He vowed silently to never again drink from Katherine and to protect her from all those who might seek to. She would live her life untethered and he would nurture her confidence so she might achieve all that she dreamed of.
He hoped that she might trust him enough to allow herself to love him someday.
He prayed he had the willpower to resist tasting her again.
With renewed determination, Lucian silently slid from the bed. He had a new responsibility to attend to for the next seventy years or so. Katherine’s happiness was his focus now and he would be its guardian until her final breath.
Lucian quickly pulled on his clothes that had been discarded on the bathroom floor and crept quietly out of his master suite. It was still the middle of the night, so he contemplated stepping out to fetch Katherine some dinner, he didn’t keep any human food in his apartment. He never had any need to, he never had any human guests. But the thought of now being parted from her filled him with anxiety. If something were to happen to her while he was not there to protect her, he would never forgive himself.
He pulled out his phone and quickly placed an order from a nearby restaurant. He knew the chef catered to shifters and wouldn’t think it strange that he ordered the steak to be delivered raw. Lucian would cook it for Katherine himself. That way she could sleep for as long as she needed and he could prepare it exactly how she liked.
His phone buzzed with an incoming message.
It was from Benson Pines.
Benson: Daxton is meeting with some woman. They seem to be deep in discussion about something. Want me to move in closer?
Lucian frowned at the screen. Whether Katherine’s father repaid his debt was inconsequential to him now, but he found he was curious as to what the man was up to. He had so far squandered his time, rather than pursuing the means to free his daughter from the contract, if he were about to come up with the money to repay his debt, then Katherine would be free to leave. Lucian’s pulse quickened. He wasn’t certain he had done enough to ensure that she would want to stay with him regardless of the contract.
Lucian: Only if you can remain inconspicuous. See what you can uncover.
Benson: Consider it done. I’ll be in touch.
“There you are,” Katherine’s voice called out from the landing above.
Lucian looked up to see her leaning over the glass bannister, utterly naked. His mouth went dry and he set his phone down upon the kitchen side.
“I didn’t wish to disturb you. I have ordered you some dinner, it should arrive soon,” he replied, unable to take his eyes off her as she sauntered her way down the stairs towards him.
She nodded her understanding and continued to prowl towards him.
“Whatever shall we do while we wait?” She smiled, her eyes lighting with mischief.
Lucian could think of a hundred different ways in which he could be busy in the meantime as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her warm body against his. His cock stirred as she kissed him slowly, lightly caressing his tongue with the tip of hers.
“Whatever shall I snack on until then?” She teased before nibbling on his lower lip.
Before he had a chance to answer her, she ran her hands down over his stomach and dropped to her knees in front of him.
“Katherine, you don’t-”
“I wanted to do this earlier but as much as I hate to admit it, you got the better of me,” she looked up at him with eyes that sparkled like tigers eye and his thoughts of stopping her, left him.
She had admitted weakness to him. She wasn’t trying to be tough, she was being honest and the trust that showed warmed him deeply. He nodded slowly and swallowed past the anticipation that was lodged in his throat. His fingers flexed at his side while she unbuttoned him and slid the material down just enough to release his straining cock.
The moment her hand grasped him, his breath hitched. Heavens, her hand felt good around him, warm and firm, and when she slid her hand down and back up, her fingers brushing the tip of him. Lucian shuddered. He watched as she stroked him, her eyes focused on his length as she worked. Her delicate fingers danced a magical rhythm over him and when she tentatively licked the drop that had beaded at the head, his hips bucked on their own accord.
She looked up at him and smiled wickedly before she opened her mouth and wrapped her lips around him.
Fuck.
Lucian’s head threw back and he gasped as she sucked on him lightly before dipping her head down to take more of him into her hot, wet mouth. She slid her lips back and forth on him, her hand gripping him tightly as she moaned around his thick cock. Lucian gripped the edge of the kitchen counter and closed his eyes as the building sensation began to grow low down in his stomach. He hissed out loud when she abruptly whipped her mouth away from him.
“Look at me, Lucian,” she purred, “watch me. I want to see your face when you come.”
His eyes snapped open and bored into hers as she licked her lips and ran her tongue up from the base of his shaft to the wet tip. His cock bobbed in response. He wanted her to command his pleasure, but his hand moved on its own accord and wrapped around the back of her head. His body shook from the effort it took not to thrust himself past her lips.
Katherine chuckled and smiled a knowing smile.
“Hands back where they were, Lucian,” she commanded. “I want to see how long you’re able to keep that tight control of yours.”
Lucian found himself unable to resist the challenge and gripped the edge of the kitchen
