Page 18 of Chaos Carnival (Cirque de Sanguine #2)

Chapter 17: Sunrise Treatment

Maverick

Sunlight washed over us, warming my skin. I felt refreshed, rejuvenated... healed. I smiled into the pillows of dark hair, breathing in the fragrance of Tess. My hands traveled lower, exploring, enjoying her softness, the curve of her breast, the swell of her hip.

Last night had been intense. The rush of alchemy under my skin, the push and pull of the magic bond saving my life, it had ignited something inside me. And now, here we were, wrapped up in each other, my body hard against her soft skin.

“Mornin', beautiful.” My voice rumbled as I kissed her neck, nipping gently at her pulse point.

Tess murmured something unintelligible, snuggling deeper into the pillows. I grinned, enjoying her sleepy warmth, her body so relaxed and trusting.

I shifted, enjoying the press of her gorgeous ass to my growing arousal. My hands slid over her, greedy for her, wanting, but also just savoring her. We'd been through so much, danced around each other, and now... something had shifted. The bond, the curse, and the poison had all played a part, but here in the aftermath, I couldn't find it in me to care.

“We should get going,” I whispered, my lips brushing her ear. “But damn if I'm not tempted to keep you here all day.”

I kissed her neck again, savoring the taste of her, my hands never still, wanting to capture every inch of her. We had plenty of trouble waiting for us—hunters, Ivan, and Addie's capture—but in that moment, with Tess in my arms, I wanted to forget it all.

I teased her, stroking that sweet spot, and she moaned, her hips pushing back, still near asleep. I smiled, a possessive, primal feeling rushing through me. I wanted to claim her again, show her what she did to me.

Sliding my hands down her body, I gripped her hips, pulling her back against me as I entered her, slow and steady. She was so wet, so perfect, and she fit me like a glove. I groaned, fighting the urge to just pound into her like a beast.

“Mmm-Maverick,” she moaned, her voice hazy with sleep.

Hearing my name on her lips sent a bolt of lightning through me. I plunged deeper, melting into her tight heat, her body welcoming mine. I buried my face in her neck, scraping my teeth along her skin, wanting to leave another mark that would tell everyone she was mine. Everywhere. All over her.

I held her hair in a tight grip, exposing the delicate skin of her neck, and licked a path up to her ear. “You feel so damn good, baby,” I whispered. “All mine.”

My words seemed to sink into her, and she shifted, pushing back against me, her body waking up to the pleasure. I growled, unable to hold back anymore, and started to move harder, my cock sliding in and out of her in deep, slow strokes. I knew, with a fierce possessiveness, that I'd do whatever it took to keep her safe.

“Mine,” I rasped, my voice hoarse with desire and something more.

I lost myself in that moment, in the connection between us, the magic of our bond, and the fierce need to protect what was mine.

Her pussy clenched around me, and I groaned as the pressure built in my balls. I slammed into her harder, faster, unable to hold back, and I knew, without a doubt, that nothing would keep me from this woman.

“Tess,” I growled, my eyes anchored on hers as I moved within her. “My fucking pussy.”

I felt her wake up then, saw her eyes widening as she realized what was happening. Her hands gripped the sheets as she came to life beneath me.

“Oh god,” she breathed, her hips bucking against my hand.

I grinned as I rubbed little circles on her clit, because I knew instinctively what she liked, and I loved making her lose control. Her eyes went hazy, and she yelped, a mix of shock and pleasure, as she woke fully and orgasmed hard around me.

I felt victorious in that moment, and as her pussy clenched around me, I couldn't hold back anymore. I drove into her, deep and hard, my own climax peaking.

“Yes. That's it, baby,” I growled, my voice rough with desire. “That's my good girl.”

I spilled inside her, my hips stuttering as I filled her up with my hot cum. Then I collapsed and held her close, luxuriating in her breathless form in my arms. I nuzzled her neck, savoring the moment, the connection, and feeling so alive.

“How fucking dare you?” Tess's eyes sparked with anger, and I grinned, satisfied with myself. But I knew we were heading for a fight. I sat up, taking in her gorgeous naked body, and damn, she was something—all curves and soft skin, with that fire in her eyes. But I could already tell this would be one hell of a battle.

“How fucking dare I what?” I asked, eyebrows raised, enjoying the challenge.

“You know what I'm talking about.” She glared at me, and the passion burned so hot and bright.

I chuckled, rubbing a thumb over her full lower lip. “You gonna tell me you didn't like it, baby? 'Cause that'd be a damn lie.”

She narrowed her eyes, and I could see the wheels turning in that impressive head of hers. She wanted to argue, wanted to deny it, but the truth was written all over her.

“I didn't say you could just take what you want, whenever you want it.” She huffed, her cheeks flushing.

I raised an eyebrow, still holding her close. “You didn't say I couldn't. Besides, you seemed to enjoy it just fine.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she shoved at me again, her hips squirming as she tried to get up. “That's not the point, and you know it. Consent, Maverick. Look it up.”

I chuckled, unable to help myself. “Come on, Tess. Don't be like that. I just wanted a little morning-after action. You can't tell me you didn't feel it, too.”

“Last night was...” She trailed off, searching for the words.

I took advantage of her pause, my hand sliding down to cup her breast, thumb teasing her already taut nipple. “Amazing. Fucking incredible.” I leaned in, breathing in her scent. “You felt so good, Tess. So perfect.”

She shivered, her breath catching, and I knew my words affected her. I wanted to push her, see how far I could take this before she snapped or folded.

“And you can't tell me you didn't enjoy it.” I nipped at her earlobe, my voice a low rumble. “You came harder than ever. You loved it.”

She pushed me away then, those green eyes flashing with fury. “That doesn't give you the right to assume you can just take what you want!”

I grabbed her wrist as she tried to move away, holding her in place as I leaned my body into hers. “You didn't seem to mind last night when I had you begging for more.”

“That's not the point!” She glared at me, her body tense beneath mine. “You can't just go around doing whatever you want without considering my feelings.”

I kissed her then, hard and demanding, wanting to wipe that indignant look off her face. “Your feelings?” I growled against her lips. “What about mine? You think it's easy for me to hold back when all I want is to take you hard and make you shatter?”

She remained rigid in my arms, and I sighed, knowing I'd pushed too far. “Come on, Tess. You know I always want you. Last night was—“

“Last night was a mistake,” she interrupted, pulling away from me.

My skin prickled, a surge of possessive frustration rushing through me. “A mistake?” I echoed, my voice dangerously quiet. “Is that what it was?”

She didn't respond, but the uncertainty shone in her eyes. I knew it hadn't been a mistake, and the thought of her taking it back, denying what we'd shared, lit a fire in my chest.

“You want me to apologize for wanting you?” I asked, my voice tight. “For making you come hard?”

She opened her mouth, then closed it, the war evident within her. “I want you to respect my boundaries, Maverick.”

I held her gaze, the air thick with tension. “And I want you to admit that you wanted it, Tess. That you can’t stand how much you love when I take what I want.”

Her eyes flicked down, then back up, a flash of something vulnerable before she hid it away.

This woman got to me like no other.

She huffed again, her lips pressed into a thin line. “We have shit to do. We can't just forget about Addie and—“

“I'm not forgetting,” I cut in, my grin fading a little. “But we also can't ignore this.” She tensed as I ran my hands up and down her sides. “What happened last night... it changed us.”

She stilled, her eyes searching mine, and a mix of emotions flickered. “No…“

I stroked a thumb over her cheek, suddenly serious. “You know it did. What I do know is that I can’t get enough of you.” I leaned down, my lips brushing hers, and whispered, “And I think you know what I mean.”

She pushed at my chest again, but this time softer, hesitation in her eyes. “We can't do this, Maverick. Not now. We have to focus on Addie, on stopping Ivan. My world is ending, and you want to have a heart-to-heart?”

I laughed, pulling her close, and whispered, “Maybe I just want a quickie.”

She tried to pull away, but I held her, my hands sliding down to cup her perfect ass. “One more round, baby,” I murmured. “You know you want to.”

“We don't have time for this.” She gave me a little shove, and I let her go, watching as she stormed into the bathroom.

Damn, she was something else all fired up like that.

I stretched, reveling in the ache of my body from everything we'd done last night and how refreshed I felt. Reciting incantations with your clothes off, intertwined with such a gorgeous woman, it had its perks. Add in the healing of this fucking poison, and I felt like a new man. My skin buzzed with renewed energy, and my body felt whole, the freezing pain gone. For now.

I dressed quickly, tossing on the same clothes we’d arrived in and waited. After a while I spared a glance at the bathroom door, wondering what she was doing in there.

Taking her sweet time, probably pissed at me, but I had a talent for getting under Tess's skin. She didn't stay mad for long, though, and I knew she'd come around.

Finally, the door opened, and damn, she looked good. Still a little rumpled from last night, her hair wild and sexy, her makeup smudged just enough.

I grinned at that familiar pull toward her. “You look like you got fucked good.”

She scowled at me, crossing her arms. “How are we getting home? Can't exactly teleport with those hunters on our tails.”

I winked at her. “I've got a guy. We're meeting him at a private airport after breakfast. Should be smooth sailing from here.”

She grumbled something under her breath but nodded. “Fine. Good. Let's just get out of here.”

As we checked out of the motel, I was almost sad to leave. But we had a lot to do.

Traversing the streets of Paris, looking for a place to grab some breakfast, I slipped my arm around Tess's waist. She stiffened at first, but then relaxed, leaning into me. I pulled her close, breathing in the fragrance of her hair.

“Let's enjoy this while we can,” I murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Who knows what chaos awaits us back home?”

She snorted, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “With you around? All the chaos. All the time“

I grinned, pleased with myself. “That's the spirit, baby. Let's go find some croissants and café au lait first.”