Page 62 of The Huntress

“You will want me even if I taste like other suckbloods?” Her eyes burned since she refused to let them blink, needing to see every expression that crossed his face. She wanted to know this was more than hunger between them, like she wasn’t a novelty. Some people married for money, prestige, or sex, and not for who their spouse was as a person.

Frustration hardened his jaw. “Woman, I want you all the time. I’m like an unschooled youngling.”

“Aren’t all vampires gifted with this amount of stamina?” She chuckled as she ran her nails up his sides.

He hissed, grinding his hips to remind her she was at his mercy. “Don’t for one minute think what we have is just sex. You bring joy and meaning into my life, sweet Callie.”

She stilled, losing herself in his gray gaze. Her stomach grumbled, and he chuckled, pulling out of her to bound off the bed. “Where are you going?”

“To get your food.” He bolted for the door, flashing her an exceptionally fine ass.

“Bring the pancakes. If you promise to behave, I’ll let you have a nibble.”

He flashed her a cheeky smile, left within a blink and was back just as quick. He placed her un-spilled coffee on the side table and handed her the diner’s unopened container. Sprawling on the bed, he rested his head on his palm and his gaze on her.

She sat up, folded her legs under her, and set the container on the nightstand. She extracted her files from the drawer, placing them on the sheet before her. Gripping a pancake between forefinger and thumb, she bit into it as she flipped through the file on Alan Hawkins, CEO of Floges. He made billions from an IT company he’d formed as a youngster, but now he employed thousands and had a generous charity department, gifting millions every year.

She sucked on her thumb before choosing another pancake, taking the time to dip it in a pool of maple syrup. She chewed the cinnamon sweetness as she opened the second file on the senator, Devlin Carter. He was charismatic and came from old wealth, so she wasn’t surprised he’d won folks over. But his smile was slimy. Even though her gut screamed there was something off about him, she couldn’t understand what her instincts were saying. Devlin circulated among the elite, which included the mayor and Hawkins. There was a link between the files and the three men. What did Hawkins, Carter, and the mayor have in common?

She slumped, sucking on her thumb and forefinger again, before offering her free wrist to Gabe. He shifted closer, grazing his fingers along her inner arm with breathtaking reverence. Before he bit into her, he glanced at her spread-out files.

“Floges meansflamesin Greek,” he said before pure desire coursed through her as he pierced her skin. His throaty growl drowned out her sigh. Their gazes locked, and a heated intensity poured from his stare. He fluttered his eyes closed and mumbled, “Syrup,” from around his embedded fangs. He licked the wound closed and bolted forward.

She yelped at his sudden movement then laughed when he tugged her thighs apart as he planted kisses down her lower belly. His thumbs spread her sleek lips so he could drag a tongue down, then up them. He groaned, the sound rumbling through to her core.

She writhed under his ministrations, but she was unable to look away, hypnotized by his enjoyment. He pressed a palm to her stomach, pinning her down, slowing the gyration of her hips before gliding a finger into her channel while he lapped at her. Biting down into her, his tongue continued its attack. With a cry of intense pleasure, she shattered under the assault, the intensity almost unbearable for her.

He gripped her hips and spun her onto her knees, looping an arm around her to pull her up and against his groin. He buried himself in her, bending over her to bite into her shoulder as his hips pounded a demanding rhythm.

“I’m dying,” she screamed as she exploded again.

This time wave after wave swept through her, extending the pleasure. Her breath caught, her world froze as if she hovered in a sea of sensation with her body, her senses. Her instincts focused on this man,herman. As if from far away, he roared, then collapsed onto his side, bringing her with him, his labored breathing cooling her damp nape.

“I’m never letting you go, Callie,” he said.

She caught those words, loud and clear. Relief melted the remnants of doubt darkening her soul, and she allowed her heart to trust.

“And I’ve ruined your files.”

She chuckled, wrapping his arms tighter around her. “Don’t worry. It’s the most action they’ve seen in a while.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

CONTENTMENT

GabrielmaterializedinSyl’schambers, not surprised to find Leo already there. He grinned a greeting to his brother, too pleased to hide his contentment. Dropping into a large leather armchair, he ran his palms along his denim-encased thighs. Excitement and satisfaction skittered along his nerve endings, and he welcomed it, embraced the change from his unemotional life.

He had no right to be this happy this quickly. He couldn’t explain how or why Callie made him feel this way. Perhaps when he returned, he’d awaken her to taste her again in more ways than one. Just imagining it made him as giddy as a schoolgirl.

Then again, holding her in his arms as she slept brought him as much joy, so it wasn’t about how amazing it was to fuck her or how delicious she always tasted. She filled a void in his heart, one he’d ignored as each passing year added darkness to his soul.

“Ten minutes later and you’re still sitting there smiling like an idiot.” Syl handed Gabriel a snifter of brandy.

“He has a right to,” Leo grumbled.

Gabriel shot him a look, his joy faltering. Did Leo have access to his memories of Callie lying beneath him? He hoped not—those memories were for him alone.

Leo smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his blue eyes. “I can’t explain what Callie invokes in me, so don’t ask, not even in your thoughts, Gabriel.” Leo’s eyes flashed a warning.

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