Page 66 of Undying
My barbarian is toned, even down to his pinky toe, not an ounce of fat on him anywhere. Tattoos decorate almost fifty percent of his body, the artwork so beautiful that my fingers itch to trace the dark ink. His skin is darker, a delicious tan that shows he spends a lot of time in the sun. With his full beard and the hungry look in his blue eyes, it looks like he wants to devour me whole, and I can’t prevent a shiver of pure lust.
It’s like the very gods sculptured him for my viewing pleasure.
Unlike my Viking, he has only a few scars, but they’re vicious.
He’s abso-fucking-lutely gorgeous.
And I’m in deep fucking trouble.
ChapterTwenty
JOLIE
“Trust me?” Tobias asks, his question almost a taunt as he reaches for the closure of his pants.
While I don’t have much experience with men—the ones I met as a human were more boys showing off a shiny new toy—my instincts promise me that things are different with them.
New and exciting.
They make me feel like I’m something special, more than just a random fuck to scratch an itch.
Tobias is giving me a choice, and a warning, that accepting his challenge will change things forever. If I choose him, there will be no going back.
Almost like he’s trying to scare me off.
A smile takes over my face, one that has my own fangs flashing and my spirits lifting. For the first time in my life, I don’t feel any fear, no worries about what tomorrow will bring, no stress over my next paycheck or scrounging for a meal.
Because I’m no longer alone.
Feeling brave, conscious of the two men watching my every move, I grab the hem of the red sweater I’m wearing and pull it over my head. As I drop it to the floor, my hair fans around my shoulders, the silky strands playing peekaboo with my breasts. I take a step toward him, an almost shy smile curling my lips. “I trust you with my life.”
A snarl twists his features, a possessive growl coming from him, then he launches himself across the room almost faster than I can track. Before he can reach me, Castle grabs him out of midair and shoves him down. The two snarl viciously at each other as they face off, almost circling each other, Castle making sure he remains between me and the wolf at all times.
“She isn’t your mate yet. You can’t take her like a beast,” Castle warns, his hands held out from his body, claws at the ready. He crouches lower, bracing himself for impact, his broad shoulders an impressive sight that makes my mouth water, and I barely resist reaching out to touch him.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I know better than to get between the two wolves. Then I shake my head and smile, remembering that I am no longer that girl anymore.
I’m a vampire now.
I can protect myself.
Giving in to temptation, I place my hand on his back, loving the way his muscles ripple under my touch, as if seeking more. “He won’t hurt me,” I say with certainty, not feeling the slightest bit of fear at their aggression.
Castle snorts, not taking his attention away from the threat, even for a moment. “We’re shifters. We’re more violent in everything that we do, including fucking. Claws. Fangs. Blood. Knots. I was gentle with you upstairs, keeping my beast from taking over. Tobias doesn’t have the same restraint right now. It would kill him to know that he hurt you.”
I’m almost disappointed that he held himself back, which is ridiculous. I haven’t had sex in a while. What we shared was intense. That he considers it tame has me shivering in excitement. As much as I hate to admit it, maybe he’s right—I’m not sure I could’ve taken more.
Then I process what he said. “Knot?”
That seems to calm Tobias, shocking him out of whatever trance that took hold of him. “You didn’t knot her?”
He almost sounds incredulous.
Castle straightens, turning slowly so that my hand drags across his arm to settle on his chest, and he tugs me close. I’d almost swear a blush tinges his cheeks at my question, and I find myself charmed and even more curious.
Tobias takes pity on him, grabbing my free hand and tugging me toward the couch. Castle doesn’t release me, just follows behind me, and I suddenly find myself squished between the two wolves once again, the small couch made even tinier by their hulking forms.
I feel positively dainty in comparison.
