Calum had to pause. Arielle squeezed around him so wet and tight, he needed a moment to regain some self-control. The beast inside him had wakened and wanted it all, but he wasn’t going to come just yet. Not when they could spend the night exploring each other.

He studied her face—so beautiful with her eyelids half-closed and lips parted—a vision he seared into his memory. Being with her was unlike being with any previous lovers. He wanted to make her happy, even above his own pleasure.

“Everything all right?” she asked.

“Perfect.” He kissed her lips.

He’d thought about being with her countless times, but it wasn’t until he sang to her on stage that he realized how deep his feelings had grown. He’d thought the possessiveness he’d felt when around her, was a gargoyle trait. When he’d sung Mason’s love song for Kayla, Conquered, he’d sung for Arielle. And only Arielle. No other women in the club mattered. None of them could compare to someone as adventurous, and brave, and loving as Arielle, someone who could be his perfect match.

“I want you in so many ways. I just need a moment.”

She pulled herself up. “Why don’t you lie down and let me have a turn?”

Like he’d turn down that offer. “Lady’s choice.”

When they switched positions and she straddled him, gliding over his cock, a thousand bolts of lightning shot through him. It felt so damn good. He was in heaven, cupping her breasts while she rode him. Sending him to the brink with slow, gyrating movements. That look of rapture on her face and those ever-so-soft moans could undo him all too soon.

As she increased the tempo, he grabbed her hips, bucking up toward her with deep thrusts. The intensity increased to epic levels as she ground herself against him. Her limbs tightened. She was almost there. He pumped harder against her to send her over the edge.

She cried out as she shattered on him, her sweet tightness pulsing over him. It was enough to send him over, as well. All his muscles went taut as blood surged through his veins. He wanted to slow down, prolong the intense sensations pummeling through him and regroup, but he couldn’t stop the raging inferno throbbing within.

“Shite, Arielle, I’m going to explode.”

“Go ahead,” she said through breathy moans.

“No, I don’t want to stop. Ever.”

“We have all night.”

With that, she renewed her slick, deep grinds, and he lost all control. An orgasm blazed through him with a fury that drowned all his other senses, blinded by this incredible lust. He grasped her hips tighter, losing himself in the highest pleasure, before he unleashed everything he had deep inside her with a feral growl.

He pulled her down against his body as they both came down, breathing heavy as their hearts pounded against each other. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close. Her skin was as hot and slick as his.

“That was—there are no words.”

“Intense? Passionate? Amazing?” she offered while drawing a figure eight on his chest.

“All of those,” he answered. “And that was only round one.”

She raised her brows. “You’re not ready to go again yet, are you?”

“Sadly, not yet. But I’m already thinking about it.”

She smiled with a wicked gleam. “I’m eager to see what’s coming in round two.”

He rubbed her back while their bodies cooled. She had the softest skin. Running his fingers over it reminded him of raindrops gliding over flowers in the peak of summer on the island. And like a flower, their time together would bloom, but would soon wilt. Eventually, it would die.

What a morbid thought after that exhilarating rush. He had her now in his arms. Their naked bodies pressed against each other after their intimate encounter. One he’d soon want to reenact. He’d be a fool to let negativity creep in and ruin such a bloody fantastic night.

Images of better ways they could spend their short time together flashed before him. His cock twitched with anticipation. His hand traveled down over the curve of her arse. Fuck, he had to take her again, from behind. After finding that sweet, slick place between her legs, he explored her with his fingers. She moaned, pulling herself up to glance at him. He claimed her mouth in a hot kiss that grew more demanding as he quickened his strokes below. His erection soon returned, the quickest recovery time ever.

“On your knees.” When she flipped over, he grabbed her arse.

“Let me know if this is too much.” He grabbed her hips and drove himself in. She panted heavily but didn’t stop him. Good, the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her when she made him feel so good. Her hot, wet tightness made him emit a guttural rumble.

“Shite, you feel so good,” he murmured.

He wanted more. Needed more. He leaned forward to reach one of her breasts, and she sighed with pleasure. Pushing forward, he relished the sensation of sliding inside her.

Moving his hand to find her clit, he rubbed her sensitive nub. She moaned and pressed against him, encouraging him to continue. Her building arousal excited him.

After several moments, she cried, “It’s too much.”

He eased the pressure, moving his hands to grasp her hips. His beast demanded more. Calum drove in with deeper thrusts. She gasped and moaned as he pounded into her, relentless, before she pulsed, shattering around him with a strangled cry.

After giving her a moment to recover, the pressure to resume built within. He rocketed into her again, the tempo rising with his building desire. The intensity was almost blinding. He couldn’t see anything but Arielle and how purely decadent this view was from behind. A surge of heat rushed through him, and he couldn’t hold back any longer.

He gave in, letting the climax overpower him, and exploded deep inside of her with a primal growl. Collapsing beside her, he wrapped his limbs around her so their slick bodies joined. He had no desire to extricate himself from her warm embrace and relaxed in a post-lust daze for several moments as he caught his breath.

“That was simply amazing,” he said. “I don’t think I can move my legs.”

“Then rest.” She ran her fingers through his hair and rolled to the side.

He nestled against her back, spooning her. Not much for cuddle time in the past, this afterglow had left him a mushy mess.

After several minutes, the slow, rhythmic sound of her breathing indicated she was asleep. He didn’t move a muscle, didn’t want her to pull away. He stared at the stars overhead. He silently cursed the heavens. The gods must have thought of him as entertainment—why else would they taunt him with the one woman whom he couldn’t have?

Once the potion was ready, she’d have no reason to stay. A part of him wished he could delay their parting.

Well, if they only had limited time together, he was going to spend as much of it as he could with her. Especially, if it involved a repeat of tonight.

* * *

The next few days with Calum were magical, so much so that Arielle almost forgot that it was forced upon them by circumstance. They’d spent time exploring the island, climbing trees, swimming, making love under the trees, and resting in one of the cabins. It was a thrilling adventure.

As they flew back to the Highlands for a Knights of Stone show, flashes of the last one replayed in her head. After his performance on stage, his private show for her had been mind-blowing. She looked forward to a repeat tonight.

After they were situated in the club, Calum kissed her.

“I’ll see you after the show.” After he gave her a sly grin, he added, “stay out of trouble till then.”

She raised a brow. “I think I can manage that. What kind of trouble could I possibly get into in a room full of — people?” She almost said humans, which would ring as odd to anyone who overheard them.

She glanced around. The club was smaller and dingier than the last one where the brothers had performed. She didn’t care about the atmosphere—she wanted to hear his voice and watch the way he moved his body.

Calum walked toward the stage, and she watched the back of him move through the crowd. Tonight, he wore tight leather pants and a white shirt that was untucked and unbuttoned, showing plenty of his golden, muscular chest. Many of the ladies turned their heads as he strode by. And then they glanced at her, shooting jealous daggers from their eyes.

That’s right, ladies. He’s mine. She gloated.

She sighed. For now, at least.

When she was gone, they’d have their chance with him.

Arielle shook her head. Well, whatever. She had her life waiting for her back in her realm. She couldn’t worry about trivial issues with humans. If Calum wanted to sleep with all of them, it was none of her business.

But tonight, he was hers.

Arielle joined her companions, as she had the other night. They ordered drinks and talked while they waited for the opening band.

Once the opening band came out though, it was difficult to hear over the speakers. This band played music loud and hard as the Knights of Stone did, but they didn’t have the same magnetism. Nor did the singer have Calum’s charisma.

Still, Arielle sat back and listened, enjoying what was likely the last time she’d see a performance like this. Kayla guessed the potion would be ready for them to use in two days, which meant Arielle only had two more nights with Calum.

Only two.

Once the set was over, Raina raised her glass and said, “Here’s to you, Arielle. We wish you the best of luck on your return.”

Kayla added, “It was great to meet you.”

Mairi held her glass and said, “Cheers.”

A lump of pain formed in Arielle’s throat. She clinked her glass with theirs. And managed to say, “Cheers.”

Although she didn’t know these women well, they’d watched out for her, and she felt comfortable around them. Especially Kayla. She’d challenged everything Arielle had feared about witches. She appeared to want to help anyone without wanting anything in return. Arielle owed so much to her.

“Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I’ll never forget your kindness.”

Before the Knights of Stone went on stage, Arielle went to the loo. She didn’t want to miss a moment of their set.

On her way back to the table, a man stepped into her path. She stiffened, seeking a way past.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“No, thank you. I’m here with someone.”

He glanced around. “And he left you all alone. How thoughtless of him.”

She didn’t respond. It was none of his business. Calum was backstage, getting ready for his set. She moved away from him, and through the crowd.

He took her forearm. “Just one drink.”

She pulled her arm away. “No.” She didn’t like the aggressive turn this bloke took, clearly not taking the hint. She had to get back to her table, where the others were.

The man’s eyes turned a sort of orange-golden hue. The pupils narrowed to diamond like slits. The irises swirled, drawing her in. It was like she was falling into a kaleidoscope, unable to stop.

He wasn’t human. And she heard stories about who had eyes like that—powerful wizards who conjured dark magic.

“Let’s go outside.”

She nodded and let him take her by the arm, steering her outside. A part of her foggy brain knew this was a bad idea, but she seemed unable to resist.

Damn, this wasn’t good.

Once they exited the club, he steered her to a dark alley out back. Her limbs twitched. She’d regained control of them. Why? Was it because he no longer held her captive by his gaze?

“You’ve escaped me twice, little pegasus. Nice touch with the pendant. That might fool others, but not me.”

Ice claimed her insides. “Who are you?” she demanded, projecting a false sense of control over the situation. She avoided eye contact and clenched her hands into fists.

“You know exactly who I am. And how I got here. Since you’re the twit that got us lost in this realm.”

Damn, everything she’d feared was coming true. And then some. The dragon itself was deadly. A wizard who could shift into a dragon was exponentially more dangerous.

The fight or flight instinct kicked in hard. And simultaneously.

She kicked him as hard as she could in the testicles and then ran. He swore behind her. A quick glance back showed him kneeling on the ground, holding his crotch.

Moments later, a dark figure had pinned her on her back. A black cape surrounded him and a hood covered his face. His eyes glowed with the same orange hue of the being that had attacked her.

He pulled a syringe attached to an empty vial out of the cape and jabbed it into her neck.

Arielle cried out. He was stealing her blood. How much would he take—all of it?

Forcing herself to ignore the pain, she reached under her dress for the knife attached to her lower leg. Essential for a situation like this, but she couldn’t reach it!

The shifter yanked out the syringe, making her gasp.

“That’s for later.” His eyes burned with hunger. “This is for now.” He lowered his head with a hiss and fastened his mouth to the wound on her neck.