Chapter 8
Peach
He chains me to the bed again, and I really don’t know what to make of Salem, but I feel protected around him.
Taken care of.
Fucking doted on.
But then he also has this scary-monster side that everyone else sees. Could he ever turn that on me? I mean, I am chained to his bed right now, so I can’t leave, but I haven’t really tried to leave, have I?
I always wanted this. A mate. Someone to come home to. Someone who loves me for me. Yeah, I never expected it to come in a Salem-sized warrior-assassin package, but the fates paired us for a reason.
Maybe I’m meant to soften him. I’d never want to control him, but with my magic, I could.
I wonder how he’ll feel about that, knowing just how powerful I really am? Will he hate the fact that I’m not some sweet little red wolf? An innocent little baker for him to protect?
We shift and go for a run when we get home, and I love running with him.
His wolf is the biggest I’ve ever seen, with soft, shaggy black fur and those light green eyes.
Even with his size, he’s so careful with me.
He could easily knock me over, but he doesn’t.
He’s a gentle giant. I know that’s not his default temperament, though, and he’s just that way because he sees me as his.
His default personality is a stone-cold predator. I don’t think he has any remorse for anyone he’s killed.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, pulling me against him. I didn’t even bother with the pillow wall this time. There’s no point.
“If we bonded, you’d be able to tell.”
I roll my eyes. “We aren’t ready for that, just yet.”
“Tell me.”
“Have you had any long-term girlfriends?” I ask him, pushing away the jealousy at the thought of him with another female.
He’s quiet for a moment. “No, but I was once betrothed. It was for a royal alliance. In the end, we didn’t have to go through with it, though.”
“With who?” I press, my voice tight.
He kisses the back of my neck, sending shivers up my spine.
My breath seems to lodge in my throat as his magic pushes up against my skin.
I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to someone before.
I’ve been turned on since we got into bed.
He undressed in front of me again, but I’m trying not to act on it or let it show.
I know that once we go there, that’s it.
We’re going to bond and commit to being together forever.
It’s all or nothing with Salem, and looking at where I am right now, it’s clear which way I’m leaning toward. He’s hard to refuse. Plus, I want my happily-ever-after. I deserve it just as much as the next person.
“It didn’t mean anything,” he assures me, rubbing soothing circles on my back. “It was Queen Pandora.”
“The Witch Queen? You were going to marry her?” I ask, my jaw dropping open. He was going to be a king? How am I meant to compete with a queen? I met Pandora when she came into my bakery, and she’s so pretty and kind.
“I had to,” he states, then clears his throat. “I hadn’t found my mate, and someone had to agree to an alliance with me. I didn’t know if I’d ever find you.”
“What would you have done if you married her and then found me?” I ask, my chest suddenly feeling tight.
I’m suddenly so grateful that things played out how they did, because I wouldn’t have been able to handle that. It puts things in perspective for me. I’m pushing Salem away, but for what? Because I’m scared to trust him? Or is it myself I don’t trust?
“Nothing would have kept me from you,” he finally growls, his arms tightening around me. “I’m serious, Peach. You don’t want to know the lengths I’d go to keep you. I don’t have a fucking conscience. Remember that.”
That’s concerning.
“Did you fuck her?” I snap, my jealousy taking over.
“Peach—”
“Yes or no,” I demand.
He sits up and stares down at me with those cold eyes, and I turn my head back to look at him.
“I’m not a virgin.”
“Yes or no, Salem.”
“I didn’t fuck her, but I ate her pussy,” he grudgingly admits, rolling me over to face him. “I didn’t know you then. You can’t be upset about anything I did before you.”
My eyes round. “You wanted to go out and kill anyone I’d hypothetically slept with. Maybe I want to do the same now.”
His eyes flicker with surprise as he tilts his head and watches me, trying to figure me out.
Then, he slowly flashes me a shit-eating grin. “I knew you were perfect for me. I’ll make a list, and we can leave at first light.”
“Salem!”
He cuts me off with his mouth on mine, and I don’t pull away.
Instead, I kiss him back, returning his deep and possessive kiss, my fingers threading behind the back of his neck.
When his tongue starts to taste mine, I can feel the heat in my lower belly begin to build.
My nipples pebble, and when he starts to kiss down my neck, I squeeze my thighs together.
Right now, I can’t even remember why I was trying to keep some distance between us.
He drags his teeth across my skin, and my head falls back. “Let me show you how much I want you and only you, little one,” he rasps.
When a soft moan escapes my lips, I can feel his smile against my skin. “You’re jealous about what I gave Pandora. Why don’t you let me show you what’s only yours now? Just a taste…”
He slides down my body, kissing my breasts over the thin material of my tank top. “Take this off.”
The tone he uses has my toes curling—so deep, dominant, and in control. I do as he wants and lift it off, my breasts bare for him. He licks his lower lip as he admires them, then sucks one at a time. “You are so beautiful,” he rasps, nuzzling me with his stubble. “Perfect.”
I know I’m not perfect, but I love that he thinks so.
He plays for a little while, then starts going lower, kissing down my stomach until he reaches my shorts. He glances up at me, and when I don’t stop him, he slides them down. I’m not wearing any panties underneath.
“Fuck,” he grits out, taking in all my bare skin. His hand grips my thigh, warming up my bare skin before he kisses down my inner thighs as he spreads them slowly.
I can’t take my eyes off him.
“Prettiest pussy I’ve ever seen,” he rasps, licking his lips before lowering his head for a taste. He growls low and sexy. “Fuck, you taste so fucking good. I could eat you all night long.”
He starts to lick and suck, and when his tongue circles my clit, my back arches off the bed.
“Salem,” I pant, my pleasure building. Is this what I’ve been missing out on all this time?
His talented mouth continues to eat me out while my fingers thread through his short hair and pull on the thick strands.
“Whose cunt is this, Peach?” he growls.
“It’s yours!” I whisper huskily. “It’s all yours.”
“That’s right, it’s all fucking mine. I’m the first and last male to taste you.”
He slides one finger inside me, curls it, and then I’m coming.
“Oh fuck,” I grit out, as wave after wave of pleasure hits me.
I push his head down, grinding against him as I completely lose myself.
A golden glow of magic sparks around us, a reminder of what we are.
Of what we could be if we let it. Finally, when I can’t take any more, I let go of him and melt back onto the bed.
He lifts his head and flashes me a pleased smile with his still-wet lips and chin.
He slowly stands to his full height, his eyes not leaving my face while he grips the back of his tunic, pulling it off.
His pants come off next, his monster cock pointing right at me.
I haven’t seen one of these in real life before, but even I know it’s big.
I almost feel sorry for the women he’s been with rather than jealous.
Almost.
On top of that, I didn’t even think about the fact that he’d have a knot.
“You want to put that inside me?” I whisper-yell, my eyes going wide. “Salem, that’s not going to fit.”
“It will fit. We’re made for each other. But not tonight,” he growls as he starts to stroke himself. “Come here and touch me.”
I slide to the end of the bed and reach out to touch his hard cock for the first time. He puts his hand on mine and shows me how he likes it—harder and rougher than I was doing.
“Just like that,” he grunts. His light eyes are locked on me, roaming over my body before coming back to my eyes. “I love your hands on me, Peach. I want to paint your skin with my cum. Will you let me?”
I don’t know exactly what he means, but I’m guessing he wants to finish on me.
“Yes, come,” I demand, and he throws his head back, the cords of his neck sticking out.
He looks back down at me as ropes of his cum land all over my breasts and chest. “Fuck, yes. You’re such a good girl for me. Such a perfect little mate.”
When he finishes, he rubs his fingers over my nipples, rubbing himself onto me.
Marking me.
“Beautiful. Look at you,” he rumbles, lowering his lips to mine. I can taste myself on him. “If you think I’m ever letting you go, Peach, you have another thing coming. I’m not losing this. Now come sit on my face, I want to eat your sweet pussy again.”