Crimson Covenant (Onyx Assassins 1)

She didn’t even blink—oh no, she used the wall as leverage, arching so she could press her breasts against my chest. The growl that rumbled from my chest sounded exactly as inhuman as I felt.

She was mine. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to provide for.

My cock throbbed against the zipper of my leather fighting pants, and she worked her hands between us, flicking open the button and pulling my zipper down.

We were so on the same page with this.

I grabbed her dress by the fistful, yanking it above her waist, then ripped the strings of her underwear one by one and discarded it. Our kiss had turned so hot I was sure we’d both combust.

She shoved my pants and underwear past my hips, and my cock sprang free.

“Fuck, Lyric,” I groaned, then sucked her tongue into my mouth.

That little whimper she gave me right there was always my undoing. She gripped the back of my neck and rolled her hips over mine.

My fingers found her wet and slick, already swollen with need. “You want me.” I sank two fingers inside her.

“I always want you.” She tried to lift up so she could ride my fingers, but I kept her pinned against the wall. “Alek, please!”

I sucked her lower lip, then slipped my fingers free, swirling them over her clit until her breathy pants became keening cries.

“You’re mine.” I looked in her eyes as I said the word.

“I’m yours,” she agreed, her face tight with desire, her scent blooming around us.

I kissed her once more, then lined up my cock to her entrance and thrust home, taking her in one long slide.

“Alek!” Her nails bit into my skin.

The feel of her was too much, but it always was. There was nothing as perfect as being inside Lyric, feeling her surround me. My hips swung in a merciless, punishing rhythm, driving into her hard and deep.

She tilted her head and I struck, my fangs sinking into her neck as I fed. The taste of her was incomparable, and I took her even harder, grinding my hips over hers so I hit her clit with each thrust. She convulsed around me, her body going tight just before she came, her pussy rippling around my cock with every aftershock.

A book hit the floor. Then another, yet I drove on, taking her over and over. I released my bite, sealed the tiny cuts, and kept going. She was heaven. I couldn’t get enough.

“Oh my God, Alek,” she groaned, her body going tight again, and I slid my hand between us, strumming over her clit so she came again, this time screaming my name so loud I was sure everyone on the estate could hear her. Good.

Still, I pumped into her, pushing away the spiraling pleasure that drew my balls tight as she dropped her head to my shoulder and held on.

Then she nuzzled my neck, opened her mouth against the sensitive skin, and bit.

Oh, fuck, yes. My orgasm overwhelmed me, and I came in waves so strong, I couldn’t stop it, filling her with everything I had as she stroked my back, my neck, kissing me softly where she’d bitten me.

Where she’d bite me over and over again if I turned her. She’d feed there for the rest of our lives, her lips and teeth at my skin. She’d bear my younglings, wake with me each night, and shine brighter than every single star in the sky…if she survived.

She kissed me again, even though she hadn’t broken my skin.

But I was starting to think she might just break me.

12

Lyric

Hot water cascaded over my bare skin, loosening my coiled muscles. The black stone which created Alek’s massive shower absorbed the heat, creating a sweet steam that caressed every inch of my skin. I ran my fingers through my long hair, lathering slowly, leisurely. I had a few hours still before my final meeting with my advisor, and I was beyond content to linger in this luxury spot until then.

I bit my lip, trying to contain my smile. It had been a month of nothing but pure joy. Memories flashed red hot in my mind—Alek’s mouth, his strong hands on my body, the sounds he made when he was inside me. The way we could talk for hours, nothing but honesty and silk sheets between us. The way he made me laugh, and dropped his unbreakable king mask in order to be real and vulnerable with me. Just me.

I blew out a breath and stood beneath the rain-like showerhead in the center of the massive space. An ache pulsed deep in my core, the insatiable need I had for my mate turning my fingers from washing to caressing. And I didn’t just need Alek on a physical level, but a molecular one. The past month with him had only solidified our mythical bond, and the more time I spent with him? The more I fell in love with him. The terrifying vampire had a dark past that broke my heart—losing his parents, inheriting a throne he still wasn’t sure he was worthy of, constantly worrying about Avianna and his people. The weight of the crown was heavy to bear, especially when he not only had to worry about his vampire subjects, but the neighboring supernaturals.