean that?”
“Affirmative.” He scoffs and pulls his lips to the side in a show of exasperation. “No mate of a Darkblood will ever be weak. That is just insulting.”
“Mate?” I parrot. Now my lips are trembling for a different reason entirely. I haven’t forgotten he referred to Hazel as mated, and even if I don’t know what that means to him, I suspect it’s not a small thing.
“You are the one fate has chosen for me and me alone,” he says, staring at me intently. “It’s you who will unlock my true potential, and it is you who I will be bonded to for all eternity.”
Yep, definitely not a small thing. Actually, that is a pretty fucking big thing. Almost as big as his attitude, his sexual appeal, and his cock.
I am in serious trouble.
He leans close, and the scent of him drifts over to me, causing me to inhale. “You are mine now, Jade. And I will not ever stop trying to win your affection as well as get you in my bed and my cock between your thighs. With your permission, of course.”
Oh my God.
If all it took was a single kiss to get my female engines hot and running, what am I going to do when he pursues me full force? Anxiety skitters across my body like a legion of insects, and I jump to my feet, clutching the robe until my knuckles turn pale.
“I’m tired,” I say. It comes out as a squeak, and I inwardly cringe. “Night!”
I turn on my heel, ready to march to the couch, when there’s a sharp tug on my robe. My arms flail as I careen backward, and Castien grips my hips to not only steady me but position me sideways on his lap. He wraps his arms around my waist, and even though his hold isn’t restrictive, I know he’s not letting me go.
“The bed is here, so where were you headed?” he asks.
“The couch.”
He clicks his tongue at me in a light admonishment. “You will be in my bed where I can protect you.”
But who will protect me from you?
“Okay, but I don’t want you touching me.” I’m doing my best to ignore his cock pressing against my thigh, but it’s not working. Especially not when it gets bigger the more I talk. “You said you want my permission, and I’m not giving it right now. There needs to be rules between us because I’m no longer that scared girl trapped in a cage and you don’t own me.” I turn to face him and realize my mistake as soon as our noses almost touch. He’s way too close and his smile too seductive. “I know you heard me, so why are you smiling?” I snap.
His grin widens, and there’s a glint of mischief in his gaze. “You said you’re not giving in ‘right now,’ which means you will later.” I sputter, and he silences me with a gentle sweep of his lips across mine. “And I have no interest in owning you. Kissing, licking, sucking, and fucking, yes, but owning? No, thank you.”
I stare at him as if he’s…well, an alien. A very sexy one.
“Fine,” I say. “I will sleep in the bed, but keep your hands to yourself.”
He dips his head in acknowledgment, his smile still in place. “Are you planning to wear this?” He drags his finger along the side of my arm. “Or would you like to wear that bit of red lace I purchased for you earlier? I think it would look quite lovely paired with your olive skin.”
I push from his lap and give him a hard look. “This robe will be fine.”
Without waiting for him to say something to further embarrass me, I pull back the coverlet and slip between the sheets. The hem of my bathrobe rides up my thighs, and I yank it back down, mentally hoping that I don’t have a wardrobe malfunction during the night. I can’t have one of my tits popping out and expect Castien to not react or take advantage.
He turns