“But you said—”
“Please don’t remind me of anything I might have said,” he pleaded. “I was an ass.”
She grimaced, the memory of his stoic speech about duty still capable of making her cringe in revulsion.
“I can’t argue with that,” she told him.
“Ouch.” He winced, as if she’d truly struck a raw nerve. “If I’m being honest, there was a part of me that resented the idea that my future had been decided for me,” he admitted. Rya’s lips parted, but before she could tell him to take his future and shove it, he stole her words with a fierce kiss. “Wait.”
She tried to hold on to her brief spurt of annoyance. Something that would have been easier if his lips weren’t nibbling a path of destruction from her mouth to her jaw and down the curve of her neck.
“Bossy,” she muttered as delicious tingles raced through her, tightening her nipples and creating an aching void between her legs.
“Which was why I told myself that it was duty that made me so easily accept the betrothal,” he said, his lips finding a tender spot just behind her ear before his mouth continued its slow, glorious exploration. Rya swallowed a moan of approval. “Of course, that didn’t explain why you haunted my dreams,” he continued. “Or why I couldn’t so much as glance at another female.”
“Not even a glance?”
“I couldn’t see them,” he insisted, licking a rough tongue over the pulse that hammered at the base of her throat. “Not when my heart was set on a dark-haired beauty with amber eyes and the intoxicating scent of lotus blossoms.”
It was increasingly difficult to concentrate. How was she supposed to have a reasonable conversation when her mind was filled with images of stripping Torque naked so she could kiss every hot, granite-hard inch of him?
“Pretty words,” she managed to grumble.
He lifted his head, his eyes luminous with a sapphire fire. “You don’t trust me?”
“I trust you with my life,” she slowly admitted. “I’m not sure that I trust you with my heart.”
His jaw tightened at her blunt words, but he offered a slow nod, accepting he deserved her lack of faith.
“Just answer one question, Rya,” he said.
“What?”
“Do you want to end our betrothal?”
Oddly, she wasn’t prepared for his direct attack.
Her first instinct was to deny her fierce desire to become his mate. She didn’t want to make herself vulnerable only to have her heart crushed.
But one glance at his wary expression warned her that she would regret the lie for all of eternity.
He’d said he would walk away. She sensed he would keep his promise.
Did she truly want to spend the next century alone, crying in her private baths?
“No,” she breathed, holding his gaze. “I don’t want it to end.”
Heat blasted through the room as her soft words fell from her lips. But unexpectedly, Torque froze, doing a mannequin routine for what seemed to be an eternity.
Okay.
Was he pleased? Excited?
Feeling like she’d just put a noose around his neck?
At last he smiled.
And it wasn’t just a regular, things-are-good smile.
It was a stunning, I-just-won-the-lottery smile.
“Thank the goddess,” he breathed, turning so he could carry her toward the nearby bed.
Her heart soared with excitement. How many nights had she dreamed of this moment? Even when she’d tried to convince herself that she didn’t want a mate, her dreams had been filled with vivid fantasies of lying in Torque’s strong arms.
And now that it was here, she wanted to savor each and every moment.
Her gaze drifted over his stark features, committing each one to her memory. The noble brow. The aquiline nose. The high cheekbones and finely sculpted lips.
And most compelling of all, the sapphire eyes that held the awesome power of his inner dragon.
“So we’re staying betrothed?” she breathed, suddenly needing to know that this was forever.
“That depends on you,” he murmured, gently laying her in the center of the bed.
Her breath caught at his words. “Me?”
Leaning forward, he planted his hands on either side of her shoulders, gazing down at her with a burning intensity.
“As far as I’m concerned we can formalize the mating today,” he said, instantly easing her fears. Then, allowing his gaze to move down the length of her slender body, he gave a slow shake of his head. “Well, maybe not today,” he corrected in husky tones. “I already have plans for the next few hours.”
She released a low chuckle as her beast roared in approval. In this moment, she was feeling much more dragon than fey.
“I think I can guess your plans,” she assured him.
“Can you?” He lowered his head until they were nose to nose. “Tell me.”
She shivered, her usual shyness seared away as she basked in the heat of Torque’s desire.
“I think you intend to kiss me,” she told him.
“A good guess,” he agreed in throaty tones. “Where?”
“Here.” She placed a finger against her cheek, enjoying the sensual game as his lips instantly pressed a soft kiss to where she pointed. She moved her finger to the tip of her nose. “And here.” Another lingering kiss. She trembled, pointing toward her lips. “And here.”
With a low growl, Torque released his pent-up passion, kissing her with a fierce intensity that sent shockwaves of pleasure jolting through her.
Oh, hell yeah.
His tongue pierced between her lips, sweeping through the moist heat of her mouth. Her hands lifted to fist in his hair, her body instinctively arching upward as his kiss deepened.
Sweet and tender were great. More than great.
But she was ready and willing for the full blast of his hunger.
Tasting her over and over, he moved his hand to skim over her shoulder before lightly tracing the line of her collarbone.
She made a sound of approval as his roaming fingers moved downward, giving a firm tug at the towel wrapped around her. Instantly the thick material fell away, offering him full access to her naked body.
Swift to take advantage, Torque allowed his mouth to ease from her lips so he could blaze a path of kisses down her neck and over the upper curve of her breasts.
“What about here?” he teased in soft tones.
“Yes,” she breathed, her flames making a rare appearance as his lips at last found the aching peaks of her breasts.
Rya squirmed against the bedcover beneath her, the intensity of her pleasure almost overwhelming.
Seriously. Had anything ever felt so good?
Cupping the breast in his hand, Torque used his tongue, and even his teeth, to pleasure her tightly budded nipple.
Her fingers tangled in the satin strands of his hair, her breath a ragged rasp as a tight knot of need formed in the pit of her stomach.
“Lotus blossoms,” he murmured, giving her nipple a last lick before he was rubbing his face against the flames that formed between her breasts. “And fire.” He lifted his head to gaze down at her with eyes darkened with restless hunger. “A potent combination.”
“You’re all fire,” she murmured, trailing her hand down his nape before exploring the hard muscles of his back.
“I feel like it,” he said in a harsh voice. “I’m burning up.”
“Maybe you should take off some of those clothes,” she suggested, shockingly comfortable in the role of Torque’s lover.
No doubt because he made no effort to disguise just how much he wanted her.
She felt sexy and confident and well-desired.
A cascade of heat rippled through the air as he slowly smiled. Then, straightening, he deliberately held out his arms.
“Help me.”
Rya didn’t need a second invitation. Rising up to her knees, she reached for the hem of his sweater and pulled it
up and over his head. She paused long enough to run her hands over his bare chest as he kicked off his shoes.
His skin was silky smooth and as her fingers trailed over his hard muscles, tiny flames sparked to life. He sucked in a breath as she traced his washboard abs before awkwardly unsnapping his jeans and pulling down the zipper.
Instantly the hard length of his cock sprang free and with a small smile she circled the thickness with her fingers.
“So beautiful,” she murmured, stroking down to the soft sack at the base.
“Not me,” he rasped, stepping away from her touch to shove his jeans down his legs and kick them aside. “You’re the beautiful one,” he insisted, his gaze sweeping over her flushed face. “Lush lips that beg for my kisses. A neck that was created for this.”
He reached out to draw a pattern along her upper chest. Rya felt a whisper of magic, and glancing down in surprise she watched in astonishment at the sight of the delicate gold necklace that now hung around her neck.
It was exquisite.
But more importantly, it was created out of pure dragon-magic.
“I didn’t know you could create a dragon marque,” she breathed, her fingers stroking over the rare gift with pleasure.
His eyes danced with wicked anticipation. “I have several hidden talents that I intend to reveal now that I finally have you naked.”
Yum. Rya had already had a taste of a few of his talents. She was ready and eager for more.
“Promises, promises,” she teased, the words barely leaving her lips before she found herself tumbled back onto the satin cover with Torque perched on top of her.
Her eyes widened in surprise as he braced his hands on either side of her head and wiggled his lower body until he was firmly cradled between her spread legs.
“Now,” he murmured, “where was I?” Holding her wide gaze, he lowered his head, slowly licking his tongue over her sensitive nipple. “Here?” He watched her eyes dilate and the flames return to her skin. “Yes, definitely here,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh.” Her head tilted backward, her heels digging into the mattress as he tugged the tip of her breast between his lips. Scalding bliss seared through her, wrenching a groan from her lips. “This is…”
Her words trailed away. Even after endless nights of dreaming about having Torque make love to her, nothing she imagined could come close to the reality.
The heat. The excitement.
The raw intimacy of naked flesh pressed together.
“Paradise,” he finished for her.
She released a shaky sigh, drowning in the sapphire beauty of his eyes. “Yes, paradise.”
Swirling his tongue around the tip of her nipple, Torque moved his head to kiss the underside of her breast. Then, as she moaned in pleasure, he continued downward. Licking and nibbling, he paused to explore the tense muscles of her stomach even as his hands slid beneath her thighs to tug her legs farther apart.
“Torque?” she murmured, glancing down the length of her body to watch as he kissed over the curve of her hip.
At the sound of his name, Torque lifted his head, revealing eyes that had gone fully dragon.
“I want to taste you,” he said, his voice a deep growl. Before she could respond, he settled on the edge of the mattress, still holding her gaze as he dipped down his head and licked through her damp cleft.
Rya jerked, feeling like she’d been struck by lightning.
Yow.
Her hands clutched at the cover beneath her as he feasted on her, his tongue teasing over her clit before sinking into the slick heat of her body.
Absently she was aware that her skin was coated in golden flame, but she didn’t have the ability to marvel at her intense response. Not when a sensual pressure was building with every lick.
Over and over, he stroked his tongue over her tender bud, grasping her hips as she arched upward. The force of her looming climax wrenched soft groans from her throat.
It was too much. Too much.
Her eyes squeezed shut as she hovered on the edge of bliss…and then it happened.
The orgasm blasted through her, shattering her with the sheer intensity of the sensations.
Damn.
She briefly floated in the melting pleasure before she reached down to thread her fingers through Torque’s hair.
“That was amazing,” she breathed.
“Mmm,” Torque murmured, seeming to enjoy the taste of her climax on his tongue. “Sweet.” Another slow lick. “And spicy.”
“It’s my turn,” she commanded in husky tones.
“Later.”
“I—” Her words broke off with a small squeak as Torque suddenly tightened his hold on her hips and with one smooth motion rolled her onto her stomach. Puzzled by her new position, she glanced over her shoulder to see Torque straddling her legs, the proud thrust of his cock brushing her lower back. “What are you doing?”
In answer, he reached to brush his fingers over the elaborate tattoo that shimmered across her skin.
“I love this,” he said, smug satisfaction laced through his voice. “It proves that you belong to me.”
She shivered, her inner beast delighting in the feel of his fingers against the betrothal marking.
“That’s a little…” Her words faltered as his lips replaced his fingers. With blazing kisses he traced the wings that spread from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. “Territorial,” she at last managed to choke out, shocked to discover her body responding to his erotic caresses.
A thunderous heat pulsed through the air.
“Not a little territorial,” he assured her in dark tones. “A lot territorial. Any other man comes near you and I’ll destroy him.”
She chuckled. It was the response of a predatory male.
“How did I ever think you didn’t have emotions?” she murmured.
Once again Rya found herself being spun around, this time landing flat on her back with Torque looming over her.
“They’re all for you,” he rasped, his eyes burning with need. “Every one.”
She released a soft sigh, love for this male spreading like wildfire through her. He might not be flashy or overly romantic. But he was loyal and kind and utterly faithful. Precisely what she desired in her mate.
Reaching up, she wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, sliding them down and back up with a slow, ruthless motion.
“Rya,” he choked out, his skin heating as his flames sparked at her touch.
Squirming until she was in a seated position, she bent forward.
“It’s my turn to taste,” she told him, wrapping her lips around the blunt tip and drawing his length into her mouth.
“Oh…shit,” he growled, his fingers grasping her hair as she sucked him deeper, her hand gently cupping his soft sack as she scraped her teeth back up his throbbing length.
The taste of raw male power sizzled against her tongue, stirring her passions like an aphrodisiac. They groaned in unison as she pressed down, her tongue teasing at the tip of his cock.
His erection swelled, becoming impossibly large as his body bowed beneath the pleasure.
“Enough,” he at last rasped, turning until he was seated on the mattress and leaning his back against the lacquer headboard. “I need to be inside you.”
Grasping her hand, he tugged her toward him, draping her legs over his waist. Then, holding on to the backs of her thighs, he arranged her above his erection.
Rya grasped his shoulders, quivering as she lowered herself to allow the tip of his cock to slide into her body.
Delicious. She hissed in pleasure as she pressed down, aroused by the sweet sting as she was stretched to accommodate him.
“Are you okay?” he rasped, his hands skimming up to cup her breasts, his thumbs stroking her nipples into tingling peaks.
“Better than okay,” she assured him, leaning forward to press a kiss to his lips.
“Put your arms around me,” he murmured, waiting for her to wrap her arms
around his neck. “Now hold on tight.”
Lifting his hips off the bed, he slammed upward, fully impaling her.
Rya’s eyes closed, her head falling backward as their flames surrounded them in a blaze of white-hot passion.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Snuggled in the middle of the bed with Rya wrapped in his arms, Torque was fairly certain he was a complete and total idiot.
How could he have ever have imagined that his mating with Rya would be nothing more than duty?
Not only had he just experienced the most stunningly life-altering sex a male could ever hope to enjoy, but now he had an entire future to share with this rare, courageous, beautiful female.
He’d been offered nirvana, and he’d very nearly allowed his pride to destroy it all.
Shuddering at the mere thought of an existence that didn’t revolve around Rya, he lifted himself on his elbow to gaze down at her.
An odd ache clenched his heart.
Dear goddess. She was so lovely with her glossy black hair spread over the crimson cover, and her amber eyes still smoldering with the heat that had combusted between them.
He would never, ever grow tired of looking at her.
“So about our mating,” he murmured, suddenly anxious to have their relationship formally recognized. And not only by the dragons. He wanted to make sure that no one and nothing could try and claim it was anything but an eternal bond.
She arched a brow. “What about it?”
“I thought you might prefer to follow the traditions of your mother,” he murmured.
“Oh.” A smile of pleasure curved her lips. “Yes. That would be lovely.”
He released a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.
“Good.” He blinked in surprise when she suddenly giggled. “What’s so funny?”
“Shouldn’t you ask what the traditions are?” she teased. “You might have to crawl through lava. Or perform circus tricks.”
Did she truly think there was any demand that would be too great for him to claim her as his consort?
“Whatever makes you happy,” he assured her.
Her eyes glowed with an emotion that made his entire body warm with pleasure.
“You make me happy,” she murmured, lifting her hand to press it to his cheek.