She had no idea what to do, but she needed more. She kissed him like a woman starved, and she had been starved. She kissed him like a woman possessed, and she was fairly certain he'd possessed her. At the very least she was under some spell he'd ensnared her with.
His hands were on her bare skin, whispering over the swell of her breasts, sliding down to her nipples, thumbs doing delicious things that sent fiery streaks straight toward her most feminine core. Then his mouth was there. At her breasts. Alternating between them, sucking them deep and then flicking with his tongue, using the edge of his teeth until she was crying out in desperate hunger.
There was no holding on to sanity. Her mind slipped right past every coherent thought and she could only feel when his fingers moved down her body, his mouth following. His fingers found the heat and wet silk between her legs and dipped. Her head thrashed wildly and she dug her fingers into his shoulders to anchor herself when she was fairly certain she was going to fly apart and never come back together. It didn't matter.
This was worth her sanity. Right here. Right now. His hands. His mouth. His hard, hot body. She'd forgotten what a man's body felt like. No, she'd never had a man's body. She'd been a teenager fumbling in the dark with another teenager. This man knew exactly what he was doing, finding her song. Her music. Playing her body like a master would play an instrument.
Her breath came in ragged gasps. Her body was burning up, the tension coiling so tight she thought she might die. She couldn't get enough of touching him, and twice she tried desperately to roll over, to be on top, to attack him to get what she wanted because he was going too slow and she was nearly sobbing with her need.
"Shh," he whispered. "I have you. You are in my care, han sivamak, and I will give you everything."
She tried to be calm. She tried to get her brain working, but her body had taken over. There was no going back and she didn't even want to. He had to be inside of her before that empty, hollow hole consumed her. He had to be inside of her until the horrible, unrelenting emptiness was filled by him, just as he'd flooded her mind with him, filling every lonely spot in her mind.
Then he was there. Kneeling over her, between her legs. She felt him at her entrance. She heard him let his breath out as he slipped just an inch inside of her. Burning. Stretching. He had to fight her tight, hot tunnel. One small inch at a time. Retreat. Come back. She thrashed under him, her hips bucking. Trying to take him. Needing him.
He felt far too big. He'd looked far too big. She didn't think her body could ever accommodate his size, but his soft murmurings and gentle but insistent hands told her he was going to possess her.
"Relax, han sivamak, do this for me. Trust me. This will be good for you. You are so tight, and scalding hot. Heaven. Nirvana. Lady, give yourself to me."
His voice was a rough growl. He slid in farther, pushing against her tight muscles that didn't want to give way, not even when she was so slick with need. So hungry for him. Her hands went to his broad shoulders, the only part of him she could reach. When he retreated, she sobbed, trying to get him back.
"Trixie," he whispered softly, "look at me."
Her gaze jumped to his face. He was beautiful. His hunger was every bit as deep as her own. She saw the clawing need there. For her. For her body. For Trixie--no other woman--and she wanted to weep. She saw herself in his mind. He thought she was beautiful. In the same way she saw him. Her eyes burned. Stung. No one had ever looked at her the way he was. Not one single person. As if she was his everything. His reason for getting up and going to bed. His reason for breathing. She saw that, in his eyes. On his face. In his mind.
"Give yourself to me. Let yourself fly."
"Too high. Too much," she said. But she wanted. Wanted. Everything he could give her. But then after . . . After she would lose such beauty. Could she live with that?
"I will always catch you, no matter how high. Give yourself to me."
How could she resist his voice? His voice was so rough with hunger. Rough with need. Sensual. He pushed deeper into her, connecting them. She took a breath and let herself take the plunge. Eyes on his, she forced her body to relax.
"Thank you, han sivamak. Beloved," he whispered. "You are so tight and scorching hot. I had no idea it would be like this. Did you? Did you know?"
He slid in another couple of inches, stretching her past bearable, but it was so good. So unbelievably good. She hadn't known. How could she? Tears leaked out of her eyes. She couldn't stop them. She couldn't believe he was inside of her. Filling her. Taking her. Wanting her.
More, the way he looked at her filled that hollow space, the one she had never been able to fill with her love of her family. The one that haunted her every night when she went to bed. He was there. Fane. A man she didn't know, yet she knew him better than she knew herself.
"Hold on, beloved. Take a breath. I am going to take you all the way."
She didn't know if she could stand so much pleasure. She took a breath and kept her gaze steady on his. Wanting him. Needing him. Welcoming him. He drew back and surged forward, tunneling through her tight channel. The slide of his cock, the stretch and burn coupled with the friction sent her tumbling over the edge into some other dimension. She heard herself scream. She felt the tide take her, throwing her out into space. He kept moving in her, driving deep, over and over, prolonging the massive wave rippling through her.
No. She hadn't known anything could be like this. She couldn't catch her breath, but she never wanted him to stop. And he didn't. Fane was already building the next wave in her, taking her right back up, his rough voice turning more sensual as he encouraged.
"That is my lady," he said. "Again. For me. Again, Trixie. Give yourself to me again."
She was going to keep giving herself to him as long and as many times as she could all night.
10
Aleksei woke to the sound of choking. Beside him, Gabrielle's body was hot, covered in sweat, and she was gasping for breath, clawing at the dirt surrounding them, fighting for air. His first thought was to open the earth for her. He didn't. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her body over the top of his, his mouth finding hers, breathing for her. Into her. Filling her lungs with air.
Kessake. Do not panic. You are safe with me. You are fully Carpathian. Not human. You are not buried alive.
Her hands clutched at him, fists finding his hair, gripping hard. Holding on to him. Her heart beat so hard he feared it would explode, but she held on to him and let his mouth take hers. He was gentle. Calm. Willing her to be so.
Your heart beats too fast. Feel mine. Hear mine. Follow the rhythm of my heart and slow yours, little cat.
He actually felt her make the effort to follow his instructions and he moved one hand down her spine, following the delicate curve to the smooth slope of her buttocks. As he did, he cleaned her body and provided a slight cushion of air above them. He let his hand stay on her bottom while she slowed her heart until it matched the rhythm of his.
Aleksei continued to breathe for her. Slow. Easy. Intimately. Her body felt wonderful draped over his, her soft breasts pressing deep into his chest. He could wake up every rising just like this, although he might prefer to find his cock buried in her or her mouth wrapped around him. Just the thought had his body stirring with need.
That is what I wanted exactly. You are doing good. Now open your eyes and look at me.
Her heart lurched. Her fists tightened in his hair and he felt her body stiffen. No. No, I can't do it, Aleksei.
What did I tell you about saying no to me? There is no reason not to open your eyes and look at your man. I have you in my arms. In my care. Do as I say.
Please. Please. Please, don't ask me to do that.
He felt her mounting terror. She still had the idea that she was buried alive in her mind. He didn't touch her mind, but he knew. He knew because she was so terrified and her body showed that terror to him.
He stopped breathing for her and kissed her. Gently. Very gently.
He hadn't known he could be gentle, but that was what she needed. Coaxing. Kislany. He whispered the word in her mind. Little girl. Baby. His. You are safe with me. Now open your eyes and see me. See that you are safe with me.
She struggled with obeying his command. He felt her struggle and was proud of her that she tried when clearly she was so afraid. He stroked one hand through her hair; the other smoothed over the curve of her bottom.
Finally her long lashes lifted and she looked at him. Straight into his eyes. He smiled at her. There you are. Can you see that I would never allow any harm to come to you? I may be more demon than man, but you are my woman and in my care. Kiss me, Gabrielle. Do not worry about breathing. Feel the earth. The soil. It strokes over you, feeding your body. Healing and rejuvenating you. Nourishing you.
Her lashes fluttered. He kept his mouth on hers because he knew if he moved even a breath away from her, panic would come back. She was barely keeping it at bay, but she trusted him enough to follow his instructions. She didn't realize she was giving him that gift--her trust. But he did. And he knew how precious a gift it was.
Her eyes clung to his, but he felt some of the tension ease from her body. He rewarded her, kneading the firm muscle of her buttocks and then slipping his hand between their bodies to find her core. The moment his finger slid over her soft velvety folds, he felt the welcoming dampness. He loved that. He loved that she was scared, clinging to him, relying on him, and yet still got wet when he touched her. So ready for him. She was his lifemate without a doubt. She just had to believe it.
Do you see you have nothing to fear? The earth belongs to us. We belong to the earth. You can wake and not need air until you surface. You can open the earth above our heads with a thought. Visualize the earth open. Do it now, Gabrielle.
It was a command, but he kept his finger moving gently in her folds, slipping into her for a moment and then back to making small lazy circles. His own body stirred. Filled. Became engorged and hot and needy. He wanted her mouth there. He needed it there, but this was more important. Letting her feel her own power.
She didn't take her gaze from his, but he felt the surge of energy and the soil around them moved. Lifted. Pulled apart. Cool air found them. He smiled against her mouth. You did it, kessake. There is no need to fear. When you do not know something, simply ask me and I will teach you.
He floated them out of the earth and closed the opening after them. All the while he kept her body sprawled over his. They lay on the same carpet. It mattered little what was beneath them. Her hunger beat at him. She didn't know how to feed properly and he would teach her that as well. But not yet. Not until he taught her other things. Not until he gave her other things.
"I was so afraid," she confided, lifting her head, her eyes still on his. "I feel like I've been afraid for so long I don't know how not to be anymore."
"You will learn." He kept his fist bunched in her hair. "You are the kind of woman who needs to know what she's doing to feel comfortable. I will give you that."
Her tongue touched her lower lip, drawing his immediate attention. She was sexy and she didn't have the slightest clue. He was amazed at the combination of innocent and sexy and just what it could do to his blood.
"Tell me what to do now," she whispered. "I want you, Aleksei, but I don't know what to do to get you."
Her whispered confession yanked at his heart. Hard. Punched him in the gut. Harder. His body went tight. Painful. His cock swelled, thickened, lengthened. Burned like an out of control fire. The blood in his veins rushed like a firestorm.
"I dreamt of you," she confided. "I dreamt you were inside me and I was flying free and I wasn't afraid anymore."
"Carpathians do not dream." He growled his response, because first, lifemates didn't lie to each other. Second, she was killing him, taking him to the very edge of his control again, and he'd promised himself he would be gentle with her.
"I do. I have nightmares of that night when he stabbed me over and over. I can feel the blade going into me over and over. It hurt so bad. Sometimes I can't get the sound of it out of my head. But I didn't have that nightmare. You chased it away." She kissed his chin. Then his throat.
He closed his eyes and savored the feel of her body, all soft skin and lush curves moving over him. She might not think she knew what she was doing, but she could drive a man out of his mind with the soft whisper of her lips on his body.
He believed her. Her voice had the ring of truth, and he had been looking into her eyes. She meant every word. He had taken away her nightmare. It bothered him that she had nightmares when Carpathians didn't dream. Shouldn't dream. She had to be clinging so hard to her human ways that even the blood of the prince hadn't removed those needs from her. But he would. He would take away those nightmares and replace them with beautiful dreams.
"Keep going," he advised. "Do not stop there. Your body belongs to me, Gabrielle, but mine belongs to you. You want it, you take it. When I have had enough, I will take over."
She lifted her head to look at him. She actually licked her lips. "Tell me about your tattoo. On your back and shoulders. I feel it when I . . ." She broke off.
He smiled. "When you turn into my little cat and rake my back with your nails?"
She blushed, the color stealing up her body, turning her skin a beautiful rose. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself."
"I like it. Just like you like rough, so do I."
She ducked her head toward his chest, but not before he caught her biting her lip hard. It embarrassed her that she liked rough.
"Gabrielle." He waited.
There was a short silence. His hand smoothed over her bare bottom. Once. Twice. A silent warning, but he didn't think she understood.
"Look at me."
She took a breath. Her breasts pushed against his chest and feeling that silken slide sent a rush of heat straight to his cock. She lifted her head again.
He held her gaze because it was important she understood. He never wanted her to feel ashamed or embarrassed by anything they did together. "You are my lifemate. The other half of my soul. You were created for me. Me for you. You were born to meet my needs. I was born to meet yours. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"
She took a breath and then nodded. "I have to get used to this, that's all."
His smile widened. "You have to get used to a lot then. I intend to get very creative and living as many centuries as I have, I have acquired a great deal of knowledge I would like to try out."
A little shiver went through her body. Heat flared in her eyes. "I think I would like that."
The shyness in her voice and eyes, so at odds with the daring of her answers, sent more flames rushing through his blood straight to his cock.
"I need your mouth on me." He gave her the stark, raw truth. "Give me that mouth, kessake, and I will attend your every need."
"Will you tell me about the tattoo?"
Her mouth moved down his chest, lingering on his hard nipples, her hair brushing over his skin like so much silk. He closed his eyes and let her have his body. One hand found its way to her hair because he couldn't help himself. He needed to feel it bunched in his hand. He liked giving her this. It was power, but she hadn't realized that yet. Power over his body. Over him. He felt her mouth nuzzling him. Felt her hunger.
"Not yet," he denied her. "Wait. Waiting makes it better. Sharper. I want you to claim me the way I claimed you."
She didn't hesitate. Her hands moved over his body. He brought both his hands behind his head and looked down at her. She was beautiful. Far more beautiful than he had ever imagined a woman could be.
"When a Carpathian male has killed too often, has seen too much violence, and has lived in darkness, the whisper of temptation to feel, just for a moment, becomes overwhelming. One only needs to kill while feeding. To make that choice. After a thousand years of darkness and no emotion, that temptation, perversely, becomes the only thing left to us."
She made a soft sound of distress as if
she'd never considered how difficult an ancient's life could be. Her mouth smoothed over his flat belly, her tongue tracing the muscles so defined there in his abdomen. Her hands went to his hips, tracing the bones, the contours. Taking her time. Killing him.
He tried to concentrate. To give her something of himself. "Still, that is not the worst. When more centuries pass, even that is gone. There is only darkness and the demon inside us embracing that darkness. So close. We can no longer afford to hunt the vampire and kill because that kill would send us into a realm we dare not go, not after acquiring the skills and knowledge we have."
Her teeth scraped along his hip bone. The air left his lungs in a rush. Kessake. He couldn't help breathing his endearment into her mind. She had to get serious soon or he wouldn't be able to give her this. Need crawled through him until he wanted to pound his body into hers. To just stay there in that exquisite paradise he had claimed the last rising.
"Tell me more," she whispered against his thigh. Her breath was warm. Her hands stroked. One cupped his heavy sac and simply held him.
"We came here. Nine of us. We could not meet the dawn because it felt wrong. We had lived honorably. We fought. We needed to go out fighting, but the cost was too high to risk that. So we made this place our home. Fane guards the gates and brings blood when we need more than what we give one another. He is dark, but nowhere near the rest of us. It is his duty to make certain we stay strong. Should one of us fall, he will be the one to destroy the fallen."
She made a sound and at the same time, wrapped her fist around the base of his cock. The sound vibrated straight through his body. Every single peje cell.
"Use your mouth to get me wet and slick, Gabrielle," he instructed, trying not to clench his teeth. Her hand rolled the velvet sac gently. He felt the brush of her tongue. A barely there sweep that made his cock jump. He forced himself to keep talking to her. "We came up with the idea of etching our vows into our bodies. Something tangible. Something we could see and feel on one another."
Her tongue tasted him. A tentative lick. It curled around the underside of the sensitive crown. His hips nearly came off the ground.