Page 44 of Oaths & Vengeance (Realm of Zadrya #1)

“Here’s my offer. Take off all your clothes and lie on that blanket. I get to touch you wherever I want, but you can’t touch me,” I said, running a finger down his chest. “If you behave yourself, I promise you’ll enjoy it and be totally satisfied when I’m done.”

Behind his gray eyes, I could see his mind working furiously. “What about after that? Can I touch you then?”

“No.” I shook my head. “This only works one way tonight—take the deal or leave it.”

He worked his jaw. “Don’t think I won’t find a way to return the favor at the next opportunity.”

I tossed my hair over my shoulder and smiled. “We’ll see. Now, get undressed, Dare .”

His gaze heated even more at hearing his name on my lips.

He took his time, keeping his seductive eyes on me as he removed his black leather tunic, boots, and pants.

I didn’t hold back from studying his hard, masculine form.

Through the moonlight, I caught sight of several scars on his chest that I’d noticed on our wedding night, and continued to wonder how he got them.

Had he suffered abuse from his family, too?

While I wanted to ask about it, we were nowhere near a point where we could dive into our pasts.

Even if my husband were willing to tell me about his old wounds, it would open me to having to explain my scars that he’d see if I removed my tunic now.

There was no way I was going to tell him about those.

Finally, he stood before me naked and proud, without a hint of modesty.

I circled him, taking in every inch of his body and memorizing it.

Dear nameless ones, he was incredible. The rest of my life wouldn’t be long enough to touch and explore him.

How could a half-dark elf as dangerous and manipulative as him be so alluring? Why did I want him so much?

I stopped behind Darrow and pressed a kiss between his shoulder blades. “It took three months of marriage before I could do this.”

“You could have done it sooner,” he murmured in a deep, seductive voice.

I continued raining kisses along his spine while squeezing his tight, muscular ass.

It was so satisfying to hear him groan from my touch.

Maybe he’d begun to think I was shy, but I’d been having sex for over fifteen years.

The only reason I’d held back was because of the history between our people and to protect my heart.

It felt good to be in control for once, doing what I wanted.

This was different since I was seducing him while he had to endure it without reciprocating. It was much safer and more empowering.

“Maybe I should have tried this sooner,” I said, moving around and taking his right hand. I lifted it and brought it to my mouth. While staring into his eyes, I sucked on his index finger.

He drew in a breath, gaze fixed on my lips. “Hmm, much sooner.”

I let his hand go and wrapped my arms around his neck, fingers threading into his hair as I pulled him down for a kiss. He hesitated for only a moment before returning it with vigor. It was hot and electrifying. As soon as his hands began to touch me, I pulled back.

“Ah, ah, ah.” I shook a finger at him. “No touching.”

Heated amusement reflected in his gray eyes. “You make that very difficult.”

“Lie down on the blanket,” I ordered.

He slowly lowered himself so he reclined on his elbows, and I couldn’t help admiring his cock.

It was larger than expected, and I knew it would completely fill me if I ever allowed it.

Wetness gathered between my thighs at the thought.

I wished I could let him relieve the ache, but I refused to give him that part of me yet.

I would wage a campaign against him for now, which would give me all the control. That was far safer.

Kneeling next to him, I ran my hands along the hard contours of his chest as he watched me intently. I admired his muscles and how they moved under my caress. He was behaving well and letting me explore.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, clenching his fists as my fingertips came temptingly close to his cock that rested against his flexed stomach. He had a dark trail of hair leading downward.

I smiled at him. “Yes.”

For several minutes, I teased him by skimming my hands close and then edging away from that part of him. The strain on his face intensified the longer I taunted him. Finally, I took him into my hand and stroked him once. He groaned, and his head fell back.

It was hard to believe this was the same man who could kill half a dozen soldiers with little more than a thought, and he’d surrendered his body to me.

How did I have him lying naked on his back, willingly letting me do whatever I wanted to him?

I never would have believed this could be possible a few months ago.

To reward him, I leaned down and took his cock into my mouth, running my tongue over the tip before sucking hard. My hair fell onto his stomach, blocking my view of his face. By the moaning sounds he made, I had complete confidence he enjoyed my careful attention.

Lifting my head, I pulled his legs apart and moved to kneel between them. Now, I could watch him clearly while letting my blond locks curtain either side of me and fall to tease his hips. The gaze in his eyes turned wild now as I gripped his cock in my hand.

“Does it bother you having a Therressian giving you pleasure?” I asked, squeezing him.

His lips stretched into a smile. “Not when it’s my beautiful wife.”

“Hmm, good answer,” I said and took him in my mouth once more.

He began stroking my hair, and I allowed it.

“I vow that by the time I’m done with you…” He gasped when I took more than half of him and sucked hard. “…there won’t be any Therressian left in you.”

I pulled back to give him an amused look. “That’s mighty arrogant of you.”

“It’s not arrogance. The more you touch me, the more determined I am to make you mine in every possible way, so your loyalties lie with no one except me,” he said with a vehemence that shocked me.

“You assume I’m that easy to conquer.”

He traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “No, not at all. I look forward to the challenge. It wouldn't be fun if you made it easy, would it?”

If I ran right now, would he chase me? A playful side I’d thought was expunged long ago considered the idea before discarding it. He’d surely catch me, and I doubted I’d be able to resist what he did next.

“No touching,” I reminded him, giving him a warning look.

Darrow dropped his hand. “This time, you have me at your mercy, but do not doubt I will have you begging and screaming when it’s my turn. ”

“I’d have to agree to it first,” I said. Inwardly, I prayed to the nameless ones that I had the strength to deny him that privilege for as long as possible.

Relentless promise filled his gaze. “Oh, you will.”

To shut him up, I took him into my mouth again until his cock hit the back of my throat.

He bucked as I bobbed my head up and down, sucking and pulling his length while his hands fisted in my hair.

There was something truly satisfying about having him mindless with pleasure.

His balls tightened, and I sucked hard as he came into my mouth.

Darrow’s shout of pleasure echoed through the woods as I swallowed every drop of him.

I pulled away once he finished and licked my lips. “Feel better now?”

He worked his jaw as he studied me.

“Not until I have you naked and at my mercy,” he said.

I shook my head. “That’s not going to happen.”

Darrow grazed his fingers across my cheek. “You’ve only solidified my resolve. I vow to all the nameless ones that I will have you—mind, body, and soul, Aella. You won this battle with that delicious mouth of yours, but I’ll win the war.”

The tone of his voice told me that he meant every word. I may have made a grave mistake tonight, but I’d never guessed a man known for going through women like shots of alcohol would become fixated on me.

“Get dressed.” I caressed his chest one last time. “I’m ready to take us to Jolloure.”