Page 112 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

Roman gazed at her as though the statement was obvious. “Of course you’re dangerous.”

Her heart stopped in apprehension.

He let out a loud, frustrated sigh, coming closer again.

She allowed it this time.

He stroked her cheek. “Look at you. And I’m not talking just about your beauty, which is…

undeniably out of this world.” His throat bobbed, struggling not to devour her.

“But just look at all you’ve done. You’ve saved lives because of your beautiful, quick-witted mind.

You’ve trained faster than any soldier I’ve ever seen.

Hell, you rode a sleipnir for the first time in your life and won the most deadly race in history. ”

Her siren’s chest puffed itself in pride, secretly loving the praise.

“But what’s even more dangerous than all that…

is resting here.” He pointed to her chest. “This heart would save someone’s life when they didn’t deserve it.

” His fingertips brushed the bare skin over her heart, just above the fabric of her dress.

“This heart that would give up its own wants and happiness for strangers. The kind of heart that can spark loyalty and friendships that cannot be bought. To have a heart like that is a power I’m convinced no one else has, and that makes you the most dangerous creature to walk this world. ”

Her heart pained from the ache of being so full. She opened her mouth to speak, but the love pouring from him choked any words.

His hand slipped up to support the nape of her neck as the other lifted her chin to meet his eyes. “What did I tell you at Highland Haven?” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “I am yours,” he breathed.

Her heart throbbed. “And you are mine,” she whispered back.

The invisible rope that bound her broke. Her siren eyes sucked Roman in like a moth to a flame. His controlled eyes relaxed, becoming hazed—drunk-like. Her firm hands gripped the seam of his open tunic, pulling him towards the bed.

He didn’t resist in the slightest.

She lowered herself backward onto the bed, her pearl hair spilling around her as she kept her gaze fixed on him.

Roman prowled over her, lowering himself to close the aching gap between them.

The moment their lips touched, she relaxed, taking her first free breath that day. It was all she needed for her worries to sink out of sight. For the noise to drown out. To be so calm yet so utterly alive at the same time. Leaving Roman wouldn’t solve anything.

He was her saving grace.

He lifted his lips from hers and encircled her waist with his arm. Hovering over her, he murmured, “Can you feel how badly I want you?”

She could. It roared in her ears like a humming vibration within her—and it was only getting stronger.

“Why don’t you show me?” she challenged softly against his lips, looking up at him.

He didn’t deny her. His mouth returned, kissing her slow and deep, relishing her taste. His hips ground into her.

She arched, digging her nails into his back.

Roman lifted himself to remove his shirt, revealing his light-pink scars against his tan skin. She sat up, bringing her lips to his scars, kissing them as though she could heal them, starting with the one on his shoulder. Roman let out a contented sigh.

The physical connection between them was unlike any drug she’d ever known—so utterly intoxicating, yet so medicinal. She didn’t just want him—she needed him. Like this. With her and only her.

She didn’t know how she hadn’t seen it sooner.

She moved her lips from his shoulder to the scar on his waist, caressing it with her lips, swirling her tongue against his perfectly imperfect skin as his rough hands stroked her hair.

Her lips trailed lower until she hit the belt of his trousers. “Take them off,” she ordered.

He did as commanded, stepping back off the bed and undoing his belt. It was empowering to have the general of the world’s largest army at her feet, ready to obey her every command, her every whim.

He reached for his trousers, pulling them off and exposing himself to the cool air.

Her mouth watered as soon as she saw him, his swollen skin waiting for her to take it.

She edged closer to the bed, kneeling down on the floor as if she were praying to him. Worshiping him.

Which was precisely her intention.

She gazed back up at him.

He peered down at her, his eyes aching with anticipation. Chest heaving. Patiently waiting.

In one movement, she took him into her mouth.

Roman swore. His hand shot to the bed frame for support, gasping a sharp breath as his muscles contracted.

Hearing the coarse sound that escaped his throat made the ache between her legs throb.

She took her time to play with him, sucking and nipping as she pleased. Her hands cupped below, supporting him as she devoured every juice that leaked from him. She focused on the tip at a faster pace, stroking him all the while with her hands.

He let out a deep-throated moan. “Rose… I won’t be able to last if you keep that up.”

She released him with a pop. “Then I guess it’s a good thing we have all night to do it over again.” She smirked.

Roman let out an unbridled moan as he grabbed her off the floor and tossed her on the bed.

She grappled for her dress, stripping it from her body, and did the same with her band and underwear. Roman watched patiently as she peeled off each layer of clothing.

His eyes worshiped her exposed skin, exploring her like a map, committing it to core memory, before they finally returned home to hers. “Good gods, Rosalie,” he said, his voice coarse. “Could you be any more perfect?”

Her eyes grew with the realization that this was the first time he had seen all of her since she’d come into her full siren. His praise fueled her, resulting in another throb between her legs.

His mouth captured hers unchecked this time, his strong hands slipping to the base of her jaw, lifting it to gain better entrance. He kissed her as if he could consume her whole.

She eased herself back onto the bed, dragging him to the center of the mattress. Roman followed, taking both of her wrists in his hands, pinning them above her head, then looked down at the beautiful mounds displayed for him, ready for him to take.

And take them he did.

He started with the right side, taking her into his mouth with a masterful tug.

She let out a loud moan, arching her back in appreciation. She gripped the headboard, grinding herself against him, aching for him to take her. “Roman.”

He hissed at the rocking motion as his mouth came back to capture hers. “Say it again,” he said. “Say my name again.”

“Roman,” she moaned, begging for him.

As if he couldn’t bear not being inside her any longer, he lifted himself, nudging her legs apart. He hovered at her entrance before he paused, swearing. The golden flecks in his eyes burned like embers as they flickered back up to hers. “You’re soaked,” he murmured.

She replied by taking his hips in her hands and pushing him into her with one smooth glide.

“Fuck,” he swore, letting out a surprised hiss. One of his hands shot to the headboard for balance, gripping it like a lifeline.

She smirked, empowered she could pleasure him so easily.

A crooked smile played on his lips. “Is this how we’re playing?” He stroked her breast as his hips rocked in smooth movements.

She let out a reckless moan as she squirmed.

“Gods, I could hear that sound every day for the rest of my life and still crave it,” Roman rasped.

She dug her fingers into his back as he moved with her. “You can be rough,” she said breathlessly. “I’m not made of glass.”

Roman’s pupils widened as his muscles stilled under hers, tension etched in his clenched jaw. “Release me and I will ravage you,” he warned.

Her ache multiplied. “Consider yourself released.”

She soon realized how much he’d been holding back.

He took a handful of her hair, crushed his lips onto hers, the kiss so savage she could scarcely suck in a breath. He rammed his body against hers, leaving no space between them.

Gods, he was perfect.

He withdrew, taking hold of her waist, lifting her onto his lap. He pinned her against the oversized wooden headboard. She grabbed it for support as he lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist while he knelt before her on the bed.

He entered her again, releasing a deep, appreciative moan. He rocked her against the wooden board with each thrust, pounding the stone wall with a rhythmic thud.

His lips attacked her neck, his teeth scraping and biting her skin. She sighed with pleasure as she tilted her head back, willingly opening her throat to him.

She wasn’t ready for the raw pleasure seizing her. Each perfect thrust was angled to send her most sensitive parts into a frenzy. She ached for him to return with every motion as he swayed against her.

His rough hands tightened around her hips, and his movements and sounds became more unhinged. She knew he was peaking, and the fact made her close, too.

Without warning, a loud crack erupted behind her.

She released the headboard and clung to him as the thick wood fell uselessly to the floor.

He paid no attention to it—his grip tightening around her so they didn’t miss a beat.

“You are everything to me,” he whispered in full surrender, sending a jolt of lightning through her veins. “Everything.”

Her siren stirred.

No, not stirred— writhed .

A deep surge of power swelled within her, rising abruptly to the surface. It unfurled over every inch of her body, beginning in her chest and rushing to her limbs and fingers. The air in her chest turned into fire, burning through her in the best way possible.

Her siren shrieked for liberation, wrenching against the chains she’d kept shackled. A crack formed in the invisible wall. It was moments from escaping?—

With all her strength, she shoved Roman away, retreating until her back was against the cracked headboard.

With her eyes shut, she swallowed hard, working to regain her composure. Taking a deep breath, she prayed the feral creature inside her would subside.