Page 85 of Unbound By Shadows
“I feel like I should have more guilt about last night. I mean, I’ve never killed anyone before—”
“You acted in defense,” he said vehemently.
“I know that. Sort of. It’s just a weird thing to wrap my mind around.”
“As a vampire, Margery was already dead.”
“Yes, but I keep thinking about how the stake felt in my hand. When it went into her body and she fell on me… ” She blew out a breath. “It’s not something I’d like to do again.”
“You won’t have to. Ever.”
“She said a lot of strange things to me. What do you think she meant about claiming her reward? And taking me to see a king? Ithought queens ruled Aurelia. She knew I was human and didn't want to drink me fully, she wanted me alive.”
“She was old, and her mind had gone,” Sam said, careful to ignore her other questions about Margery’s intentions. “Had she bitten you, she would not have left you alive.”
"Yes, somehow, I knew that." She shifted her hips. The motion pressed her breasts into his side, making his already stiff cock strain against his trousers. “But still, why would she—”
“Don’t dwell on it. Her words sprung from madness,” Sam said quickly. “I’m sorry I left you to face her alone.”
“You couldn’t have known what would happen. I'm just glad it's over, and you're okay. It was the worst night of my life, and I didn't think anything could top the vampire attack in Snowmelt.”
“Only good times lie ahead,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. He began tracing circles on her lower back. Even though he had just rejected the idea of claiming her in the tent, the drive to soothe her was undeniable. If he could use his hands and mouth to pleasure her, perhaps she could forget for a moment. Then they would be on their way.
His voice dropped an octave as he murmured, “Do you need… distraction?”
“Do I need what?” Then as realization seemed to take hold, she said, “Oh.”
Slowly, he drew his hand over the curve of her hip under the blanket, then up her ribcage. He repeated the motion in the opposite direction while waiting for a signal from her, a sign, a word of encouragement…
“Yes,” she breathed.
He didn’t hesitate. Pushing her onto her back, he bent and took her mouth. Flicked his tongue against her lips so that she opened to him. She swirled her tongue around his, meeting his every stroke, then tangled her hands in his hair, tugging softly.
He deepened their kiss. She arched her back, making him very awareof the way her breasts jutted against his chest. His shaft jerked painfully against his pants, and he pulled back. Softened his kiss to make it less frantic. He cupped the underside of her breast, feeling much more confident about how to touch her now. When his thumb rubbed over the taut peak, she moaned. Aching to taste her again, he licked his way down her body. The feel of her warm flesh on his lips and tongue was addictive. Softly, he blew against one pearled nipple until she began to squirm.
“Sam, please,” she said.
He drew a nipple between his lips, and she made a small sound of delight. He sucked hard before flicking his tongue back and forth. With his other hand, he stroked her opposite breast, careful to keep the pressure he knew she preferred.
Selene’s hands roved up and down his back, squeezing his clenched musclesand stroking his heated skin. She was careful to avoid his injured horn but caressed the other one with sweeping touches that made him groan, causing the edge of his teeth to scrape against her breast. Her hips bucked as she cried out. Sam pulled back to search her face.
“Was that too hard?”
“No, no it was… I liked it,” she panted. “More.”
That one word made his claws shoot out then retract. Feeling as though his control was slipping, he paused to collect himself. Staring down at her, he took in the striking contrast of their bodies pressed together. Everything about her was lush and feminine, while his flesh bore the marks of combat and pain. Oftentimes it was his body, not his instincts that made him feel the most out of place in Aurelia. His stature was too big, his features too angular, his horns and claws too sharp to ever feel truly at home among the races of this realm. Yet he didn’t feel like an outcast with her.
She wanted more? He would give her more. He would give her everything. The life she craved, the home she desired, the pleasure she needed.
Skillfully. Tenderly. Mercilessly.
Selene wet her lips when she saw Sam’s gaze turn from lustful to something darker. He was staring down at her like a starving wolf watching his prey, or a hungry lion scenting blood. Ready to pounce and devour.
And damned if she didn’t like it.
His hand crept down her neck to stroke between her breasts, then over her stomach. Lingering for a moment, his hand moved lower until it rested at the triangle between her legs.
“Show me how you like to be touched here,” he said against her lips, cupping her damp heat.
