by Claire Marta
Expression scrunching up with a mix of pleasure and pain, the breath whooshes out of my lungs.
“You wanted me, now you have me to the hilt.” He rumbles.
Hands flying to his biceps, my fingernails bite into his skin with every sharp movement of his hips. I wanted it rough and that’s exactly what he’s giving me. Hard, fast, no holding back.
There’s no mercy, his hips slam into mine and it’s perfect.
“Is this better, nymph?” He growls.
He gives his hips a twist and I cry out in pleasure. One hand tangles in my hair and his lips crash to mine as he fucks me impossibly harder. He slows a bit, but his thrusts are powerful and if his body wasn’t holding me down I’d be sliding up the bed.
Digging my heels into his buttocks, I ride his anger. I feel it too. Swirling between us only making this rawer, harsher. Combining, swelling, feeding off each other in our coupling.
“Yes.” I cry out in answer. Bringing my mouth to his shoulder I bite down hard, not caring if I leave a mark or even draw blood.
Thomas hisses in response and I swear I feel him become even harder inside me. Hammering into me, he doesn’t stop. An orgasm slams into my out of nowhere. Releasing the flesh trapped between my teeth, I stiffen in pleasure seeing stars.
Unceremoniously, I’m flipped over and Thomas reaches into the drawer again, this time coming out with a bottle.
There’s the flick of the cap, and then his fingers are back, pushing into my ass. Tensing up I gasp.
“Just relax. You got yours, it’s my turn.”
He opens me with his fingers before pulling back and then it’s his cock that is pushing into a hole that shouldn’t be breached.
Crying out, my whole body tenses, before I take a few breaths, trying to relax like he said.
“Yes, that’s it. You wanted me and that’s what you got. Now, I get all of you.”
Short, hard thrusts, Thomas fucks into me. It’s painful but pleasurable at the same time. I’m worn out, nothing but a body for him to use. And he uses me well.
Steadily, Thomas fucks me hard, he groans and his body stiffens. His hot cock throbs inside me as he comes.
When it’s finished, he pulls out slowly. I can’t help but wince at the discomfort.
Dropping onto the mattress I roll onto my side, watching as he gets rid of the used condom. Giving me a searching look, he dismounts the bed and heads for the bathroom.
I’m not sure how to feel. I’ve just had sex for the first time and he’s claimed me thoroughly. Hate sex. There was nothing gentle about what we’ve just done. It was nothing more than a volatile mixture of our emotions and I know that’s not healthy.
Thomas comes back into the room with a washcloth and gently cleans me up. So different than what happened between us just moments before.
“Did I hurt you?”
Shaking my head, I drag a pillow into my lap and hug it tightly. “No...I mean there was a bit of pain but I liked it.”
Returning to the bathroom, he quickly throws it into the sink before rejoining me on the bed.
“Thomas, I love you.” I blurt out before he can speak.
“You do?” He asks incredulously.
“Since the moment you almost walked into me in the club and you thought I was the other Layla. Goddess knows why I feel the way I do but I do. Even when I was angry at you I didn’t stop loving you.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
Keeping my attention on the mattress, I examine the pretty design of the duvet. “Because it's not going to work between us. I love you, but with everything that’s happened...having sex just now proved it. Goddess, it was good but I could feel the resentment and anger. That’s not healthy and not what I need.
I…I need something stable right now and I don’t think you can give that to me as a lover or as a Dom.”
“You’re right. I can’t give you that. Despite how hard I tried. I won’t regret what we did today, but it shouldn’t happen again. I do hope this won’t stop you from coming to the club, however. I know submission excited you. You never gave yourself over and really explored it before. Don’t give up on it. I think when you find the right person, you’ll come to see how amazing it can be. Perhaps we can be friends one day, if nothing else.
I care about you, you might not believe me, but I do.”
Peeking up, I meet Thomas’s gaze. I see the truth of his words in his golden eyes. Lump forming in my throat, I nod. “I’d like to come back to the club. I miss it. Even if I’m not there to work I’d still like to attend as a member.”
Goddess, after what we’ve just done I’m crazy for walking away. I’ve never been in love before. It makes me feel insane. Leaving him will bring heartache, but I know for now it's the right thing to do. Maybe I am growing up after all.
Thomas
“How does a bastard like him just disappear?”
Adam leans back in his chair and levels me with a look. “He’ll turn up soon enough. He won’t be able to resist.”
“It’s been three fucking months with no sign of him. Even his fucking groupies have pulled back with their shit. Something isn’t right.”
“The Mistress took care of them. Either they stopped trying to make waves or she would go to the city council and make their lives hell.” His tone drops a bit and I see the man behind the mask. The vampire who is ruthless and willing to do anything to protect those under his care.
Over the past few months, I learned that Adam and Mystic are connected to very powerful people. I’ve been around a long time and have connections all around the world, but even I am a bit intimidated by their resources.
“Threats won’t work for long.”
“No,” he agrees, “but it’s enough for now. When we sniff out the rat it will no longer be an issue. Unfortunately, it appears that Enrico has left the city. Our contacts have come up empty, both Samuel and Alistair have been unable to track him.”
I stiffen at that. “Someone is hiding him.”
“It appears that way. I know it’s pointless to tell you not to worry, but at least try. We will find him and deal with him. He’ll make a mistake soon enough and it will be dealt with.”
But at what cost? There is a very real possibility that Layla will be hurt again before it’s all over.
I leave Adam’s office and head downstairs. Eli takes one look at my face and offers me a drink. Waving him off, I slip around the bar and take a seat on one of the stools.
“Did you see Layla earlier?” Eli asks, leaning against the bar top in front of me.
“No, she’s here? I didn’t realize they were ready to go public.”
He shrugs, “it’s good for her. Amelia dragged her to one of the semi-public rooms a half hour ago or so. They’ll probably be done soon.”
“I think I will take a drink,” I say.
I’m not working tonight so why not. I just came in to get an update from Adam, which was a waste of time. Now I potentially have to see Layla with someone else.
I knew she was moving on, that she was getting back into the scene. I encouraged it even, but that doesn’t mean I’m not unaffected. I care for the girl. I still don’t know how I feel about her emotionally, but I know I want her to be safe and happy. If that’s not with me that’s fine.
I did my part. With the help of Adam, I vetted Dominants to pair with her. Unbeknownst to Layla of course. I wasn’t about to let her get with just anyone.
Amelia is fairly new on the scene, but she knows what she’s doing and everyone has good things to say about her. She doesn’t work for Carnal Pleasures, but that’s probably a good thing, further separation between the two of us.
Eli slides a glass of amber liquor across the bar. “This from Adam’s stash?”
“Don’t tell him.” He winks at me. In a lower voice he says, “they’re coming over here. You going to be okay?”
Taking a breath, I nod. “I’ll be on my best behavior, promise.”
“I didn�
�t say that. I know you just want the best for her. But what about you?”
I take another breath and a drink before replying, “I’m okay. As long as she’s okay I’m okay.”
That’s not a lie. My dragon and I have always looked out for Layla and her best interests. Does it hurt that she’s not with me, after what she confessed? Yes. But it was the best for both of us.
I watch as Layla’s Domme sits her at the other end of the bar. The black jute she’s tied up in contrasts beautifully with her pale skin. She’s always looked good in rope, seeing her bound once again after nine months makes my heart swell.
Layla’s attention wanders for just a second and our eyes meet before she remembers her etiquette and turns back to her Mistress.
The past year has been a whirlwind, but we’re both finally where we belong.
The End
Thomas and Layla will return later in the Carnal Pleasures series.
About Claire Marta
Claire Marta writes hot, suspenseful Paranormal romance.
A native Brit, she lives in Italy with her husband and daughter. Whn she’s not writing and drinking copious amounts of tea, she enjoys taking photos of her adoptive country, tries to stay fit with running and reads amazing books while being a stay at home mother.
You can find her these places:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairemartabooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaireMBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemartawritesbooks
Other Books by Claire Marta
The Hunter Chronicles
FrostBite
Dark Desires
Claimed By Magic
The Serpent’s Kiss
Twitch
Blood Moon Rising
The Ceasefire Series
The Devil You Know
The Devil’s Plaything
From Ashes and Embers
Bullets & Bloodlust Series (Written with Abrianna Denae)
Bloody Ties
The Gods Reborn Series (Written with Anna Edwards)
Beauty’s War
Apollo’s Protection
The Carnal Pleasures Series (Written with Summer Stanton)
Bane
The Cavalieri Della Morte Series (Written with various authors)
His Salvation
The Guarded Hearts Series (Written with Nia Farrell)
Morgan
About Summer Stanton
Summer Stanton loves three things: books, coffee, and writing. After spending years dreaming about being a writer she finally took the plunge.
She loves pushing her limits and writing about things that are close to her heart. She tries to put as much real-world stuff into her work but enjoys being creative and taking liberties when she can. Her books are full of love, family, and strong friendships and mostly have happy for now endings.
You can connect with Summer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summer.stanton246
Or email her at [email protected]
Other books by Summer Stanton
The Carnal Pleasures Series (Written with Claire Marta)
Bane
