Page 14 of Balor

I kissed my way down her body, pausing to tongue her belly button. Her fingers slid into my hair, nails scraping my scalp. I moved lower, spreading her thighs, and draped her legs over my shoulders. I stared at her pussy, so pink and wet. I ran my tongue through her folds, groaning at the taste of her. I thrust my tongue into her as far as I could get it. She cried out and rocked her hips. I used my fingers and mouth to bring her to the edge of release, then backed off. When she was panting, begging for more, I let her come against my mouth.

I kissed my way back up her body, then thrust into her with one hard stroke. I buried my face against her neck, taking a moment to relish the feel of her wrapped around me. I pulled her legs higher, my movements rougher than I’d intended. She didn’t complain. I could feel her breasts rubbing against my chest, hear the way her breath hitched. I didn’t last long, not with her clamping down on me so tightly. I came with a shout, her name a roar on my lips.

I eased from her body and pulled her against me. I didn’t know how we’d ended up here, but I wasn’t letting her go. The longer she was here, the more I wanted her. I hadn’t lied when I said I’d keep her. I just hadn’t realized what it would mean. Or how much I’d enjoy having her at my mercy.

“Sleep, Belladonna,” I said. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Her breathing evened out, her body going limp. I stared at the ceiling and tried to ignore the way my heart ached. I’d never wanted anyone the way I wanted her. I had a feeling I was going to have a hard time letting her go. The question was, how long until she tried to run? Or would she stay willingly? I wanted to believe she’d let me keep her, but I’d witnessed too many short-term relationships over the years to believe people remained together like they used to. With the exception of species who sensed their fated mates. Since Belladonna didn’t fall into that category, she could very well leave, and then I’d have to hunt her down and bring her back.

I didn’t take kindly to someone touching my things. And Belladonna? She was mine.

* * *

I woke first, my eyes adjusting to the room lit only by the dying fire. I felt the warmth of Belladonna’s body pressed to mine. Her back rested against my chest, her ass nestled against my cock. I hardened, my body remembering the way I’d taken her last night. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of her. My cock throbbed, wanting to sink into her again.

Did I want her? Yes. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration eating at me. I didn’t know what to do about her. Or our situation. I’d promised to keep her safe, but I wasn’t sure I was the right person to do it. Not when I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. What if I was so distracted by my need for her that I slipped up?

Belladonna shifted, rolling slightly toward me, a soft murmur escaping her lips. I watched as her eyes fluttered open. I could see the moment she felt the heat of my body and realized exactly where she was. Her cheeks flushed and she slid across the bed, putting a few inches between us. She bit her lip and wouldn’t meet my gaze. The silence between us was awkward, the scent of our shared night still hanging in the air. I cursed myself for not pulling out of her the night before. Twice. I’d been a fool to come inside her again.

But there was one thing about prophecies… Sometimes they came true no matter how hard you fought against them. If we were destined to have a baby, it would happen one way or another.

I got out of bed and pulled on my jeans. I could feel her watching me, even if she didn’t want me to know it. I heard the rustle of covers and knew she’d pulled them to her chest.

“Don’t leave the room.” My voice was harsher than I’d intended, and she flinched. I saw her nod from the corner of my eye. I didn’t like that she wouldn’t look at me. Did she regret what happened? She’d seemed to enjoy herself last night.

I left the room, closing the door behind me. I needed to go to the clubhouse. Get away from her for a bit and clear my head. Maybe talk with my MC brothers and see if they had any suggestions. Right now? I didn’t trust myself around Belladonna. I could still feel her under me, around me, and I was tempted to go back in there and fuck her again.

I went down the steps and grabbed my boots and shirt. The mansion was quiet. I’d not brought anyone into my home in a long time. Years, in fact. I’d gone to them. This place wasn’t a home. It was a house. I took a breath and opened the door, stepping out into the early morning light. The sun was still low on the horizon, the sky a mix of purples and pinks with the first hint of blue starting to bleed through.

I walked the path to the garage and straddled my bike. I didn’t know what to do about Belladonna. I’d promised to keep her safe, but I hadn’t even been able to keep my hands off her. I’d been a fool. I didn’t believe she’d used magic on me after the first time, but I did think she was hiding something. I just didn’t know what. I started my bike and rode toward the clubhouse. I needed to clear my head and get my shit together.

I parked my bike and went inside. I saw the curious looks thrown my way. It wasn’t often I came here this time of day. I went to the bar and poured myself a drink. The burn of the whiskey as it went down my throat helped settle the churning in my gut. I took my glass and went to find Jackson. I found him in one of the spare rooms, going over some papers.

“Do you have a minute?” I asked.

He leaned back in his seat and nodded. But before I could say anything, he jumped right in, almost as if he knew what was bothering me.

“I’ve reached out to a few of my contacts. They’ve confirmed her coven is coming for her.” Jackson sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “We have two choices. We can hand her over when they get here, or we can fight to keep her out of their clutches.”

I’d known it was coming. It didn’t make the words any easier to hear. The thought of handing her over twisted my stomach into knots.

“I’ll fight to keep her,” I said. “I promised to protect her and my child, if there is one. I won’t go back on my word.”

“Then we need to come up with a game plan. Once they realize we won’t hand her over, they’ll attack. I have no idea how many are coming. I wasn’t able to find out that information, however, there’s a chance another coven may be helping them.”

“Night’s Bane?” I asked.

He eyed me suspiciously, probably wondering how I’d known. Just what we needed. Two covens coming to town and trying to destroy the place.

“I need to head back. I left her confined to my home.” I met Jackson’s gaze again. “I didn’t trust that she wouldn’t run off, but I didn’t think it would be good to bring her to the clubhouse either.”

Jackson nodded. “I get it. I’ll talk to the guys and fill them in. You don’t need to worry about this. I’ll do what I can, and I’m sure they will too. We’re family and in this together. When you think she’ll be comfortable around us, bring her by. We’d all like to meet her.”

I had to hope he wouldn’t change his mind once he learned more about her coven. If any of the rumors had been true, and I could believe everything Belladonna had told me, the Coven of Eternal Night was rotten to the core.

I got up and walked out, feeling the gazes of my brothers as I left the clubhouse and got back on my bike. I had a feeling I’d be back soon enough. I just hoped I had a plan in place by then, or the start of one.

I rode back to the mansion. It loomed in the distance, its darkened windows like watching eyes. Pulling into the garage, I shut off the bike and went inside. I removed my boots and shirt, padding through the house as quietly as I could. The eerie silence pressed down on me, amplifying the isolation that came with being Balor Hades. I’d taken it all in stride, until now. Until I’d met Belladonna. And until I’d realized how much was at stake.