Too much. It would betoomuch.
I drag my tongue up her center, focusing on her scent, drenched in need and potent with my blood. She’s so damn close for me.
I dare to sneak a glance up her body, and a bead of precome wets the head of my cock at the sight of her. She’s flushed, her eyes on me as I eat at her. Trust. There’s nothing but pure trust in those beautiful eyes. She’s not afraid. Not doing this out of some thrill-seeking need. She wants me.
Fucking hell, how did we get here?
I groan against her, eating at her faster. I fuck her with my mouth the way I’m desperate to with my cock, and as her breaths hitch, I suck her clit into my mouth.
“Saint!” My name is a cry from her lips as her flavor coats my tongue, her orgasm making her thighs tremble on either side of my face.
I cling to those thighs, licking her through the throes of it as she rides that high.
And when her muscles relax, I draw up enough to look down at her.
The way she reaches for me tells me everything about what will happen next—I’ll kiss her. Really kiss her. Unfiltered, unhindered. Then I’ll sink into her with my cock and my fangs and I’ll drink from her and she’ll be mine.
Wait, what? No. That can’t happen.
It can never happen. I care about her too much to spend an eternity being a walking reminder of every trauma she’s ever endured. Not to mention, my eternity is almost up. Killing Samuel, my twin, will almost certainly kill me.
“Are you sustained?” I ask, drawing up on my knees, needing the distance between us before I throw away every caution and reasoning I have for not claiming her entirely.
“What?” Shock flutters over her features.
“Did you get what you needed?”
She tilts her head, her mouth opening and closing a few times. “Yes?”
“Good.” I’m off the bed faster than I can think. If I stay in this room with her scent in my nose and her taste on my tongue, I’m going tobreak. I’ll lose control and she’ll never forgive me. She may think she wants me. Wants whatever this is between us, but that’s only because she hasn’t gotten to experience a life outsideof me since she was turned. “Good,” I repeat, forcing myself out the door.
I hurry through the palace, doing my best to hide that I’m still hard as a fucking rock. Every instinct is roaring at me to go back to her room. To throw away all my concerns and be with her in every way I’ve dreamed about.
No. Can’t. Fucking hell.
I don’t bother knocking on the king’s study door. Zachariah would scold me, but I’m not exactly operating under normal circumstances right now.
A few noble vampires gasp at my interruption, but I barely notice them. They must’ve been having a meeting.
Alek folds his arms over his chest where he sits behind his desk. “What’s going on, Saint?”
“Order me somewhere.” It’s both a demand and a plea. “Anywhere. Any mission. I need to leave the residence.” Maybe if I’m far enough away, Aurora will have to feed from Annika or another vampire and I’ll be gone so there will be no threat of me snapping and killing them. She’ll be sustained, healthy, and I’ll be…
Dead inside. But I’m already halfway there, so what’s a little push?
Alek studies me. I can feel his power at the edge of my mind, though he doesn’t try to enter. Not that he could. Not without a fight. And I really don’t want to fight the king right now.
Something settles over him and he nods. “You have perfect timing,” he says. “Because Aurora needs a security detail.”
“Wait, what?”
Alek nods. “She needs to claim her newly inherited lands, but we’re still vulnerable with Samuel and the Sons of Honor likely regrouping and planning their next attack. Will you go with her? Protect her?”
The floor tilts beneath my feet. I need to stayawayfrom her. For her own good.
Then why the fuck do I hear myself say, “With my life.”
“Good,” Alek says. “You leave tomorrow night.” He gives me a dismissive nod, and I leave his study on autopilot.