The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(103)

He pressed their lips together and thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, feeding her a kiss that scorched even him to the bone.

"What of your mate?"

"You are my mate now. But if you wish to know of Susan, I will tell you anything, everything." He drew in a breath, slowly released it. "You know the gods used to exile unfavored humans to Atlantis, hoping we would annihilate them. Well, some of them survived and Susan was their descendant. As she grew they kept her hidden very well. But vampires sense human blood as no other can. We're drawn to it. The taste, the sweetness. Though nothing compares to yours," he hastened to assure her.

She snuggled against him, listening intently, urging him on.

"My men and I sniffed her out," he said, pleased to discover that talking about the past was no longer like ripping open a wound. "I meant to keep her chained in my room, mine to drink from anytime I desired. Remember, those were much different, much harsher times. Anyway, I grew to love her smile, her gentle nature. She...softened me. After she finished scolding me for trying to hold her captive, that is. We had two wondrous years together before she conceived. The baby was due just after the dragons came, killing both Susan and my unborn daughter."

"You knew the child was a girl?"

He nodded. "We were going to name her Bianca."

"I'm so sorry, Layel. Truly, I am. I ache for you, and would return all that you've lost if I could."

Oh, no. There would be none of that. "As I told you, it is you I desire, Delilah. No one else. Not even Susan. Now, tell me of your dragon," he said, before she could protest his words.

"Vorik?"

Vorik. He played the name through his mind before nodding. "I know of him. Strong, fierce. A charmer, or so I heard."

"Oh, yes. A first-rate charmer. But then, I was ripe for the plucking. I'd always longed for the kind of I'll-die-for-you love all other creatures but Amazons embrace. When he expressed desire for me, I thought I could make him love me that way. But I was wrong. He left without saying goodbye the moment the mating was over."

"Shall I kill him for you?"

"No," she said with a chuckle. "I punished him already. A few weeks later, my army marched through dragon land in one of our bids to prove how strong we are, and I ensured all the females in his village knew of his...shortcomings."

Layel barked out a laugh. "That's my Amazon."

Her smile was warm, lighting him up inside. That smile quickly faded, however. "I'm glad that we're both able to talk about the past like this. Do you think...What if - would you like another child, Layel?"

He cupped her cheek, his eyes suddenly burning with tears, a hard lump in his throat. "With you, I would like as many as we can make."

"Me, as well." She turned in his arms, placing her lips just above his. "I want you, Layel, I want you so badly. Now, forever."

They were words he had never thought to hear again. His joy intensified, blending with his arousal. "We don't have a lot of time, sweet. There's much to do. And we can't risk Broderick or Tagart beating us to the monster." Whatever the monster was - beast, a riddle to be figured out or something else entirely.

"It's dark. They won't risk fighting the unknown in the dark. And I need you. Please. Don't make me beg. Don't make me - "

He tried to be gentle as he swooped down and claimed her lips, he really did, but his need was too fiery. He'd nearly lost her, would probably lose her again when her emotions drifted away with the daylight.

As he tongued her, he ripped the leather top from her and tossed it aside. Her tiny skirt was given the same treatment, leaving her bare. His gaze cut through the dark and drank in the tattoos he so adored. I've licked them. Will again.

"Layel!"

He snapped out of the momentary lust-daze and attacked her breasts, flicking his tongue over the hardened pink berries he found there. Her hips writhed; she moaned.

"I'm burning up for you," she gasped out.

"You and no other."

"You and no other," she agreed. "I love you."

"Oh, gods, Delilah." So beautiful, those words. They would define the rest of his life, for they changed him, turned him from beast to man.

He laved her face with nips and kisses, then licked away any sting he might have delivered. All the while his fingers explored her body until finally sinking deep into her wet core.

She cried out.

"Love you," he said, working a third finger into her.

That was all her desire needed. Her inner walls clenched around him, drawing him deeper. Moisture flooded his hand, hot, slick as he pumped, taking her higher. So high. "That's it. Give me everything."

Her hands clutched at his back, squeezed the muscles so tightly he would carry the bruises for weeks. "More," she said on a broken breath. "Do that again."

"My pleasure, though I plan to use something else on you."

He kissed her then, and her eyelids popped open. Their gazes met in a tangled web of desire. She must have seen his desperation because she pushed him to his back, worked his pants off and straddled him.

Her blue hair fell around them like a curtain as she positioned herself at the tip of his mighty erection. Shaking, he reached up and cupped her cheeks, fingers gliding easily over her sweat-soaked skin.