Lothaire

“I guess she might walk funny.”

“I can lift a fucking train, Lizvetta. What would happen to you?” For the first time in his long life, he regretted his strength—though he’d paid so dearly for it. Now it was an obstacle.

Not to mention his vampiric instincts. He was no turned mortal; he was of a different species, a born vampire with no human impulses to temper his predatory behavior. “Imagine if you tried to wrestle with a butterfly, but knew you couldn’t dust its wings. It’s equivalent to our situation.”

She dragged her forefinger down his chest, saying in a sexy drawl, “What if the butterfly rode you like a lazy horse?”

He stiffened all around her. “Continue.”

* * *

“Instead of grinding on you like I did when we were on the sofa,” Ellie said, “I could ride you.”

The vampire’s interest was definitely piqued. But then he shook his head. “I haven’t had sex in millennia. What makes you think I won’t lose control?”

“I just know you won’t.” Ellie had made up her mind that this was going to happen. She believed that she was his Bride—though he hadn’t specifically acknowledged the fact yet—which meant she believed he wouldn’t hurt her.

Plus, in the back of her mind, she did want to seal this deal. To steal him from Saroya completely. Just guard your heart, Ellie. His jealousy earlier had done funny things to her.

“This is your first time, Elizabeth, and far, far from your last. I cannot risk your being hurt or frightened.”

Her hand slipped down to stroke him through his pants, earning a growl. “You haven’t scared me in the times we’ve been together.” Much. “All I’ve felt is pleasure.” After a bit of pain.

“I have been denying my instincts with you.”

“What do you mean?”

He scrubbed a hand over his tired face. “Vampires don’t fuck like human males. The act for us is all about possession, blood, dominion. Those drives will be stronger if I’m inside you. When you become a vampire, I won’t have to hold back as much.”

“Me? Become a vampire?” Whoa. She’d never thought it would happen to her, only to Saroya.

“When I told you I was keeping you forever, I meant it.”

She swallowed at the intensity in his words, the flash of fang. Clearly a discussion for another day . . . “I have an idea. Let’s take off our clothes and fool around on the settee. If I trip and fall and land smack-dab on your cock, then it won’t be your fault.”

“Lose your virginity while on top?”

“I’ve already kind of lost my virginity.”

Had his face flushed? “It would be easier for you if I lay upon your body—once you are turned.”

She’d never seen him so torn. Just when she was about to give up, he exhaled a gust of breath. “Can’t fight this.” He stripped off her top. “Because now my mind has seized on you landing smack- dab on my cock. Can almost feel it already.”

With no care for his clothes, he ripped at his belt and pants. When his erection sprang free, he traced her to their customary spot.

While he sat, gloriously naked, on the couch, she stood between his knees, slipping out of her cutoffs. “Are you nervous, Lothaire?”

“It’s been a while.” He raked his gaze over her. “And I want your first fucking to be . . .”

“Superlative?”

His lips curled into the sexiest grin she’d ever seen on a man, and she briefly forgot how to untie her bathing suit bottom.

She’d suspected Lothaire would crave excitement. Now his eyes were aglow with it, his breaths shallow. One of his legs jogged up and down.

Once she was naked, she crawled over his lap, rising on her spread knees above him.

“I’m going to be inside you,” he said, as if he was only now accepting it. His shaft jutted in anticipation, the crown nearly meeting her sex.

“Loaded for bear again?” she teased, making him grin once more.

“I did, in fact, come loaded for bear.” He leaned in to ever so gently graze his fangs along her neck. “Only to find a butterfly.”

She shivered. He could be so charming, so seductive when he wanted to be.

“I want to kiss you, Lizvetta.”

She eagerly leaned forward to press her lips against his.

But he took the lead, turning her back on his arm. With his lips above hers, he forced her to accept the strong thrusts of his tongue, until it felt like . . . sex, like he was screwing her mouth with his tongue.

She gave a yelp against his lips when he delved a finger into her sex from behind, thrusting it in time with his kiss. As he wedged a second finger inside, she thought, He’s preparing me.

Again and again, he kissed and thrust . . . harder. Rougher.

No, he’s warning me.

Instead he set her imagination ablaze. She’d seen the way he moved; what else could he do with that sinful body of his? What were these drives that he kept talking about?

She and Lothaire had had some touch-and-go moments together, but ecstasy always followed.

When he released her from his kiss, she was breathless, in a haze of desire. “I’m ready, Lothaire.”

He’d told her that the phrase deal with the devil came from him; Ellie felt like she was on the verge of selling her soul.

* * *

“You truly trust me not to hurt you.” Lothaire shook his head hard, wondering exactly when he’d agreed to claim her.

Earlier, she’d told him she was like a sucker punch. Now he realized he might not ever stop reeling.

But there was no turning back from this. Even a better man than he would do anything to possess this lovely creature—with her honeyed skin and sexy tan lines, with her long locks swaying down to tickle her nipples. Those smoldering gray eyes . . .

Much less a vampire who’d coveted his queen for ages.

“I do trust you, Leo. You’re my guy,” she murmured, gazing up at him from under her lashes. “You’re going to take care of me tonight.”

How could her words make his chest feel tight? Make him desperate not to hurt her? “Then I can’t touch you.” He laced his fingers behind his head. “Not till I know I can get through this.”

“You make it sound like an ordeal.”

It will be. “Just know that you’re on your own.”

“Fine. I can do this. How hard can it be?”

“As fucking steel.”

She arched a brow. “Then we’re a perfect match, ’cause I’m feeling hot as a forge right now.” Taking him in hand, she stroked unhurriedly, up and down . . . up . . . down, leaving his control ragged.

Barely recognizing his voice, he said, “Begin this, Lizvetta. Mount me.”

She nibbled her lip and nodded, lowering herself over him.

When the tip of his cock met her soft, damp sex, he almost spilled against her opening. “Gods almighty, you’re tight.”

She widened her knees, but was only able to take the head inside. “Lothaire, please . . .”

Don’t touch her! If he clamped her hips, he’d wrench her down on his length, tearing her tender flesh. His interlocked fingers tightened until he thought bones would snap. “You’re . . . doing . . .