Sweet Ruin (42 page)

Dream man. Everything. Promises. Cherishing.

Damn, no pressure there, Josephine.
She’d taken a wedding—an event engineered to be ideal—and she’d built a template for her love life.

Not for the first time, Rune recognized he wasn’t the man to give Josephine her dreams. He tried to make light. “The combat-boot-wearing blood-drinker wants romance.”

“If I had that bond, things in my life would get . . . fixed.”

“Like what?”

“I have a fear as strong as your phobia about heights.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “I’m afraid I’ll just float away. Especially if I sleep-ghost.”

“Sleep-ghost? Like sleepwalking?”

She nodded. “I float through the bed into the ground. When I come to, I’m basically in a grave. Why shouldn’t I fear going the other way? And those stars seem to call to me.”

“You never did that during the past two weeks.”

“It only happens when I’m filled with . . . loss. Or yearning. If I had a bond with someone, it would—I don’t know—maybe anchor me here.”

She fears floating away; I fear extinguishing my emotions forever.

Every time he went cold with a target, he wondered if he was like Darach—one fateful transition away from permanence. Or like Uthyr, the dragon shifter, who’d abandoned his human form and became a dragon forever.

Josephine wanted Rune to be her anchor? To hold her hand and keep her tethered to him? That, at least, seemed achievable. In return, she could make sure his heart never fell to ash again.

Maybe we could be each other’s anchors.

He reached for her, smoothing his thumb over her full bottom lip, that little dip. Her eyes grew even more luminous. As he stared into them, he said, “I could keep you with me.”

Her face lit up; his fell.

He’d used zero qualifiers. Was she mesmerizing him again? Exasperated, he said, “I want you, Josephine. I’ll wait no longer.” He was about to go into all the reasons her refusal was ridiculous—

“Okay.”

Huh? “I want you completely.”

Her lips curled.

“As in sex. I want sex.” He was fumbling. What in the hells was wrong with him?

Her smile deepened.

He could disabuse Josephine of her hopes right now. Or he could let her believe they would be exclusive, when he had every intention of bedding others.

Every intention of remaining the same.

She’d told him she had expectations, and they were sky-high. Tomorrow he would manage them for her.
She
would change. If they were to have any kind of future together, it would be on his terms—or not at all. “Are you sure you want to risk my poison?”

“Already told you I don’t think there’s a risk. But if we’re even talking about this, then you must think there’s some chance I’m your mate.”

“I’m not going to lie. I do think there’s a chance. I’ve got protection.” He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a runic combination he’d inked in preparation.

“I’ve never seen those symbols.”

“It’s an ancient contraception spell to keep me from spilling seed.” He was about to get what he wanted. He’d won. He had seduced the impressionable Josephine with a ball and drinks and compliments.

If she knew how much he’d manipulated her—a millennia-old master versus an inexperienced young woman.

“But how will you know if I’m your mate?”

Rune already did. In that ballroom, when he’d seen her black blood . . . even amid his panic, a bewildering thought had arisen:
She’s me, and I’m her.
“Does it really matter? Tonight won’t change how we go forward. We’re still going to be together.”

Together in bed. In the Møriør. In war.

FIFTY-THREE

I
loved this on you,” Rune murmured against Jo’s choker.

She was sitting in his lap as he nuzzled her neck. Beneath her ass, he was rock-hard.

“Loved seeing you wear my baneblood.” His warm breaths made her shiver. When he claimed her as his mate tonight, he would bite her neck. “Your own blood is black now. I saw when that swordsman nicked you.”

Get out!
“Can I kill with my bite or my claws?” More powers!

“Your blood might be deadly. But I doubt anything else would be.”

“Oh.”

“You sound disappointed.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “For all my life, I’ve hated my poison.”

“Until you met me.” She leaned in for a kiss.

His lips were firm when he grazed them over hers. Just that light contact made her heart race. She parted her lips, welcoming his clever tongue.

He leaned her back against his arm so he could take her more thoroughly. For a male who hadn’t kissed often—or at least not for extended amounts of time—he was an amazing kisser.

She threaded her fingers into his thick hair, loosening it from his queue, pressing herself against his body. She was already wet for him. He’d made a big deal out of readying her for sex—she was
raring
.

When she wriggled over his dick—
hint, hint
—he groaned into the kiss, adjusting her on his lap. As their tongues twined, she tugged on his neck, arching into his grip. Why wasn’t he feeling her up? Why did they still have clothes on? She wanted his dick warming her palm. She wanted his mouth on her tits, his tongue playing with a piercing.

Against Jo’s lips, he muttered, “Damn it.” He drew his head back.

Catching her breath, she said, “What’s wrong?”

“Maybe we should get back.”

“To Tortua? I wanted it to be here at this epic location.”

“Perhaps we should wait for another night or so.” Her dark fey was getting cold feet.

Jo had outlined her parameters for sex. Yet he’d still been about to do it. To commit. The bond with him was so close she could taste it.

His Adam’s apple bobbed; he was nervous. Because it meant that much! She’d known he was falling for her. Hadn’t he called her
love
earlier?

“And if I said we’re staying?”

He set her away, then traced to his feet. “We’ve only known each other for so little time.”

“We’re role-playing, right? You’re playing me, giving excuses why we should wait. I’ll play Rune. ‘But,
baby
,’ ” she crooned, “ ‘we only live once, and we have a battle tomorrow.’ ”

He cocked a brow. “Smartass.”

“Seriously, what’s up with the one-eighty?”

He shrugged. “Changed my mind.”

Awww.
He was skittish about such a drastic change. After countless centuries of sameness . . .

It was up to her to drag him to the finish line. She replayed his reaction in her motel room, when she’d goaded him and flashed her fangs at him. For her “defiance,” he’d shoved her against the wall, kissing her like his life depended on it.

“Changed your mind?” She nodded with understanding. “Problems with little Rune, old man? Do you know the Viagra symbol?”

Eyes narrowing, he gestured at his bulging shaft. “Obviously that is
not
my problem.”

It’s working.
“I bet Desh doesn’t need Viagra. Hey, on the way back, can you drop me at Lafitte’s?”

Rune’s muscles tensed, his fangs becoming more prominent. “You’re wearing my godsdamned blood on your skin, and you’re talking about fucking another demon?”

“You want me to be all dressed up and nowhere to go?” She pinched the hem of her dress, sliding it up her legs.

“Stop what you’re doing.” His sexy ears twitched at the sound of satin skimming her hose.

“Look at these.” She exposed her black garters, adjusting them. “I won’t wear them for just anyone. But you don’t appreciate them?”

His fists clenched. “I told you to stop this.” As if he had no control of his body, he dropped to his knees in front of her, just to pet a hose-clad leg. “You’re defying me once more?”

She collected her dress hem again, drawing it even higher. “I was so busy choosing my hose and garters, I forgot panties.”

“You wouldn’t defy me if I’d marked you. You’d come to heel.”

Intense male!
She brought one knee up. “Don’t you want to see where you should be?”

He inhaled deeply, his pupils blown. “You’re playing with forces you don’t understand. The demon in me . . . needs . . . to make you surrender.”

She spread herself to him. “How’s
this
for defiance?” She’d never felt more exposed. But dark urges gripped her. She wanted to be vulnerable, to put herself in his control.

One second he was on his knees staring; the next he’d traced atop her, pinning her down on the blanket. . . .

Like flipping a switch.

Rune had barely withstood the mouthwatering scent of her sex. But to see it, to see the little shadow of her opening? His cock throbbed to claim it. His demon half was in a lather for it.

Her defiance maddened him. Provoked every primal need in him.
She’ll respect the male who masters her.

He
felt
demonic. Savage. Out of control.

Claim. . . .
Her dress was an obstacle. He wanted her naked but for those garters. He fisted her bodice, ripping it away. She gasped as he tore the dress from her body.

He couldn’t kiss her bared tits fast enough. He wrapped his lips around a nipple, suckling hard. His teeth clicked against her piercing.
Perfection.

Never releasing his suck, he tore off his own clothes, his tongue flicking when his rigid cock met cool air.

He dimly remembered the need to prepare her. His hand shot between her thighs, cupping her possessively.
Mine.
He slipped a finger in, groaning against her breast.

Her pussy was hot, giving. He thrust his finger, fucking her with it.

“More!” She rocked her hips.

Another finger. He spread them wide inside her, opening her up for him.

“I’m ready, Rune!”

“Ready when I say you are.” He lightly bit her nipple.

She cried out, her claws raking his heated skin, spurs to a beast.

Her honey drenched his fingers, wetting his palm. Still he worked her pussy. He wedged a third finger inside.

She bucked to his hand. “About to come!”

He stilled his fingers. “No.”

“No? Then fuck me!”

Can’t wait any longer!
He slid his fingers free. He sucked them with a snarl as she watched with those sultry eyes.

“Need you, Rune!
Now.
” She raised her arms and spread her thighs to welcome him.

He’d waited seven thousand years for this! On his knees, he leaned over her, aiming his cock. He tilted his hips, and her lush wetness kissed the tip.
Claim!

He yelled and thrust. The crown slipped along the plump folds of her pussy.
“AHH!”
He nearly came.
“Get so wet!”
He didn’t recognize the sight of his own member. Never so engorged.

He sweated, his muscles straining. His aching balls tightened. It took everything in him not to fall upon her in a frenzy. He gnashed his teeth as he fought his instincts.
Have to get control!

The head rubbed her swollen clit, and she cried, “Rune, do it!” Her little fangs sharpened.

For my flesh.
The demon in him roared with satisfaction.
She drinks me alone. After tonight, she fucks me alone.

His own fangs readied for her neck.
About to know my mark.

For the first time in his existence, he could perceive semen climbing up his shaft.
It’s for her. It’s all hers. Give it to her . . . put it where it belongs.

Her head thrashed, her hair coming loose, silken strands haloing her head. He went awash in her scent.

The crown tucked against her entrance. No turning back.

Her thighs fell wide in surrender, her heart racing. Its beat spurred him as much as her claws.

Her eyes were as frantic as he felt. “Put it in.” She needed; he provided.

Emotions? He was
raw
. Scalded. With a bellow, he shoved home.

Pleasure seared him. Her body gloved him.
“Ah, gods, YES!”
A demon covering his mate.

Her back bowed, her pierced tits slipping across his sweating chest. She screamed, “Rune!” Her core clenched his rod, her wet flesh quivering around it.

He snatched her nape, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’re mine now! Belong to
me
. . . .” A groan replaced his words. Unbearable pressure kept building in his shaft.