The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(104)

"You arms are cut," she said. Arousal morphed into concern, and she traced a fingertip over his brow.

"They'll heal."

She wrapped her fingers around each of his wrists and brought his arms to her mouth, one at a time, kissing his injuries. "I don't know why I'm feeling again, but I'm glad that I am."

"As am I." The gesture warmed him, body and soul. "As am I."

Her face was soft, glowing with love. She sank an inch...then another..."You really love me?"

"Gods, that feels good! More than I could even say. You are my strength. You are my joy. My peace."

She nibbled on her bottom lip. "I like the contradictions of you, you know? You are light and dark, brute warrior and gentle protector."

He squeezed her hips, grinding his erection another blissful inch.

"I was drawn to you from the first," she said, head falling back. "Have thought of nothing and no one since."

"I fought my desire for you with all my might, but in the end there was no denying it. You are the woman for me. You are my woman. Take me all the way inside, Delilah."

"Let's take each other."

"Always." He rolled her over, spread her legs as far as they would go and pounded all the way home. They cried out in unison. He fit her perfectly, sublimely, for she was the piece of him that had been missing all these many years.

"Bite me," she commanded him.

"Not yet. Need you strong." She was going to win this challenge and he was going to help her, just as he'd promised.

"Please."

"Delilah," he said, glancing at her neck. Her pulse hammered wildly, and his mouth watered.

"Layel," she moaned. "Please."

"Not yet." He would take too much. In and out he continued to pound. He hooked his elbows under her knees to spread her even wider. Her head arched back, gifting him with a better view of her neck.

Her nipples rubbed his chest, and he released one of her legs to roll a sweet berry between his fingers. "Yes!"

She was meeting his thrusts with her hips, driving him deeper. Deeper. So good. He kissed her mouth, plunging his tongue just as deep. Her inner walls squeezed him, his testicles slapped at her, and then he was coming too, pouring into her. Shuddering.

She groaned, massaging his neck, and he realized his teeth were in her, drinking the sweetness. Rather than draining her, he gulped back a mouthful and gently pulled from her. Even while enthralled, he couldn't hurt her.

When the aftereffects eased, he fell beside her. She kept her arms around him and rolled onto his chest. Both of them were panting and sweating, and never had he felt more content.

"Will you be my mate?" he asked her, his joy sobering in the face of what was to come. The return of her coldness, her lack of emotion. He needed to lay what groundwork he could to guarantee they remained together when this was over. "I vow to love you, now and forever, see to your comfort, now and forever, and protect you with my own life. Now and forever."

She raised her head, eyes sultry, and peered down at him. A slow smile lifted her lips. "Yes. Yes. All that I am, all that I have, is yours. I will love you, comfort you and protect you. Now and forever."

"Swear to me you will not forget that we are mated. That no matter what you feel inside, you will not forget this moment, this promise." He cupped her cheek and stared up into her eyes. "Don't ask me why, just swear it."

Her smile faded, but she nodded. "I swear it. I will not forget."

He squeezed her tightly. And when she rested her head in the crook of his neck, he sighed, praying the night never ended.

"I can't believe we are together at last."

He could. He only hoped it lasted.

ONLY A FEW HOURS of darkness remained, Delilah thought, more sated than she had ever been in her life. She and Layel had made love several more times in several different positions. He couldn't seem to get enough of her, his need almost...desperate.

He'd made her promise all kinds of things. To always love him. To always forgive him. To kiss him every morning for the rest of her life. To be the one to win the challenge, no matter what she saw or heard, no matter what happened. She had been more than happy to agree to everything but the last - which had only made him work harder to convince her of the rightness of her taking victory for herself. Finally, she'd given in and promised. She would win, and she would demand Layel's life as her prize. But she didn't want Tagart or Broderick to die, either. Was there a way to save everyone?

Miracles were indeed possible, she now realized. He loves me, she thought with a shocked grin. They should be up, finishing the challenge, but she cherished this time with him and couldn't stand the thought of it ending. He had said goodbye to his old love; they were going to be together. She didn't know how they would leave the island together - the prize perhaps. But never again would she push him away.

"I could happily lie here forever, sweetheart, but time is running out for us to find the answer to the gods' riddle," Layel said as he rubbed a hand down her spine. Confusion, determination and dread layered the announcement.

She shivered and propped her head on her hand, looking down at him. Just catching a glimpse of his eerie beauty caused her chest to constrict. He's my man. What an exhilarating concept. "What makes you think it's a riddle? We were told there was something up here that even a brave man would run from. And we have heard the creature's cry, so we know they weren't lying."