“You’re my mate.” The words sounded more like a threat than a statement. “As such, in this regard, you’ll do as I say.” He was so determined, so male.
Yet somehow, so sweet. “Sorry, vamp. Not going to happen.”
He moved too fast to track. Strong hands manacled her arms, jerking her from the bed. He took a step, and she found her butt against the cold wall and her thighs spread by his muscled hips.
Her wide eyes looked into his. “Max.”
Determination showed in his hard jaw. “We seem to be having a communication problem here, Sarah.”
Desire slid through her, softening her thighs. She pressed against the obvious bulge in his jeans. Tingles of pleasure wound through her sex, shooting nerves to life. “Maybe we should stop talking.” Self-control—she needed some to keep from rubbing against him like a cat in heat.
“Being awfully brave here, baby girl.” Warning filled his words, while desire filled his eyes.
She smiled, dropping all pretenses along with her guard. Letting her feelings show.
He blinked once, then again. Disarmed. “Sarah.”
“I love you, Max.” Forget rationality. Forget time. The world made sense when he held her. The man belonged to her. “I’m keeping you.”
Pleasure burst across his face. Arrogance lifted his strong jaw. “You don’t seem like you believe in love at first sight.”
“I don’t.” She settled her palms on his broad shoulders, spreading her fingers. Muscles bunched beneath her skin. “But I believe in you.” In this, for the future, she’d trust her instincts along with her feelings. As an intelligent woman, no way in hell would she let him go.
“Love at first sight exists.” Slowly, deliberately, he reached down and lifted the shirt over her head. Cool air whispered across her skin, sharpening her nipples. The shirt floated to the floor. “The first time I saw your picture, I took a sledgehammer to the chest.” His gaze dropped. “Since then, I’ve alternated between wanting to kiss you and spank you into submission.” His eyes flared as that dangerous gaze lifted. “I imagine we’ll have time for both during this courting you’ve mentioned.”
Part of her goal for the courting period would be to drag the vampire into the current century. She ignored the tickle of doubt at her nape. How hard could it be? “You really must stop threatening me.” Her voice came out way too breathy. Not nearly with enough strength.
“Darlin’, I never threaten.” He speared his fingers through her hair, holding her in place.
She tried to pull back, not surprised when her head didn’t move. Fire licked along her scalp at his show of dominance. Well then, if that’s how he wanted to play. Slowly, deliberately, her tongue flicked out to wet her lips. “So, court me, Max.”
His expression smoothed out. Those massive shoulders relaxed. Control settled on his hard face. “No problem.”
The determination in the words had her stiffening. “Wait, I meant—”
Firm and warm, his mouth silenced her. He dove deep, tangling his tongue with hers, thrusting in an imitation of sex. One hand settled beneath her butt, pressing her into the hard line of his shaft. The other hand tugged her head back farther.
He broke the kiss and she let out a soft whimper.
“You’ll be making that sound a lot tonight, darlin.” Air lifted her hair as he pivoted and laid her on the bed, smoothly tugging off her black lace thong, her legs hanging over the edge. “Starting now.”
Chapter 10
Max’s heart thundered in his ears. He couldn’t look away from the absolutely perfect woman on the bed. His mate. A rosy blush spread from her pert breasts to her pale cheeks. Love and a hint of uncertainty lingered in her chocolate eyes. It was exactly what he wanted to see. He needed the love, and the uncertainty would make her think twice the next time someone shot a gun. The woman had a lot to learn.
He had no intention of being a bossy asshole with her. On the rare occasion he gave an order, it was necessary for safety, and she’d damn well follow it. No better place to start than the bedroom. “Spread your legs.”
Interest filtered in her amazing eyes, followed by ... yeah ... that was defiance.
His cock hardened to rock, threatening to burst from his jeans. He lowered his voice to the commanding tone he used when training the younger vampires on the field. “Now.”
A gasp escaped her. She paused, then slowly did as he said. Yeah. She was wet.
He allowed his expression to darken to the one he used when the young vamps didn’t listen. “Wider.”
The tiniest of shivers ran through her body. Yet, focused on him, she spread her legs wider.
“Good girl.” Leaning down, he blew the softest of breaths over her barely concealed clit.
The sound she gave could’ve come from a strangled cat. He fought a grin, making plans. “That wasn’t quite the whimper I wanted, sweetheart.” He crouched down to taste. “Summer and sex.” Like the best fucking July on record.
She tried to squirm away, and he stopped her with a heavy hand to the abdomen. “Don’t think for a second I won’t tie you down.”
Her thighs quivered. Moisture coated them.
Oh yeah. His woman had some untapped depths. Hands on her skin, he leaned forward to tempt and taste. He played with his tongue, with his fingers, driving her to a series of whimpers until finally enclosing her clit with his mouth.
She stiffened, her back arching.
With a low growl, he sucked.
She cried out, waves rolling under his palm and mouth as she came. He plunged two fingers inside her, throwing her into a second, more intense orgasm.
God. She was perfect. He gentled her until she quieted. Quick motions had his T-shirt ripped off and his pants hitting the floor. His mate was sprawled on the bed, lazy satisfaction in her dark eyes and a pretty smile on her face.
His heart thumped hard.
Her gaze wandered over his body. She gave a sight cough when she reached his cock. “Wow.” Intrigue and wonder filled her eyes, and she sat up to grasp him, her fingers not long enough to touch. Slowly, almost tentatively, she leaned forward and ran her tongue along the tip.
Fire shot straight to his balls. Jesus.
“Oh.” Closing her eyes, she sighed and slid her mouth over him.
The heat from her mouth was phenomenal. Max sucked in air. Then the woman took more of him with a soft hum of appreciation. She swallowed.
Thunder roared in his ears. Like a rubber band, his control snapped. His hands manacling her arms, he flipped her around to hands and knees. Hands clenching her hips, he drove inside her with one strong thrust.
She stiffened, then relaxed. “Oh, Max.”
Her internal walls clamped down on him, sending sparks of fire along his every nerve ending. Pleasure too intense to exist rippled across his cock to his spine. Fast and hard, he pounded into her. Whatever primitive beast lived inside him shot to the surface. A primal need to possess, to completely master her had his fangs dropping low.
His balls slapped her ass, the sound barely audible over their harsh breathing. Faster. Harder. More. He needed more.
Angling his body over her, he enclosed her. She shoved back against him, meeting him thrust for thrust, a desperate mewling panting out.
He reached under her, flattening his hand across her upper chest, tugging her back to meet his thrusts. Controlling her. White-hot fire ripped down his spine, lava encasing his balls. Rational thought disappeared. Pure, raw need took over. Feeling the desperate climb building inside her, his free hand found her clit.
He pinched.
She cried out, her back bowing, the orgasm whipping through her and tightening her hold on him.