Page 318 of Hunters and Prey

Her orgasm was so intense Chiara clamped her thighs around his neck and gripped onto him so hard with her claws she worried there would be scars. Blood filled her mouth as she bit down on the inside of her cheek with her canines to keep from screaming loud enough for the guards to hear them and come running.

Roman didn’t stop until her whole body went limp. Only then did he release her. Slowly he eased Chiara to her feet. She could barely focus on his face and her legs were trembling so badly.

“Still need help getting to your room?” he asked.

Chiara glared. “You don’t need to look so smug about it.”

“On the contrary, velika. I earned the right to be smug.” Roman grinned and scooped her up.

Chiara shrieked in surprise. There was no way she was going to be able to walk on her own and it annoyed her. “I told you doing it here wasn’t a good idea.”

Roman shrugged and grinned down at her. “You’re still covered in your gown. I’ll just tell anyone who asks the wine made you tired. That is, of course, if you don’t want me to tell them the truth.”

Each orgasm had released tension in her body and Chiara hadn’t realized how much until it was gone. She felt completely exhausted. “I don’t care,” she said, tucking her head under his chin. “I want to go to sleep now. So let’s make that happen.”

He chuckled, but didn’t argue with her. “Of course, velika.”

“You’ll stay with me?” she asked. “Just to sleep?”

Her mate was silent for a moment. “You’re sure?”

Chiara couldn’t stand the thought of sleeping alone after that kind of intimacy. Despite how she’d woken up the first time with him by her side, she’d never slept better. And it was the least she could do for him since Roman insisted on being stubborn about reciprocation.

“I’m sure,” she insisted. “I want you in my bed tonight.”

Roman didn’t respond, but his arms tightened around her.

And even though they hadn’t consummated the bond Chiara could feel it between them, slightly heavier than before.

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