The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(91)

"If need be. Now remove my shirt."

Growling as if in pain - sweet pain - he released her only long enough to drag the material over her head and toss the shirt aside. "Gods," he growled. "You're not wearing any panties."

"I was hopeful." She could feel his jeans against her lower body, rough, like calluses. "Done resisting me?"

How many minutes passed before he spoke, she didn't know. Finally, he said, "We'll be gentle." The words were so low, so rough she had trouble understanding them. "We'll be slow. Like before."

Danika shook her head, hair batting against her temple. "Hard. Fast."

"No. I've already cut myself and have no more need for pain."

He'd already cut himself? Since leaving the bathroom? As for the other, she knew he was lying. He'd sounded too reluctant; he would need more. "But - "

His hand once again dug and cupped and she forgot her protest.

"Oh, God," she shouted. "Yes. More."

"Are you wet, little angel?"

She felt as if she'd been waiting for him, for his touch, forever. Desperate and eager. "Find out for yourself."

A moment later, she was flipped over and peering up at him. He was a god, strong and fierce, all of his intense sexuality focused solely on her. His gaze glided over her breasts, and he licked his lips. Then that gaze moved to her stomach, and her muscles quivered.

He stopped and lingered at the fine patch of curls between her legs. Lines of tension branched around his eyes as his hands gripped her knees and spread them wide. His gaze heated, flames actually crackling inside the black-as-night, starless depths.

"Grip the headboard," he commanded.

She'd been reaching for him, meaning to scrape her nails over his chest. Perhaps draw blood. "But - "

Once again he stopped her from finishing a sentence. "Grip. The. Headboard. Now. Or I'll return to my pallet."

Was he close to losing control? If so, he needed her to hurt him. Right? She could finally prove to him - and herself - that she was capable of doing this. "Let me, Reyes. Please."

"No. I will not tell you again. Grip the headboard or this ends now."

"Fine. But I am not always going to be so accommodating. Understand?" Eyes narrowed, she slowly reached behind her and clutched the iron rails. They were cold, drawing goose bumps from her flesh. "Happy?"

"Not yet. Not until I taste you."

God, yes. "I want to taste you this time, too."

A moan separated his lips. He liked the idea, but she suspected he wouldn't cave. He probably assumed she'd explore his body, trying to hurt him while doing so. He assumed correctly.

What would she have to do to prove to him that she wouldn't be tainted by the violence he needed?

"So pretty," he cooed, all of his anger gone. Two of his fingers played between her damp folds, circling her clitoris.

Her hips arched of their own accord, her body desperate for more of him. "Reyes," she breathed.

"More?"

"Please."

Those two fingers pushed inside her, pumped once, twice, ratcheting up her desire to an uncontrollable degree.

"You're soaking my hand," he said, pride in his tone.

"Lick me. Please." She had to have his fingers, had to have his tongue. All of him she could get, she craved. And yet, she suspected it might never be enough.

Rather than grant her plea, he pulled from her and severed contact.

"No!" she cried. "What are you doing?"

"Getting naked." He shed his jeans, tossed them aside.

Oh. "Hurry!"

But he didn't return to her right away. She couldn't stop writhing as he leaned down toward the floor.

"Reyes?"

"Condom." He straightened, a silver packet glinting in the moonlight.

"Not so indifferent, after all, hmm?"

"Bought them this morning. Knew my resolve was weak." The packet disappeared from her view, and there was a rustle of sheets.

Then his fingers were back inside her. Three this time. "God, yes. Yes."

And then his mouth was on hers, hot tongue stroking inside her.

So good. Felt so good. His cock rubbed against her, smooth and hot. There was another flash of silver, he moaned in bliss, and she thought, Another condom? Surely not. He didn't need two. What...why...Oh, God. He kissed down her body, knew just where to lick, just where to suck and lave.

"Stop for a minute," she gasped out. She needed to think, and she couldn't do it with his mouth on her.

"Why?" he asked, sucking on her clitoris as he pulled back. She nearly came, the pleasure was so intense.

Silver. What had that second flash of silver been? What would cause him to moan like that?

"Danika?"

A knife, she suddenly realized. He'd cut himself. She knew it, and she didn't like it. Her eyes closed briefly, blocking the sight of him. Her arousal had glistened on his lips, and he'd been in the process of licking it away.

"Hand over the blade," she commanded. "Now."

REYES WAS SHOCKED by Danika's order, aroused to the point of that delicious pain. He marveled that he hadn't needed to cut himself to sustain his erection, but he'd done it because he hadn't wanted Pain to rear its ugly head. He hadn't wanted his resolve to weaken, giving Danika an opportunity to pounce.