“So soft, but wonderfully hard.” She curled her hand around his erection.
He sucked in a breath as she gently stroked him, then rubbed her thumb over the crown. With a groan, he removed her hand. “That’s enough.”
She frowned. “But I like touching you.”
“I’m about to explode.” He kissed her hand. “I want to be in charge for a while. I’m going to make you writhe and scream with pleasure.”
“Really?” She gave him a dubious look, then her mouth twitched. “Well, if you insist.” She lay back onto the bed and lifted her arms overhead. “All right, cowboy. Let’s see what you can do.”
He tapped the end of her nose. “Your wish is my command, princess.”
“Don’t call me princess.”
With a smile, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties and pulled.
She shifted her hips, lifting them up tantalizingly as he dragged the panties over her rump and down her legs. Now that she was stretched out naked on the bed, he took his time to study her. She had the lithe, muscular build of an athlete, but all the luscious curves of a beautiful woman.
Her nipples hardened and her hips squirmed a bit. “Why are you just looking at me?”
“I like what I see. You’re beautiful. And you’re already writhing.”
She snorted. “Because you’re making me nervous. Where’s all this pleasure you promised me?”
“I’m getting there.” He stroked the bottom of her feet.
She pulled them away. “That tickles.”
“Ah.” He grazed his fingertips along her ankles. “Does that tickle, princess?”
“Yes.” She kicked at him.
He moved up her calves and tickled the back of her knees. “And this?”
“Yes.” She stopped him by bending her legs at the knees, then gasped when he shoved her knees apart.
Now he could see the pink folds of her sex, and his groin grew harder.
“Why are you staring?”
“Does it disturb you?” He grazed his hands up her thighs.
Her legs trembled, and moisture glistened on her folds. He breathed deeply, catching the scent of her arousal.
“Russell, do something. This is starting to drive me crazy.”
Smiling, he stretched out beside her. “Are you ready to writhe with pleasure?”
“Yes!”
He planted kisses down her neck as his hand smoothed down her belly. By the time his mouth reached her breasts, his fingers were delving into the black curls that covered her mound.
With a moan, she lifted her hips, pressing against his hand. He smiled to himself, loving how assertive and free she was. He teased her nipple with his tongue and was rewarded with another moan.
“Russell,” she breathed as her hands raked through his hair.
He drew her nipple into his mouth and sucked. A few hard pulls, then he glanced up to see her reaction as his hand slipped between her legs. She was wonderfully slick with moisture and already swelling. Her eyes flew open when he pinched her clitoris.
“What . . . oh my . . .” She gasped as he gently massaged her.
He kissed a trail down to her belly as he stroked her. Soon she was panting and pressing against him. He nuzzled her black curls with his nose, then slipped his fingers between her slick folds. One finger slid inside, then two. So hot and wet.
With a groan, she writhed her hips. He settled between her legs and gave her clitoris a lick. She cried out, her legs thrashing.
What a wild one she was. He grasped her buttocks to keep her still so he could drag his tongue over her folds, then between them. Moisture seeped out, and he sucked it into his mouth. Her body squirmed. He tightened his grip and clamped his mouth onto her clitoris. A few quick flicks with his tongue, and she screamed. Her body jerked, then her sex throbbed against his face. He inserted two fingers, and she screamed again. Her vagina contracted, squeezing his fingers and making his dick ache.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He slid into her.
With a cry, she wrapped her arms and legs around him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
The caveman in him broke free, and he slammed into her over and over. “You’re mine,” he growled. “Mine.”
His climax hit like a strike of lightning. He squeezed his eyes shut but saw bolts of light flash through the darkness. He lost control, pumping wildly into her, then he crashed beside her, gasping for air. His fangs shot out, but thankfully he was too knocked out to do anything with them.
Slowly, he became aware of her panting breaths and trembling body. He pulled her close and rested his chin on top of her head. His fangs receded.
“Russell,” she breathed against his chest. “Is it always going to be like that?”
“I don’t know. Give me about ten minutes, and we’ll find out.”
She snorted. “Are we going to mate all night long?”
“If you insist.”
She laughed and hugged him tight. “I insist.”
“Your wish is my command, princess.”
She scooted up so they were face-to-face. “I’m worried about my home and my people. Han is attacking Tiger Town tomorrow.”
“I know. I’ll take care of him.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Kidnap him. Take him some place where we can have a . . . talk.”
She frowned. “What if he just teleports away?”
Russell sighed. “I may have to knock him out and tie him up with silver.”
“I’ll help you. Take him inside the palace. I’ll wait for you there with the silver chain.”
“You don’t have to—”
She put a finger on his mouth to hush him. “I’m going to be there for you. We’re partners.”
“I’d rather you stay here, where it’s safe.”
She scoffed. “Don’t worry about me. I can shift whenever I want now. Besides, we made a deal.”
“We did?”
She nodded. “That we would never say good-bye. So you have to take me with you.”
He brushed her hair back from her brow. “If anything happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“What could happen? Even if I die, I’ll come back. And then I would be even stronger.” She gave him a pointed look. “Can you handle that?”
He smiled. “Yes, princess.”
She smiled back. “Don’t call me princess.”
He kissed her nose.
She rested a hand on his cheek. “I’m going with you because I love you.”
“I know.” Unease settled in his heart. No matter what she said, it would still be dangerous. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty
The following night, right after sunset, Jia arrived with Russell in Tiger Town. The courtyard was full of Vamps, shifters and Han’s ex-soldiers, all waiting for the battle to begin. Angus was at the top of the stairs that led down to the riverbank. From there, he had a good view of the Mekong River and Han’s army, gathered on the other side.
“Howard was supposed to tell Angus about our plan to kidnap Han,” Russell told her. “I’ll check with Angus to make sure he knows.”
Jia nodded. “I’ll be waiting for you inside the palace.”
“All right.” He squeezed her hand before turning to leave.
She watched him go, her heart heavy. For thirteen years, her plan to destroy Han had been inspired by hatred and the need to avenge her family. But now that she’d fallen in love with Russell, vengeance no longer ruled her heart. Now she wanted to kill Han so she could spare Russell the pain of murdering his brother.
He might resent her for butting in, but she was willing to face his anger if she could protect him from harm. What else could she do, as much as she loved him?
She weaved through the crowd, then, in her room, she changed into a simple robe that tied at the waist. Instead of her boots, she put on some slippers. This way, she could fling off her clothes in a second in case she needed to shift. She wedged a knife under the sash and hid two more in the deep pockets of her bell-shaped sleeves. Tied to her sash was the silk pouch that held the silver chain.
Outside again, she hurried through the crowded courtyard, headed for the palace. When Russell teleported his brother to the throne room, she would loop the silver chain around Han to keep him from escaping.
Halfway up the stairs to the palace, she heard Rajiv calling her name. She turned to see him bounding up the steps.