Page 167 of The Prince's Curse

Leaving his shirt half-buttoned, he lifted her by the waist and tossed her back onto the bed. Her slim legs parted for him, revealing the lovely flushed pink of her sex.

“My queen,” he said, sinking to his knees. Her hips rose, and he shivered in anticipation of that first taste. Sweet and hot, bursting across his tongue like good whiskey. Fire crackled through his nerves and ignited in his veins.

Her pulse was strong and steady against his lips as he teased and lapped at her. Fingers tangled into his hair, guiding him as she desired. Any king would be delighted to kneel for her, to let her steer his course.

Her thighs quivered against him, surging as her pleasure mounted. He nipped lightly at the soft, sweat-sheened skin at the crease of her thigh.

“Yes,” she moaned.

Holding her tightly, he sank his teeth in. Sweet, cool venom dripped from his fangs, melding with the warm drops of blood welling from her thigh. She shuddered, then let out a tiny, clipped squeal as an orgasm surged through her. He did not drink from her, but let that little rivulet trickle over his tongue, savoring the way it changed and richened with her pleasure.

She shuddered again when he kissed that soft bite and rose over her. Her eyes were heavy-lidded, her skin glowing with the fine ruby glow of magic. The faint light pulsed with her heartbeat, and she watched him eagerly as he shed his shirt.

He kicked off his pants, laughing boisterously as she hooked her legs around him and brought him down to her. “Eager girl,” he said.

“Obviously,” she drawled, stealing his retort with a kiss. In a move that she had been eager to practice, she rolled them over, ending up astride his hips. He watched, utterly entranced, as she guided his cock into her. Her eyes closed as she sank onto him, engulfing him in that searing warmth.

“Scarlett,” he groaned as she began to move slowly. She lowered herself to him, letting him grab onto that long, fiery hair.

Her breath was sharp and fast as she rode him. “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he bit out, holding her tight, keeping her gaze on him.

His vision blurred, his head spinning as the soulmate bond ignited. She was always there, a soft little heartbeat at the end of the tether. But now, they were waves crashing against one another, two flames that danced together and surged white hot against the dark.

He could not speak, could only grab the curve of her hip to drive into her. Each thrust brought a little gasp of desperation and yearning and pure satisfaction.

You are mine.

Her gaze bored into him, as if she heard him. Wordlessly, she nodded, driving her hips back to meet each savage stroke. Her legs squeezed tight around him, and he could feel her pulse thundering through him. Drowning in her scent, deafened by her short, sharp gasps, he was utterly consumed.

Pleasure ripped through him, and he fell into a sweet oblivion. Her soft cry echoed off the walls, and he was barely aware as she lay against his chest. Long hair tickled across his skin, and she buried her lips in his neck. Soft breath puffed against his cheek.

He could have lay forever inside her, listening to her heart pound against his. Her skin felt almost painfully hot, and there was a palpable thrum in the air from the strange magic that swelled in her.

But he did not shy away. He gently stroked her back, prompting a soft laugh. Some things did not change. His Brigitte, his little bunny all those years ago, had loved this, too.

“Are you happy now?” Scarlett asked.

“I’m always happy after that,” he said.

She laughed and sat up, resting her arms on his chest. “I mean in general. After everything…are you happy?”

Her green eyes were full of concern.

“What are you really asking? I can see that clever mind spinning,” he said, gently stroking her hair.

“You suffered so much, and you lost her over and over again,” she said, averting her gaze. “Are you really happy, or does it still hurt?”

Gently, he grasped her jaw and turned her face toward him. “Those things aren’t mutually exclusive. I did suffer, and sometimes it still hurts. Sometimes I still mourn all that I lost, and all that my family lost over the last hundred and eighty years. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy now.”

A smile flitted across her lips. “You’re sure?”

“I’m very sure. Tonight, I was so happy to see my family gathered. Seeing them together, no longer suffering from curses, many of them in love. How could I be unhappy?” he said. “Knowing all that we lost makes me appreciate this infinitely more. I am happier than I have ever been in my life.”

“Really?”

“Really,” he said. “Because I thought I would never have any of this. I know how much it is worth.”

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