Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #6)(82)

His entire body tightened with a fierce joy.

Si. This was what sex between mates was supposed to be.

Intense, thrilling, and wild.

With a sharp cry, Harley reached her climax, raking her nails down his back as she convulsed around him.

The sensation was enough to catapult him over the edge, and tilting back his head, Salvatore roared in pleasure, allowing his seed to pour deep inside her.

For a breathless moment, he remained poised above her, then with a shuddering sigh he collapsed beside her, gathering her tight in his arms.

“Admit it,” he murmured, tenderly tucking a damp curl behind her ear.

“Admit what?”

“You find me irresistible.”

She snorted, shifting so she could meet his teasing gaze. “I find cheesecake irresistible, but that doesn’t make it good for me.”

“Cheesecake.” He studied her with a wicked smile. “Hmmm.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just imagining how delicious cheesecake would taste served on this decadent skin.” His fingers traced a path up the curve of her back. “What else do you find irresistible?”

She smiled with faux sweetness. “A loaded Smith and Wesson .357.”

“Sexy.”

Her eyes widened, then without warning, her choked laugh echoed through the vast room.

“For God’s sake, is there anything you don’t think is sexy?”

A poignant, entirely unreasonable warmth filled his heart at the genuine amusement shimmering in her eyes.

“Not when you’re near,” he husked.

“So predictably male.”

He pressed her closer, his c**k already stirring with a ready passion.

“A wolf is never predictable…” His words broke off as a cold, sweeping power filled the air.

“What is it?” Harley demanded.

“The leeches are stirring.”

“Is that a problem?”

“I need to speak with Styx.”

“About what?”

He shrugged. His conversation with the Anasso was not something he intended to share.

At least not with Harley.

“Unfinished business.”

Her brows drew together in suspicion. “Could you be a little more vague?”

He brushed a light kiss over her lips. Time for a distraction.

“What about you, cara?”

“Me?”

“What are your plans?”

She stiffened in his arms, the wary expression returning with annoying predictability.

Ironic really.

Wasn’t it traditionally the role of the male to panic at the mention of “happily ever after”?

“For tonight?” She deliberately misunderstood. “Popcorn and a movie in bed sounds pretty good.”

It sounded better than good. It sounded like paradise.

A pity he had a few loose ends to tie up.

Which meant he had to leave Harley behind. At least for a few days.

He intended to make certain she would be safe until his return.

“Harley, you know what I’m asking,” he said softly.

“I don’t have an answer.”

“Do you intend to remain here with your sister?”

“Perhaps for a few days.”

“And then?”

Her expression hardened, her hands moving to press against his chest.

“That’s my business.”

Content with the knowledge that she was willing to remain with the vamps for at least a few days, Salvatore smiled. It shouldn’t take more than a day or two to finish his business, and then he could concentrate on his obstinate mate.

“There’s no need to jut that chin at me.” He kissed the chin in question and then the tip of her nose. “I have no intention of locking you in my lair. At least not in the foreseeable future.”

She frowned in confusion. “You’re just going to let me go?”

Let her go? When hell froze over.

He merely smiled. “You’re not my prisoner.”

Far from stupid, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “This is some sort of trick, isn’t it?”

“No trick.”

“It doesn’t bother you that your mate isn’t going to be with you?”

“As I said, we’ll figure this out in time.” Sliding out of bed, Salvatore scooped Harley into his arms and headed for the attached bathroom. “For now, I need a shower.”

She widened her eyes as he crossed the marble floor and entered the shower that could fit an entire army regiment.

“What are you doing?”

Setting her on her feet, Salvatore savored the scent of her sharp excitement that perfumed the air.

She could snap and snarl and pretend she wasn’t destined to spend the rest of her life with him, but this…

This she could never hide.

Turning on the hot water to spill over them, he skimmed his lips over her cheek, his hands cupping the perfect curve of her br**sts.

“You can’t expect me to scrub my own back, woman,” he teased. “That’s what a mate is for.”

“Creep,” she whispered, a smile curving her lips as she plunged her fingers in his hair and kissed him with a hunger that had him pushing her against the ivory ceramic tiles and spreading her legs.