Page 19 of Queen of Blades

“So romantic,” he rumbled against her ear, but he didn’t hesitate.

Releasing her wrists, he lifted himself slightly and positioned the head of his cock at her entrance. When he slammed himself home without an ounce of restraint, and with as much greedy need as she had, her world shattered. It only took a few deep, forceful thrusts and his teeth clamping down on her shoulder before he shoved her off the cliff and into the pleasure-filled abyss.

Paul

Paul had lost count of the number of times Harper came. They were short and in rapid succession. Each one had her convulsing beneath him, her eyes rolled back in her head. Her delicious cunt rhythmically pulsed around his cock, desperately trying to milk him of his seed, and he loved every goddamn moment.

He put it off as long as humanly possible. Her mews and whimpers after each orgasm, begging him for more while simultaneously telling him she couldn’t handle another, drove him to go the distance.

With sweat dripping from his body, mixing in with the blood from his wound, he finally roared out his orgasm. He collapsed over her as the jolts of aftershocks of his own pleasure rocked him.

The urge to pass out on top of her and enjoy a few more blissful hours of slumber tugged at his senses, but he couldn’t do that. Instead, he panted wildly, trying to catch his breath, and rolled off her. When she made a move, he yanked her back against him. It wouldn’t be that easy to escape him.

Cupping her jaw, he guided her head to his chest, slipped one arm under her neck, and enveloped her in a tight but affectionate hold. He’d never considered himself a cuddler before, but there was something about Harper that made him want to never leave the bed. He was beyond content to have her tucked against him like this, her leg draped over his as their hearts slowed to their normal rhythm together.

This was paradise. Too bad it couldn’t last.

Why the fuck did she have to die?

With a flat palm, she patted his chest. “I need to pee.”

“If you try to run, I’ll shoot you.”

She scoffed and pushed against him. “With what?”

“You think I came here without a gun?” he mused and kissed the top of her head.

“Where are you keeping it? Up your ass?” she retorted.

His chest shook as he chuckled, and the sting of his injury returned. He’d blocked it out when he’d fucked her, but now it throbbed with full force. Bleeding all over the crisp white hotel sheets hadn’t been his plan.

Well, not his blood anyway.

He blew out a breath and rolled his eyes. It wasn’t like he would not have a cleaner team show up here, eventually.

“Seriously, unless you acquired a golden shower kink over the years, I need to go.” Harper’s tone took on a new urgency.

Nodding, he loosened his grip and released her. As she scooted off the bed, he rose and kicked his feet over the side.

She furrowed her brow. “Where are you going?”

He arched a brow. “To get my gun.”

Shaking her head, she headed to the bathroom, snatching her panties and his shirt from the ground. As she rubbed her shoulder where he’d bitten her, she disappeared into the restroom. He couldn’t see the mark, as her hand would’ve blocked it, but he knew it was there.

The glee that knowledge brought him faded quickly. Evidence. He’d left a shit ton of fucking evidence on Harper—andinher. Which meant once he finally did the deed, he’d have to destroy her body. Shit.

The idea of turning her to dust sank heavy in his gut. It was bad enough that he’d jumped on the bounty to kill her; now he had to abolish her as well. Sometimes, living a life of crime was really a pain in the goddamn ass.

As she did her business, he tugged on his briefs and pulled his trousers up, then retrieved his ankle holster and slapped it around his leg. Rummaging around, he grabbed her purple-handled blade and grinned. It was so Harper. Feminine and lethal.

He needed to find a place for it. Slipping it between his belt and his back seemed like a logical spot. If he needed it, it’d be handy that way.

Whistling, he took his own weapon out and headed for the toilet area. Leaning against the closet, he crossed his arms, gun in hand and ready to shoot if she came out of that bathroom fighting.

11

Harper

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