Page 23

CHAPTER 23

RAVEN

T he limo pulls up to the towering gates of Karc’s Upper East Side manor, the kind of place that screams “I could buy your entire neighborhood and still have petty cash.” The gates swing open silently, and we glide up the cobblestone drive. My stomach’s doing flips, and not just from the car’s motion. Karc’s been quiet since we left the city, his golden eyes fixed on me like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. Or maybe he’s already solved it, and he’s just waiting for me to catch up.

The car stops, and Karc steps out, offering me his hand. His palm is warm, slightly rough against mine, and I don’t pull away immediately like I might have a week ago. We walk up the steps to the massive double doors, and he doesn’t let go until we’re inside.

“So,” I say, breaking the silence as the door clicks shut behind us, “no honeymoon plans, huh?”

He shrugs, his image inducer flickering slightly as he shifts his weight. “Didn’t think we’d get the chance. Figured we’d be too busy saving the world. Again.”

“Fair point.” I glance around the grand foyer, trying to distract myself from the lump forming in my throat. It’s all marble and chandeliers, but there’s something strangely… intimate about the place. Maybe it’s the way the light catches on the golden scales of his neck when the human disguise wavers.

“We need to talk,” we both say at the same time, and the tension snaps like a rubber band. I laugh first, a nervous, breathless sound, and Karc’s deep chuckle joins in. For a moment, it’s just us, standing there in the silence of his too-big house, laughing like idiots.

He gestures toward the living room, and I follow, my heels clicking against the polished floors. He sits on the edge of a leather sofa, and I perch on the armrest across from him, my heart hammering in my chest.

“You first,” I say, crossing my arms like a shield.

He leans forward, his elbows on his knees, and looks up at me with those piercing orange eyes. “Raven, you’re the bravest, noblest, smartest, and most beautiful woman in the galaxy. I love you. Now and forever more.”

The words hang in the air like a challenge, and I feel my breath catch. My arms drop to my sides, and I slide off the armrest, taking a step toward him. “Karc, I…” My voice cracks, and I swallow hard. “I love you. Now and forever more.”

He stands, closing the distance between us in one stride. His hands find my waist, pulling me close, and I can feel the warmth of his scales through the fabric of my dress. His lips meet mine, and it’s not just a kiss—it’s a promise. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, letting myself believe, for the first time, that this is real.

When we finally break apart, he’s grinning like he just won the lottery. “So,” he says, “where do you want to go for our honeymoon? Paris? Bora Bora? The moon?”

I smirk, running a hand down his chest, feeling the slight ridge of his scales under my fingers. “How about upstairs? I’m thinking the bedroom has everything we need.”

His grin widens, and he sweeps me off my feet, heading for the stairs without another word.

Karc lays me down on the bed, his golden scales glinting in the soft light filtering through the windows. His human disguise flickers, then fades completely, leaving the raw, powerful form of a Vakutan. I run my fingers over the ridges of his chest, feeling the warmth radiating from his skin. His claws trace delicate patterns on my arms, sending a rush through me.

His lips meet mine, slow and sweet, like he’s savoring the taste of me. His tongue explores my mouth, leaving me breathless. He pulls away, just enough to whisper, “I’ve wanted this since the moment I saw you.”

“Prove it,” I challenge, my voice shaking with anticipation.

His grin is all teeth, sharp and dangerous. “Gladly.”

His kisses trail down my neck, each one leaving a mark, a claim. I gasp as his claws slice through the fabric of my dress like it’s tissue paper. Cool air hits my skin, but his hands are warm, rough and insistent as they grip my hips. He buries his face between my legs, and the first touch of his tongue has me arching off the bed.

“Karc!” I moan, my fingers tangling in his short, spiked hair. He groans against me, the vibration sending waves of pleasure through my body. He’s relentless, his tongue exploring every inch of me, driving me closer and closer to the edge.

“You taste so fucking good,” he growls, his breath hot against my skin. “I could do this all night.”

“Don’t stop,” I plead, my voice breaking as the first orgasm hits me like a tidal wave. I cry out, my body trembling as he continues, refusing to let me come down. Another wave crashes over me, and another, until I’m sobbing his name, my nails digging into his shoulders.

He pulls back, his mouth smeared with my juices, and looks up at me with those piercing orange eyes. “You’re beautiful when you come apart for me,” he says, his voice raw with desire.

Before I can respond, he dives back in, and this time, I feel the pressure building, building, until I can’t hold it back any longer. I scream as I squirt all over his face, my body writhing uncontrollably. He licks his lips, savoring the taste, and I collapse back onto the bed, utterly spent.

He climbs up next to me, pulling me into his arms. “How’s that for proof?” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

I laugh, a weak, breathless sound. “I think you’ve made your point.”

“Not yet,” Karc says. “You need to be reminded of who’s in charge, little bird.”

I laugh, giddy and breathless, as he grabs a silk rope from the bedside table. The soft fabric brushes against my skin as he ties my wrists behind my back, his movements deliberate and unhurried. I feel the rope tighten, secure but not painful, as he loops it around my ankles, pulling them up to meet my wrists. The position is restrictive, but the thrill of being at his mercy makes my heart race.

He blindfolds me with a swath of black silk, and the world disappears into darkness. My breath comes in ragged gasps as the last sliver of light fades, leaving me adrift in sensation. I hear him move, the soft rustle of fabric, and I strain to track him, my body tense with anticipation.

“Find me,” he says, his voice close, but not close enough. I squirm, the silk ropes digging into my skin as I try to shift toward him. My chin bumps against something warm and firm, and I hear his low chuckle. “Warmer, little bird.”

I nudge forward, my lips brushing against something smooth and hot. I open my mouth, eager to taste him, but he pulls away, leaving me with nothing but the faint scent of his skin. I groan, frustration and desire warring in equal measure.

“Come on,” I whine, trying to arch my body toward him. “Stop teasing.”

“Teasing?” His voice is rich with amusement. “This isn’t teasing. This is teaching you patience.”

I feel the tip of him brush against my lips, and I lunge forward, only to have him pull away again. My face burns as I hear him laugh, the sound warm and indulgent. “Eager, aren’t you?”

I feel the weight of his cock against my cheek, and I turn my head, trying to catch him, but he’s gone again. My breath comes in short, shallow gasps as I twist and turn, trying to find him.

Finally, he relents, pressing himself against my lips. I open my mouth, taking him in, and the taste of him floods my senses. He’s warm, slightly salty, and I moan around him, my tongue working to please him. I feel his hands on my head, not pushing or guiding, just resting there, a reassuring presence.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, and the praise sends a surge of warmth through me. I redouble my efforts, eager to hear him say it again. His breathing quickens, his muscles tensing as he nears the edge. I feel him swell in my mouth, and then he’s coming, hot and thick, filling me with his seed.

I swallow as much as I can, but some escapes, trickling down my chin. He pulls away, and I hear the soft sound of him reaching for something. Before I can react, he’s sliding a gag into my mouth, the smooth, phallic shape a reminder of what’s to come.

“Just to be sure,” he says, his voice tinged with amusement. I can’t respond, my mouth full and my body humming with the afterglow of his release. The ropes around my wrists and ankles keep me immobile, but it’s not restraint I feel—it’s surrender. And for once, I’m okay with that.

Karc’s claws gently untie the silk ropes around my ankles, the rough pads of his fingers brushing against my sensitive skin. I shiver at the touch, my body still vibrating from the orgasm he wrung out of me moments ago. He spreads my thighs wide with his clawed hands, and I feel the cool air hit my most intimate places. My heart pounds in anticipation, the gag still filling my mouth, muffling any sounds I might make.

“Relax, little bird,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing. “You’re going to enjoy this.”

Before I can even process what he’s saying, I feel his tongue against me, hot and wet, teasing at a place I hadn’t expected. I gasp around the gag, my body tensing as his tongue presses against my anus, probing gently. My back arches off the bed, a muffled moan escaping my lips. It’s a sensation I’ve never experienced before, and I’m surprised at how much I enjoy it.

Karc’s tongue works me with precision, each flick and press sending waves of pleasure through my body. I squirm against the ropes that bind my wrists, my hips bucking uncontrollably. The gag mumbles something incoherent, but I’m sure he gets the gist: Don’t stop.

His claws grip my hips, holding me steady as his tongue delves deeper, teasing and penetrating in a way that has me trembling on the edge. I feel the pressure building, building, until it bursts, and I come with a muffled scream, my body convulsing with pleasure.

Before I can catch my breath, I feel the head of his scaled cock pressing against my pussy, hot and slick with my own arousal. I arch my back, inviting him inside, a needy whimper escaping my gagged mouth. Karc doesn’t hesitate, thrusting into me with the full force of his Vakutan might. I moan around the gag, the sensation of his scaled cock filling me completely overwhelming.

He grabs my hips, pulling me onto him with each thrust, his rhythm steady and relentless. I feel his claws dig into my skin, just enough to send a shiver of pleasure-pain through me. My body responds to his dominance, yielding to him completely. Every movement, every thrust, sends me higher and higher, until I’m teetering on the edge of another orgasm.

“That’s it, little bird,” he growls, his voice rough with desire. “Come for me.”

And I do. My orgasm crashes over me like a tidal wave, my body clamping down on his cock with powerful spasms. I scream into the gag, my vision going white as pleasure consumes me. Karc cries out, his thrusts faltering as he comes with me, his body collapsing on top of mine.

For a moment, we lie there, breathing heavily, our bodies still pressed together. He nuzzles into the crook of my neck, his breath warm against my skin.

“I’m yours, Raven,” he whispers into my ear. “Now and forever.”

I try to tell him the same, but the gag muffles my words, making them unintelligible. Karc chuckles, pulling back to look at me with those piercing orange eyes.

“What’s that?” he teases, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “You want me to spank you now? Okay, you’re in charge.”

I squeal as he unties me, flipping me over and drawing me across his lap. My protests are half-hearted, drowned out by laughter and the anticipation of what’s to come. Clearly, I’m not getting any sleep tonight.

Just like it's supposed to be on my wedding night.