Page 97 of Guardians of the Assassins
So he didn’t.
Taking a bracing breath, he firmed his resolve to keep things respectful, then entered the bathroom. The sight of her resting naked in the tub, her head back, her eyes closed, her neck arched and vulnerable, was a memory he would cherish even on his deathbed.
She was a woman built to be worshiped, and he would spend the rest of his long life ensuring her happiness.
Morgan cracked open an eye to see Caedmon watching her from the doorway with such hunger that her body tingled. Without even a single touch. He called to something primitive in her that urged her to lean back and bask under his attention.
A week ago, he would’ve never allowed even a hint of his emotions to show so blatantly.
Now that she had laid claim on him, it was like she’d given him permission and he couldn’t shove those feelings back in the cave where he’d had them buried.
Or he just didn’t give a damn anymore if she saw beneath the thin veneer he wore to keep others out.
“I need to put some salve on the wound to keep it from getting infected.” When she lifted her arm from the water and held out her hand for the jar, he turned and set down her clothing, pretending he didn’t see it. Then he walked toward her with determined steps and knelt at her side. “Allow me.”
Her insides heated at his husky tone, and she lowered her arm, gripping the side of the tub before she did something stupid…like grab him and drag him in with her. He methodically spread the salve over her skin. Despite his light touch, the cooling salve burned like a bitch. Thankfully, after a moment, her shoulder went blessedly numb.
When the salve was gone, he didn’t pull away, slowly working out the knots in her shoulders until her head dropped forward and she groaned as hands worked their magic. His hand ghosted down her chest until he was cupping her breast, and her breath hitched in her lungs.
“Tell me to leave.” Yet even as he gave the order, his thumb crested over her nipple.
She shivered at his guttural command, her insides squirming at the raspy tone, and her thighs rubbed together as she shifted restlessly. She glanced up at him from under her lashes and bit her bottom lip. “And if I want you to stay?”
She gave a surprised squeak when he leaned over the tub, slipped his arms under her, and lifted her clear out of the water in a display of strength that stole her breath. He swooped down, slamming his mouth over hers, devouring her, even as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
Not caring that she was getting his clothing wet, he ran his hands down her curves, cupping her ass possessively as he walked them toward the bedroom. Instead of laying her down across the bed, he sat with her straddling his lap, and she groaned when his cock rubbed against her intimately.
Only when she began to tug at his clothing did he reluctantly lift his head and capture her wrists. “No…this time is just for you. We only have a few hours until sunrise, and I need more time to explore you properly for our first time.”
Morgan lifted her brows at his arrogance. “Do you think you’re the only one who gets to make demands? You don’t think I want time to explore you and stake my claim? Would you really deny me?”
His yellow eyes flashed, a growl rumbling from him as he pulled her closer, the action making her rub against his erection. A spark of pleasure made her breath catch, and his hands came to settle on her hips, urging her to ride him.
In an embarrassingly short amount of time, an orgasm crashed over her. She buried her face against his neck and groaned. She reluctantly lifted her head as the pleasure faded, and she blushed at the awed, satisfied expression on Caedmon’s face.
Like he’d conquered the world by bringing her to completion.
Morgan was surprised by her own reaction to him. Her craving for him was more than just lust, and it was nowhere near satisfied. The little tease just whetted her appetite. Her need for him was built in her soul and demanded that she claim him. They were meant for each other, and she wouldn’t feel complete until they were truly mated.
When she whimpered, Caedmon grabbed her hips and spunthem until she lay sprawled out across the bed beneath him. He gave a tortured groan and gazed down at her with such need, her core clenched.
“I need…” He gritted his teeth, his fangs flashing. “I’m sorry, I can’t wait.”
“Yes, please. Now.” They both reached for his pants at the same time, and it only took a few seconds for him to be naked.
She nearly swallowed her tongue at the sight of him, all sleek muscles and hot skin. Even the scars on his body fascinated her. His erection was thick and long, and her mouth watered for a taste.
“You’re beautiful.” She ached to touch him, but when she reached for him, he caught her wrists and pinned her to the bed. “Caedmon?—”
She was so ready for him, he entered her in one swift thrust, seating himself to the hilt and stealing her breath. She arched at the invasion, hovering on the verge of another orgasm. Then he growled, the vibration launching her over the edge again without him even moving.
Only when she opened her eyes did she find him staring down at her, pure worship in his expression.
“Beautiful,” he said in a husky whisper. “Again.”
He tightened his grip and began to thrust deep and hard, keeping his pace slow and measured, no matter how much she tried to rush him. His control drove her insane. She lost count of how many times she came before he finally joined her.
His fangs latched onto her shoulder, as if to prevent her from escaping.
