Page 72 of The Doctor and the Devil
“I’ll go,” Marguerite volunteered. “I know where we were in the woods when the doctor was turned. Besides, it was mine and Laszlo’s actions that brought us to this place—we are far in your debt.”
Daphne nodded. “Very well. We could use a report, as well, to see if anything has changed around the Order’s headquarters over the last few weeks. You will not go alone, Marguerite. Étienne will go with you.”
Étienne grinned at her and saluted.
“Good. Well, I’m sure we’re all exhausted. Let’s adjourn for the morning and get some rest,” Charlotte suggested.
I blew out a breath. My explorations with my abilities had sapped my physical strength as well as my mental strength, and by the time Rafael and I made our way to his bedchamber, I was nearly asleep on my feet. Blessedly, he helped me undress, slipped a clean chemise over my head and tucked me into bed.
I watched as he pulled his shirt and breeches off and slipped into bed naked. The crease in his brow and the tight set of his mouth was enough for me to roll over and lay my hand on his chest.
“Do not be cross with me, Rafael,” I said.
“I’m not cross,” he argued. “I’m worried.”
“You are both,” I replied. “Would you love me as much if I were simpering and biddable?”
He wrapped strong arms around me and pulled me into his embrace.
“I would love you in every way, in every world, in every afterlife,” he sighed. “But that doesn’t mean it is easy for me to let you walk into danger.”
I yawned and his hands drifted to my low back, caressing and stroking.
“I understand,” I said. “But you will be there. You can always save me if things start to go awry.”
He chuckled and the sound hummed through my very bones. The sensation soothed me deeper into sleep, and I almost missed his final words as I drifted off.
“Mina, you’ve never needed me to save you, but I will always be there to try, anyway.”
24
RAFAEL
May 20, 1768
Château du Diable
I wokesome hours later with Mina’s lush, shapely ass cradling my insistent erection. As much as I wanted her—needed to feel that connection between us—she needed sleep. She was still learning what her new abilities demanded from her body. I thought back to my youth, when my abilities had begun to manifest and stifled a laugh. What a terror I’d been.
Mina shifted back against me, and I tensed, desire building in my body.
No,I chided myself.Let her rest.
She sighed in her sleep and arched against me, lightly rubbing her breasts against my arm. I fought against the onslaught of wild heat that raged in me, desperate to think of anything but burying myself in her and claiming her again.Mine. After everything, she is mine.She moved again, her soft skin pressing against the hard ridge of my cock, and when I bit back a groan, I heard a soft explosion of laughter.
“Torturous minx,” I growled. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to enjoy a little torment,” she chuckled, rolling over to face me. She leaned forward and captured my mouth in a passionate kiss, sucking my lower lip between her fangs. The friction was like a jolt of lightning.
I moaned into her mouth and reached between her legs, slipping one finger through her wet heat. I shuddered when her hand snaked down to encircle me, then she angled her hips to slide me inside of her.
I swore—ready to die from the perfection of it. Of her. Of us together. I pushed myself up over her, nudging her legs apart and thrusting into her again. Her soft moans grew louder, and I wondered if I’d ever heard anything so beautiful.
“No matter what happens,” she said, wrapping her legs around my waist to grant me deeper access. “I will always be yours, Rafael. You will always be mine.”
“Mine,” I grunted, already so close to release. I reached down between our legs to stroke that sensitive spot above our joining. She bowed up off the bed and I seized the opportunity to bend down and capture her right nipple in my mouth. When I gently sucked and then grazed the underside of her breast with my fangs, I felt her pleasure draw up and shatter, and she screamed as she came apart. I followed her over the edge, thrusting into her, swearing against gods and demons alike that I would destroy anything that challenged me for her.
“I love you,” she whispered, placing a hand against my cheek.
