Page 56 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
“The truth is that those who wish you harm are very aware of where you are, but they don’t dare target you while you’re under my protection. I have killed more than a few would-be assassins found lurking around my circus, and I will continue to eliminate any threat to you or anyone here. I protect my own, Malaikah. Always remember that.”
And he swept out the door, leaving Malaikah sitting at the table with her eyes wide with shock and her heart full of doubt.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Harrow woke to the awareness of another’s touch. She blinked slowly, humming with contentment. Raith was lying beside her, propped up on one elbow, trailing his fingers along her naked skin. As he circled her nipples, his strange black eyes tracked his ministrations with intense focus.
She purred with delight. “Good morning.”
His response was to lean down and kiss her.
A warm sunbeam stretched across the bed, making Raith’s skin glow. The sizable erection pressed against her hip made her burn with desire.
Memories of what they had done last night before falling asleep together washed over her. The way he’d watched her while she sucked him, fingers digging into her hair, moans vibrating his deep chest… She wriggled in delight, heat flooding her core. She wanted more of him.
Turning in the circle of his arms, she lifted her face for another kiss. As their lips danced, her palms landed on his chest and slid down over soft skin and hard muscle. He gripped the ample flesh of her backside and hauled her up against him with a growl.
She’d loved it when he lost control last night, when his desire had overridden his carefulness and he’d acted on pure instinct. And now he was kissing her passionately and pressing her hips against his with a firm grip, and she wanted him to lose control again.
Lifting her leg, she hooked it over his hip and worked herself against him. Another growl rumbled in his chest. His fingers slid down between her thighs to drag through her wetness, wringing a soft moan from her lips. There was no space between their bodies for her to touch him in turn, so she just gripped his arms, sighing with pleasure as she felt the strength in them.
She wanted more. She wanted…everything.
She let him touch her until she was soaking wet, their bodies still sliding together, battling for closeness. Then she reached down, stretching an arm around her hip to grab his erection. He moaned, hips jerking. She aligned the head of his cock at her entrance. One thrust and he would enter her. His hand landed on her hip, squeezing tightly.
Transferring her grip to the firm muscles of his ass, she tilted her hips to take him inside.
He was big—oh boy, was he ever. But she was so ready for him, so desperate, that she pushed greedily through the sensation of tightness, sliding over him, tighter, tighter, until he was nearly all the way in and—
He went rigid and jerked away. His eyes were wide and…spooked?
Harrow sat up, horror suffusing her. What had she done? She hadn’t even considered asking him if he wanted this.
“I’m sorry.” Just because he was a male did not automatically mean he was ready for sex. He’d been tortured, imprisoned, had no memories beyond a month and a half ago, and she hadn’t thought twice about taking what she wanted from him. Of course he wasn’t ready. Intimacy had to be terrifying for him after what he’d been through.
“I shouldn’t have— I didn’t even think—”
He just stared at her.
She couldn’t take it anymore. “I’ll just go to the other room to wash.” Jumping out of bed, she all but ran straight for the washroom, her skin hot with shame.
She made it two steps away from the curtain when Raith appeared in front of her. How did he move so fast? He didn’t say anything, just stood there blocking her path. He was still naked and very erect. It took every ounce of will she possessed not to stare, desire for him still pounding through her bloodstream.
Hence her plan to wash. Hopefully, the cold water would take her down a notch.
But Goddess, if he kept looking at her like that, she didn’t think she’d be able to—
He grabbed her, moving so fast he blurred, and yanked her against him. A surprised squeak came out of her as she slammed into his chest. He took her mouth with ferocity the next instant.
He kissed her so hard, she stumbled back until her spine hit the wall. He pressed her into it, gently cradling her head though he was nearly crushing her otherwise, and she moaned in delight. He scooped her up and ground himself against her.
Okay, so maybe she’d read the situation wrong?
There was no time to think about it. She threw her head back with a cry as he feasted on her throat, his cock hard and hot and stroking right against her soaking-wet center. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, begging him with her body to enter her. He tilted his hips in just the right way, and the head of his sex breached her.
They both froze.
Harrow didn’t dare push him again, though it took everything she had not to move.
