Page 39 of Mortal Blood
“Always,” he vowed. “But you have to promise me the same.”
“No hunting down Kallan?” I ventured.
“Not tonight.”
I sighed. It was probably for the best, anyway. Kallan would kick my ass in a fair fight…which, honestly, wasn’t a whole lot of incentive to fight fair. He certainly hadn’t been when he’d terrorized my mom in the one place she was supposed to be safe.
Still, if there wasn’t going to be ass kicking, and I had my strong, stubborn, perfect mate all to myself…
“Got any other plans for how to pass the time?” I asked him, and a possessive gleam colored his eyes.
“One or two.”
Our lips found each other’s and I growled into his mouth, demanding all of him, some inner part of me needing proof that no matter what crazy shit happened in the world around us, we were solid, and nothing could tear us apart, not even each other.
He pulled me closer, encasing me in his protective grip as he devoured me, his tongue sending sparks of delight through me as it tasted mine. His powerful arm wrapped around my waist and I yelped as he plucked me easily from the floor, quickly wrapping my legs around his hips.
“Our dorm?” I asked hopefully.
“No,” he growled against my lips. “I need younow.”
A shiver ran the length of my spine and heat pooled in my core at the thought of him taking me out here, where anyone might find us. His nostrils flared and he chuckled darkly.
“Shall I claim you where everyone can see us, princess?” he rumbled. My breath caught in my throat and I clenched hard as some primal part of me thrilled at the image. The sane part of me raised some valid objections—like having to look Jax in the eyeagain if he stumbled across us, or worse yet, Kallan. Or Thaden.
The thought of his cold, mocking face sobered me and I forced it away. He’d taken enough from me. He wouldn’t take this moment.
“The woods,” I murmured, glancing over his shoulder at the swathe of woodland just a few hundred meters away. Cole rumbled his impatience and the sound made my pulse spike. Knowing this stunning, incredible man wanted me,neededme that badly was almost enough to send me over the edge. I pressed myself against him as he carried me into the woods, basking in his strength and the heady scent of his closeness. He lowered me to the ground, leaning my back against a tree trunk, and I whined at the loss of contact, drawing a chuckle from him.
“Needy little princess, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I agreed readily, my breath hitching as he devoured me with hungry eyes, and his face promised a night of carnal perfection. He ducked his head closer and I reached for him. His eyes narrowed and he tutted, nipping at my throat in reprimand. I got the message, and let my hands fall into the leaf litter as he trailed kisses down my throat until he reached the neckline of my shirt.
“Don’t you dare…”
His eyes gleamed wickedly and his teeth shifted to fangs for just one second, shredding the fabric. I reached out to smack his shoulder and he plucked my hand easily from the air, turning his head to deliver a sharp nip at my pulse.
“Naughty princess. Stay.”
He lowered my arm softly, reverently, to the ground, and ducked his head to capture one of my nipples, flicking his tongueover it in a way that made me squirm as the rest of my shredded shirt fell away, revealing the sensitive skin underneath.
“Tonight, you’re mine,” he whispered, his hot breath making me shiver as the reply—yours—burned to be released from my throat. I pressed my lips together and he chuckled darkly at my stubbornness.
“You’ll say it before we’re done,” he vowed.
He trailed hot, wet kisses down my stomach, making me arch up against him wantonly.
“Moan for me,” he commanded, and I couldn’t help but do so, wanting him to know how much he affected me, how much I needed him. He licked and sucked my belly button, and then paused at the waistband of my pants.
“These are in my way. I’ll give you one chance to remove them.”
I scrambled to undo the button—walking butt naked back to our dorm was not my idea of fun—and my hips rose obediently to let him tug the pants loose and toss them aside, and my panties quickly followed.
He sat back on his heels, drinking me in with a feral need that echoed within me. My gaze began to trail his body, and then I narrowed my eyes.
“Hey!” I protested. “How come I’m the only one who’s naked?”
“Because I’m in charge tonight, princess.” He bent his head and delivered a sharp nip to my inner thigh that sent arousal spiraling through me. “Don’t forget that.”
