Page 113 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

His eyes flashed as their gaze connected. “You’re doing it again. Look at how pliant your body has become to my touch.” He dragged the back of his fingers affectionately down her cheek and she preened, leaning into the caress.

He drew back and shoved into her. A moan pelted past her lips, propelled out of her by his forceful strokes. He liked subjugating her, displaying his dominance without opposition. He craved her surrender, and it was easy to submit to him this way, especially when it enflamed his darkest pleasure and she experienced his satisfaction through their shared mental link.

She opened her body more, stretching her legs as far back as her muscles allowed so he could take his pleasure, all the while giving it right back to her.

His speed doubled and his strokes turned almost punishing, but he wasn’t trying to discipline her. He only wanted to possess her. All of her. More than anyone else ever had.

“I love when you soften for me,” he growled, dragging a hand through her hair only to curl his fingers around her throat. “You were perfect, pintura. Your submission honors me.”

Maybe that was why she liked it. She liked pleasing him.

The friction of the bed on her raw flesh reminded her of his dominance, and her sex clenched. He drove into her, leaning down until her body folded beneath his weight. She was completely at his mercy.

No one had ever expressed such an all-encompassing desire for her. Despite the roughness of his touch, adoration radiated from him. His possession was complete, holding not only her body but her heart and soul. She was safe in his arms and didn’t have to worry or fear. He would always protect her.

Moved by the realization of her trust, she offered him another display of relinquished control and raised her arms over her head, lifting her chin to fully expose her under his grip. It was an unmistakable show of vulnerability and trust.

He growled with deep satisfaction and thrust harder. His hand moved to her hair and knotted in the strands, holding her head still and dropping his mouth to her exposed neck. Teeth scraped as his mouth closed over her shoulder, his fangs pressing into her but not breaking the skin.

An agonizing ache knifed through her as his desire for her blood slammed into her. He beat it back with incredible force of will, but she didn’t have his self-discipline and she cried out in disappointment, wanting his teeth to sink into her. The mere thought reawakened the hollow throb she’d been fighting for days.

Her body needed it. The sharp, relentless craving crawled through her like poison seeking a host.

He drew back, cupping her jaw and forcing her to meet his stare. “Delilah, do you have need?”

Sweat broke over her body, and she ground her teeth, refusing to let her jaw open. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not. I can feel your pain.”

This wasn’t about her. He was the one who originally wanted to bite her. Her body just got confused. She rocked her hips forward, urging him to keep going, but he pulled back.

She gasped at the sudden emptiness when he pulled out of her. “Christian!” Her body unfolded and she weakly sat up, wincing when her raw cheeks pressed into the bed.

“You’re too weak.”

He only gave her the truth but it stung like inadequacy. “So that’s it? We’re done?”

“You need to feed.”

“That’s my choice—”

He held up a silencing hand, refusing to meet her stare. “I didn’t say I would force the subject. I’m merely saying we should refrain until you’re feeling stronger.”

And how exactly was that going to happen as long as she didn’t feed? He was forcing the subject, just not directly. “So now you’re withholding sex? You just negotiated for it yesterday!”

“I will not put my needs before yours.”

She scoffed. “What about my needs? What if I need sex?”

“You need nutrition more.”

“This is ridiculous.” Gathering up the sheet, she scooted off the bed, wincing again when the blankets scraped against her flesh. “Do whatever you want. I’m taking a bath.”

“Delilah…”

She dashed away a tear, unsure why she was crying.

“You’re emotional because you’re not feeding properly.”

“I’m emotional because I’m on a farm without modern plumbing. How do I empty this thing.”

He stood and fastened his pants. Bending at the backside of the tub, he turned a spigot she hadn’t noticed. “I built piping into the floor before you arrived. It empties into the gardens below.”

“Oh.” That was thoughtful. She didn’t know how to act when he told her stuff like that. In a way, he was only confessing to a premeditated crime. But in another way, it was sweet of him to put so much thought into her comfort. “Thanks.”

He sighed and she understood he wasn’t happy about her ongoing hunger strike, but he kept his word not to pressure her. “I’ll heat some water.”