Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
In the throes of a dream, a heaviness lifted from Charlotte’s soul. When she awoke, she noticed the wound on her hip had dissolved, along with the constant ache that accompanied it.
A sigh of relief passed through her lips, her mind sharper than ever, but all she could focus on was Nathaniel’s muscular arms secured tightly around her, the tips of his fingers precariously close to caressing the underside of her breast, only meeting the skin on a deep inhale.
The hardness of his erection pressed against the curve of her back.
As he dove deeper, she froze, bringing her bottom lip between her thumb and finger.
The sheer size pressing into her sent a warmth blossoming between her legs.
His hot breath ghosted her neck as he moaned in his sleep, his fingers tightening on her breast, thumb grazing her peaking nipple, pulling her tighter.
A knot formed in the back of her throat.
Lying there, knowing the bloodlust he held for her, with her neck so close to his fangs, unconscious or not, sent goosebumps rising as a tingle crawling over her skin.
A tingle heavy with carnal promise. There was just something so thrilling about being prey while an unconscious predator slept at her back.
She turned her body to face him, shifting in his arms, dragging her palm over her thigh, hiking the fabric of her nightdress up with it.
Her gaze trickled over the pair of fangs glinting in the darkness, beneath them a thin trickle of blood kissing his swollen bottom lip from biting down as he slept.
He moaned again when she rolled her hips up against him, his eyes dancing restlessly behind his lids.
Every slight flicker of touch set her nerves alight. It had been years since she had been with a boy, but Nathaniel was all man and made her feel things that robbed her of all sense, filling her with sparks in place of the consistent, dull pain that throbbed in her joints.
Pushing back a stray lock of dark hair from his forehead, she admired the way the light cut a contour under his cheekbones, enhancing his already sharp features. Slowly, she brought her fingers down, pausing at his lips.
Pressing gently over his skin, she gasped when she felt the outline of his fangs, grazing her touch over the sharp point.
Closing her eyes, she leaned forward, almost pressing her lips to his, but stopped at the last second when her skin feathered his.
Long, dark lashes flickered, fanning a delicately detailed shadow under his eyes and all she could think was how she wanted his hands between her legs, kneading the tension tightening in her stomach.
Slowly, she dragged her hand up, exploring the space between her thighs, and struggled to swallow a moan as wetness greeted her.
What was she thinking? He was sleeping and she was taking advantage. Carefully, she swiveled her body away from him, twisting until she was on her side and climbing out of the covers.
Strong hands grabbed her, yanking her back onto the bed, facing her to a now very awake Nathaniel. His stare darkened when he looked at her. “Don’t start something unless you’re willing to finish it.”
She gasped when she realized he was referring to the almost kiss. “You were asleep.”
“You woke me,” he said with a low rumble reverberating in his chest, eyes drifting southward to her pouty lips as she bit the bottom one.
“It drives me crazy when you do that.”
“It does?” she asked, a victorious smirk curved her lips, and she increased the pressure, her teeth sinking deeper into the swollen flesh.
“You look better,” he intoned, gripping her hip solidly, then gliding his thumb over her hip in tiny circles, which was free of the wound.
“I feel better. The effects from blood have worn off too,” she added, so he knew that what was happening was real.
Nathaniel crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you still want to leave?”
Her brows knitted together, then realization dawned. He was referring to her trying to climb out of the bed moments ago.
“No.”
His hand blurred to her wrist and her stomach somersaulted as his nostrils flared. Her mouth watered, disbelief forming her mouth into an O as he dragged her arousal coated fingers closer and inhaled deeply. “What a naughty little lamb. Were you touching yourself while I slept mere meters away?”
A blush crept up her throat. “I—oh God.”
She hardly had time to register her embarrassment before he drew the glistening digits past his lips and tasted her. Nathaniel’s tongue circled the sensitive tips, then darted to the V of taut skin between her index and middle fingers, flicking licks.
Her eyes widened, utterly enthralled as he sucked them, never ceasing the deft motions of his tongue. Charlotte had no hope of muting her moan when his fangs grazed the pads.
“Fuck, you taste good.” A deep, cavernous groan resonated in his chest as he watched her through shuttered eyes, pupils wide in anticipation. “What were you thinking about?”
She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, guiding his eyes to her mouth. “You,” she admitted huskily, the confession blushing her cheeks. “I was thinking about how it would feel to have your lips on me.”
“Where exactly?”
Her heart thundered against her ribcage like a bird barred behind an unforgiving cage, her breaths escaping in shaky bursts, but she met his seductive stare and held it. “Everywhere.”
Reckless, desperate need swam in his eyes. “Show me.”
Heat flooded her cheeks as she looked at him with wild, glossy eyes. “I can’t do that. It’s improper and…” she trailed off before finishing.
“To hell with improper,” he said deeply, every word a purr in her ears. “Now, show me what you were doing with those fingers.”
Hesitantly, she searched his face, searching for any spark of a jest, but nothing in his hardened expression showed any sign that he was toying with her.
His intrusive stare held hers when she slowly reached down, sliding her fingers into her soaking folds, swallowing a moan when she circled her swollen bud clumsily, stroking up and down.
Nathaniel licked his upper lip. “Let it out,” he commanded. “I want to hear you.”
Her clitoris throbbed sharply with his stern command, her pulse thudding within the bundle of nerves just as her carotid had when his fangs sank into her neck.
Slowly, he ran his hands over her stomach, gliding them over the thin fabric of her nightgown until he reached the swell of her breasts, exposing them to the cool night air.
Warmth cascaded from his skin to hers as he cupped, his large hands enveloping them entirely, and moaned when her nipples pebbled against his palms. Every part of her wanted him to dominate her, not that she wanted to admit that.
Goosebumps pricked over her skin as he circled his thumb over her nipple, sending shockwaves down to her clitoris. Pinching his fingers around the delicate skin of her nipple, he held it there until she whimpered. Arching off the bed, she rocked against her fingers, desperate for a release.
Her chest heaved, a faint breath escaping when he leaned over, nipping and teasing her with his tongue, fangs gliding over the swell. Finally, he drew her swollen peaks into his mouth, moving between both, his fiery licks sending heat soaring to her core.
Pulling back just an inch, he hovered over her nipple, and with a hot exhale said, “You moan so prettily for me, little lamb.”
Delicious tremors quivered her lips, and she moaned weakly, her breath cutting off midway when pulses of heat chased through her spine. His praise deepened her thrill, her eyes falling closed. She couldn’t believe that she was doing this, but God did it feel good.
His husky voice rumbled into her. “Hmm, so responsive to even the slightest stimulation.” He paused, the corner of his mouth tilting upward. “Do you like it when I touch you there?”
Charlotte ached to explore his body in return. Yes, she wanted him desperately, she thought. She nodded, unable to form the words, sweat beading her skin.
“Use your words,” he said in a purr, sliding a hand under her knee and continuing dangerously higher. Her legs fell open in invitation, a moan passing through her lips.
“Yes, I do.”
He chuckled. “What about here?”
She arched into his stroking hands, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as he palmed her. His tone deepened and his throbbing cock ground high against her inner thigh. “You’re so wet.” His pained, hungry voice toppled her into delirious, inescapable need.
Every touch was blissful, a desirous torture as he prodded her opening, teasing her entrance with one finger.
She pushed herself down, moaning when he pushed inside, the pad of thumb still rubbing her clit side to side, bringing her closer to the edge.
Her walls clenched around him and he groaned, then lifted his head.
“You feel so damned good. I ache to taste you.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked at him with those fuck me eyes, biting hard on her bottom lip. She rocked against the glide of his finger pushing under the hood of skin, sending sparks traveling into her legs and toes.
“Not yet, love,” he said when she edged closer, tasting the pinnacle of release.
“Don’t stop,” she begged when he slowed his strokes, chasing the warmth of his touch. “Please. Nathaniel.”
He grunted in a half groan, half laugh. “Keep saying my name like that and this will be over before either of us are ready.”
“I want you to take me now,” she begged wantonly.
A storm brewed in the pools of his eyes, gray and depthless. Tunneling her fingers through his messy hair, another desperate moan escaped her.
He ignored her plea and purred, “You’re doing so well.” His fingers rubbed her clit in slow, steady strokes, slowing every time she came close, brushing a spot that sent her hips arching off the mattress. “Tell me you’re mine, Charlotte.”