by Bianca Cole
“Vlad,” I breathe his name, feeling the tortuous need inside of igniting again.
He has been downright evil tonight, pushing me to the edge countless times.
I need him more than I need to breathe. “Please stop torturing me,” I say as we break apart.
Vlad pulls me onto the bed, pushing me under him instantly. “You’ve been a naughty girl tonight, Rosie. I have to punish you,” he groans, moving his hands down my body slowly. “I’m going to prove to you how amazing delayed gratification can be.” He licks a path down my neck before sinking his fangs into me.
I buck my hips, as pleasure shoots through every vein in my body, but not enough to push me to the edge. “Fuck, you are killing me.”
Vlad removes his fangs and smirks down at me. “No, I’m blowing your mind.”
I shake my head. “That’s a cocky thing to—”
He kisses me hard, silencing me mid-sentence. His hard body presses against mine as he claims my mouth with fierce need. Suddenly, the panties switch on, and I cry out.
Vlad smirks. He moves so fast that I can’t register what he’s doing. When he stops, I’m tied down to the bed—restrained. I try to resist them, but they are tied so tight. “Fuck.” I meet his gaze, which is blazing with desire. Those red eyes are so beautiful at that moment, unique but stunning.
“How do those panties make you feel, baby girl?”
I shake my head, gasping for breath. He’s pushed me close to edge too many times tonight, and I don’t think I can take any more teasing. Tears prickle at my eyes as he switches them off, watching me writhe on the bed. “I can’t take it anymore, Vlad.”
He raises a brow. “You know the safe word if you want us to stop.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want you to stop. I want you to fuck me.”
He smirks. “Naughty girls have to wait for what they want.” His fingers move to the zipper of his pants, and he slowly undresses, leaving me panting and breathless. When he finally pulls his hard cock from his pants, I’m practically going to explode.
The look in his eyes tells me he isn’t going to give me what I want. He slowly strokes himself up and down, eyes roaming my body.
I watch as he steps forward and rips my dress from my body.
“Vlad, I loved that dress,” I protest.
He smirks. “I’ll buy you another one.”
I stay still, waiting for him to make the next move. All I want is to feel his skin against mine. He switches the vibrating panties on again, and I buck my hips.
It feels like I’m going to die if he doesn’t let me come soon. He knows how to get me to the edge and then back off as I’m going to come.
“Oh, God, please, Vlad.”
He chuckles softly before switching them off again and kneeling on the bed between my legs. “Tell me what you want.” His gaze holds mine. “I want to hear you say it.”
I’m not sure I’m capable of anything coherent right now. “You,” I breathe.
His smirk widens. “What do you want from me?”
“Everything,” I pant as he slowly moves his fingers up and down my thighs softly.
He shrugs. “It will do.” He turns the panties off, slowly moving them down my hips.
Finally, he touches me there, and it feels like electric against my skin.
“Soaking wet, Rosie,” he murmurs, slowly plunging his fingers deep inside of me.
It feels like heaven as he finally gives me what I need—any part of him inside of me. I need more, but it’s better than nothing.
He fingers me softly, too softly as he kisses a path up my tummy. I groan as he unhooks my bra with his other hand and circles each hard nipple with his tongue.
I didn’t believe that this need could grow anymore, but he proves me wrong with every touch. “Vlad, I need you now.”
He smirks, moving his lips to mine and kissing me. “I know, baby girl.” He kisses my chin and then down my neck. “It won’t be too long. You have been such a good girl.”
A spine-tingling shiver races through me as he hovers his fangs over my left breast. I glance down at him, eyes wide. “Are you going to—”
He sinks his fangs into the sensitive flesh.
“Vlad,” I cry out his name, writhing against the bindings.
He is sending sensations through me that blow my brain apart. I’m pretty certain he has broken me. I can hardly breathe. My body is limp but tense at the same time. I can hardly think through the fog of the pleasure toxin over my mind.
Slowly, he kisses a path down my tummy, heading straight toward the place I long to feel him. He gently licks a path through my soaking wet center, turning the blazing fire inside into an inferno. It’s wild and all-consuming as he lightly circles my clit with the tip of his tongue.
My eyes roll back in my head as the pleasure hits a peak I’ve never felt before. The light caress of his tongue isn’t enough to tip me over the edge, but enough to hold me over it, prolonging the desperate need coursing through my veins. I don’t want it to end, and yet I long for a release.
Vlad gently runs the tip of his fangs across my most sensitive part, torturing me even more.
“Fuck, please, Vlad,” I moan, writhing against the restraints.
He sucks my clit into his mouth, but again, it’s not enough. I feel his fingers dip inside of me as he licks my clit and fucks me with his fingers. Slowly, he kisses a path up my body, fingering me all the time.
Our lips meld together, needy and frantic. Vlad takes me by surprise, as his fingers are replaced with his huge, hard cock. My pussy clenches around him, ready to explode the moment he fills and stretches me.
“Is that what you wanted, baby girl?” he groans, shutting his eyes as he sinks deep inside of me.
“Fuck, yes,” I groan, wishing I could claw at him and touch him, but I can’t.
He chuckles and starts to move in and out of me. It’s insane how much better every thrust feels—maybe he was right. The torture was worth it as he picks up the pace. Our bodies fall into sync as he grips my hips hard, grunting above me.
I come from the intensity. Every nerve ending in my body is on fire as the release is so powerful. My mind turns blank, stars filter into my vision, and every muscle in my body spasm out of control.
“Fuck, Vlad,” I scream over and over again.
He grunts against my neck, pounding into me hard and fast. He fucks me through it, not stopping even as my orgasm washes through me.
It feels like my body is separate from my mind as the pleasure rocks through me in waves over and over again. Vlad was right. Delayed gratification is the best thing I’ve ever felt.
Once I finally get a grip on reality, I meet his hot gaze. It’s intense and powerful, as he holds it while fucking me. My emotions are heightened along with everything else. Vlad revealed the truth to everyone—maybe we can have the same kind of relationship the others have. It’s all I want. I want him to love me the way I love him.
Love.
It’s the first time it’s hit me, but as this man moves over me, I know it. He’s made for me. He tells me I’m his, but he is mine too.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Vlad asks, nipping my lip with his fang.
I don’t know what comes over me, but the way I feel tumbles from my mouth. “I love you,” I breathe.
He tenses above me, eyes widening slightly. Suddenly, he kisses me, hard and passionate.
I wonder if that’s his way of saying it back, but when he finally breaks away, he breathes it back. “I love you, Rosie.”
My heart skips a beat, and he starts to pound into me harder and faster, driving me toward the long-awaited cliff edge he’s been dangling me over all fucking night. He breaks the bonds on my arms, allowing me to touch him.
I wrap my hands around his neck, clawing his lips to mine. “Vlad,” I breathe his name against his lips over and over again. It feels like our souls join as we become one, moving toward our mutual pleasure with no other thought.
Vlad isn
’t trying to tease me now. He’s just giving me all that I want, loving me the way I’ve always wanted him to. I don’t believe it’s even possible to orgasm again, not after what I just experienced, but it’s building with each thrust.
We hold each other’s gaze, emotion, and heightening pleasure heightening together as we see one another truly. I’ve never more vulnerable or alive before.
“I want you to come for me again, baby girl,” he murmurs, kissing me again. “I want to feel you come and milk me for all I’m fucking worth,” he growls, thrusting into me even harder.
The dirty talk, coupled with the intensity of his thrusts, throws me off the cliff edge. If I believed it wasn’t possible to feel more pleasure than I did the first time, I was utterly wrong. My muscles clamp down around his shaft as my body starts to convulse beneath him.
Vlad growls against the skin at my neck as I pull him over the edge with me. His hands grip my hips possessively as he thrust into me again and again, draining every drop.
We both lay in that position, holding each other and panting for a long while. Neither of us wants to move. After what I just experienced, I’m not sure I’m capable of moving.
Finally, Vlad rolls off of me. He reaches for me and pulls me into his chest, holding me tightly. There’s nothing to be said as we lay together, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking. My eyes fall shut, and I listen to the slow, steady beat of his heart beneath my head. I let it soothe me and take me away, falling to sleep in the vampire king's arms—my vampire king.
23
Vladimir
I sit on one side of the table, keeping my arm protectively around Rosie’s back. She leans into me, clinging to me ever. We’ve been inseparable since last night. I think I broke her with the pure pleasure she experienced. I broke the sexy little virgin, who is my perfect submissive. It took some training, but she understands who her master is now.
When she told me that she loved me last night, it took me by surprise. In nine hundred and fifty-five years of life, I’ve never loved another being. I got close once but dodged a fucking bullet. I tensed the moment I heard those words but couldn’t stop them falling from my mouth in return.
It’s as if Rosie has bewitched me. I love her with all of my heart, and I couldn’t even deny it if I wanted. Rosie is the love of my long life—a life that has never had space for love or romance.
I’m a ruler of vampires, and I have to remain strong in my subjects’ eyes. Love is so often perceived as a weakness.
Now I’ve experienced the power of true love, I beg to differ. It takes courage to love. It opens you up to inevitable hurt when you lose that person, and there’s no doubt that Rosie will be gone before I know it. She’s human. A human’s life isn’t long enough. An eternity with her isn’t long enough.
Flynn clears his throat, bringing my attention back to the meeting. “I called this meeting to discuss what happened last night.” He meets my gaze. “Rhys’s little outbreak was unfortunate, but he has agreed to strike Rosie from the list of wanted humans.” He glances at Rhys. “He has agreed to stop this archaic bullshit alpha practice of murdering humans that did his packs wrong.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “In the future, all species that have done wrong will stand trial and be served justice in the most democratic way possible.”
Anastasia nods. “Indeed, no one deserves to be subject to murder for wronging a pack.” She shoots her mate an irritated glare. “It’s clear that it is a hot-headed and stupid practice.”
Flynn nods. “I hope this is an acceptable resolution to what happened last night, Vlad.”
I nod, but I don’t say anything. I’m still pissed at Rhys. He could have taken her away from me last night. I owe Isla my thanks after this meeting. I’ve liked her ever since we met. She’s my favorite on this council, but as a witch, she’s my natural ally.
“Great,” Flynn says, sitting down at the head of the table. “I’ve filled everyone else in regarding your situation, Vlad. We all agree this is the perfect moment to prove our loyalty to you.”
Aiden nods. “Yes, I believe we were wrong to segregate you last night, but we will be sure to involve you more closely.”
I narrow my eyes at the dragon shifter. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. All of you have a prejudice deeply engrained toward vampires.”
Flynn clears his throat. “No one said this is going to be easy, but we will all try as hard as we can to change this world.”
Rosie squeezes my hand under the table.
“Fair enough, what do you have in mind for the men trying to oppose me?”
Aiden and Rhys exchange looks. “We intend to pay a visit to both the leaders of our kinds in Britain,” Aiden says.
My brow furrows. “To what end?”
Rhys shrugs. “I’m the king of the wolf shifters, and my heritage stretches back to Europe. I intend to claim my birthright.”
Aiden nods. “I already am outright king, but my rein over the rest of the world is weak. I intend to strengthen it.”
I run a hand across the back of my neck. The thought of these guys taking more power within my home country doesn’t sit easily with me, even though I’m trying to trust them. As it stands, the shifters don’t have strong leaders, which has generally benefitted me—until they decided to steal that chalice. Since then, things have gone downhill fast.
“That’s all great.” I run a hand through my hair. “But, what about the bastard vampire contesting my rule?”
Flynn shakes his head. “Patience, we are getting to that.”
I glare at the faerie, wishing he wouldn’t draw it out. I like to get to the fucking point and then get on with it. “Speak then.”
He smiles. “Boian is the one proving difficult, is that correct?”
I nod. “Yes, he is the challenger, and I’ve got no fucking problem fighting him in a fair fight as per our laws.” I crack my neck. “The moment they went for Rosie, it was clear they had no intention of holding a fair fight between us. It was a pure and simple coup.”
“Then, it’s simple.” Flynn claps his hands. “We all head to London and request an audience with Boian under the wolf shifters protection,” Flynn announces.
My eyes widen. “The wolf shifters will tear me apart the moment I step into the city.”
He shakes his head. “Not once Rhys claims his rightful place as king of all wolf shifters, forcing them to heed his orders. He has the blood right, and he will claim it, making it impossible for any wolf to disobey him.”
I glance between Rhys and Flynn, wondering if that’s true. I knew Rhys’s blood was special, but I didn’t know he had such far-reaching power. It truly would solve all our issues, and I know I can beat Boian. “I never knew Rhys had a claim that stretched across the Atlantic.”
Rhys nods, running a hand across the back of his neck. “Yeah, my family loosened their hold once they relocated to the states, but we are officially still in charge of the wolf shifters across all of Europe.”
I raise a brow. “Surely, it won’t be that easy to regain control?”
Rhys smirks. “They can’t defy me unless they wish to challenge me.” He cracks his neck. “I’d like to see anyone try.” The challenge in his eyes ignites an odd pride inside of me. The guy reminds me of myself—confident in his abilities.
“Fair enough.”
Rosie squeezes my thigh softly. “Isn’t it dangerous to fight this vampire?” she asks, her voice laced with concern.
I move my hand over hers and squeeze softly. “No, Boian can’t beat me.”
She swallows hard. “How do you—”
I grip her throat, cutting her off. “Don’t question me, Rosie, not here.” I let go of her throat as she turns a deep pink. The thought of turning her ass that color makes me hard, and I have to avert my gaze. “When do we leave, then?”
Flynn clears his throat. “Rhys and Aiden will go ahead with Ilsa.” He nods his head at them. “She will take them to the respective so-called lead
ers so that they can stake their claim. Once Rhys has secured his control over the city of London, Ilsa will return for the rest of us.”
I glance at Rhys and Aiden, wondering if I can trust them to pull this off. All this time, I’ve got where I am by trusting no one. My power is that I rely on only me, and this alliance tests every belief I hold. The problem is, I’m out of options. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
Rosie shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable that I’ve agreed to fight Boian. If she had it her way, I’d stay here in America and forget about what they did. She doesn’t know me very well if she thinks I’d ever let a threat on her life go that fucking easily.
“Rhys, Aiden, and Ilsa, please get ready to leave. We need to work quickly and make sure we move as one on this. Any mistakes could be fatal for the council,” Flynn says.
Ilsa nods, and the three of them join hands to one side.
Rhys meets my gaze as Ilsa starts to chant. “We’ll sort this out, Vlad. We’ll prove you can trust us.”
Suddenly, they are engulfed in magic and disappear. There’s something about the shifter king that I like. Despite the fact, he tried to kill my queen last night.
“Rosie, how would you feel about joining Lucy and Anastasia on the council?” Flynn asks.
I spin around and see Rosie staring at me for permission to speak. I give her a nod. “It’s up to you.”
She smiles and nods. “I’d like that very much.”
Flynn walks over with the same quill and ink well we used to sign the contract. He flicks his wrist, and the contract appears. “Would you like to read the contract?” He sets it down on the table.
I grit my teeth, watching as Rosie reads the words in the contract. I’m uneasy about her being on the council, but it gives her somewhere to belong.
She is my queen. A queen will have responsibilities. I want her to be strong and independent, even though I love her to obey me too. It’s an oddly conflicting feeling.
“Where is the ink?” she asks.
Flynn hands her the knife, and I snatch it out of her hand. “No need for that.” I move my fangs to her wrist and slice open the skin, squeezing the blood into the ink well. “You have to sign in blood.” Once there’s enough in the well, I lick the delicious blood dripping from her wound and pass the quill into her hand.
