Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

When we finally came up for air, the rapid pounding of my heart was a cadence that filled the silence. I opened my eyes, stared into his. Saw the desire burning bright - desire that was both sexual and blood need. He was controlling both urges, but the second only just.

"Do you want to go into the bedroom?" he whispered, his teeth grazing my earlobe and sending a heated shiver through my entire body.

"I don't care where we go, as long as you promise to ravish me senseless."

"Oh, I don't think that's going to be a problem." He bent, swept me up in his arms, then carried me into the plane's luxurious bedroom suite.

Once there, he stripped me. Slowly, seductively, one piece of clothing at a time, exploring and reacquainting himself with each piece of flesh as it was revealed. By the time I was naked, I was quivering with desire.

Even so, I took the time to undress him, letting my fingers roam across the strong planes of his body, remembering what I loved about it, exploring new scars.

Eventually, I kissed him. Whatever vestiges of control we had were totally and irreparably smashed by the force of that kiss, by the passion and love and sheer need behind it.

We fell onto the bed wrapped in each other's arms, his flesh driving deep into mine. He began to move, and all I could do was move with him, savoring and enjoying the sensations flowing through me.

But it went far beyond the physical, because our minds were joined as intimately as our bodies. That was an even more glorious sensation, filled with warmth and love and intimacy, and it made every physical move sharper, deeper, more resonant and powerful. Made our lovemaking so incredible that I just wanted to cry.

And in that moment I knew, without a shred of doubt, that it was time to get real about our relationship. To commit, wholly and fully, to us.

Then his lips claimed mine again and the thought fled, lost to the pleasures new and old. His strokes became fierce, hungry thrusts that shook my entire body, and sweet pressure had begun to build low down in my body, quickly reaching boiling point.

We came together, his roar echoing across the silence, his body slamming into mine so hard the whole bed seemed to shake. His kisses became as fierce as his body, but as he poured himself into me, his mouth left mine, his teeth grazing my neck, but not taking. I'd already lost far too much blood for one day.

When I finally caught my breath again, I took his face between my palms and kissed him long and slow. "I think we both needed that."

"Hell, yeah."

He kissed me again, then rolled onto the bed beside me, and tried to gather me into his arms. I resisted, propping myself up with one hand so I could study him. In the soft light, his skin was golden and the scars down the left side of his body - the same side as his face - did little to detract from the beauty of it.

But it had been so close, no matter how blase he was about it. And that only served to crystallize the decision I'd made.

"You have an extremely serious expression right at this moment," he commented, lightly running a finger across my lips.

I kissed his fingertips, then said, "That's because I have a very serious question for you."

"What? Wait, let me guess - do I have enough food on this tin can to satisfy a hungry werewolf?"

"Well, no," I said, amused. "Although that is a damn good question."

He laughed softly. "I'll always cater to your hungers," he teased. "No matter what those hungers are."

"For which I'm extremely grateful."

"So you should be. What, then, is this oh-so-serious question?"

I hesitated. Not because I was uncertain or scared, but because I really wanted to savor the moment and relish the anticipation. "It really just requires a yes-or-no answer. Nothing too difficult."

He raised an eyebrow. "So ask."

I smiled and placed my hands over his. "Will you marry me, Quinn O'Conor?"

Chapter 14

For once, his vampire expression failed him. His response was right there on his face, in full view and easily read. He went from surprise to disbelief then hope and sheer, utter joy all within a split second of each other, then he let loose a huge whoop of delight and swept me into his arms, hugging me fiercely.

"That is the one question I never, ever thought you'd ask." He cupped my face between his hands and kissed my nose, my lips, my chin, then moved up to my lips again. It was almost as if he were in such a state of excitement, he couldn't concentrate on one area.

I laughed softly and draped my arms around his neck. "To be honest, I never really considered it before. But if these last few days have taught me anything, then it's been crystallizing what, exactly, I want from my life. And making our relationship official is my number-one priority. Well, that and breaking free of the Directorate's leash."