Her cheeks burned hotter with every word. Had she made mistakes out there? Yes. She’d expected the demons in Hell to be the same as the ones in the mortal world. Wrong! They were stronger here, faster and more numerous. Something she should have considered. Instead, she’d rushed headlong into a situation, giving it no real thought. Next time, though, she’d have a plan A, B, C and D.
Hoping her next question would get a legit answer, she used a gentler tone. “If I’m so weak in your eyes, why did you tie me up?”
He slapped a claw-tipped hand against the poster, rattling the entire bed. “Because I require appeasement. Because I wanted you to know the seriousness of your situation. Because I can. Because you deserve it. You made me show a hand of cards I wasn’t prepared to play. I went running to save you. Lucifer knows you’re important to me.”
I’m important! Bones going soft, she moaned and melted into the mattress. “How are you going to punish me?”
“How do you want to be punished?” Once again, he stroked his length above the towel.
Another moan escaped. What would he do next? What did she want him to do? She tried to reach out to him, desperate to touch him, but all she did was tug on her bonds and abrade her wrists. Tied up, remember?
“Sunny. I asked you a question.”
Oh, yes. Did she want to be punished? Kind of? Despite everything, she was into this, into him. But. She’d let herself get sidetracked, when he had crimes to answer for, too. “I want to punish you. I’m tied up, held captive and used for my decoding skills. When you texted to tell me you wouldn’t be coming home, you wanted me to think you were spending the night with another woman. Admit it.”
His eyes flashed with incredulity. “You put yourself in danger because you were jealous? I would never inform you about a night with another woman through a text, duna.”
“Would you skywrite it?” she snapped. He hadn’t promised to never cheat; he’d only claimed he’d let her know before he did it. “Would you send me a certified letter? Use a megaphone?”
His anger flared up again. “You’re blaming me for a crime I haven’t committed. I’ve never cheated, and I will never cheat.”
Maybe, maybe not, but her instincts shouted, He’s telling the truth.
“Last night, I wasn’t in my right mind,” he admitted. “After Hades shoved Axel outside, he dropped a bombshell on me. He said that if I forge a relationship with Axel, I am, supposedly, destined to murder him and take his crown.”
“Oh, William. I’m sorry.” Such a devastating turn of events. “Is it part of the prophecy?”
“In a way. He mentioned an oracle.” He rubbed the center of his chest, as if warding off a constant ache. “My first instinct was to get to you, confide in you and hear your thoughts.”
But the need had scared him? Pulse leaping, she said, “Why didn’t you?”
He lifted a brow. “You wish to hear I panicked? That I acted like a pussy?”
“Yes! Consider it foreplay,” she blurted out, his crude language making her shiver. Knowing he’d was, in fact, falling for her both terrified and thrilled her, leaving no room for her anger. And okay, okay. Maybe she’d overreacted to his text. Not the captivity and rope, though. “Look. If it’s a prophecy, there’s still hope. Death doesn’t always equate to physical death. Sometimes, death means a fresh start. Plus, there are always loopholes.”
“Explain,” he said, a habit of his.
“Prophecy—you can never speak the truth. Loophole—you tattoo the message on your body. Prophecy—no warrior has the strength to defeat a villain. Loophole—a scholar comes along and defeats the villain with her wits. We have only to find the loophole in your prophecy.”
Hope glimmered in those electric blues. He took a step closer, his erection growing past the edge of the towel. A bead of pre-come wet the tip, making her mouth water for a taste. Her nipples drew taut, and her belly fluttered.
Still holding her gaze, toying with the towel, he rasped, “We had our first true argument as a couple. Now we will make up.”
His desire fed hers, making her ache. Her blood heated, need for him a consuming blaze. She couldn’t give in too easily, though, or he would realize he had power over her.
But I have power over him, too.
“Are you wet, sundae? Part your knees,” he instructed. “Show me how much you want me.”
She obeyed—slowly—and he sucked in a breath.
“Your panties are soaked.” Lust turned his voice to smoke. “You need me. You need this.” He ran his hand up and down his length with more force. “Tell me how badly you need it.”
He expected her to say the words aloud, to admit she yearned for him. Not until you admit it first.
With a wanton moan, she arched her back, ensuring her breasts jiggled.
“Sunny,” he all but snarled. “I gave you a command.”
“And I say, make me,” she breathed. “Or tell me how badly you need me.”
He narrowed his eyes, a man possessed. “Why don’t I show you instead?”
27
“Not sure what I like more. A woman’s screams of pleasure...or an enemy’s screams of agony.”
Breathless want and world-changing need collided, setting off a chain reaction of sensation. William experienced all of the usuals to a shocking degree: heating blood, racing heart and throbbing erection. Plus a few extras: nerves on edge, a raw, hollow feeling in the center of his chest and an undeniable sense of urgency.
He could have lost Sunny today, unable to save her. He could have lost his decoder and lifemate in one fell swoop. Now he had her tied to his bed. Safe, sound and “super horny.” Had he ever encountered a more alluring sight? Had he ever wanted a female so desperately?
Claim her. Don’t just tie her to the bed; tie her to your side.
She’s yours. Keep her.
What William felt for Sunny wasn’t just explosive. It was nuclear. Since meeting her, he’d slept with no one else—had wanted no one else. Perhaps he’d known deep down there would be no substitute for her. No one else smelled so luscious, tasted so sweet or fit him so perfectly.
That fit had never been so clear as he’d carried her back to the stable, fresh from battle; she’d molded herself to his chest, and he’d contemplated gluing her there forevermore.
Resist her sexually? No longer.
The fact that she’d made progress on the book...that counted, too. Big-time. Within a matter of days, the curse would be eradicated altogether. In the meantime, why shouldn’t he be with the one he desired above all others? He could guard his heart, ensuring he didn’t fall in love unless or until the proper time.
Voice like silk, he said, “How should I show you, sundae? Say it. Tell me what you need.”
“Tricky, tricky. You made me think you’d take the first step, but you turned the tables on me. How do you think I want you to show me, baby?”
“I think you want something inside you,” he rasped.
“Yes, please,” she said, panting slightly. The ring in her forehead glowed softly, projecting rainbow sparks. Mesmerizing.
The next thing he knew, he’d moved to the side of the bed, his claws bared. His thoughts muddied. Those pale blue undergarments molded to her luscious curves, her rose tattoos a pleasure garden he planned to visit every damn day.
With a one-two slice, he severed the ropes that bound her wrists. Wait. Why had he done that?
“But first,” she added, her voice firmer than before, “I’ll show you why you don’t need to worry about me on a battlefield.” With no other warning, she launched a fist at his face.
The punch surprised him, ringing his bell. While he recovered, she freed her ankles. She kicked out her legs, slinging them around his waist and latching her ankles together. With a single yank, she tumbled him onto the bed—on top of her.
Delighted wit
h her cunning, he laughed. Then she arched her hips. Her core rubbed against his erection, and his mind blanked.
Fragmented thoughts winked into focus. Soft breasts, hard nipples. Drugging heat. Intense pressure. Sizzling friction.
With the next roll of her hips, his towel came undone. His erection pressed against her panties, a cloth the only thing that blocked him from his ultimate destination.
I’m going to vacation there. Duration TBD.
She was smart; she used the remains of rope to pull herself into an upright position and straddle him. “See! I can handle myself.” Triumph glowed in her eyes.
Pride stamped his every cell. Because of her skill, yes, and also her desire. “Can you handle me? I want...” He clasped her waist and fell back, rolling to pin her to the mattress. “To give you what you crave more than air.”