Page 77 of The Huntress

“Promise?” She dipped her head to assess him, determining whether he deceived her again. Regardless, her anger dissipated. She wanted to stomp her foot, to rage, but he dangled Val like a carrot. “Don’t lie to me again, Gabe. I’m a big girl, I can handle harsh truths.”

He lifted her gaze to meet his with a finger under her chin. His lips curled in that familiar smile, the one that broke the rhythm of her heart. “Let’s get you fed, then we’ll see to yourotherneeds.”

He led her back to bed as a tray appeared before her. Steam rose from the steak, and a seared-beef aroma greeted her. She gathered her utensils, ignoring her shaking hands. George scampered down her arm and onto the tray, so she set a piece aside before taking her first bite. She groaned as garlic and rosemary coated her tongue.

“Good?” Gabe teased her.

She nodded. “It tastes chargrilled. I thought you said I’d lose my taste buds,” she said between mouthfuls.

“You have.”

“No. Rosemary, garlic, pepper.” She grabbed her water bottle and downed it after serving George a capful. “Right, buddy? You taste it too?”

His nose twitched, and she laughed, stroking the curve of his back while he drank.

“Your conversion was unusual. I don’t know if keeping your taste buds should be alarming. Mind if I borrow her for a while, George?” Gabe scooped up the rodent and placed him on Callie’s pillow.

He vanished the tray and the dirty dishes before lifting her into his arms. She was content to let him carry her. In the bathroom, a steaming tub awaited her with petals floating on its surface. Exotic fragrances rose to welcome her as he lowered her into the water. Her protesting muscles relaxed, drawing a moan from her.

He pampered her, washing her hair a few times, massaging the knots in her shoulders from police work before running a soapy hand all over her body. His tented pants, his shallow breathing and trembling hands made his arousal evident.

She had never been so treasured. Vibrating through her was the feathering of his fingers, his breath skittering along her skin, his thundering heartbeat, and the blood rushing through his veins.

She watched him under heavy-lidded lashes, poking at her reactions to him. Her core throbbed with an aching need, and her nipples stiffened in anticipation. Her own blood rushed through her, sending shivers and excitement to the tips of her toes.

Gabriel admired Callie soaking in the tub he’d prepared for her. That the effort it cost him was a flick of a finger wasn’t the point. He’d thought to do it for her and had done it. What drew his repeated focus wasn’t her blissful and beautiful smile. The water’s soapy and petalled surface played peekaboo with her nipples.

He’d knelt beside the tub to soap every delicious inch of her, had ignored her grumbled protests, and listened to her sighs, instead. Yes, his arousal throbbed, demanding attention, but nothing mattered more than his Callie.

“I’m clean, Gabe.” She sat up to cup his cheek.

He paused at the sight of her breasts rising from the water. Glancing at her face, he clasped her hand with his.

“How about you show me how much you missed me?” Her lips curled into a breathtaking smile. Her green eyes glowed with heat and raw need. Black circled her irises, telling him she would need to feed soon.

He pictured her hair pinned at her crown and watched as it did so. The soap and petals cleared from the water to reveal her delectable nudity for him. She was so beautiful, so vibrant. With a slow inhalation expanding his lungs to the fullest degree, he vanished his pants and stepped into the water, standing before her with his erection proud and eager. She gripped him on each thigh to run her tongue along the length of him. His knees trembled, and he released a deep groan.

“Callie, please, I’m not strong enough.”

She tilted back, blessed him with a sultry smile, and opened her arms. He grunted, lowering himself into the water to press his body against hers. She looped her legs around his hips, and the head of his erection nestled at her entrance. He squeezed his eyes shut to gain control. He wanted to thrust into her, to have her surround him. She was his home, his sanctuary.

“I’ve missed you.” She kissed his chin before she plucked at his lips with hers.

He opened his mouth for a deep kiss, his tongue mimicking what he wanted to do to her.

Clinging to him, she arched her hips, begging him to take her. “Gabe.” She gasped, breaking away from their kiss. “Please don’t go slow. I need you. This…youare tormenting me.”

After launching them into the air, he floated her down, feet landing on the tiled floor, then pinned her against the wall. “Remember, you asked for it.”

“Begged for it.” She tightened her legs around him.

He dipped the tip of his erection in, finding her more than ready. With a thrust, he growled. The soft, tight heat of her engulfed him. Moon above, she felt incredible. As did the kisses she feathered along his shoulder. He withdrew to thrust into her again. She arched, crushing her breasts against his chest, a keening sound tearing from her.

“So good,” she said between pants. “Again, do it again.” She kissed him with a passion he’d missed.

As he pistoned into her, increasing his pace, fiery tingles burned from his balls to the tip of his erection. She feathered kisses and nips along his throat to his shoulder. Then she bit him, her teeth sinking into his flesh. Heat—bright, sweet, and intoxicating—hit him, hiking his arousal. As she drank from him, the euphoria bolstered him. With a roar, he orgasmed, unable to fight the flood of pleasure, nor control his thrusting hips. Her pulsating channel didn’t help, causing mini orgasms as she climaxed around him. She licked the bite wound, the rasp of her tongue searing his very soul.

“Have I told you I missed you too?” He brushed her damp hair from her face, using his hips and the wall to hold her up.

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