Page 47 of Fate Promised
Every moment she waited, the ache inside grew. The ache to have Juri run his hands over every inch of her skin and to do the same to him. His skin was soft over the hard muscles of his jaw and mouth. And velvety smooth. Were there other places on his body where his skin was a little more silken?
There was probably at least one.
A small smile curled her lips. She was going to find out soon.
A padded foot scuffed along the wooden floor, and Triska leaned forward to see better through the slats. Juri stepped farther into Koschei’s living room, the shadows hiding him except for his glowing, golden eyes. A pulse of pure lust shot through her, and she throbbed between her legs. She sucked in quick gasps of air and hunched down. Cool air floated over her naked back, but she didn’t shiver. No—she burned.
A purr shot through the dim quiet. It washed over her like a caress, and the tension in her limbs slackened. The throbbing heat intensified, and she dug her fingernails into the side of the armoire.
His head swung, first one way, then the other, his ears twitching. His purr deepened, and she bit back a groan. Maybe she hadn’t bitten it back because his head snapped around, and his golden eyes landed right on the massive wardrobe. “Found you.” His voice was deeper, a feral bite to it.
She shivered. What he’d said about his instincts was true; he was pure vulk right now. The mightiest immortal who walked Ulterra. And completely focused on her. His pupils seemed to have grown bigger as his eyes darkened to deep amber.
In the dim light of the moons shining through the cracked open shutters, she could make out his shadowy figure moving across the room. His steps soundless and sure, the confident gait of a stalking predator narrowing in on his prey. When he opened the doors, he took his time, revealing her inch by inch.
He opened his hand, and the shirt she’d discarded slipped to the floor. “Come on out.”
She leaped and wrapped her arms and legs around him. His purring intensified, and she groaned, rubbing her chest against his. Juri growled and spun, crashing into a chair near the fireplace. It toppled onto its side, the sound thunderous in the quiet.
His arms wrapped around her tightly as his head lowered. He nipped at the junction of her shoulder and neck, and a shot of pure lust sizzled through her. Her head fell back. “Juri …”
Her back slammed against the wall, and he shifted her higher, giving himself better access to her neck. “Good hiding spot.” His breath fanned warm against her throat. “And imagining your breasts as you ran half-naked through the forest was a … distraction.” His tongue traced up the column of her throat, delicate and teasing. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.”
He shifted her in his arms and strode out of the living room. With a push of his shoulder, a door swung open, revealing their small, private bedroom. She expected him to toss her on the bed and follow her down. Instead, he lay her down like a precious piece of porcelain. He took his time shutting the door, letting it close with a soft snick, then padded to the window and opened the shutters.
A silvery light filled the room. “Tonight is a tale for me alone, one I’ll never forget, and I want to see you with moonlight worshipping your skin.”
If not for his glowing eyes, she’d think him completely under control. But those eyes—the primal vulk inside radiated from their darkening depths.
Her pulse skittered. All those long, lonely nights when she’d wished for him, he was finally here. About to bed her. She’d never wanted anyone, or anything, more.
He returned to stand between her parted legs. Taking a long look at her, he shuddered, then bent forward, sliding one palm next to her face to prop himself up. His other hand cupped her chin, his thumb sweeping across her cheekbone, then sliding down to her jaw. He followed it with his mouth, tracing the line with small nibbles.
His fingers stroked down her throat, then feathered over her collarbones, each move lazy, slow, as if he had all the time in the world. Everywhere he touched stoked a fire, the likes of which she’d never felt before. Koschei’s house might erupt with the flames of her desire.
She whimpered and trailed her fingers down his chest to his ribs. Her hands were hungry, eager, with none of his slow seduction.
When his thumb flicked over the tip of her breast, she moaned and arched. “Juri, I need more.”
A grumble rumbled from his chest—a quick note of irritation. “We’re still playing hide and seek. I’m discovering you. What you like.” He rolled her nipple and her hips bucked. “What you love.” He lowered his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth. She gasped. When he used the edges of his teeth to tease it, she let out a strangled cry.
“I found you, and now you’re mine,” he said.
She groaned. “There’s something you have that I want to find, too.” She let her hand drift to his waistband. Let it brush against the thick bulge straining his trousers.
Juri chuffed and raised his head. His lips curled. “If I get one night with you, we go at my pace. But I’ll let you look your fill when I’m ready.”
She sucked in air, her chest heaving as she remembered to breathe. “You’ve always been bossy.”
“It’s a vulk thing.” He picked up her hand and nibbled her fingers. “But even if I’m the one leading, if you want to change your mind—”
“No!” She clutched at his back and tried to pull him closer. “I’m just saying, I’ve never let you tell me what to do.” She wanted to see all of him. Bolder now, she reached down and released the clasp along his trousers, then ran her fingers over his thick length straining to be free. He shuddered as he gulped in air.
“That’s what I’ve always loved about you,” he whispered.
Her head grew light. Was it because she kept forgetting to breathe, or because of what he’d said? Love. Desire raged through her, demanding attention, but she blinked heavy lashes coated in tears.
One night with him. Perhaps he’d been right to tell her it would put her heart at risk because right now, it twisted in her chest. Raw and sharp.