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Satisfaction rolled over me. “Three.” I smirked, admiring her sex-drunk expression. My sorceress peered back at me with glazed eyes. Realization dawned in her expression, and she huffed a laugh.

“Told you you’d scream my name.”

“Not fair,” she whined.

“Not to worry, pet. We’re just getting started.”

RUNA

I should have known sex with Victor would be like nothing I’d ever experienced. No male had ever taken the time to savor me if that is what this could be called.

Most of my experiences—when I succeeded in ditching my meddlesome brothers—were hot, heavy, and over before they’d started .

Being with the vampire was nothing like that. Even now, he challenged me.

Goddess, save me, but he had that gleam in his eyes again.

I reached for his beautiful shaft once more.

His hard length glided through my hand. The groan he exhaled drew my lips into a smile.

Power flooded my veins. The idea that I’d managed to stir the vampire’s primal side sent a delightful tingle through me.

It was I, Runa Starborn, thief, rebel, convict, who’d managed to get under the Great Victor Custodis’s skin.

He grabbed my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist. The hot caress of his tongue shot tingles up my arm.

“Playtime is over, pet. Be a good girl and do as you’re told.”

“Afraid I’ll unman you with a simple touch?”

“Little thief, there is nothing simple about you,” he grated. “Arms over your head.”

“Yes, oh, bossy one.” I rested my hands over my head, arching my spine. After all, my breasts were rather spectacular, if I did say so myself.

Victor grunted in answer, his eyes devouring me. “Now, spread your legs.”

Trembling with anticipation, I did as he commanded. “Like this?”

His hum of appreciation raised goosebumps along my flesh. “You truly are a beauty.”

The way he looked at me, I felt beautiful, desired. Spread before him like a sacrifice, I trembled. What would he do next?

“Touch yourself. Like you did before in the cavern.”

“What? Now?” My cheeks heated.

“Now,” he purred. “Unless you’re not up to the task.”

I growled low at the challenge in his tone. Was the male trying to drive me mad?

I’d soon show him which of us was stronger.

“As you wish.” I trailed my hands down my chest, pausing a moment to tease and twist my nipples. Pleasure coursed through me at the contact, and I groaned. To my delight, Victor watched my every move, his golden gaze riveted to my every action.

“You know,” I taunted, “I always say, if you want something done right…” I danced my fingers along my stomach, then over my jutting hip bones.

“Do it, Runa. Touch yourself for me,” Victor said in a broken voice. Every muscle in his body was carved of stone. He seemed frozen in anticipation, his posture that of a predator ready to strike. A chill danced down my spine.

I wanted him to break. To give up his rigid control. For me.

“Like this?” I grazed my fingers over my mound, gasping as my over-sensitive flesh swelled.

“Yes,” he groaned. “Now, stroke your clitoris.” Resting on his side near my hip, he took his shaft into his hand, circling his fingers over his swollen head.

Distracted by the sight, I did as he ordered without thought. Anticipation tied me up in knots. Victor knew exactly what I wanted, and yet he refused to give it to me. The devil.

Eyes locked on my circling fingers, he bared his fangs, hissing, “Faster, pet.”

His stroking fist moved faster as well. I panted, uttering a groan, and my hips began to rock.

“Tell me. Are you close?”

“So close,” I panted.

“Don’t you dare come,” he snapped.

“Ugh! No more games.” My sex pulsed, my will eager to break before his. “End this.”

“Beg,” he growled.

“Curse you,” I shouted, tossing my head, my body on the brink. “Please,” I snapped.

“Please what?”

“Please, Victor, may I come?”

“No.”

“What?” Tears burned my eyes. I couldn’t take anymore .

In a blur of movement, he pinned me to the mattress, his delightful weight sinking into me. Thank the fates.

“You’ll come on my shaft or not at all.” His hand circled my neck below the torque.

I peered into his glowing eyes.

“Understood?” His scorching cock prodded my aching sex, and in that moment, I feared I’d have given him anything he demanded if he’d only ease me.

“Crystal clear.” I rocked my hips, trying to take what he denied.

“So greedy,” he groaned against my lips, and then finally…

Finally.

He thrust.

Lost to sensation, I threw back my head, crying out, “Yes!”

“Sweet sorceress, I warned you I’d make you scream. Fates save me, but you feel too good.”

He thrust again, and his grip on my throat threatened to cut off my breath. “Tell me who owns you.”

My brain floated in a lust-filled haze. Goddess, but I needed release!

“You,” I rasp, and he thrust again.

“Louder,” he ordered, hitting a spot deep inside of me that had my walls clenching.

“You. You own me.”

As my reward, he struck a pounding rhythm. My breasts bounced, my mind spinning.

“Who?”

“Victor,” I groaned.

“Scream it.” His hips slammed into mine, our flesh slapping.

Stars spark in my vision. “Victor!” I exclaimed, my nails raking his flesh.

“Good girl. Now, come with me.”

Lightning crackled through my nerve endings, and I exploded. Sparks detonated. My entire body tensed, bowing off the mattress.

My vampire was out of control, thrusting wildly.

I hooked my ankles around his back, savoring every stroke.

My soul soared somewhere beyond my physical self.

If this was the afterlife, I didn’t want to live.

Starlight sparkled behind my eyes, and a brilliant flash burned through my eyelids.

By the goddess, Victor had made me climax so hard he’d blinded me.

“You are mine.”

Victor’s roar rang in my ears, and I smiled, panting through the ripples of pleasure pounding my flesh. His hand on my throat turned scorching, his touch one of pleasure and pain. I loved every second of it.

Regrettably, I returned to my body.

Once I’d landed, I snorted a laugh, blinking my blurry eyes. “That was…”

I gave up. As he’d said to me at the ball, there were no words.

Despite my lack of vocabulary, Victor rolled on his side and pulled me close, tucking my face beneath his chin.

“I know,” he stated, arrogance in his tone.

I could feel him smiling against my hair and prayed he didn’t say something demeaning to ruin the moment.

Instead, he held me in a protective embrace. “Sleep, pet. I will keep the monsters at bay.”

And I did, drifting to sleep.