Bite Of Winter (Fae's Captive #3)(9)

He lathers up the soap once more and holds his hands in front of me. “May I? Not funny business, little one. Just getting you clean.”

Not funny business? He’s asking for what, second base? If that’s not funny business, then I don’t know what is. But would it be so bad to feel his touch all over me? He’s already worked wonders on my back.

I bite my lip and relax my shoulders. “Go ahead.”

“Are you certain?”

I know what he’s asking. “Yes.”

The purr increases as he soaps my shoulders, down to my collar bones, past my necklace, and then lower to the swells of my breasts. He goes agonizingly slow, sweeping his fingers back and forth across the tops of my breasts, the soap bubbles fanning out on top of the water. I can’t seem to focus on anything but his touch, the way the pads of his fingers are callused, the way he makes my breaths hitch and my core tighten with each pass. Can anticipation kill a person?

When his fingers finally brush my hard nipples, I moan. And when he cups my breasts in his palms and rubs the stiff peaks with his thumbs? I combust.

I dig my nails into his thighs and turn my head. “Leander.” I put everything I’m feeling into that one word, and he answers it like a prayer.

His mouth crashes into mine, taking, demanding. I part my lips, relishing the sweep of his tongue against mine as he keeps one hand at my breast while the other skirts down my stomach. I can’t think, can only feel, my desire like a flame burning too bright.

When his fingers delve lower, I allow him to spread my thighs apart.

“How you please me, little one,” he growls against my lips, then claims me in another fierce kiss.

I jolt when his fingertip presses against my most sensitive spot. With another little stroke, he has me melting for him. He twists my nipple as his fingers play beneath the water, and I let my legs fall open all the way, giving him access to the parts of me no one has ever touched before.

Our kiss deepens, his tongue caressing mine as my body tightens, my mind spins around the central contact of his hands on me. I’ve never done this with another person, and his fingers on me are so much more than anything I’ve done by myself. My entire consciousness folds in on itself, everything focused on the rising tide inside me, the heat that unfurls and turns every part of me molten.

My release comes from everywhere and nowhere all at once. My thighs shake, and I moan as I fall beneath waves of pleasure, my entire being swallowed up by the perfect bliss Leander has drawn from me so easily. Stars burst in my vision as I grip his arms and moan into his mouth.

More funny business, please.

When the last tremor leaves, I’m completely boneless, floating in Leander’s grip.

I don’t protest when he turns me in the water and pulls me to him. His fangs are long, his eyes dark, and his desire hard.

“I must claim you.” His voice is lower, and I realize I’m speaking to the feral side of him. He pulls my hair, arching my back, then runs his fang along my throat. “I will pierce you, mark you so hard that no male will ever doubt whom you belong to.”

I can’t catch my breath, can’t think when he touches me like this. But I know I’m not ready.

“Leander, I can’t—”

“Just let me fill you, little one. I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted.” His voice weaves around me like a spell. “My cock was made for you. I will give it to you again and again. As many times as you want. I want to taste your pleasure on my tongue, devour you like the treat you are.”

“Oh god.” I dig my nails into his shoulders.

“Taylor, my perfect queen.” He runs his hands down my chest and cups both breasts. “I will worship you until the Ancestors call me home.”

I tremble when he feathers kisses along my neck, each touch growing more passionate. I want to give in. To say yes. To give him every part of me. But what will that mean? Being truly mated, will it change things? My mind says yes, even though my body wants to continue down this path, running into Leander’s arms and letting him give me the pleasure he promises with each kiss.

“I can’t.” I force the words past my lips.

He retakes his grip on my hair and bites my throat gently, not enough to break the skin. “I can give you so much.”

“Leander, please.”

“If I don’t claim you, other males will try to take you from me. Don’t you understand?” His growl is full of longing, wild just like the feral fae inside him.

“No one will take me.”

“I will kill any male who tries.” Another growl rips from him. “I must have you, must mark you.” His grip tightens. “It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

My scalp begins to prickle from his rough hold. “Leander, my hair.”

Like lightning, he releases me and jumps from the bath, water sluicing down his body as I grab the sides of the tub to stay upright.

“What—”

“I can’t.” He clutches his chest, his fangs still long, his eyes wild. “I can’t be in here with you. The feral is too strong. I never want to hurt you. I’m so sorry, little one.”

“I’m okay.” I reach out my hand. “A little hair pulling can be fun, right?”

He doesn’t laugh, his chest heaving with his labored breaths as his magnificent body glistens with water droplets. “I’m sorry.” His tone is anguished as he turns and stalks from the bathing room, leaving me panting in the rapidly cooling water.