The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(99)

Alyssa pushed to shaky legs, scrubbing her face with the backs of her hands. "Wh-why?"

"If you ask that one more time, I just might punish you."

"Aha. So you - "

"No. Hurting you is not my goal." His pants fell, leaving him bare except for his weapons. His erection sprang free, hard and achy. "But if I were to punish you, it would be with a tongue-lashing, then perhaps I would tickle you a bit, then lash you with my tongue again."

She gulped, her eyes impossibly round. "But - but - I don't understand."

One by one he removed his weapons. The blades strapped to his chest and back. The poisoned arrows glued to his side. "What you did to me was deserved. We are even." Not even close. But perhaps, after an eternity of seeing to her needs, they would be. "Do you agree?"

"Yes, but - " She was staring between his legs as though entranced.

He would have laughed if he hadn't been so aroused. He wanted her hands where her gaze was. "What I told you before was true."

"You've told me many things," she said with a tremor.

Gods, he hated to bring this up. "The first time we were together..."

Her cheeks heated to a bright crimson, as if she'd been slapped. From softening female to scorned witch in seconds.

"That was not because of you, Alyssa," he rushed out. "I know that now."

"I don't want to hear this." Stiff, she spun away from him, back to the fire. Imagining him roasting inside it?

He moved to her, placed his hands on her shoulders. He'd thought her stiff before, but she proved him wrong, every muscle she possessed turning to rock. At least she didn't jerk away, even when his erection rubbed the crevice of her bottom. "Every time I was near you," he said into her ear, nibbling on the soft lobe between words, "I saw that terrible night here. I couldn't figure out why, only knew that you were a reminder of it. And with the reminder, my desire was buried under regret. Do you understand?"

She nodded slowly, and he thought he saw a fresh tear glisten on her cheek.

"What do you understand? Tell me."

"That I will always remind you of that night. That you can never truly desire me."

Leaning down, he kissed away her tear. Breath caught in her throat - he heard its cessation. He slowly glided his hands down to cup her breasts. "Wrong. I desire you now more than I've ever desired another." He kneaded, gently pinched at her hardened nipples.

A moan slipped from her. Her hips arched back, rubbing more fervently against his erection.

Shivawn experienced a wave of hope. "Once I knew why, I knew what battle I was fighting."

"Wh-what battle?"

"Thinking of you and that night together, when I should not have. I've separated the two now. All I see, all I desire, is you. And I know you aren't even close to believing me. I know you think I'm merely playing with you to hurt you, but I'm going to do everything in my power to prove otherwise." He was going to have to use the chains, he realized. There was no other way.

Slowly, giving her time to protest, he unhooked the shoulder latch that held her robe together. The bright material floated to their feet. She trembled, but didn't try to stop him.

"Step out of it."

After a slight hesitation, she did. He allowed his fingers to dip into her navel before fanning through the soft curls between her legs. Her stomach quivered.

"Do you feel how hard I am for you?" he asked, his erection nestled against her bottom.

Nibbling on her sumptuous bottom lip, she nodded.

"You know I am a warrior, yes?"

Another nod. She spread her legs, silently asking him to delve deeper, to touch her where was she already wet and hot. His desire was so fierce, he almost caved, almost sank his fingers inside her sheath, but knew he would be lost if he did. So he held steady.

"And a warrior would never willingly bind himself in the presence of an enemy."

At the word enemy, she stiffened again.

He placed a soft kiss on the side of her throat. So pretty. So sweet. So his. Then he moved away from her - gods, the agony - and strode to the bed. Her hot gaze tracked his every movement. Facing her, he sat on the mattress and clasped the chains in his hands.

"Shivawn," she said brokenly. Nervously she rubbed her palms on her naked thighs.

"I'm trusting you not to leave me and lead me on another chase, love."

Careful not to look away, he shackled one of his wrists. With a tug of his arm, he proved it was anchored to the wall. Then he bound the other wrist, motions just as measured, just as precise.

Once again, her mouth floundered open and closed.

"There is no other I would bind myself for. Do you know why, Alyssa? You are my mate. I want no other but you. I would give my life for you. I...love you. Your wit, your smile, your determination, your stubbornness, the light in your eyes when you look at me. The way you move, the timbre of your voice, the curves of your body. Everything. I worship it all. Yes, I once hated vampires. Yes, I still hate demons. Yes, your family destroyed mine. But I'm here, offering myself to you, proof of my devotion."

Those tears free-fell down her cheeks now and she hugged her arms to her stomach.

He'd hoped, been so sure of success...until now. "Am I too late? Is the hurt too great? I know I made you feel less than a woman. That will haunt me for the rest of my days. But I have found pleasure with you, love. That night in the cave, I had never experienced so much. I want to satisfy you now. I want - "