Page 52 of Sophie’s Ruin (Crimson and Shadows #2)

Iwasn’t sure how long our dance lasted. It could’ve been minutes or hours.

I didn’t care as long as I was in Henry’s arms, swimming in the deep-blue waters of his eyes.

They didn’t stay blue for long, as his features became harsh with stark lust. He pulled me to him, flush with his powerful body, before he kissed me…

deeply, hungrily. The scrape of his fangs on my lips was a demand, and I knew the time for revelry was over.

He wanted me to himself, and I was more than happy to comply. Because I wanted him to myself, too.

In the back of my mind, I knew it was too early for us to leave our own celebration.

Our guests expected a speech or at least a chance to congratulate us, but it was hard to care as Henry’s mouth moved over mine.

The guests, the party…it was all secondary.

It occurred to me that even if Henry and I were the only ones left in this world, just the two of us, I would still have everything I needed.

He was enough. Before, the thought would have terrified me, but now Celeste’s words floated up in my mind, Love is a weapon, not a weakness.

My love for Henry was a weapon, a shield against the dangers of the world.

“Are you ready to go?” he murmured against my swollen lips.

His hold on me tightened, and he pressed my body more fully to him so that I could feel him, all of him, letting me know how ready he was to have me all to himself.

The answering pulse between my thighs made my breath hitch, and Henry’s nostrils flared as a low, rough sound rumbled from deep within his throat.

“Yes,” I breathed, clutching his arms.

I didn’t want to run upstairs to his bedroom. Even with our supernatural speed, it wouldn’t be fast enough. I couldn’t wait another second to be in his arms, skin to skin, with nothing between us. So, I called upon my magic, feeling it light up my veins along with my growing arousal.

“Sophie—” Henry sucked in a sharp breath.

“Trust me,” I whispered against his lips.

“Always,” he said without hesitation.

Tiny sparks lit up every part of my body as I felt myself moving through space, carrying Henry with me. In the blink of an eye, my feet left the ballroom floor, planting on the fur rug in his bedroom. The world tilted as he swept me off my feet, lowering me on the mattress.

“This dress,” Henry growled, shrugging off his jacket and casting it aside. “You’re staying in this dress. It does something to me.”

“The dress?” I asked as he gathered my skirts, lifting them up to my waist.

He tore at the lace undergarments beneath, and the urgency, the desperate need rolling off him only intensified my desire.

I was in awe of how much he wanted me despite having had me so many times before.

I was his now for all eternity, but knowing that only seemed to spur him on.

Being desired like that…madly, ravenously…

was a thrilling sensation, and I reveled in it.

Once Henry had gained access to the throbbing point between my legs, I expected him to slam into me in one smooth motion to finally feed the insatiable need.

I was ready for it, trembling beneath him.

But he didn’t tear at his pants to free himself like I’d expected.

Instead, he slid down my body until his head settled between my thighs.

There was no teasing, no building up anticipation before he unleashed himself on me, his tongue diving inside, skillful and fierce.

I cried out, fisting the sheets as he devoured me, wrapping his arms around my thighs to hold me in place as I writhed on the bed.

My head fell back against the covers, and I squeezed my eyes shut as all my senses zeroed in on where his mouth was sealed to my heated flesh.

Every swipe of his tongue, every plunge of it into my drenched core, dragged me closer to the edge.

The sounds I made…I was being too loud, but I didn’t care.

I was lost in the intense pleasure, the curling sensation between my thighs intensifying to the point of pain.

The graze of his fang over the sensitive bundle of nerves was my undoing, and I shattered with a sharp cry, my back arching off the bed.

Panting and trembling from the powerful release, I barely felt him let go of my thighs and slide up my body.

When I pried my lashes apart, he was hovering over me, his dark, hungry gaze locked on mine.

His lips glistened from what he’d done to me, and the sight made me feral for him.

Fisting my hand in his hair, I drew his mouth to mine and kissed him deeply, tasting myself on his tongue.

Henry broke the kiss, breathing heavily as he reached for where I was already fumbling with the buttons of his pants.

He tore at them, freeing himself, and I moaned at the sight of his rigid length.

Curling my fingers around the silky hardness, I drew my hand up and down, eliciting a harsh groan from him.

His head kicked back, and the tendons in his neck stood out as I pumped him hard, just like I knew he liked it.

The noises he made sent a slick rush of desire through me, and another thready moan escaped because I couldn’t wait to feel him inside me, filling me, bringing me to the edge.

I knew he couldn’t wait either when his black gaze fastened on me and his hand wrapped around mine to stop what I was doing.

When my fingers around him relaxed and let go, he grabbed that wrist and brought my arm up and over my head.

A second later, my other arm joined it as he pinned my wrists to the bed and settled between my thighs.

He was right where I wanted him, where I ached for him, yet he didn’t push in.

He just stared down at me, breathing hard.

I whimpered, staring up at him. What was he waiting for?

Did he want me to beg? Because I would. I would do anything to feel the exquisite burn and the aching pleasure of having him inside me.

I was on fire, every part of me hyper-aware, waiting to see what he would do next.

“I love you,” he rasped, looking into my eyes.

Then he thrust in as deep as he could go.

My ragged cry got lost in his loud moan as he slammed in to the hilt.

I finally got what I’d wanted, and the feeling was pure ecstasy.

I’d expected him to set a quick pace, but once again, he defied my expectations.

He took his time as he withdrew, almost leaving my body entirely before thrusting back in, deeper than before.

Another cry tore from my lips as my eyes drifted closed from the pleasure.

Henry kept moving in and out of me in long, luxurious slides that were both utter bliss and torment.

“So beautiful,” I heard him rasp. “So fucking beautiful, and mine.”

I forced my eyes open and looked at him. His gaze had left my face and was roaming over my body and the wedding dress. Understanding dawned on me then. He’d wanted to leave the gown on because it was a symbol—a symbol of our union.

“Release my wrists, I want to touch you,” I breathed.

His gaze shot to mine, and he immediately did what I’d requested.

As soon as my wrists were free, I reached for him, sliding my hands down his face, his neck, and his broad shoulders.

He reveled in my touch, still moving in and out with me in slow, torturous thrusts.

When my hands slid to his chest and lingered there, Henry’s gaze swept down, his long, black lashes shielding his eyes.

Bracing himself on one arm, he covered my left hand with his, touching the wedding band around my finger.

When he lifted his eyes to mine again, a primal hunger had invaded his gaze.

Suddenly, everything changed. He clasped the back of my neck with one hand as he began moving faster, thrusting in deeper.

His other arm wrapped around my thigh to keep me in place as he drove into me.

I took it all, gasping with pleasure while Henry snarled with it.

The sounds of our bodies coming together filled the room, and soon, my inner muscles were quivering, clamping down on him as release threatened.

“Bite me,” I begged, shaking with need.

With a growl, Henry threw his head back and bared his fangs.

So magnificent and mine, a thought flashed through my mind a second before he struck.

The world shattered, and I shattered along with it as release crashed into me.

It whipped through me, scattering me into hundreds of bright, dazzling pieces.

My vision dimmed before turning white, as wave after wave of impossible pleasure swept me under.

Henry roared against my neck, his large body bucking as he followed me over the edge.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, holding me tight while the aftershocks of his release racked him.

“I love you,” I whispered, holding him close to me while the spasms rocking his body slowed.

It was just the two of us left in the world, and I couldn’t be happier.