Lord Belshazzar jolted against me, his eyes narrowing at the entrance. I couldn’t hear shit, but he was quickly setting me down on my feet and muttering curse words under his breath at his lack of attention. Our heartbeats separated instantly. When he stopped grumbling and started straightening his clothes, I did the same.

I grabbed my swords off the ground and twitched one at Phoenix, now able to hear someone getting closer. They were still a ways off, but they were headed in this direction—the ceremonial chamber, the only room at this end of the stronghold—their shoes clicking loudly on the stone.

My head tilted, listening to the whistling.

My eyes narrowed at the old, familiar tune.

A song I hadn’t heard since I was a child.

I glanced at Lord Belshazzar and reluctantly put away my swords. I mouthed, My father.

Lord Belshazzar ran his fingers through his hair with much irritation. He motioned for me to start walking and fell into step beside me, grabbing his shoes and socks as we moved. We didn’t bother talking, as it would have been eavesdropped on. We strolled out of the room at a laid-back pace, our guards behind us.

While we walked together in the dimly lit hallway, the lord glanced at me, lifting one brow in a silent question.

My lips twitched at his vexed regard, the unintended cockblock my father had caused. I nodded my head in an affirmative to his subtle question. I would go to Lord Belshazzar’s room for a night of sex—if my father didn’t ruin the mood completely.

Lord Belshazzar’s bare footsteps were silent like my boots on the ground. Only thirty seconds later, my father turned a corner in front of us, his whistling cutting off when he noticed my returning scowl at the tune, though he wasn’t surprised to see someone there, his hearing better than mine. His own guard followed closely behind him.

Lord Cato’s scrutiny darted all over us, registering the filth on our bodies, his nostrils flaring and taking in the scent of the blood-mud. His dark brows furrowed as he stopped in front of us, asking frankly, “What the hell happened to you two?”

“Sparring,” I muttered. “Fun times.”

My father took in my extremely dirty appearance compared to Lord Belshazzar’s relatively clean suit. He snickered under his breath. His brown eyes returned to mine. “Real fun, it looks like.” Lord Cato’s attention zeroed in on any piece of flesh that was visible, giving my person a more in-depth perusal. “He didn’t—”

“None of it’s her blood,” Lord Belshazzar rumbled, cutting him off. “I didn’t hurt her.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I griped, ire and disbelief blasting through me like an erupting volcano. The tremble in my hands was noticeable. I shoved past my father and his guard. I flicked a glare behind me. “You didn’t give a shit about me for the last thousand years. There’s no need to start now.”

“Gwynnore…” Lord Cato sighed heavily to my retreating back—and the special finger I lifted in his direction at my name falling from his lips. “I was coming down here to find you, sweetling. Now that your Challenges are over, we can sit down and talk—on a personal level.”

“Fuck that,” I muttered as I turned the corner, out of their sight. I kept marching away, my guard silent on my heels. Ruin the mood? Yes, of course, the asshole did.

Lord Belshazzar stayed behind, talking to my father.

I kept on moving. More than peeved.

Once I hit the elevators, a blast of wind hit me.

Lord Belshazzar ran his fingers through his hair.

His guard eventually showed up.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened.

The four of us moved inside.

With our silent guards standing in front of us, and Orin typing in the access code, per normal for protection in tight enclosures, I crossed my arms and tapped my right foot waiting for the elevator to open again on the royal floor.

Lord Belshazzar glanced down at me. Eyed my person for many tense moments. When I didn’t look up at him, he snorted, his tone derisive and blunt. “You’re really going to let him ruin our evening?”

“With respect…fuck off,” I muttered.

But my foot did quit tapping.

A suspicious snort came from my “mute” bodyguard in front of me. Though he didn’t move at all, as if he were in Rest.

And there was my reason the two mute guards were with me right there. I knew I’d figure it out soon. My father had just been crowned king back when they’d requested turning their human lover into a vampire—and he’d denied the request, it never even making it to the Overlords. Their human lover had died many, many years ago. A mere side note in their profiles, not as if it hadn’t devastated them to the point they’d withdrawn from the world. It was two middle fingers lifted in my father’s direction by picking me to protect, a person he’d hurt too.

They were still bitter.

I snapped my brows together. I stared at the back of my bodyguard’s blond head. “Actually, I have something to discuss with my guards.”

Phoenix’s back stiffened.

Lord Belshazzar’s icy gaze met mine.

I should have known. The man did everything with a purpose. Everything. A simple lift of his brow to the right person could mean the end of an empire.

He’d wanted me to be aware, his words spot on.

I stared into his eyes. My lips pinched in aggravation.

Fuck, I really wanted to keep them.

The lord scratched at his black whiskers that were shadowing his jaw this late at night. He studied me for a full two seconds, reading what was in my gaze. With an eyebrow lifted, he inquired bluntly, “Do you want me to handle it or do you want to?”

I uncrossed my arms and rubbed at my forehead.

It had been a long damn day.

Staring at my boots, not wanting to show my relief he’d asked to help with men I knew I couldn’t best, I waved a hand at him.

The elevator suddenly jerked to a stop, and my bodyguard was lifted off his feet and restrained against a wall. A knife was pressed to his throat and the lord’s other forearm held Phoenix in place. All of this materialized before I could even blink, none of how it happened registered in my brain. It just was.

Orin stared in astonishment, having been shoved to the side—now with the lord’s shoes and socks in his possession—blinking the confusion out of his eyes. He quickly recovered with a bored shrug of his shoulders and a scowl down at the footwear in his hands.

My jaw hung open, and my palms gripped the railing behind me from the jar of the elevator’s sudden stop.

Lord Belshazzar placed his face right in front of Phoenix’s, speaking in a normal, peaceful tone, “If you move, you’re dead.”

Phoenix closed his mouth. Glowered.

But he didn’t move to retaliate.

The lord nicked my bodyguard’s throat.

Just a drop of blood on his knife.

He removed the blade from his prey’s throat and dabbed the crimson dot onto his tongue. He rolled it around inside his mouth, keeping his calm gaze on his target. His throat bobbed as he swallowed all the memories down…then he dropped my bodyguard back onto the floor, watching him land agilely onto his feet.

Lord Belshazzar leaned to the side while tucking his knife away inside his suit jacket and pressed the button on the elevator to make it move again. The lord finally glanced at me and shrugged his shoulders. “They’re loyal to you. Your father won’t be an issue in their protection, to you or to him.”

I studied the Overlord as we resumed our previous formation, the elevator continued to its destined path, my eyes tracking his movements. I finally questioned—with ample curiosity, “Is it hard for you to move at normal speed?”

He grunted, his lips curling at the corners. “No.”

“Hmm. Must be nice.” I turned my attention away from him. I pulled my gratitude up, knowing I needed to say it. “Thank you, my lord.”

“You’re welcome, your majesty.” He smirked. The vain ass knew how hard that was for me to say. “It was quick and efficient. You won’t have to talk with them and ignore me tonight.”

Jesus. He was on a fuck-mission.

Not that I would complain. Heck no, I wouldn’t.

“Fine. Plans are on again.”

A simple shrug of one shoulder. “I thought so.”

Arrogant. So damn arrogant.

I eyed the back of my bodyguard’s head, not done with words that needed to be said. “My apologies, Phoenix.”

He shrugged one shoulder, silent.

That would be all I’d get from him.

“Do any of you know how often you use your shoulders to communicate your feelings?” I asked, exasperated.

All three men shrugged around me in answer.

I threw my hands up into the air, done with it.

The elevator dinged. The doors slid open.

And a familiar vampire waited outside.

My gaze narrowed as he moved aside for us to exit onto the royal floor. I dipped my head to him, muttering grudgingly, “Joshua.”

My father’s personal assistant smirked and bowed deeply at the waist. “Your majesty.”

A slow grin graced my lips.

I liked the sound of that coming from his mouth.

He peeked up and fully noticed the others with me, his lips forming a thin line. The vampire stayed lowered, greeting, “Lord Belshazzar. It’s lovely to see you again.” He slowly rose from his bow.

Lord Belshazzar flicked a finger between us, his chilling eyes not missing our interaction. “You two know each other?”

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes, glaring at the man from my childhood. “Yes, when we were much younger.”

Instant. “How young?”

I held my hand up at waist high. “That young.” I tipped my head in interest. “Why?”

The Overland’s shoulders visibly relaxed at my answer. “He wasn’t in your candidate file.”

I blinked. “And everyone I’ve ever known was?”

Joshua chuckled, backing into the elevator. “Everyone you’ve ever had relations with was.” With a grin at my pinking cheeks and stunned expression, he winked at me and his finger hovered over a button inside the elevator. “Any clue where your father is? He’s not answering my phone calls.”

“Ceremonial room, the last I saw,” I mumbled absently, rubbing at my forehead. Hurriedly, as he pressed the button, I mumbled, “Joshua?”

“Yes, your majesty?” Respect, he was giving it.

“Who created the extensive file on me?”

“Who else? The man who’s kept tabs on you your entire life,” he stated. Right before the doors closed, with my brows furrowing in confusion—and him using a nickname I hadn’t heard in almost a thousand years—he answered softly, “Gwenny, it’s Lord Cato.”

The doors shut, cutting off any further conversation.

“What. The. Hell.” I stood rooted in place, utterly stumped. I ground my teeth together, staring only at the elevator. I crossed my arms again, this time in frustration and embarrassment. “I’m pretty sure my father is trying to wreck our evening—intentionally or not.”

And I really may have to forgive Joshua for almost killing me when we were just kids. He appeared to have grown into a fine man—despite whom he worked for.

My brows puckered as a horrible thought occurred.

It…

It wasn’t fair to hold a grudge against him for almost killing his best friend— by accident—when I had killed mine—on purpose.

Fuck.

“I’m not sure if I like him much anymore,” Lord Belshazzar stated out of nowhere, crossing his own arms and scratching at his jaw, again, in deep thought and staring at the closed elevator along with me. Not even glancing down at me, he mumbled absently, “And whatever put that look on your face, quit thinking about it. Sad eyes don’t do it for me in the bedroom.”

“Sweet baby Jesus.” I rounded on him, pointing a sharp finger against his chest, capturing his attention. “Is that how you sweet-talk all those redheads into your bed? Because I have to say, it lacks in finesse, my lord.”

His right hand snaked between us and captured my digit, pulling me much closer. Red lips curved in amusement while he towered over my shorter stature. The man didn’t even say a word, simply held me against his body, his eyes laughing down at me and not trying to hide it.

I cleared my throat. “What?”

Don’t you dare say anything.

He took a different route. “How about tonight we don’t talk about who we fuck for work?”

Instant relief. “I’m a-okay with that.”

Any questionable jealousy was swept under the proverbial rug—on both of our parts since I hadn’t missed his with a certain annoying assistant.

“I thought you’d agree.” He stepped away from me, releasing my finger. He swiped a hand in the direction of the long hallway that would eventually lead to our bedchambers. “The choice is up to you.”

To go to bed with the devil or not…

It wasn’t a hard decision.

I moved past him, tossing a smirk over my shoulder. “You still haven’t told me how old you are.”

Within two strides, he’d caught up with me. We strolled down the hallway of royal bedchambers at a sedate speed, neither of us rushing. I didn’t even have to walk fast to keep up with him—my stupid short legs were a pain—because he was walking slowly to stay in step with me.

The lord placed his hands in his pockets and stared down at his bare, dirty feet, thinking silently. When he finally did glance at me, his eyes were cold and ruthless.

He stated, “Don’t ask me that again.”

I raised my eyebrows in shock.

His tone hadn’t been…friendly. Not at all.

I’d expected a teasing comment from him. Not that.

I took a step to the side, putting space between us.

Lord Belshazzar’s lips thinned. He grabbed my elbow and gently pulled me back over—our strides never faltered.

I wiggled my arm and tossed a foul squint in his direction, yanking my arm free from his gentle hold when he didn’t immediately release me.

He grunted, watching me, the man obviously unaccustomed to not getting what he wanted. A sour expression graced his own features, dragging his black brows down over his intense blue eyes. The lord hissed quietly, “Dammit. I’m sorry. I just don’t want to discuss it.”

My eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“Because I’m old. I don’t like talking about it, even if I do plan on living forever.” He scratched at his whiskers, his scowl matching mine. “I already apologized for the manner in which I spoke to you. Can’t we be done with this conversation?”

I didn’t respond—yet. He obviously felt strongly about this. I held his irritated gaze, digesting his words with a calmer mind.

Eventually, I sighed long and hard. My expression softened, and my shoulders relaxed. Behavior like this was typical for the eldest of the vampire and druid races when their age was brought up. Always was a long time to live, even with Rests. I opened my mouth to speak, but a door swung open behind us with a violent thud. I snapped my mouth shut, and the lord and I swung around immediately.

My eyebrows rose as the lord took a half step in front of me. I blinked and stared at the back of his shoulder for a beat, and then I cleared my throat in amusement and stepped beside him. The Overlord knew I could take care of myself, had said so merely a few minutes ago. Though, inherent protectiveness wasn’t a bad trait to have in a powerful lord, thank fuck.

Gold mist poured out of a room at knee level.

I visibly shivered. I knew how cold that mist was.

It was Master Niallan’s room.

I whispered under my breath, “These hallways were paved in hell. I know it.”

Lord Belshazzar grunted. Agreed.

“No, that is not what I said!” Master Niallan’s powerful voice boomed from inside his room. “You aren’t listening to me, Ysander. You need to get your shit together before—”

Quiet for a few beats. The mist swirled angrily.

“Dammit, yes, I’m hungry. I swear, they’re trying to starve me around here. But that’s not why I’m pissed.” Another pause…must be on a phone call. His best friends hadn’t been allowed in the stronghold, so one of them certainly wasn’t here. “I am. I am. But I can’t find my damn pants.”

If the Overlord and I didn’t want to discuss each other’s sexual partners, then confronting a half-naked man I’d fucked not too long ago wouldn’t be…helpful.

As one, like we were in agreement with my internal thoughts, the lord and I started walking backward. Away from the druid’s guest room, our eyes avid on the open door, watching for any movement. Our steps quickened when we heard Master Niallan rustling into a pair of pants, still bitching on his phone. Then we both swiveled and dashed around a corner, our guards discreetly following behind us. It was a different route to the lord’s bedroom, but it would take us away from the royal kitchen area where the druid was sure to go in his grumpy-hungry state.

My chin started to tremble in restrained humor.

I peeked up at the Overlord.

“That was unfortunate,” he muttered softly, as to not be overheard, not bothering to glance down at me. My chin quivered more fiercely. He cleared his throat, attempting to choke down a laugh. “Just keep walking, your majesty.”

“Planned on it, my lord,” I whispered.

 

*  *  *

 

I pounced on the Overlord. That was the only word for it. Pounced. The lord’s bedroom door was in sight, and I was done waiting—perhaps a bit overzealous. I wrapped my body around him like I was a freaking monkey, my legs snug around his waist and my arms hugging his neck. No heartbeats or other rooms were around—other than the lord’s other guard protecting his room—so I had no fear when I slammed my lips against his and managed to surprise the most calculating vampire in history.

“Christ.” Bel stumbled to a stop, and his muscular arms wrapped tight around me, our heartbeats now linked. His grunt reverberated deep inside his chest, vibrating against my own. Those long legs of his got with the program, and moved at a fast clip toward his door, his plump lips finally crushing mine in return. He panted against my mouth, “Just give me a second. I have to get us in there.”

I squirmed against his muscular frame and gripped his long hair in my fists, a fire of desperation for this man pounding in my chest. I’d wanted to fuck him again since the last time I’d had him inside me. I whined a complaint when he removed one of his arms from around me and tried to dig into his pants pocket under my left leg. I bit along his jaw down to his earlobe while he worked to get his key out of his pocket. My tongue darted out to flick his earlobe, and then I sucked on it hard.

“Fuck,” he groaned. Lord Belshazzar jerked his hand out of his pocket and slammed his palm against Orin’s chest, his key in hand. He growled, “Get the damn door open.”

A second later, both of his palms gripped my ass, his lips back on mine and focused on devouring my mouth.

The click of a lock echoed, and the door swung open. I hardly noticed when his shoes and socks went flying into the room, along with the key, from his guard’s hands. I leaned my head back long enough to order, “Phoenix, disappear.”

My guard obeyed my command, gone in a blink.

“No one disturbs me until we leave in the morning,” Bel growled to his men, pushing into the room.

I hung on tight as he kicked the door closed behind us and locked it. This late at night, the steel security walls were down inside his bedchambers, but he pressed his thumb to a new, small black panel on the door, and quickly removed it. A steel panel slid down over his door in the next instant.

Since receiving my apartments as Queen today, I’d learned all the royal suites were soundproof—not just his. But Lord Belshazzar had added additional security to this room.

I pressed my mouth back against his, kissing and nipping his beautiful lips. “We’re going to get your bed dirty if we don’t shower first.”

Bel’s smirk was wicked, his dominating eyes focused solely on me. He walked us to his massive bed. “They’ll be cleaned tomorrow.”

“Oomph,” I grunted, staring up into his eyes from where I’d landed in the middle of his soft bed. The Overlord had tossed me without warning. I lifted up on my elbows, my attention riveted on him as he started to strip in front of me. “I’ll forgive you for doing that if you take those off real slow.”

A cocky black eyebrow lifted, his fearsome eyes never leaving mine. His suit jacket casually slid off one arm, and then the other, revealing his strong, broad shoulders and his black dress shirt that fit snugly around his biceps. The jacket dropped to the floor.

He purred, “Am I forgiven yet?”

I licked my bottom lip, my panties damp. I mumbled absently, “Getting there.” I waggled a finger up and down his frame, my eyes trapped on his scrumptious body. I ordered, “Keep going.”

His resulting chuckle was all confident male.

Each shirt button opened so painstakingly slow, I was a panting mess when he slid it off his shoulders. I swallowed hard when the shirt plunged to the floor. His undershirt crept up his torso and finally over his head next. It hit the ground.

He questioned, “And now?”

“Almost,” I gasped.

Muscles contracted and hardened as he slid his belt from his pants, his leisurely pace tormenting me in the best way possible. Holy-fuck-me, the man was danger and beauty combined, an intoxicating, scary ass being. I didn’t think I’d ever seen anyone more powerful and god-like as he unzipped his pants and continued to torture me.

He allowed his pants to drop to the floor.

Bel’s right thumb slipped below his boxer briefs, sliding his finger back and forth over his trim stomach. He hummed, “I have to be close now.”

“Uh-huh,” I mumbled in a lust-filled daze. Damn that finger. I wanted to be his finger right now. I wanted my tongue flicking back and forth like his finger was doing. I wanted that finger on me. I squeezed my thighs together, already soaking for him. “Just a little more.”

His fingers pushed under the material at his hips…and slowly…oh, so damn slowly…slid the boxer briefs down and kicked them to the side. The Overlord was fully erect, his cock intimidating in the extreme but mouthwateringly gorgeous.

I groaned as I looked him up and down.

The thick black leather band that wrapped around his right wrist was all that he wore, the vampire royal crest imprinted in the leather. Sexy as fuck.

He ran his right hand down his bare chest, stopping just shy of his lovely cock. “Forgiven?”

“Yes,” I moaned. I maneuvered onto my hands and knees, and crawled across his bed, tracking blood-mud behind me and not giving two shits. I was ready to taste his skin. All those delicious muscles. But I’d start with his cock first.

Bel was having none of that.

He hissed, his fangs lowering. He sprang at me.

I squealed as the world turned inside out.

Dizziness and flashes of color exploded.

I landed back on his bed, butt naked, all my clothes ripped to shreds around us—where the fuck were my weapons?—with a hungering Overlord on top me. Only to be rolled with me sprawled on top of him. Red eyes stared up at me. He hissed, “You want to suck my cock? You do it while you sit on my face. I want my tongue in your pussy.”

I blinked. Lifted one finger. “Give me a moment.”

Then…I burped. The world was still spinning.

Bel pressed his head back against his mattress. “Do. Not. Puke. On. Me.”

I twirled my finger, slurring, “My brain’s still trying to catch up.”

Two of his fingers shoved deep inside my cunt.

I jerked and sucked in a harsh breath.

The room cleared, my vision straightening in a flash. I shuddered against him, my blue eyes turning red. This man was the whole package.

He lifted one black eyebrow, curling his fingers ever so slightly inside me. “Caught up yet, little one?”

I licked my lips and nodded. I ground against his fingers until my eyes closed and my frame shuddered all over. I whimpered, “So damn good.”

Bel lifted his head and kissed my neck gently, then he placed his mouth against my ear. “I already said what I want. Your pussy on my mouth. Quit getting distracted.” I snapped my eyes open at his sexy, demanding tone, more than willing to obey his directive. His thumb rubbed against my clit, petting me before he removed his fingers from inside my pussy. Bel leaned his head back down, his long, black hair billowing out around his head on the mattress. He patted my hip, ordering, “Turn around.”

Dominant, yet sweet. It was heady and attractive.

I pressed my lips to his, kissing him, letting him know I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Our lips caressed and moved. We took our time to taste one another and revel in the softness of each other’s mouths. His groan curled my toes, and his hands ran over my back, then down to my ass. He squeezed roughly enough to remind me of the order he’d given.

I chuckled softly. Pecked his lips once more.

Then I submitted and turned around.

His cock… Oh, his cock.

I could write a poem about his fucking cock.

I should wine and dine this fucker every night. I would pet it and kiss it, and—

“Are you all right down there?” Bel questioned, his voice amused. He kissed the inside of my left thigh. “You’re just staring at my penis, and while I don’t mind staring at your pussy all night long, I’d rather you move your ass down a little bit so I can lick all that wetness waiting for me.”

I stared at it.

Seriously, his cock was a work of art.

Maybe I could take a picture—

He cleared his throat and ran his palms up the outside of my thighs. His tone suddenly tempered to a gentling cadence. “Little one, are you still with me? If you’re not ready—”

“It’s so pretty,” I whispered. Stupidly.

A rush of laughter shook his large body underneath me, waking me from my awed state. Even his legs were freaking shaking. The mattress underneath my hands and knees vibrated with his humor.

My mouth opened and closed in embarrassment, more than thrilled that he couldn’t see my expression.

“That’s a new one,” he sputtered.

Still laughing.

I slapped his thigh. Though his laugh was profound and happy, tickling my ears in pleasure, I protested, “Just erase the last thirty seconds from your mind. I didn’t really say that or act like that.”

Bel snorted. Hard.

He didn’t comment further, though.

I breathed a sigh of relief, my skin cooling.

Thank you, my lord. Truly.

I opened my mouth wide and sucked on the head of his cock, grinning around his silky flesh when he jerked at the contact. Fuck, he smelled minty down here too. I groaned at his taste and gripped the base of his cock with my right fist as much as I could. My tongue twirled around and around his head, and then I licked at the underside like a lollipop.

“Fuck,” he hissed, bending his legs to start pumping his hips up, fucking my face. His large hands grabbed my ass and shoved down, my cunt thrust onto his waiting mouth. His tongue took long, leisurely licks of my pussy, his moan of delight loud inside his bedchamber. I shivered and rocked against his face, adoring how he reached down and palmed my right breast, squeezing and kneading for his own desire, enjoying my body just as much as he was giving me pleasure.

I clasped the base of his cock harder, pumping him in time to his thrusts, the wet cavern of my mouth taking the rest of him in. My eyes crossed, and I hummed when he used his free hand to play with my clit, rubbing with vigor.

I pressed more firmly against his thumb.

Back and forth, I rocked my hips.

Faster and faster.

Bel groaned, pressing his tongue inside of me.

My body tightened. I knew my climax was coming.

I shouted around his cock as I hit my peak, my hand gripping him tighter. I tossed my head back, and my body arched, grinding myself against him. Blinding pleasure warped my senses, heat unfurling in rippling waves through my veins. I shuddered hard against his strong frame, my legs shaking around his head. My mind short-circuited as I rode the blissful waves.

The Overlord caught my body as I started to fall on top of him, holding me up with his strength. I found his hands on my waist and held them in a bruising grip. His tongue continued to lap at my cunt until I stopped shivering. I moaned in contentment, and my head dropped down while my chest continued to heave with labored breaths.

He lifted my small body off him and laid me on my back, the sheets beneath my bare skin scattered with strips of my torn clothing and flakes of blood-mud. I didn’t mind at all, his sculpted body following down on top of me. Bel brushed hair off my face with soft fingers, half my black hair now displaced from my ponytail. I was sure I looked a sight, with my face flushed and my gaze half-dazed, but his eyes held mine prisoner as he lined up his cock with my vaginal entrance and carefully began to thrust into my tight channel.

I moaned softly at the intrusion, opening my legs wider for him. It didn’t help much, the Overlord more than well endowed.

Bel’s breath puffed out between his kiss-swollen lips, his expression a mask of concentration. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and he ground his teeth together, moving his hips a little faster with each press. His pectoral muscles twitched and flexed when his hips finally pushed flush against mine, his cock fully inside me.

“Mmm,” I groaned, wrapping my legs around his waist. I gripped his biceps with my fingers and dug my nails into his skin. My grin was sloppy and pleasured. “Bel, why are you being gentle with me? I know you like to fuck hard.”

His smile was slow, mischievous, and sexy. “Because we’ve had an interesting day, and I thought you might like it this way.” He shook his head slightly, his black hair fanning down around my face, cocooning me in his scent. “And I like sex all ways. Not just hard.”

I lifted my right hand and played with his hair, twirling a strand around my finger. I tugged on it playfully. “How do you want it right now?”

“Like how you wanted the striptease. Slow.”

I chuckled under my breath. “Then take me on the slow path to heaven, my lord.”

He dipped his head down, breathing against my lips, “My pleasure, your majesty.”

The air rushed out of my lungs, past my lips and against his, as he gradually pulled his hips back and leisurely pushed forward again. His large cock rubbed delectably inside my wet channel, and my body trembled inside his embrace. His lips started stroking mine at his own pace—like his cock was doing inside me—and his head tipped, pressing our mouths together with more pressure for added intimate contact.

Hard or soft, the man fucked like a champion.

Like it was an art form, and he was the master designer. Like a farmer who never had a bad year of crops. Like an accountant who always had a perfect balance sheet. Like a commercial pilot who always arrived on time.

He was a champion in all things sex.

Sinful. Sweet. Humorous.

Everything you could want.

I mean, where the hell did this man come from?

Or did we just fit together that well?

I peered up into his eyes, and asked honestly—quietly, “Is it always like this for prospective mates?”

He pressed his lips to mine again, kissing me as if he wanted to devour me. When we ran out of oxygen, he pulled back, allowing us to breathe in heavy pants. He shook his head, brushing our lips back and forth against the other’s lips.

Cautiously, he answered, “No, it’s not.”

Even as I trailed my fingers down his back, and up again, my gaze turned a wee bit wary. “Oh.”

Bel’s eyes held mine. “And now she’s scared. Let’s just focus on our fucking. That’s not so bad.”

My nose scrunched up, teasing, “You’re very bossy.”

“Yes, I am.” He thrust his hips against mine, grinding his pelvis against my clit. At my quick intake of breath, his lips twitched. “You like it. Don’t deny it.”

I pressed my mouth against his again and met each one of his gradual thrusts with my hips. Because I couldn’t deny it. I liked (adored) the sex with him, and I enjoyed (adored) his bossy side in bed. I wouldn’t look too much deeper into it for fear that I might freak-out when there was really no need for the worry. We liked to fuck one another. So what? I ran my hands down to his backside and grabbed handfuls of each of his ass cheeks, moaning at the muscles flexing under my fingertips with each drive of his hips.

Bel swirled his tongue around mine, our mouths fused together. He continued to stroke my clit with each unrushed plunge of his cock inside me, pressing harder and harder against my sensitive nub, his quiet groan making an exquisite shiver run down my spine.

I squeezed his ass, my nails digging into his hard muscles, and arched my back to rub my breasts against his hard chest, our bodies moving as one in a rhythm as old as time. Together, our hips met again and again. The base sounds of our moans filled the air. The light sweat on our bodies mingled and mixed. Our mouths never left each other’s, our teeth nipping and our lips stroking. We cradled one another in our arms, our bodies rubbing against the other.

When we hit our climaxes, it was together.

We trembled and let the pleasure take us under.

And slow… Yes, slow sex was delightful.

I shivered and pressed my face to the side of his head where it had landed next to mine, his body heavy on top of me. Breathless, I panted, “Are you falling asleep now?”

“Fuck no.” He turned his head, our noses brushing, as he settled his attention on my eyes. His cheeks were flushed, and his grin turned feral. “I’m not done with you yet. I did say all night long. Remember?”

I lifted a black brow, returning his wicked smile. “How do you want it now, my lord?”

He kissed the tip of my nose. “Hard, your majesty.”