Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3)(43)
Author: Gena Showalter

She obeyed, spreading her knees as far as they would go.

“Good girl.” He curled his fingers around her mound and moaned. She was hot enough to burn him.

“Thane,” she gasped. “Yes. Like that. But inside.”

His name on her lips…a throaty wisp…

He parted her, dipped a finger into the tight, silken warmth of her, and felt her clench around him. Utter. Perfection. He nearly came. A hoarse cry left her as he pulled out…and sank back in…again and again.

“Move on me.” As he spoke, he urged her backside into a rocking rhythm against his shaft. Up and down, creating a dangerous friction…so insanely good…propelling him closer and closer to the edge of no return. “That’s the way, kulta,” he gritted.

Water lapped over the tub’s rim only to return and stroke over his sensitized skin. Water that had not cooled in the slightest. Water that had only heated.

“Yes.” She reached up to knead her br**sts, just as he had done.

It was too much…not enough. He should close his eyes and allow himself to calm, simply enjoy the feel of her inner walls clamping around his thrusting finger. But the sight of her…so erotic… He couldn’t look away, and his need for satisfaction continued to climb.

He battled the urge to grab her by the hips, lift her, and slam her down on his erection. That was what he needed. Her, surrounding him. Her, dripping on him. But he felt like a virgin, completely inexperienced and unsure. This was still so new to him. Pleasure without pain—without even the desire for pain. Being lost in a woman: her scent, the little moans escaping the back of her throat, the way she writhed against him. He didn’t just want to please her. He had to please her. It was a need as necessary as breathing.

“Tell me how much you like this,” he demanded.

“So much.”

Rejoicing, he fed her a second finger and began to work them in and out of her.

Faster and faster. Harder.

Panting, she arched to take him deeper. The heel of his palm pressed against the heart of her need, and she cried out, those wet, wet walls squeezing at him almost as tightly as a fist.

“More. Please, more.”

The sight of her, the sounds she made, both pushed him past all reason. He couldn’t wait a minute longer. Had to finish her. Him. Now. Just like this. With his fingers still nestled inside her, he slammed his hips forward, rubbing the long, hard length of his shaft against her. Then he did it again. And again. Hard and fast. And again. Again. All the while he worked her with his fingers and palm.

“It’s so good, baby. I’m so close,” she rasped.

Baby. An endearment. From a woman. For him. It was as new as the pleasure—and just as intoxicating.

“Come,” he commanded. “Come now. Let me feel you. See you.” He thrust harder, higher, the heel of his hand pressing against her.

“Thane!” she screamed, her inner walls clenching on him, her entire body bowing. A rush of liquid heat spilled over his fingers.

The knowledge that he’d brought her to climax—the sensation of it—sent him over the edge at last. He roared as sublime satisfaction slammed into him, and came against her back. Came more forcefully than he ever would have imagined possible.

When the last of his shudders stopped, he collapsed against the tub and realized he had Elin in a death grip. He loosened his hold and withdrew his fingers.

In the light, those fingers gleamed. His mouth watered, wanting to taste. He licked his lips…and then the fingers. His eyes closed, and his head fell back. So deliciously sweet. How had he lived without it? Without her?

“Maybe we should wash my brain while we’re here,” she said, her voice breathless. “My thoughts are still very, very dirty.”

“You want more, kulta? I’ll give you more.” Gladly. He kissed the base of her neck and grinned. “Your skin is so hot, your freckles little infernos.”

“Hot?” She stiffened. She jolted upright, severing contact. “Um, I think I’ve had enough for one day. I’m gonna take off, okay, and I’m going to borrow your robe.” Before he could reply, she rose and stepped out of the tub. As she pulled the white material over her head, she said, “Everyone will see and know, won’t they? It’ll be my first walk of shame.”

Shame.

She felt ashamed of him, of what they’d done. Even though he hadn’t hurt her.

Ice rained over him. He’d loved every moment together, and she had, too. And yet, the moment her desire was slaked, she regretted.

“I’m sorry.” Elin raced to the door, only to pause with her hand on the knob. “I, uh, had fun. Thanks.”

Thanks?

Why not leave a wad of cash on the sink? The sentiment was the same. He scowled.

When she actually made to leave, without another word, he stopped her with a barked, “I don’t want you to vacate the club grounds again, Elin.”

She turned to peer at him, aghast. “I’m a prisoner, then?”

Her cheeks were still flushed from her climax. A climax he had given her. Wet hair stuck to her cheeks. He wanted to hate her.

He couldn’t hate her.

“You are to be protected.”

“Is everyone else to be similarly protected?” she demanded.

A muscle ticked under his eye. He couldn’t lie. But then, he’d had centuries to learn how to get around stating an untruth. “All humans are.” What she didn’t know: she was the first and last human ever to grace his club. “My enemies are out there, hunting, and you could be used against me.”

She looked away from him, fingers twisting over the center of the robe, lifting its hem, revealing her calves…and the water droplets still clinging to her skin. “What are you going to do about Ardeo?”

“That will depend on the king.”

“Maybe you should avoid him—”

“Enough.” He wouldn’t discuss strategies of war with her. They would only frighten her. “You had your fun. Go.” Before I close the distance, carry you to my room and take you the rest of the way.

Just like before, she scurried off.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ELIN STEPPED INTO the hall with her shoulders folded in and her head bowed. She wasn’t embarrassed of her relationship with Thane, and she didn’t want to act as if she was, but part of her expected Thane to holler out a command for his guards to kill her.

He’d remarked on the temperature of her skin. As smart as he was, it was only a matter of time before he realized one plus one equaled Phoenix.