Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(57)

“No, I don’t. But you own me, Elena Arcos. Whether you want me or not, I completely belong to you. Do with me as you will, but just give me another chance. We belong together and you know it. You feel it, too.”

Her jaw dropped, and she just stared. Talk about a one-eighty.

He put his mouth to her ear. “But you do like it when I order you around.”

She shook her head, trying to catch her breath.

“You like it when I tell you to open for me, or when I tell you to come. You love it.” He ran his tongue over her ear, and she shuddered. “You crave it. Need it. Just like I need you. Our souls are fated to be together, and we are bound by my blood.”

Hands on thighs, she was glad to be leaning against the arm of the sofa. If she weren’t, there was no way she’d be upright. She’d have melted into a boneless puddle. She closed her eyes, trying to remember why she was supposed to resist him and came up blank.

He moved to her other ear. “You’re wet, aren’t you? So ready. As ready as I am.” He took her hand and placed it over the bulge in his jeans. “We are meant to be together. Even our bodies know it, don’t they?”

She nodded.

He straightened. “Unfortunately, folding time doesn’t happen in real time. He can spend several hours at the crime scene, but he returns to this dimension in only minutes. They will return any time now.”

She held in a groan of disappointment. She shouldn’t even be considering the things she was considering. They should be setting the rules for this relationship, not…

“But I have a plan.” He slowly pulled the tie on her shorts loose.

“We need to talk,” she said, hardly believing she could form words.

“And we will, after I tell you my plan.” He nudged her feet apart with his, placed his hand on her abdomen, and slid it down inside her shorts. He met her eyes as he rubbed his fingers over her panties. “So wet.”

She leaned back to give him better access, and he put his hand under the lace and slid a finger inside her. God, it felt so good. So good she might just…

His stilled. “Not yet. I need to tell you about my plan.”

Her head cleared and the spasms subsided. Shit.

“Do you still crave blood?”

“No, but I’d like to make you bleed right about now.”

“Good, then my plan is perfect.” He began slowly stroking her again, sliding his long fingers in and out, and she closed her eyes. “Are you listening?”

“Yes.” But barely.

“Then here’s my plan. When we have more time, I’m going to bend you over a table and take you from behind.”

Her whole body tightened at the image of his big, strong body standing behind her.

“That way,” he continued, “I can rub you here”—he tweaked the most sensitive part of her and her breath caught—“while I slide in…” He pushed two fingers all the way inside her, and she groaned. “And out.” He pulled his fingers all the way out, and she moaned. “And you will be in control and will tell me how hard and fast you want me to take you. And I’ll obey your every command.”

She was so close. The way he touched her. His smell. The deep rumble of his voice. All of it was just right. “Nikolai, I—”

He slid his fingers back inside and rolled his thumb over her, and she cried out despite her best efforts to remain silent.

He nipped her earlobe. “You don’t have to tell me now. You can surprise me.”

Right there. Almost there. No more holding back. Screw the rules. She needed this. She thrust against his hand, and he chuckled and struck a steady rhythm, bracing her lower back with his other hand. His mouth took hers at last, and she reveled in the minty taste and smell of him. Her angel of death was what she needed right now. And he said he was hers—that he belonged to her.

And now she understood why he’d said it. Mine, she chanted in her head as the stars gathered behind her eyelids and the pressure finally built until she couldn’t stand it. Mine.

“Come for me, Elena,” he ordered, and she obeyed.





Chapter Nineteen


Nikolai wasn’t surprised when Aleksi and the Time Folder appeared only moments after he had removed his hand from Elena’s shorts. He was grateful they hadn’t appeared a minute or so earlier, because he believed he’d gained some ground with her. One orgasm was worth a million words at that moment. It had been foolhardy, though. Before he had touched her, he should have thought to move her to the bathroom or another location. He needed to take Darvaak’s advice and start thinking. Her culture wasn’t like his. She would have been embarrassed to have been discovered. Now that she was receptive, he didn’t want to blow it. He’d reached her body and soul, but now he needed to appeal to her mind. That was what stood between them now, and it was a substantial obstacle. She was smart. Brilliant, in fact. And he loved that about her.

“News?” he asked once the two had solidified from teleporting.

“Yes!” Aleksi said. “Both of the sorcerers were there. We just need to locate one.”

Darvaak walked to the bar. “Drinks, anyone?”

When Aleksi strode to the bar, Nikolai caught Elena’s eye and placed his fingers in his mouth and licked them. She gasped and he winked. That would get her going—that, and the idea he had planted earlier. By the time he had her alone again, she’d be ready for anything. Everything. And Nikolai wanted everything.