Page 180 of The Throne Seeker

He took the shirt and put it on her, its hem falling just above her upper thigh. “It’s yours now,” he murmured softly. “Just like me.” His voice was so raw, she closed her eyes to savor it.

His hands slid ever so smoothly down to her thighs, picking them up and hitching them around his waist, leaning his forehead against hers. With all the grace he possessed, he placed his lips onto hers, kissing her slowly, lazily, yet intently.

She held on to his broad shoulders, kissing him back with the same desire.

Roman broke the kiss, placing her gently on the bed.

She scooted backward at once, sliding across the silky sheets. He followed, prowling on his hands and knees over her.

His lips grazed her neck, rolling his warm tongue over her olive skin while he ground his hips against hers. She bit her lip to hold back a moan, arching her back. Roman’s hands slithered just beneath her breast. She arched more, permitting him to touch her.

He ran his thumb over her hard nipple.

Rose couldn’t hold it back any longer as she let a soft moan escape her lips. Unconsciously, grinding her hips harder against his, feeling his hard length between her legs through the thin fabric.

The knowledge he wanted her set her world on fire.

Roman growled at her moan, lightly biting her neck in response, scraping his teeth against her skin.

She couldn’t get enough. He could be in her skin and it wouldn’t be close enough. She intertwined her legs with his, widening them for him as he thrust against her more roughly this time.

She gasped.

She wanted him.

All of him.

But in the same moment, Roman’s arms began to tremble, weakened from exhaustion. He fought it, but he had to pull back.

He sat up, letting out an irritated grunt as his gaze fell, breathing hard.

Selfish. How had she not noticed sooner?

She propped herself up on her elbow. “Are you okay? You’re shaking.”

“I’m fine,” he replied, his chest still heaving as he tried to breathe.

She went to pull the covers back. “You need sleep.”

His hand shot out, pulling her straight back into him, so close his lips brushed against hers. His eyes plunged into hers, straight into the vast depths of her soul. “I’ll sleep, but only because I’m going to need every ounce of strength I have when I destroy you,” his husky voice rasped. “And trust me, I’ll be taking a very…verylong time with you. I’ll make every second count.”

Rose’s eyes fluttered closed, focusing on his voice as he continued.

“I’ll ravage you until you’re so overcome with pleasure, you won’t be able to control any sound or move you make,” he rumbled against her throat, his lips moving up slowly to just under her jaw. Her eyes rolled back as his hand slid up her leg. “I’ll worship every inch of you. I’ll take these and give them the individual attention they deserve.” He reached for her breasts, cupping them in his hands. “Then I’ll taste you.” His hand spread between her legs. A small, muffled gasp escaped her lips. “Oh gods, to taste you.” He teased her with his fingers, careful never to touch the throbbing ache that lay just between them. “I’ll feast on you until you reach your edge, and then I’ll push you over it. Again and again. I’ll have you so addicted to pleasure you’ll never want to leave this bed.”

Rose bit her lower lip, liquid pooling in her underwear. She struggled for breath, gulping it in, her eyes fluttering open to see the golden gates of heaven staring back at her, inches from hers in a clouded, lustful haze.

Her hands skimmed up his bare chest to the nape of his neck, bringing him down with her on the pillow.

Without wasting a moment, he lifted her leg over his hip as he lay beside her, crushing her chest into his. She fought the hitch as he placed a slow-burning kiss on the base of her throat.

His drooping eyes demanded sleep. “I love you, Rosalie Versalles,” he declared in a soft whisper.

“And I love you, Roman Montague,” she whispered back.

CHAPTER 69

Rose was the first to rise that day, expecting to see sunlight pouring over the bed. Instead, rain tapped against the glass, providing a comforting white noise. She almost thought last night was just a dream until she felt Roman’s arm draped lazily across her waist, relaxed and content. Her stomach fluttered at the sight.