Chapter 33
Imoan.
The noise is low and throaty, a siren’s call, an invitation to any man within hearing range. It’s the sound of a woman drowning in pleasure. And pain.
There’s an ache between my thighs, an insatiable need to be filled. To come. I may be innocent, but I’m not ignorant to my body’s needs.
A delicious pressure surrounds my clit and I arch my back, letting my knees fall to the side, opening my legs wide. My hips lift of their own accord, and my pleasure intensifies.
“That’s my good girl.”
The deep, sinful voice registers. I gasp, my eyes flying open.
Xavier. Fuck.
I jerk up my head, the fog of sleep instantly disappearing. Between my thighs, Xavier’s dark hair grazes my skin with every hard pull of his mouth. He circles my clit with his tongue, and my toes curl. Another moan gathers in my throat.
My body has already surrendered to his expert touch. I can’t let my will do the same.
I thread my fingers in his hair and tug. He growls in protest. The vibrations against my sensitive flesh have me biting back a groan.
I yank on his hair again, forcefully this time.He doesn’t budge, just sucks me harder.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I say between pants.
He flicks his gaze to mine, the silver pools swirling with mischief. He releases my clit with a soft pop, and a rush of cold air replaces his mouth. A whimper slips out, and I briefly squeeze my eyes shut, embarrassed by my need.
He smirks at me from between my legs. It’s a devastating sight. “What does it look like?”
“Stop.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Not good enough, Delilah.”
I glare down at him, a silent demand for him to leave me alone. His gaze darkens, and the gleam in his eyes is a wicked promise.
He grips the backs of my thighs and drags me down the mattress so I’m closer, my skirt bunching even more around my waist. Then he buries his face in my pussy. It flutters, begging him for things I’ll never say out loud.
“I’ll scream,” I warn.
“Promise?” he murmurs against my skin.
Before I can respond, his tongue slips inside my pussy. A moan bursts from me, and I bite my lip to stifle the sound. He doesn’t stop. The wet slide of his mouth on my flesh has my eyes rolling back.
“Oh, God.”
“Either you moan my name…” He reaches up and wraps his fingers around my throat and squeezes, cutting off most of my air supply. “Or you don’t speak at all.”
“Xavier.”
“That’s better,” he says.
I grip his hair as he fucks me with his tongue, pulling him closer instead of shoving him away. He maintains his grip on my neck, keeping me in place, reminding me with every shallow breath how dangerous he is. I can’t move or speak. I can only endure the pleasure.
Then he’s lifting my leg, placing it over his shoulder, spreading me wider. And he devours me. Each lick and suck is calculated. When I’m close to coming, he slows his pace until I’m ready to beg him to go faster. Harder.
He keeps me right on the edge, a prisoner to his mouth and tongue, until I’m a writhing, panting mess. And the entire time, his hand is a vise around my throat.
“You want to come?” he asks.
I nod, tears of frustration pricking my eyes.
“Words,” he snaps.
“Yes.” It’s a wheeze, but it’s all I can manage; the tiny puff of air all that he allows me to have. At this moment, he owns me.
“Say my name.”
“Xavier.”
“Again.”
“Xavier. Please.”
“You’re being such a good girl for me.”
He loosens his grip on my throat, and air rushes into my lungs. Then he’s licking me faster, harder. With purpose. His tongue dips inside me before he circles my clit. My orgasm takes hold, wringing the life out of me.
I scream.
Xavier groans.
He tightens his fingers around my throat and squeezes once more. He continues to suck and lick, extending the climax until it’s unbearable. When I try to scramble away, he pins me in place with his hands, his tongue a weapon of pleasure that forces me to come again.
When he finally lifts his head, a satisfied smile twists his mouth. “You’re so fucking beautiful when you come.”
“I hate you,” I whisper, my throat sore.
He dips his head and drags his tongue along my slit, collecting every bit of cum. Then he licks his lips, tasting me, his eyes never leaving mine. “No, you don’t.”
Through the haze of lust, I catch a glimpse of his face. His expression is intense, his jaw set, his eyes glittering with something dark.
It’s unhinged.
My breathing is still ragged as he sits up and stares down at me, his gaze trailing the length of my body, making me shiver. When his eyes return to my face, the fire in their depths scorches me.
“Finally, you’re mine,” he murmurs, his tone soft but fierce. “All fucking mine.”
I part my lips to respond, but a knock at the door cuts off the words.
“Who is it?” Xavier snaps, his gaze still on me.
“Open the fucking door, recruit.”
I recognize the voice belonging to the council member from the ceremony, and scramble from beneath Xavier. The man on the other side of the door knocks again, harder.
Xavier jumps off the bed, and I do the same, my skirts swishing loudly. I wince when my movement pulls at my wound, but I ignore the pain, more focused on the unexpected visitor.
I sneak into the bathroom and shut the door. After waiting three seconds, I open it a crack. Xavier strides across the room and opens the door with a jerk. He’s greeted by a man that’s an older version of him. He has the same build, the same eyes, and the same hair color, but with a few streaks of gray peppering the sides.
The man’s eyes sweep over Xavier, his gaze cold and critical. “Is she here?”
“Why do you care? The brand is on her shoulder.” Xavier narrows his gaze. “She’s mine.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, a subtle sign of defiance. The older man’s nostrils flare, and a muscle flickers along his jaw. The tension between them is like smoke, thick and toxic.
The other man lifts his hand, revealing a black envelope. “This is a summons, son.”
Ah fuck, that’s his dad? No wonder Xavier is a little cracked in the head.
He rips the envelope out of his father’s hand and gives him a curt nod. “Anything else?”
“Yes, actually. Why did you fuck up your vow? Don’t think I missed the slight change. You pledged your loyalty to her instead of me.”
I blink in confusion. Why would Xavier do that? I get that he’s attracted to me, but a public vow is something else entirely. After watching their brief exchange, I can only guess Xavier did it to provoke his father. It really has nothing to do with me.
Xavier shrugs. “So?”
“It’s fucking disrespectful,” his father replies. “If the other recruits weren’t present, I would’ve resumed your training. It seems you’ve forgotten it already.”
“Even if I managed to forget a lifetime of torture, my scars would still remind me.”
My stomach drops, and my fingers tremble on the doorknob. Torture? Sympathy swells in my chest.
“Don”t test my patience,” his father says. “Answer the question. Why?”
“Because any oath I take doesn’t mean shit when it comes to you. You made sure I understood that early on.”
The man doesn’t respond immediately. His eyes are fixed on Xavier, the hardness there fading. “I don”t expect you to understand. When you’ve taken my place on the council and the weight of generations is upon your shoulders, maybe you’ll realize that I did you a service. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be strong enough to have a bride. Let alone keep her.”
Xavier stiffens. It’s almost imperceptible, but not to me. I’ve watched his man every second of every minute since he first cornered me in the forest.
“Keep her?” he repeats.
“Don”t tell me you thought the Order was done testing you?” The older man shakes his head, his smile patronizing. “She will remain yours as long as you’re one of the top three recruits. If your performance dwindles during the Trials, she will be given to another recruit who is in the top.”
My pulse quickens, and the bathroom suddenly feels too small.
I’m nothing more than a toy to be shared by recruits, used to keep them motivated. In whatever way they decide.
“The Order wants results,” the man continues. “Because of me and my training, you will be the best. Your bride is a reflection of you, but you are a reflection of me. Never forget that. If you think to embarrass me again, I’ll kill her.”