lace and satin.
With slightly trembling hands, he reached for the bra and unhooked the front clasp. It popped open, and cool air rushed over my breasts.
“Eve,” he groaned, reaching for my waist and pulling me toward him. “You’re so beautiful.”
Before I could say anything, he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he bent his head to my breasts and drew his tongue over the sensitive skin there. I shuddered, clutching his head as pleasure rushed through me.
“Tell me you want this,” he said. “I have to hear it.”
“I want this. I want you.”
He growled and bit gently on my nipple. I cried out, clenching my thighs around him.
With purposeful strides, he carried me to the small bed and laid me down. His movements were rougher, harsher, as if his control were fraying.
I loved it.
With a couple of yanks, he had me naked from the waist down. He knelt between my spread thighs like a god. Any nerves I might have had were banished by the desire on his face.
With strong hands, he gripped my hips and pulled me toward him, lowering his head. I looked down to see his burning eyes staring up at me over my stomach. Chills raced over me, hot and cold at once. Every inch of me felt so sensitized that I couldn’t bear it.
“I’m going to kiss you now.” His voice was a low growl, and I nodded, my eyes wide.
He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to the sensitive flesh between my thighs.
I cried out and arced off the bed, but he held me still, kissing me like he would die if he didn’t. Pleasure raced through me as he focused his attention on the most sensitive part of me, making my head spin and my breath grow short.
He growled his pleasure against me, making my muscles clench and my fingers grip the mattress. He drove me wild with his mouth, seeming to enjoy it as much as I did.
When the orgasm rushed over me, it nearly broke me. I gasped and cried out, sinking my hands into his hair as he kept up his passionate assault. As it finally faded, I opened my eyes and looked down at him. He stared up at me, his eyes so hot that they might as well have been made of fire.
“Lachlan, that was—” A tugging sensation pulled at me, yanking hard at my middle. Panicked, I grabbed him. “I can’t stop it!”
He held onto my hips, worried, but it wasn’t enough. The magic that had brought me there sucked me back through space, spinning me through the ether until I opened my eyes on the cold, hard floor of my workshop.
I stared up at the ceiling, my body still vibrating with pleasure.
Holy fates, had that just happened?
19
Eve
* * *
Of course, I slept like shit. My recovery nap was full of dreams of Lachlan, of desperate plans to free him and bring him back to me.
It was crazy. I knew that what we’d just done was the most we could hope for. It had been stupid of me to even try for it, but I hadn’t been able to help myself. The stress and fear of losing him had pushed me forward, and I found it difficult to regret.
With aching muscles, I climbed out of bed. There were still a couple hours left before we needed to be at the Maker’s ceremony, but it was time to rise.
I found Ralph sleeping on the sofa in the living room and another furry tail sticking out from beneath a pile of blankets on the chair across the room.
Cordelia.
I had no idea what mischief the two had been up to, but clearly, it had worn them out.
I left them to it and made my way downstairs to the main room. Most of my friends were already there, waking up with coffee and savory pastries.
Carrow met my gaze. “Garreth went to collect the shifters. Kenneth agreed to meet him in their courtyard.”
I nodded, taking coffee and a pastry for myself. Though I tried not to think of it, the previous night flashed through my mind.
“What’s that look on your face?” Carrow asked.
“Nothing.”
“Hmm.”
The door opened, and the Devil of Darkvale walked in, dressed entirely in black tactical wear. Carrow smiled at her mate, the most powerful vampire in Guild City.
I nodded my thanks to him, grateful that he was here. Normally, he kept busy with his own affairs as Guild City’s busiest mob boss. Today, though,