Page 63 of Hateful Prince

There wasn’t time for her to respond, even had she been able to speak behind the rag. She went boneless in my arms, and I made quick work of hefting her over my shoulder and sneaking back into the yawning darkness. Following the route I’d long ago memorized, I made my way to the abandoned cabin in the heart of the woods and the freshly made bed awaiting the two of us.

Not long later, I sat near the warm fire in the hearth and waited for her eyes to flutter open so we could really begin our play. She looked so beautiful like this, bathed in nothing but firelight, bared to me. I’d removed her clothing and mine and placed each piece in a neat stack—after sniffing her knickers, of course.

And stashing them away to enjoy again later.

What? The dragon didn’t deserve to be the only one collecting souvenirs.

This was the most at peace I’d felt since waking up in my darling’s arms. Watching her sleep. Timing my breaths with hers. It was heaven, and I could happily spend the rest of whatever time I had left on this plane right here, so long as I was with her doing exactly this.

“Mmm,” she moaned, shifting her body and making her full tits sway enticingly.

My little captive was coming to. I couldn't wait to use her the way she wanted.

Now that she was lucid, I left my perch in the corner and moved to the bed, needing to give in to the urge to touch her. Taking a seat beside her, I reached out and traced the circle of her areola, delighting in the tight beading of her nipple at my barely there touch.

“More, please,” she whispered, arching into my hand.

“Yes, love. You’ll have everything you want.”

Part of me had wanted her to wake up with me already buried to the hilt inside her tight cunt. But this was our first time, and I found myself feeling a mite sentimental about it. We’d waited this long; what was a bit longer to ensure that it was a transcendental experience for us both?

You didn’t know I was a romantic, did you?

Me either.

Surprise.

My mouth watered as I stared at her rigid nipple. All I wanted was to suck it between my lips and make her cry out. So that’s exactly what I did. Dipping my head low, I latched on and reveled in the sounds she made in response. My fingers slipped between her thighs, and I groaned when I found her already slick with need.

Now that the time was upon us, I was in this weird tug-of-war with myself. I wanted to rush ahead, but also stretch every second out. It was messing with my confidence, making me question every choice to ensure whether it was the right one.

Did I taste her first? Or should I sink into her and leave us both panting?

“Cas, you’re so beautiful.” Her words were soft, thick with desire as her eyes trailed over my body.

“No, love. I’m not. Not when I’m standing in the same light as you are.”

Who was this man she’d turned me into? More prince than pirate at the moment. It wasn’t the first time either. I had an entire collection of moments now where she brought this long-forgotten piece of my soul out of hiding. I’d have thought her a witch if I hadn’t known better.

“I think you might be part siren,” I confessed. “Either that or a descendant of one of those ancient sea nymphs. You have me utterly enraptured.”

“I need you to stop talking and kiss me, Caspian. Please?”

The look in her eyes was a plea for intimacy, for a deep connection I hadn’t ever given anyone before. She was trusting me with her heart, and I wanted to be good enough to take it from her.

Perhaps it was lucky that there were three others to ensure I wouldn’t bungle it.

Instead of jealousy, the reminder that she had other men to protect and care for her provided intense relief. They wouldn’t let me hurt her. She would be safe. I could let go and see this through to whatever end existed for us.

Holding tight to that thought, I leaned down and met her lips with my own. It was nothing like the sensual acts I was used to. Those were for show. Smoke and mirrors to cultivate the distinct mood I required for the performance I was putting on. This was real. It was terrifying. Because while I could hurt her, it was more apparent than ever before that she could also hurt me.

The last people who’d had that power over me had thrown me away. I wasn’t given the option of anything but survival last time, but something deep within warned me I would not enjoy the same fate were she to do the same. If I lost her, I’d never recover.

Fuck. How had she done this to me?

I broke the kiss and fitted myself between her thighs, on my knees so I could see every curve of her gorgeous body. With featherlight touches, she trailed her fingers down my back and over the rise of my arse, the contact sending sparks dancing across my skin. I craved her attention, needed it like a flame needs oxygen.

“I need you inside me, Cas. We’ve waited long enough.”