Page 84 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

I bit my lip, tasting blood as she spread her legs, welcoming me into the embrace of her body. My groan echoed into the room as the top of my cock nudged her entrance, so warm and inviting.

Ilya. The woman who sees the man behind the mask.

She let out a soft moan against my neck as I slid into her. Her legs encircled my waist, holding me tight against her soft body.

Perfection.

All of it.

The way she gripped me. Her warmth. The eager roll of her hips. The way her nipples grazed my chest as she moved. Every speck of my soul demanded I stay lodged within her as long as possible. Any more and I’d lose myself too soon. I stilled my eager thrusts despite her urgings.

“Lucien?” She brushed the strands of hair around my ears as she rolled her hips, sliding along my hard length. Candlelight danced across her skin, illuminating bright, eager eyes.

“I want to savor this. You.” I claimed her mouth once more, slowly, gently, relishing the sweet taste of her lips, the delicate flick of her tongue against mine, and the softness of her body.

When I lost myself in her kiss, I dared to move again with slow, deep thrusts, treasuring each slide and pull of her body as we came together.

Ilya bucked her hips when I found that sensitive bud between her legs. I’d never get enough of the way my touch affected her—the careful, controlled woman coming apart in my arms.

Her sheath tightened as she thrashed and whimpered. When I was no longer able to hold back against her wet tightness, a bellow burst from my lungs as I surged into her. Seed spilled in shallow thrusts as her legs held me tight to her, both of us riding out the last of our pleasure.

My forehead pressed against hers. Our heavy breaths mingled as we lay wrapped together. Her arms caressed my back and shoulders. Sweet kisses marked my jaw.

“Ilya.” I graced her with little nips in return. My teeth grazed against her earlobe and then down until I licked away the sheen of dewy moisture at the base of her neck. “Stay with me tonight.”

“Here?” she asked, breathless.

Wonder shown in her eyes as I raised myself up on my arms and stared down at her flushed cheeks.

I brushed the hair back from her face. My heart pounded anew at the way it splayed across my pillows. “Did you want to leave?”

“No, of course not.” Her voice was thick, reminding me of her sweet heat I’d yet to vacate. “I’ll stay as long as you’ll let me.”

Forever.

But I couldn’t promise her that. Not now. Not here. Maybe not ever, despite the desire rising in my heart to say just that. She was a treasure, this night a gift, and I’d hoard it as long as I could.

“Good,” I replied, cupping her face and bringing my forehead down until it rested against hers, our breaths mingling. “Because I don’t intend to let you go.”

Chapter38

Ilya

Languid tranquility suffused my limbs as I stretched under soft furs. Darkness and warmth embraced me like a lover, lulling me back into peaceful sleep. Leather with a hint of northern pine filled my nose. Lucien’s smell.

Lucien.

I sat bolt upright in the bed. Memories of the night before brought a touch of fire to my cheeks, hotter than the dim embers that burned in the hearth across the room. A sweet ache remained between my legs, one I savored.

Crumbled sheets and furs occupied the bed with me, but nothing else. A quick pan of the room revealed it to be empty as well. Small tendrils of light crept through cracks in heavy curtains, painting lines on the floor. Already morning. Or later.

“Lucien?”

No reply answered my whispered call.

An invisible fist clutched my heart within my chest. Last night was unplanned, unexpected, but I couldn’t regret a moment of it. Waking up alone however…

My heart leaped.

---