Page 73 of Wicked Bonds

His fingers went into her hair, his touch commanding yet reassuring as his mouth captured hers in a kiss that was all tongue.

Devouring.

Claiming.

Setting her blood on fire.

It was intoxicating and mind-blowing and utter perfection. She almost came from his kiss alone, her body so primed and ready without truly being touched yet.

His teeth grazed her lower lip, his grasp releasing her hair to palm her cheek. “You’re more than tempting, Lee,” he said against her mouth. “You’re a vixen meant to bring every man around you to his proverbial knees.”

“And yet you want me to crawl,” she replied breathlessly.

“Yes, and you will,” he whispered. “But not today. Today, I’m going to worship you. Make you scream my name and come all over my tongue on repeat until you’re properly satisfied.” His palm slid down to her shirt, parting the fabric to reveal her breast on one side. “Grab the headboard, baby. I don’t want you flying away on me.”

She smiled. “The best orgasms make me go ethereal.”

His mouth mimicked her own. “Then I’ll set that as the bar and see that it’s raised.” He nipped her bottom lip, then kissed her jaw and started working his way down her throat.

More licking and soft bites. Never harsh, but enough to leave a subtle mark behind to show he’d claimed that part of her skin.

He went down the center of her sternum to her belly button, then over to her side and back up along her rib cage, stroking her thoroughly with his tongue. Her nipples were so damn hard that they almost hurt, the taut peaks craving his mouth so fiercely that goose bumps pebbled along her breasts.

His nose skimmed the underside of her curvy flesh, his hum heating her skin and drawing out the moment to the point of near pain.

She groaned, her fingers curling around the poles of the headboard, just like he’d asked. But if he didn’t lick her properly soon, she’d take a fistful of his hair and direct him appropriately.

“Touch me and I’ll start over,” he whispered, the vow in his voice making her legs tense. He was still straddling her thigh with his knee close to the place she desired him most, but not quite touching.

Another taunt.

Another way to draw out the moment.

She both loved and hated him for it.

Which was exactly the point.

She’d played this game before, but never quite like this. Never with someone so undeniably skilled. Her almost equal. Or maybe her equal. She wasn’t particularly sure anymore because this male certainly knew how to indulge her needs in every way.

Because this was exactly the sort of torment she needed to ensure all her focus was on him and nothing else.

Just Balthazar.

His hands. His tongue. His clever fingers.

He’d slid the fabric off her opposite side now, exposing both her breasts, and was tracing her rib cage with his nose. Gentle caresses. Knowing. Intoxicating.Overwhelming.

Her body practically vibrated with need, her core weeping with desire and a craving only Balthazar could satisfy.

He was trying to ruin her for other men.

Or master her completely.

She wasn’t sure, but she’d absolutely be repaying the favor later.

His lips curled against her skin, hearing that vow. “I welcome it,” he told her softly, his teeth grazing her breast. “We’ll see which one of us can come the hardest and the longest.” His tongue flickered over her nipple, drawing a scream from her throat. “Which one of us will be theloudest,” he added, then took her stiff peak into his mouth and sucked so hard that she nearly came.

But there wasn’t enough friction.