Page 16 of Monsters Carve Thrones

I moaned, tears in my eyes from howgoodit felt. “Oh, god, Rafe–”

He groaned low, slamming his hips faster now. No rhythm, just pureneed. He shoved his face into my neck, teeth dragging over my erratic pulse as I arched and shattered beneath him, crying out my defiance as I came, still shoving at his muscled chest.

“There you go,” he growled, thrusting into me so hard that the tears finally fell. Like he couldn’t help himself. “You’re such a good, twisted littlewhore.” His hand suddenly closed around my throat, cutting off oxygen for a swift moment. “I’llneverlet you go,” he rasped into my ear. “Never.”

And then, with one final, violent thrust, he spilled himself inside. Every muscle in his body locked tight, holding me down until he was finished. My mind reeled, finding such wild satisfaction and pleasure yet also recovering from the fear.

Silence crashed down around us. Only the chirps of night creatures filled the space.

I was breathless, my body pulsing with satisfaction.

“You gonna run again?” he muttered against my throat, still inside me, his hand stroking slowly over my hip now.

I smiled lazily, breathless. “Depends. You gonna catch me again?”

He chuckled, low and lethal. “Every fucking time, baby.”

We lay tangled in the dirt and moonlight, the forest still echoing with what we’d done. My legs were draped around his waist, his body heavy on mine, grounding me. Rafe’s breath ghosted against my collarbone, still ragged, like he hadn’tcaught up to himself yet. His nose nudged my neck, then my jaw. I felt the curve of his grin before I saw it.

“Well,” he murmured, voice low and hoarse. “That was dramatic.”

I huffed out a breath, half-laugh, half-exhausted wheeze. “Youtackledme like a fucking linebacker.”

“You looked so cute all scared,” he said smugly, shifting slightly so he could nuzzle my throat. “It wasveryconvincing. Compelling, even. I couldn’thelpbut take you.”

I smacked his shoulder, too tired to lift my head. “You like to scare the hell out of me for fun.”

“Forourfun,” he corrected, lips capturing mine in a deep kiss. “Let’s not pretend you didn’t get soaked the moment you ran.”

“Rude,” I muttered, but I was grinning.

He chuckled and rolled us gently so I was sprawled across his chest, my cheek resting over his heartbeat. His fingers traced lazy circles over the curve of my hip, the edge of a bruise he’d surely left. I’d ache in the morning. Hell, I already did. But I felt good. Sated.Alive.

“I’m covered in dirt and scratches,” I groaned, rolling my hips to feel him inside me. His grip tightened as if he could violate me again. I’d gladly take it if he did.

“You’re glowing,” he said, grinning like a bastard. “Like a little forest goddess.”

“Charming.”

He laughed outright, and I bit back my own. He looked so pleased with himself. Smug and sweaty, his pants still halfway down his hips, his mouth swollen from kissing and biting and everything in between. Even after being spent, he was still hard inside me.

“You’re insufferable,” I said, poking him in the ribs.

“You love it,” he replied, catching my hand and kissing my knuckles. “Besides… you started it.”

“Istarted it?”

“You ran,” he said, feigning offense. “Youknowwhat that does to me. It automatically triggers me. And your combat skills? Impressive, baby. I didn’t think you’d actually make it as far as you did. I almost lost you at that creek crossing.”

I snorted. “I nearly fell in the creek.”

“I know. I laughed.”

“Rafe.”

“I’m sorry!” He grinned. “You were stumbling and cursing and gorgeous, and I couldn’t help it.”

I groaned into his chest, but I was laughing now, too. Maybe it was the orgasm. Maybe it was the primal thrill of being hunted by the man I loved. Or maybe it was just him.