Page 41

Ezra

With Scarlett in his arms, Ezra laid back down, letting her weight soothe him until he felt the closest to sane he’d ever get. “I overreacted.”

“You didn’t. Your feelings are valid no matter how strong.”

Ezra wrapped his arms tightly around his mate, flipping both of them until she laid on her back. He rested his forehead against hers. “I really thought you left me. It felt like hours before you came back.”

“I’m truly sorry I caused you distress.”

“Fuck, that really hurt.”

Scarlett wrapped her limbs around him, and Ezra slowly relaxed onto her. It was only then that he realised he was still fully naked, and his cock hardened against the fabric of her shorts.

“Princess.”

“Prince?”

Ezra hummed, thrusting his hips forward. “That sounds like music to my ears. But I would love even more for you to moan it as my dick sinks into you.”

Scarlett released her hold on him and wiggled her shorts off, finally leaving no barrier between them. Ezra reached over to the nightstand and snatched a condom and the bottle of lube. With a kiss to her forehead, he sat up to sheath himself up.

“Will it feel different?” she asked, watching him curiously.

“You haven’t used one before?”

She shook her head.

“Not with your first?”

“No. I mean, he didn’t know that my fertility was tied to my mate, but he said he would pull out.” Blood boiled with jealousy. That bastard knew what she felt like bare, and he fucking wanted to kill him because of it. “And I mean Vince…” she trailed off, the answer obvious between them.

Choosing not to let his temper ruin the mood—again—he snapped open the bottle and slicked up his fingers.

He started with slow circles around her entrance, letting the gel warm up before slipping inside.

“It will feel different. Some say they don’t feel it at all, but others dislike it especially if they know how it feels without one. ”

“I’m sorry.”

“You wouldn’t feel comfortable without and your heightened healing doesn’t allow for contraception on your side. I want you to feel safe with us and as long as you want us to wear them, I will.”

But Scarlett’s mind was already drifting away.

Needing her back in the moment he leaned over her, bringing his lips down on hers as he circled her clit with his thumb.

Her body melted beneath him, her walls relaxing enough around him to add a second and eventually a third finger.

Once she felt ready, he crooked them, finding that sweet spot that made her thighs tremble.

His blood was still tainted with the anxiety of losing her, but with each gentle whimper he swallowed through her kiss, it faded.

Fuck, he never wanted to feel that loss ever again.

Scarlett rolled her hips and with his cock throbbing painfully, he placed his cockhead at her entrance and gently eased in.

She stiffened, her walls tightening over his shaft, so he placed his thumb back on her clit and soothed her pain.

He took more of her sweet pussy, slowly claiming what was his inch by delicious inch.

Scarlett’s tight, wet heat around him only meant that he was going to come far sooner than he cared to—especially if she kept swivelling her hips like that. He groaned, sinking to the hilt and testing the waters with a slow roll of his hips.

“Tell me, princess—how does it feel?” he asked, voice quivering as his dick wept into the condom.

“Good,” Scarlett panted, heaving for each breath. “So good.”

Ezra pulled back and snapped his hips forward, cock jerking and precum spilling.

He repeated the motion, picking up speed with each thrust. Ezra kissed up Scarlett’s shoulder, lips tingling as he latched onto her earlobe and sucking the tender skin into his mouth.

Her sweet moans filled the air and she held him close, tightening her legs around his waist. Her hands roamed, seeming to be nowhere and everywhere all at once.

His body was in overdrive, electricity shooting through his veins.

Her fingers were gentle on his skin, tenderly caressing his shoulders and spine as they explored every inch of him.

He lost himself in her, groaning into Scarlett’s ear as his hips reached an uneven pace.

Everything was a fog, lines blurred. Scarlett was his , and with each thrust of his hips against hers, he claimed her more.

Ezra’s orgasm slammed into him full force, exploding out of him harder and faster than it ever had before.

He spilled into the condom, his heart thundering against his ribcage.

Scarlett panted heavily, chest heaving, but Ezra wasn’t finished with her.

Still out of his mind but with a mission, he pulled out and dipped between her legs.

His lips closed around her clit and sucked, hard and relentless, his tongue flicking a steady rhythm.

Two fingers plunged deep inside her, rubbing and teasing until her thighs quivered to either side of his head.

He loved pleasing her, feeling her fall apart and one day he would be cuffed to the bed, used and abused by her.

He wanted her to sit on his face, using his tongue as a toy until he suffocated from her pussy.

He sucked and licked until she crashed over the edge, only relenting when she dragged his head away by his hair, leaving his scalp burning.

He grinned up through her thighs and saw her head roll back as she tried to catch her breath. With soft kisses and licks he shifted his body over hers and kissed her nose. “Oh, sweet little princess. You didn’t even moan my pet name for me. Should I give you another try?”

Scarlett peered up at him, realisation crossing her face. “I forgot.”

“Clearly,” he laughed, kissing her nose again. “Next time I expect better of you.”

He sat up, tossed the condom in the trash, and pulled his sweatpants up his legs. “Do you prefer water or juice?”

“Both? And something to eat?”

“What my princess wants is hers to have.”

“In that case, I’ll have your t-shirt too.”

“Of course.”

In the doorway, Ezra turned for one last look at Scarlett’s naked body. Downstairs, Mateo was at the table, reading through the vampire’s diaries. When Ezra entered the room, Mateo’s worried gaze landed on him.

“What happened? You were freaking out earlier.”

“None of your concern.”

“You nearly gave me a panic attack, Ezra, now spit it out.”

He grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and filled a tumbler with juice. “Fine. You may not judge.”

“I always judge you, but I will try my best.”

“Scarlett tied me up and left after she saw the fresh cuts on my thigh.”

“And you were afraid she wouldn’t come back.”

“Precisely.”

“Have you two talked about it.”

Ezra nodded. “She said it wasn’t her intention, that she just wanted to ease my pain.”

There was a pause where Ezra braced himself for the ridicule. Though Mateo only offered him a weak smile. “Thank you for trusting me.”

“Never speak of it again.”

“And risk losing my tongue? I’m not sure how Scarlett will feel about that.”

Without a response, he returned to Scarlett and found her sitting on his bed. She reached out for her refreshments, which Ezra dumped into her lap and laid next to her, resting his head on her thigh and stroking over her other—carefully, so as not to end up with a black eye.

Once finished, Scarlett set the left-overs aside and laid down, easily drifting off to sleep in his arms.

Ezra only awoke when Scarlett slipped out of his arms. The noise that came from him was definitely a grunt— not a whimper—and Scarlett responded with a kiss to his cheek.

“I’m just going to the bathroom.”

“I’ll allow it,” he mumbled, still reluctant to let her go, but prying his eyes open so he could watch her leave.

“How gracious of you,” she laughed, disappearing from the room.

She looked delicious in his shirt, and the memory of how she felt wrapped around him had blood surging south again.

Of course, she wouldn’t truly be his until they completed the blood vow, but would he truly ever be ready to share his mind with her.

What would happen if the others were ready, but he wasn’t?

The swirling questions only made his head hurt, so he banished them to the back of his mind.

When Scarlett returned, she snuggled close to him and seemed to doze off once more. He held her, soaked up her presence. He welcomed the butterflies swirling in his stomach, dreading the moment he would be forced to let her go again.

Far too soon, she stirred and stretched, her grumbling stomach echoing through the quiet room. “Are you joining me for breakfast?”

“I’d love to.”

Ezra sat up, waiting for her to slip into her shorts before she took his hand and dragged him after her.

“Good morning, love,” Mateo chirped as they came down the stairs.

“Hi,” she said, stretching onto her toes and giving Mateo a kiss that had blood rushing to his cheeks.

“When would you like to work out today?”

“After breakfast. I have a feeling I might feel too lazy this afternoon.”

“Sounds good to me.” For Ezra he asked, “Are you joining us today? She did wonderful yesterday.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Don’t expect too much. Everything hurts. I barely did anything yesterday.” Scarlett grabbed her fruit but instead of a bowl, she cut it directly into the blender. “Where is that stuff you told me to add?”

Mateo handed her some protein powder and continued making his own breakfast. “Maybe if Ezra plays our victim, I can see what your brother has taught you. We can practice what you already know and build from there.

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

“That depends on how much you mess with Ezra.”

Scarlett turned to Ezra, letting her eyes travel over his bare chest. “I would tell you I don’t want to hurt you, but that would probably disappoint you.”

Ezra’s lips curled into a crooked grin. “Very disappointing, indeed,” he confirmed with a wink.

“Ezra is perfect for you to train with.”

Once her smoothie was fully blended, she pulled herself onto the counter while the guys ate their breakfast. “I’ve also made up my mind about your next hunt.”

Mateo’s brow shot up. “You have?”

“I would like to come with you.” She shrugged and quickly corrected herself. “Well, at least, as close as I can.”

“I actually had a breakthrough last night, so maybe we can all sit down later and talk it through more thoroughly.”

It wasn’t long after that she joined them in the gym after changing into leggings and a tank top. Though he loved her the most completely bare, she looked mouthwatering. Add in her determination, and she was fucking perfect. Maybe his little princess would turn into a wild rogue after all.

Ezra had already warmed up so with the memory of what she’d told him yesterday, he resigned himself to the bench press while he watched from the corner of his eye.

Scarlett repeated some of the workouts from before and Mateo was his usual soft self, encouraging her with sweet praises and compliments. This time, Mateo had her do fewer sets. Ezra only approached when Mateo called for him and dropped the mats to the floor.

“Princess,” he hummed, tugging her close and brushing a kiss across her knuckles.

“Prince,” she giggled, her cheeks flushing a bright red.

He pulled her closer, dropping her hand to his chest and taking her chin between his fingers. His head dipped down, his lips brushing a whisper against her ear. “Good practice, but when I hear it next you’d better be coming around my cock.”

Satisfied with the blush on her cheeks, he released her, only after making sure she was steady on her feet.

The pride he felt in making her knees weak was indescribable.

Mateo stood behind her and grinned at him, amused and happy.

There was no trace of hostility, and that only confused Ezra. How could Mateo not be jealous?

Before he could sink further into his thoughts Mateo took over, asking Scarlett what she’d learned so far. She went through all her brother had taught her—which wasn’t a lot—and then used Ezra as her dummy to visualize it.

“Perfect,” Mateo cheered as Scarlett twisted out of a choke hold. “You have the basic steps. We just need to work on your speed. And maybe add some more aggression. You don’t want to have to think about what to do in such a situation.”

She nodded, replacing Ezra’s arm around her throat.

Ezra was happy to help her train, but this didn’t feel right—he much preferred it the other way around, but this was for her own safety.

Mateo continued until he could see Scarlett getting tired, and he ended the lesson by handing her a water bottle.

“You did fantastic. Tomorrow we’ll focus on your strength training again.”

“So, we’ll alternate?” she asked, following them into the house.

“Yes, but there will be rest days in between. It’s not a competition.”

“You guys clearly see it that way,” she said, shamelessly checking out Mateo’s abs as he tugged his shirt up to wipe his face.

When the shirt dropped again, Mateo was flushed—and not from the workout. “What a sweet compliment.”

The three of them went upstairs and into their respective rooms. Ezra grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom, standing under the shower for far longer than he usually did.

He watched the hot water pour down his body, rubbing his thumb over his thigh where Scarlett had insisted on healing him.

The panic and fright of losing her, even for just a moment, terrified him to death.

He’d never cared for anyone else this much.

Not even the thought of Vince or Mateo dying had ever truly shaken him.

He knew he was a jerk because even though his two friends hated his guts, they’d probably mourn him far longer than he would either of them.

He’d never truly cared deeply for anyone, which was probably sick. No, he knew for a fact it was. Scarlett, however, was different. He’d lost his fucking mind after she’d simply left the room, thinking she’d abandoned him. He could never let anything happen to her. He wouldn’t survive it.

Downstairs, he found everyone crowded around the table with the map spread out over open books.

He made himself a sandwich, then sat down at the head of the table, opposite his princess.

He tried not to show the dark, depraved thoughts on his face.

Thankfully, she was far too invested in the diary before her to notice.

She was everything to him now, and he both hated and loved it at the same time.

He’d always wondered what it would be like to love someone, to truly and utterly fall for another being, but now that he had, he wished for anything but.

She would be his greatest weakness, one he only hoped he would be able to protect.

His feelings about her and the bond were at war. A war he would fight to his death.