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  He scowled again and took her hand. His vibrations ran up her arm and she arched her neck, gasping. “Quinlan, sweet Goddess.”

  At that, he smiled. “Not, ‘oh, my God’?”

  She chuckled. “That, too.” But her amusement slid away as fast as it had come. “I’m not good at this, you need to know that. I’ll want my own way.”

  He nodded. “We’ll lock horns over the next few days. Then we’ll part.”

  “I couldn’t bear a life in Grochaire.”

  “And this is my home, my heart.”

  “I know that. I watched you while you looked at the map. You slid your hand over the entire stretch of Grochaire with the most loving caress. I don’t think I’d ever understood you so well before, or known how much a mastyr could love his realm.”

  “She’s been in my care a long time. Centuries.”

  “Do you think you could ever have a wife?”

  “I doubt it and not to malign the married state, but I’ve never wanted that kind of relationship.”

  “And what am I?” She wanted things out in the open.

  One side of his mouth curved. “The best seduction ever. You intrigue me and I like you.”

  She covered his hand with her own. “That’s a compliment coming from you. That much I do get. So thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He searched her eyes. “And I want to apologize for how hard I hit your battle frequency.”

  “It hurt.”

  “I know. It was a virgin breach and for that I’m sorry. A warrior usually breaks in his or her frequency over a period of weeks with serious training and care.”

  “I don’t regret it, though. We wouldn’t have made it here, otherwise, would we?”

  He shook his head, giving her hand a squeeze. “I couldn’t have gotten away from the wind Margetta had created without your help. She’s incredibly powerful. She could have killed me outright.”

  “But that might have injured Lorelei and she wouldn’t have risked it.”

  “No, she wouldn’t have, but she’s very determined.”

  He winced slightly and her heart kicked in a couple more heavy thuds. “You need to feed, don’t you? Have you eaten?”

  “I had some soup.” His gaze had grown hungry, though, and now slid over her throat.

  A soft vision of what the next hour would hold for her rolled through her. “I’d like a bath, Quinlan. Do you have one here?”

  “I do.”

  “And will you bathe me?”

  * * * * * * * * *

  Occasionally, Quinlan could use his brain, which he did right now. “Yes, I’ll bathe you.”

  He rose from beside the bed, his stomach cramping but the rest of him flexing in anticipation. He was almost dizzy as he slipped into the adjoining bathroom, another large space with an enormous, made-to-order, black ceramic, claw-footed tub smack in the middle. The tub faced another stretch of rocky hillside, patches of snow, the feathering of fur needles and a dark starry sky above.

  He ran the water and lit several candle pillars.

  “Anytime you’re ready,” he called over his shoulder.

  “I’m ready.”

  Her voice, closer than he’d expected, startled him as he turned in her direction. She stood in the doorway completely naked, her long, thick, wavy hair hanging almost to her waist.

  He rose, his gaze falling to her large breasts and peaked pink nipples. Dizziness returned because he could smell her sex and she was ready.

  This wouldn’t be simple, not this joining, but he didn’t care, not right now. He would bathe her, caress her, savor her.

  She had a large clip in her hand and slowly drew her hair up, twisting it around and around. Of course his gaze stayed close to the swaying of her breasts that these movements caused. His mouth watered.

  With her hair clipped up on top, she finally moved forward to stand in front of him. He froze, not because he was intimidated by her, or by having her so close, but because he didn’t know what to do first. He wanted to kiss her, touch her, pull her against him, play with her nipples and suck on her neck all at the same time.

  But Batya had a different idea entirely. She took his hand, spread her legs, and planted his palm against what was very wet.

  She closed her eyes, her lips parted and she groaned. “I have been wanting you to touch me so badly all these weeks. Your vibration was one thing, but your flesh, any part of your body, how I’ve longed for you, needed you.”

  He groaned heavily, surrounding her with his free arm. Pulling her close, he slid a finger inside her. At the same time, he crashed his mouth down on hers and kissed her, driving his tongue deep, then plunging in and out.

  Quinlan, sweet Goddess. Quinlan.

  He could have brought her right then, a few quick strokes and a jolt of his vibration, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to draw this moment out. He’d worked her up for weeks, now he wanted to savor every moment.

  He released her, rinsing his hand in the water. “Bath first.”

  She nodded, her lips still open, waiting.

  He held her hand to support her as she stepped into the tub. She stretched out, facing the window. He let the water run until her breasts were two floating islands. The water could have risen higher, but again he used his intelligence and shut the tap off.

  Her pale skin looked exquisite against the black of the tub. He rarely chose a bath over a shower, except when he’d been battling for days and needed to work some of the stiffness out of overused muscles.

  Again, no woman had ever reclined in the oversized vessel, a small boat really.

  Big enough for two.

  “If I’m going to bathe you, I’ll need better access.”

  “Good idea. I might get lost in this ship.”

  He smiled. “We wouldn’t want that.”

  He stood up and stripped off his shirt, his gaze fixed on her, watching her. Her eyes dilated, taking in his arms, his pecs, his abs and lower, as he shrugged out of the absurdly short pants, held up by the ridiculous tie.

  “Perfect,” she whispered, her gaze on his fully erect cock. “Now come join me.”

  She moved back, away from the side, as he climbed in. What foresight he’d shown to have the dimension of this tub made so big.

  From a nearby basket, seated on an ancient, dark polished stool, he took a washcloth and a large bar of soap, imported from the U.S., made in France. There were many excellent perks to the opening up of the Nine Realms to their access points.

  He dipped the cloth in the water then soaped up. “Why don’t you turn around, let me scrub your back.”

  Batya shifted in the water and, spreading his legs, he pulled her toward him, working the cloth over her shoulders and back, her neck, her arms.

  “That feels so good.”

  “Thought it might.” He scrubbed in circles, working into the muscles and little by little, he felt the tension drain from her.

  He soaped up again, and made his way up and down her arms slowly encircling her and leaning forward to wash her upper chest and gradually descended to glide the cloth over the swell of her breasts.

  She leaned into him now, nestling in the curve of his neck so that he had the best view.

  He let the cloth fall into the water, soaping up his hands this time as he massaged her breasts. He had big hands but she was built, more than he’d realized. He caressed down her tips and massaged them both, tugging in rhythmic strokes. The sight and feel of her breasts hardened him all over again.

  She writhed against him, pushing against his chest.

  Quinlan, that feels so good. Everything you do feels so good.

  Love your voice in my head.

  Slowly, as he worked her breasts he started adding his vibration. She gasped, then moaned.

  He nuzzled her hair as he massaged her, licking a line at her temple, flicking his tongue. I want to do this between your legs.

  She cried out and he gave her a jolt of vibration.

  Then he took the vibr
ation in a line down her stomach, lower and lower, like he had so many times while standing across the street from her loft.

  She lifted a hand to caress the side of his face, her body turning slightly in the water, her breathing harsher.

  He plucked one of her nipples and took the vibration straight to her sweet spot.

  “Quinlan. You’re here. Oh, do it please.”

  He closed his eyes, flicking his tongue against her cheek and drifting toward her ear. His hands pulled and pushed her breasts and his vibration now stroked her deep between her legs.

  Do you want to come like this?

  Yes, but don’t let it be the last.

  Sweetheart, we’re just getting started.

  He ramped up the vibrations and she cried out. I’m coming. Sweet Goddess--

  He kept everything up until her hips grew quiet. He dialed down the vibration and let his hands rest on her breasts. He took careful breaths because he was closer than he wanted to be. He knew when he wanted to come and it had to be inside her this first time.

  She shifted slightly to look up at him. “I want to feed you, just a little right now. I know you need blood. I can sense your hunger. Take some at my wrist.” She met his gaze. “And you can feed me at the same time.”

  His cock jerked against her. He forced himself to breath and once more, showing intelligence, he nodded.

  * * * * * * * * *

  Batya turned inside the tub so that she was on her knees. She’d seen the built-up lip at the back of the tub and knew exactly how this should go.

  She extended her arm. “Now rise up and balance yourself on the ledge behind you because I’m really hungry.”

  His eyes had fallen to half-mast. His beautiful full lips were swollen and parted. His breathing seemed rough, which made her smile.

  She inched closer between his knees. His cock was right in front of her and straight up, ready for what she wanted to do.

  Planting her left hand on his hip, she slid her other palm up his chest taking a moment to play with his thick pecs, to caress his muscles, to feel the curves of him.

  When she reached his chin she drifted her fingers over his lips. “Open.”

  He parted his lips and she slid a finger inside.

  “Now suck.”

  He obliged her.

  “And that’s what I’m going to do to you.”

  His eyelids fluttered.

  After a moment, she withdrew her finger, but held her wrist close to his face. “Turn your head to the side, get a good angle, and when you’re ready, bite me.”

  His whole body shivered, like he was cold but she knew it was just latent energy leaking out of every muscle because he had to sit there and hold himself together.

  He closed his eyes and licked over her wrist several times. His nostrils flared.

  She watched, waiting for the moment. She’d had vampire lovers over the years and this part always got to her, straight into her core where all the good things happened.

  He pulled back his lips and his fangs emerged. She watched as he struck.

  Her body arched with intense pleasure.

  Then he started to suck.

  As her blood began to leave her body, more pleasure followed, different this time, invading her chest, intensifying her lower pleasure.

  Yes, she’d had vampire lovers, but not a man like Quinlan, not such a big man, a powerful one, a dominant creature, sucking and lapping and moaning as he took her blood.

  She eased toward him now and looked at his cock, at the thick staff and broad head.

  She leaned near and once more swirled her tongue, easing over the head first then drawing him into her mouth, the soft skin, thickened and toughened with desire, full of purpose and strength.

  She sucked, a long savoring draw of her mouth, her tongue rippling at the same time. She moved her head to take as much of him inside, drawing back with suction, then descending once more.

  She accessed her own vibration this time letting it flow through her tongue. She didn’t suck hard, just enough, and let the feathery vibrations float over him

  Oh, fuck. I didn’t know you could do that.

  She added a little more.

  Fuck. Me. That feels incredible.

  He drew harder at her wrist.

  She didn’t do anything more than that. She just wanted to work him up, to let him feel the pleasure, but she didn’t want him to come, not yet.

  When she felt his agitation increase, she let go of his cock and leaned her head against his abdomen.

  He stopped drinking at the same time, but moaned in short grunts. “Don’t touch me.”

  She’d taken him straight to the edge, just where she’d wanted him. He deserved to be there, suffering a little, because that’s what he’d done to her for weeks.

  She smiled.

  When his breathing seemed more normal, she drew back, took his hands and pulled him back into the warm water.

  He slid down into the tub and she stretched out, floating on her stomach, her legs behind her.

  When he was settled with that half-smile of his on his lips, he stroked her arms and shoulders.

  “Good?” she inquired, almost taunting.

  “You know it was. Nice vibration, by the way. Never had a woman do that before.”

  “Someone taught me the trick.”

  “Somebody smart, I take it.”

  “Too smart for his own damn good.”

  He caught her arms and pulled her toward him.

  She snuggled against his chest, sliding her arms around his waist. He lifted her chin and as she leaned back to look up at him, he kissed her, a soft plucking of her lips at first, then deeper until he possessed her mouth with his tongue.

  But he used no vibration, at least not yet, he just entered her, searching her mouth, then plunging a few times, making the age-old promise of good things to come.

  He kissed her for a long time, then paused, waiting, calming down perhaps, or maybe just savoring, taking his time. A slow build could be extremely erotic at the end.

  He held her chin this time and looked into her eyes. “My turn to do as I want with you.”

  “Uh-huh.” Like she’d argue with a man who could bring her to climax with just a vibration.

  Her internal well seized with anticipated pleasure at the idea that soon what she’d taken into her mouth would be inside her body.

  He shifted sideways, took her hand, and pulled her back toward the perch he’d sat on. “Put both your hands there, flat, and hold on.”

  Her breath caught as she sloshed through the water, bringing her knees up while he got behind her. “Now lean over the side.”

  She did as he told her and stretched out, but she was fully exposed, her bottom in the air.

  Then he split her legs wide, pushing them apart. He leaned over her and started at her waist just kissing her and flicking his tongue. But gradually he began moving lower covering each of her ass-cheeks, licking and kissing, lower and lower, until he spread her down low with his fingers.

  Her breaths grew quick and shallow as the depths of her began long slow pulls on what needed to be there.

  He added a vibration as he reached her lower lips and kissed her.

  She moaned heavily. He flicked all around her entrance, teasing her with his tongue and occasionally sucking with pulls of his lips.

  Then he French-kissed her, his tongue vibrating softly as he penetrated her.

  He slid his hands around to the front of her hips holding her in place, then tongue-fucked her hard from behind, pushing his face into her body.

  Quinlan, it’s never been like this.

  He grunted as he pushed. Come for me, Cha. Loud. I want to hear you come.

  She was so close again and her hips responded rolling into him each time he pulled out.

  She felt a new level of vibration on her hips first, emanating from his fingertips. The sensation poured through her abdominal wall, and reached the center of her.

  Oh, Sweet Godd
ess. Are you really going to do this?

  Yes.

  He connected the vibrations, one that went straight through her body to meet his pulsing tongue. It was like a shock wave that invaded her well, tightening her body.

  Pleasure erupted and she screamed as she came.

  He moved faster, driving his tongue into her harder still, the vibrations reaching a crescendo that kept her own pleasure coming and coming, rising, falling a little, only to rise again so that her screams echoed around the room repeatedly.

  Finally, as he stopped the vibrations, she began to ease back and what followed was a sweet lethargy that made her hips fall against the side of the tub and her arms dangle over the edge. Her breasts were now smashed against the ledge but she didn’t care.

  Quinlan rubbed a hand up and down her back and chuckled softly, a smug sound that she damn well thought he deserved to make.

  “That was amazing. Let’s do it again about a thousand times.”

  Once more, his laughter flowed over her body.

  He leaned his hips against her, his cock a hard missile.

  “Do you want to come like this?” she asked. Right now, she thought she’d do anything for him. He could tell her he intended to tie her into a knot and she’d say it was a great idea.

  “No,” he responded instead.

  He got out of the tub and dried off then took his time peeling her away from the side of the tub. She was still in a state of post-coital heaven and didn’t care what he did. “You can drop me off the flat end of the earth now if you want. I’m ready to go.”

  He laughed once more. He made her stand on her feet, but only to dry her off, then carried her into his bedroom and laid her out on a thick layer of soft furs, another piece of heaven.

  She watched as he lit a fire, one piled high and layered with wads of newspaper, a lot of kindling, and several small logs. It lit up quickly and burned hot, something the room could use, made of stone as it was.

  When he was certain the screen contained the blaze and the damper worked properly, he came back to bed. He lifted her once more, shunting the furs aside until she rested on silk. He took the clip from on top of her head and pulled her hair around her shoulders.

  “You’re so beautiful. I think that’s part of the problem, and why I want you so much. No woman should be so pretty.”