Page 25 of Falling for Ash
He was a goner.
Ash licked the long column of her neck, nibbling at her clavicle. Her skin tasted divine. That same raspberry lime scent covering her skin exploded on his tongue.
He wanted more.
He wanted it all.
“Oh yes,” she whispered, her hands in his hair as he found the zipper to her dress, parting it so he could pull it down, exposing her incredible bosoms.
The hardened nubs were like ripe berries, like fruit so pure and sweet, they should be forbidden to the likes of him. But Ash had not the will power to deny himself. He lowered his head, sucking one into his mouth, teasing and twirling the nubbin with his tongue.
Arousal sizzled like an electrical current between them. So hot and strong, his whole body was burning with it. He was out of control, and so was she. He knew it. Knew then he could never take her like this. Mindless with desire and beyond her own experience.
No.
When he did finally have her, it was going to be with her eyes wide open. His heart squeezed, beating thunderously inside of him. Ash wanted nothing more than to bury himself deep within her, but she was no quick fuck. No trifle to bang and toss aside.
Mine.
That voice inside him growled the word more forcefully this time. Followed by another even more potent word.
Mate.
Resigned to a night of suffering blue balls and cold showers, Ash slowed his kisses. Gabby moaned, lifting her glassy, lust-glazed eyes to his. He read the hurt and confusion, the lust still there.
“We have to stop now,” he told her.
“Oh, oh god! I am so sorry,” she said, pushing him off, and he eased back, refusing to allow her to continue the train of thought he could read so easily in her eyes.
“No. Listen to me. I want you. Desperately. I know you can feel that I do,” he murmured, smiling when she blushed.
“Then why are you stopping?” Gabby asked.
“Because when we do this, and we will do this, Gabriella. But when that time comes, I want you to be fully aware of the consequences,” Ash stated. “I will not play games. Not with you, Gabriella. You’ve just discovered this world, this other part to who you are. Let me help you navigate it. Then you can decide what it is you want.”
“Really? You would do that for me?” she asked, bewilderment easily displayed in her gaze.
“I would do anything for you.”
And surprisingly enough, he meant it. He sat up then, helping her to rearrange her dress. When she would’ve done it herself, he stilled her hands, placing a small kiss on her lips while he slid the zipper up, covering her beauty from his eyes. It was the most difficult thing he’d ever had to do. A true test of his honor, he supposed. When all he really wanted was to tear the hateful clothing off her skin and keep her in his bed where he could pleasure her nonstop for a month or two.
“That sounds interesting,” she said, grinning, and he realized he’d spoken out loud.
“You know, I’ve got the distinct feeling you’ve rendered me unguarded. I am vulnerable with you, Gabriella.”
“Is that bad?”
“It is when you are the General of the Daemonium Guard,” he muttered.
“Is that what you do? You’re some kind of warrior?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “We protect the Underworld from invasion. Patrolling the borders and keeping the soulless ones, rogues who lost themselves to the darkness, at bay is our prime directive.”
“Oh, wow. I’m just a teacher, and not even a real one right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, well, I’m sort of in between jobs. Right now, I am teaching catechism classes.”
