Page 37 of Branded in Love
“Are you gonna…?” I manage, but the words break off in excitement.
“Only if you want me to,” he purrs in my ear, making my entire body shiver in delight.
His searing lips nibble my earlobe, then glide down my neck, trailing passionate kisses. “I want you to claim me,” I breathe. “Will it hurt?”
“Briefly,” he says in a rough, husky voice. “We don’t have to do this now, my love.” A kiss on my nape. “I can wait until you’re ready for me.” A lick on my shoulder.
I writhe beneath him, imprisoned by his body in a web of arousal. “Do it,” I beg with a low moan. “I want you, Gavriil.Allof you.” I long to become full of him.
A low growl lingers in his chest. His hardness slips between my thighs and slowly he sheathes himself inside of me. I moan in sweet ecstasy, elated, relieved.
He matches my lustful demands, making me soar high until I reach the brim of ecstasy. “Oh God…” I moan. “Don’t stop.” Waves of fathomless pleasure crash into my core and spread to my limbs. When I explode, I bring him with me. Gavriil’s taut body convulses over mine. In a flash, he pulls my hair aside. His panting breath warms my shoulder. I sense the edge of his fangs as they graze my skin.
“Yes,” I breathe, blissful tears prickling beneath my eyelids. “Do it.”
A flash of lightning cuts through my flesh. The fangs, sharp stylets of merciless fury. I cry out in delirium, overtaken by tangled emotions. Fathomless pleasure and pain. It reminds me of my first tattoo; the heightened feeling of bliss, the merciless hurt that I welcome so willingly.
“Mine…” Gavriil moans against my shoulder. “Mine,” he growls again, tightening his grip around my arms.
When his body clashes hard against me, his temple brushes the side of my face. And I listen to his panting breath, the words that linger in his throat, saying, “Gods… Oh gods…”
His firm hands glide under me. He rolls me over him as he lies on the bed, chest heaving, a swathe of perspiration glistening on his chiseled body. “Gods, I love you…” he says between quick breaths. He cradles my face in his hands. “I love you, Luciana.”
My mouth finds his in one slow, heartfelt kiss. I then rest my head against his chest, listening to his quickened heartbeat as sweet exhaustion takes over us and wraps us in a pleasant dream.
27
GAVRIIL
The purest bliss streams in my blood when I wake the next morning. I stare at her while she sleeps. My bite on her shoulder is but a slight bruise by now, healed quickly by my magic. A thrill rushes through me. For the first time in years, I’ve opened myself to love again. This time, it feels stronger and more real than it’s ever been.
But restlessness finds a way into my joy. Tonight, we will face Andrea Barone and the members of his coven. Now, more than ever, I would not have Luciana expose herself to the dangers of these blood fiends. But I know well my say in it won’t matter to her. And I know, too, that the only way for us to become free from their fangs is by destroying them.
I will take Andrea’s head myself. I will avenge the reckless murder of my brothers. And I will stop the coven’s vampires from getting anywhere near Luciana.
I rise from the bed and get dressed.
Meandering through Luciana’s home, I text Sasha, instructing him to send over a gown, jewelry, and a stylist for her. He texts back with a thumbs-up emoticon and a winking face. I roll my eyes back. He’s such a child. “And this is the man I chose as my Enforcer…” I say under my breath, going through the kitchen cabinets to make some coffee.
There is absolutely nothing in the pantry. The refrigerator is practically empty, save for a bottle of wine.“??…”I raise my brow in astonishment. No food whatsoever.
Finally, in a bottom drawer, I find instant coffee and a couple of sugar packets. “This will not do.” I move to the entrance. My brother Dima might pick up a couple of espressos and maybe some flowers, too.
I open the door to find another man standing in the doorway.
“Vlad?” I mumble, unable to stop myself from frowning.
My brother’s eyes widen slightly. I cannot tell whether he’s surprised or simply glad to see me.
“Sasha told me where I could find you,” he begins, combing back his ashen blonde hair with his fingers.
I step into the hallway and close the door behind me fast. “What is it?” I ask. “Is there a problem with our plan?”
“Quite the contrary,” he says, slipping his hands into his jeans pockets. “I came to tell you that I’ve received confirmation. Andrea will be there tonight.” He pauses, his stare drifting to the door behind me.
It bothers me that his interest seems to sway in that direction. I step aside and my body blocks the entrance completely. Vladimir might well be my brother, but at this point, I do not sense him that way. The bear in me bristles.Do not cross this line, brother.
“You could have called,” I say, softening my harshness with, “and spared yourself the journey.”
