Sacrifice of Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,30

her mid-thigh and clung to her slender curves to perfection, creating an explosion of heat in his lower stomach.

Halting in the center of the carpet, Javad watched as Terra walked toward the tapestry, studying it with seeming interest before continuing toward the plain wooden bookcase.

At last, Javad could take it no longer.

Having her so near sparked a fire of need inside him. The sweet scent of aloe vera swirled through the air, along with a lemony shampoo that clung to her damp hair. He ached to have her in his arms. In his bed.

But more importantly, he desired to know that she was pleased with his lair. She’d sacrificed so much to offer him the healing potency of her blood. Her home. Her family. And the duty that had been the essence of her life since she was very young.

The fear that she might be unhappy in this place was gnawing at him like cancer.

“Well?” he at last demanded.

Terra turned around, her brows lifted in confusion at his sharp tone. “Well what?”

His lips twisted as he moved to stand directly in front of her. He couldn’t remember his life as a human, but he presumed the fluttering nerves in the pit of his stomach were what it’d been like to have a crush on a young maiden.

Or maybe a young male. Who knew what had pleased him during those years?

“You know that I’m desperate to hear you say that you love this place,” he said, framing her face in his hands. “And that you intend to spend the rest of eternity here with me.”

“This is your home.”

“Yes.”

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling her face against his chest.

“And now it’s my home.”

He bent his head, resting his cheek on the top of her head. He trembled, as much from her soft words as from the delicious heat of her body that soaked through his skin and eased the tension that cramped his muscles.

“You can be happy here?” He kissed her damp hair, his fingers trailing down the curve of her spine. “It’s not too dark? Or sparse? Or—?”

She chuckled, pulling back to press her fingers against his lips. “As Goldilocks said…it’s just right.”

He stared down at her upturned face. “You’re just right,” he murmured.

And she was. It wasn’t just the delicately carved features, or the narrow nose and lush lips. Or even the stunning lavender hue of her eyes. It was the kind gentleness that radiated from her and surrounded her like a halo.

It had called to him like a siren’s song from the second he caught sight of her. Back then, he’d convinced himself that his soul was too jaded for her innocence. He’d wanted her protected. Even from himself.

Now… Now, he was going to hold her so tightly, she would never escape.

Her fingers traced his lips, the soft caress sending sparks of pleasure shooting through him.

“I’m not going to argue with that,” she assured him.

“Good.” He grasped her hips, maneuvering her until her back was flat against the wall. “We have better things to do with our time,” he assured her.

Her lips twitched, her fingers drifting down to wiggle inside the vee of his robe. Her touch was light, but it scorched him with pure bliss.

“Do we?” she teased, fingers continuing their trek downward as if she were fascinated by the feel of his skin.

“Oh, yes,” he rasped.

“You mean this?”

Holding his gaze, Terra grasped the lapels of his robe and jerked it open. Then, with a firm motion, she peeled it off his body. Dropping it to the floor, she looked smug.

A startling burst of joy raced through Javad at the same time his lust hurtled into hyperdrive. Well, well, well. Who could have known his sweet Seraf was such a tease? The glimpse of her naughty humor was like receiving a rare, unexpected gift.

One he intended to treasure.

“That’s a start.” He tilted his head down to capture her lips in a soft, seeking kiss as he removed her robe and tossed it across the room.

She trembled, but it wasn’t with fear. He could smell the rich scent of desire that perfumed her skin.

“There’s more?” she whispered.

“Much more.” With a fluid motion, Javad swept his mate off her feet and cradled her against his chest. “Much, much, much more.”

Her lavender eyes shimmered with anticipation as he carried her into the adjoining room. He wasn’t the kind of male who had to have a soft bed and silk sheets to enjoy sex. The more adventurous, the