Page 46

She gave me a flat look. “How many celestials do you know that have been bonded to a warlock?”

I winced. “Fair. Well … um … sorry?”

“It is what it is.” She waved me away. “Your demon’s waiting for you, Mr. Warlock.”

“Yes, Miss Sentinel.”

Kara’s bedroom door was closed. I almost knocked, then didn’t. The side lamps were on and the blinds open, offering a view of the city through the window.

Kara walked out of her en suite as I entered, wearing her kimono.

Her steps faltered as she saw me, then her jaw tightened and she folded her arms beneath her breasts.

It did interesting things to the hem, and raised a tempting amount of cleavage.

I wasn’t sure if that was the effect she was going for.

“I thought you’d be sleeping on the sofa.”

I refrained from pointing out it was barely seven o’clock. “Iyoni sleeps there.”

“Exactly.”

Oh. So it was like that.

I cocked my head to one side, regarding her with a hint of a smile I didn’t want to suppress. She looked so gorgeous when she was angry, all fire and intensity. Maybe it was because of how often she’d glared at me, but there was something pleasingly familiar about it.

“What are you smirking at?” she demanded.

“I’m not smirking, I’m enjoying the view.”

Kara gave me the glare I’d been expecting, and gestured to the window. “It’s there. You like standing before windows, stand before that one.”

“Not that view.”

Her eyes bore into me, a myriad of emotions in their green depths. Her nostrils flared, the muscles in her jaw twitching as she clenched it so tight.

I leaned against the wall, slipped one hand in my pocket, and deliberately took in all she had to offer: her long slim legs, all the way up to that tantalizing wisp of material that barely reached the top of her thighs, the slimness of her waist where the sash was cinched, the silk drawn taut over her breasts, nipples prominent against the thin material.

I didn’t doubt she owned other bedroom gowns—not with the size of the wardrobe she had—but this kimono kept making an appearance, as it had from the very first night in her apartment.

Maybe she knew I liked it.

Kara filled the silence first. “I’ve been a fool,” she said bitterly. “Why would you want me, when you could have her?”

“You’ve been at me to bond more since the second night we met.”

“Yes, but …” She waved a hand in frustration. “Not now . Not her .”

“Why not now? Why not her?” Iyoni had just given me one explanation, and I was convinced she was right. But I was curious to see if Kara would admit the same, or if she even recognized it herself.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Kara muttered, and walked past the bed to the window. She stared out, her back to me. The kimono was really very short, and damn, but she had a great ass.

“Try me.”

Her shoulders tensed, but she said nothing.

I gave her a minute, then spoke again. “If you don’t feel like talking, shall I have a go?”

There was still no response, no movement. If she hadn’t been glamouring as human, I imagined her tail would be angrily lashing back and forth.

“All right, let’s see,” I said, feigning thoughtfulness. “Does it bother you because she’s not a demon?”

She scoffed, her words full of the venom I hadn’t heard in a while. “Like I said, you haven’t got a clue.”

I pushed myself off the wall and took a few paces toward her. “Maybe it’s because she’s a celestial?”

“I don’t give a damn what she is.”

“Maybe,” I said slowly as I closed the gap, “it’s got nothing to do with Iyoni at all, and everything to do with you.”

She whirled to face me, the speed of the motion making the kimono’s hem bounce in interesting ways. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Iyoni said you were besotted with me. Remember?”

“How could I forget,” she said, the words bitter.

“So you did hear her. Yet you said nothing at the time. No attempt to deny it, no confirmation.” I smiled. “Why was that, Kara?”

She stood before me, trembling with the strength of her emotions. Rage flashed in her eyes, but it was deeper than that. Her passion was both her greatest strength and most endearing flaw. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

“I’m not besotted with you,” she spat. “How could I be? You’re a … bar manager .”

“You know I’m a hell of a lot more than that.” I paused. “Though I do mix a mean cocktail.”

“You quote philosophy like it makes up for your lack of spine.”

She was goading me again, like she had once before, but this time I knew why. My anger was in check, but I narrowed my eyes, letting my voice drop cold. “Don’t go there. I’m past playing games.”

She shivered at my tone, almost as if she liked it. “You claim I’m besotted with you, but—”

“Actually, it was Iyoni’s choice of words.”

“I’m not besotted with you!”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Let’s do a little test.” I grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward the bed. It was farcical, really; she could’ve stopped me easily, we both knew it. But she didn’t; she let me drag her, almost like she’d hoped I would.

Her wrist twisted in my palm, enough for a pretense of a struggle, but careful not to break my hold. “Get off me!”

“I said I was done playing games.”

I pushed her face down over the edge of the bed, the hem of the kimono flying up, and pinned her with a hand on the small of her back. It was a little like a tabby cat pinning a tiger, but I was playing a hunch she’d let me. She did.

“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” I asked, as I helped the kimono a little higher, tugging it up to her waist and tucking the hem into her sash, out of the way. Her bottom was bare beneath, raised in offering.

“No,” she cried, yet still made no attempt to get away. “I hate you!”

“Do you?” I asked, then brought my hand down on her ass. The slap rang out, echoing around the room, no doubt loud enough for Iyoni to hear. I could imagine her giving a serene smile of approval.

Kara choked back a cry, her bottom lifting slightly.

I took the invitation for what it was, and struck again on her other cheek, putting my weight into the blow. Maybe, that way, she’d feel it.

She gave a gasp this time, and it tailed off into a moan.

I kept her pinned with my other hand, then alternated blows across the perfect curves of her ass. She never once moved, save for the involuntary twitches as her arousal grew, marked with the occasional whimper.

When my hand began to sting, I ran it gently over her skin, and she moaned again.

“Do you hate me still?” I asked, trailing my fingertips lightly between her cheeks, and on below. She was wetter than I expected, and her hips lifted in offering, giving me more access. I slid a finger inside her, and she let loose a small sob.

“No, Master, I’m sorry. I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.”

I stroked inside her, taking my time, feeling the silky wetness of her, my fingers soon coated in her arousal. I slid another inside her, and her hips bucked, pushing back against my hand. She buried her face in the duvet, muffling her gasp.

“Don’t hide your cries. Iyoni will want to hear.”

She clenched around me as she heard my words, giving a cute little whimper of shame mingled with excitement, but she lifted her head, obedient to my whims.

“You want her to hear, don’t you?” I asked.

“Yes, Master,” she replied, her voice tight.

“You want her to know I’m making you mine, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes, please,” she breathed. “Make me yours.”

I withdrew my hand and gave her ass another slap. Then I whisked the duvet away, tugging it from beneath her as she lifted. “On the bed, and lose the kimono.”

Kara obeyed swiftly, crawling onto the sheet, pulling the kimono off so fast something ripped.

She tossed it to the floor, turning to watch me hungrily as I kicked off my shoes and unbuttoned my shirt.

I stripped off the rest of my clothes, watching her as she watched me, the anticipation growing.

She knelt up with her knees apart, no attempt to hide herself from me, as if making it clear all she had to offer was mine.

But there wasn’t any doubt. There hadn’t been for a while.

I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her gently, and she kissed me back with fervor, arms draped around my neck as she pulled me to her.

We danced our tongues together a while, before I smiled and playfully pushed her.

She let herself fall back across the bed, body open, legs spread for me, chewing her lip as her eyes watched me with hunger.

I couldn’t resist tasting her, and slid my arms beneath her thighs, pulling her to where I could comfortably take my time with her.

I kissed along her inner thigh, let her feel my breath against her core, then repeated it on the other side.

She gave a moan of frustration, her hips lifting as she sought more, but I toyed with her a little longer before finally licking where she wanted it.

She gasped, spreading her legs wider in encouragement I didn’t need.

I flicked my tongue over her clit, enjoying the noises she made, then dipped down to push it inside her, lapping at her wetness.

She clenched her fists in the sheets. I slipped a hand from beneath her thigh, sliding two fingers inside her as I licked again at her clit.

Her hips lifted involuntarily as I found that small area just inside her, and her whimpers grew higher in pitch.

Her hands slid into my hair, pulling me to her, but I wasn’t having it. “Hands above your head,” I murmured against her, and she gave a sob of arousal and frustration as she obeyed.

“Yes, Master.”

It amused me that she could’ve resisted my command … if she’d wanted to. Just more proof that she liked it when I was in control, and I was just fine with that. I toyed with her until her hips squirmed involuntarily, and she began to beg.

“Just there … please … don’t stop.”

I stopped.

Her wail of frustration was as much fun as her writhing, and slowly I began again, teasing her until her breath hitched and she trembled under my touch.

This time I didn’t stop, focusing on what I’d learned she liked.

Using fingers and tongue together until her body tightened, one thigh quivering uncontrollably, and she came with a cry and a gush of wetness over my hand.

I climbed over her, supporting myself on my arms braced either side, and lowered for a kiss. She moaned into my mouth and rubbed her body against mine.

Her arms were still stretched above her head, hands pressed to the bed, just like I’d told her. I hadn’t said she could move them.

I nudged my chin toward them. “More fun than bondage.”

Kara gave me a half-hearted glare, but a smile curled the corners of her lips. “You’re mean, Master.”

“Am I?” I lowered my head to take a nipple between my lips, flicking my tongue over it, eliciting another gasp. “Keep your hands there,” I murmured, switching to her other breast. She arched, pressing up, seeking more, body stretched out beneath me.

“Don’t stop being mean, but … please … I need you inside me.”

I reached between us, guiding myself inside her, and we both moaned with the pleasure of that first penetration. She rolled her hips to meet me, then lifted her knees up to rub her calves along my flanks, gasping her pleasure as I sank deeper into her.

“Oh yes … just there.” Her eyes fluttered closed.

I began to move inside her, taking my time, drawing back slowly then thrusting in hard. Each time, she rewarded me with a helpless gasp, her lips parted as she took shuddering breaths. Soon, gasps became whimpers, whimpers became cries, her hips rising to meet me in perfect rhythm.

“Please …” she gasped. “May I … move my … hands?”

“Yes,” I grunted between strokes, saving my breath.

Kara slid her arms around me, clutching me to her, fingers digging into my shoulders.

“Oh, God, Master. I’m going to …” Her words faded away, the only sound our breathing, and our bodies repeatedly merging together.

She shuddered in pleasure, mouth open in a silent gasp, and I felt her sex clench tight as she came once more.

It was enough to give me the final stimulation I needed, and I closed my eyes as my strokes became short and urgent, until I thrust one last time, spurting my cum inside her. She gave a soft cry as she felt it, arms closing around my neck, holding me to her like she’d never let go.

I relaxed onto her, enjoying her softness as my heartbeat gradually slowed. The room was silent again, peaceful, just the sound of our breathing mingling together. I expected to feel tired, but I didn’t. I felt stronger, invigorated, like I could go another round straight away.

“Thank you, Master,” she said at last. “It was everything I dreamed.”

I leaned down and kissed her. “You’re mine now.”

“I was yours before. Body, heart and soul.”

“No regrets?”

“Oh God … not even a flicker. Anytime, anywhere … you can do whatever you want to me.”

I smiled in contentment, and rolled over onto my back. She gasped as I slipped from within her, then snuggled up against my side.

“Master?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m hungry.”

I chuckled. “Well, we haven’t had dinner.”

“It’s only, what …” She propped herself up on one elbow to see the clock, her breasts swaying enticingly before my face, and I took the opportunity to brush my thumb teasingly across one stiff peak.

She smiled playfully down at me, then edged forward, bringing herself closer.

“It’s half past eight. Get some food, go for round two? ”

“Mmm hmm,” I agreed around a mouthful of nipple.