Page 71 of Avaritia

“I told everyone to stay downstairs,” Verity replied breathily.

I was already too busy delving my tongue between her thighs to reply. I groaned instantly at the taste of her. It had been so long—how had I lasted so long without this?

Verity let out a strangled sound of pleasure, relaxing back onto the table and taking her weight off her arms. “That feels so good, Theon. Don’t stop.”

What a ludicrous idea. She’d told me to make her come until she couldn’t walk. I had every intention of staying down here until I’d fulfilled her demands.

Power trickled through me in a slow, necessary stream. As much as I tried to stem it, not wanting to take anything from Verity, it had been weeks since I’d properly fed, and my body was acting in spite of my mind’s instructions.

Verity came almost instantly with a breathy sigh, and I chastised myself for ignoring her physical needs. I was more than able to use my tongue on her while she rested comfortably on the bed.

I sat back on my heels, stroking the inside of Verity’s thighs with my claws, giving her a moment of rest before I resumed my attentions.

“Kiss me,” she demanded primly, struggling to sit up. I instantly stood, lifting her into a seated position on the table.

My tongue slid into her mouth, coated in her own essence, as I held back, always cautious of her slicing herself on my sharp teeth.

Verity smiled against my lips, wrapping her legs around my hips to urge me closer. “I need you too much. We can play a fun round of orgasm denial later when I’m not so fucking desperate for you.”

The gratitude I felt at having such a mate was staggering in its intensity.

I dropped my shadows, tempering my strength as I dragged Verity to the edge of the table, grinding my cock into her soft wetness, coating myself in her slick.

Verity’s arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me in close as I rocked my hips, my claws digging into her hips. I needed to get myself under control.

“Thank you, my love,” I rambled, apologies and nonsense spilling from my lips. “You are too good to me. I’m so sorry I hurt you—”

“You’re not in trouble for that,” Verity panted, squirming impatiently against me. “You’ve apologized plenty for that.”

“Thank you, thank you,” I murmured. I hadn’t even entered her yet and my knot was already beginning to swell, my vision turning hazy around the edges. “Tell me what else I did wrong, my love.”

A fine sheen of sweat coated Verity’s skin, her head tipped back toward the ceiling. “Were you even going to try get out of the Pit?”

I paused. That was what she was telling me off for?

“I deserved to be there, my love. I put your life in danger.”

Verity swatted me on the shoulder before melting in my arms as I traced her mating mark with my tongue. “Next time we’re separated, I fully expect you to move heaven and earth to get back to me, do you understand? I don’t care if you’re in prison or not. Make an effort.”

“We will never be separated again,” I promised her, carefully pulling the straps of her dress over her shoulders, my claws leaving faint pale lines on her skin.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she shot back, wriggling free enough to tug the dress down, her glorious breasts spilling over the top of the fabric, ripe for me to tease with my tongue. My beautiful, sensuous, fiery mate. I’d sooner cut off my horns than be parted from her again.

“I might die if I don’t get your knot soon,” Verity whined. “I’ve missed this so much.”

“On your back,” I ordered reflexively, already attempting to climb over her onto the table before pulling myself back, hearing the authority in my voice. It was natural to me. Far more natural than speaking calmly and considerately. But I needed to learn. I needed to give Verity soft, gentle, loving words.

“Well?” Verity asked, laying back and letting her legs drop open. “Are you going to fuck me into this table or not?

I breathed out, gentling my tone. “Of course, my love—”

Verity’s foot pressed into my chest as I moved toward her, one eyebrow raised in disapproval. “Oh no. We are not doing that.”

I stroked her extended leg softly. “Doing what?”

“Stop that. That thing you’re doing. Do you not like the way we play?”

“Of course I like it. But after everything you’ve been through—”