Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

My body reacted on its own and my thighs trembled as they parted. I closed my eyes, hating him more now than ever before. Only now I hated myself just as much.

That slow rub along the crease of my jeans made me weak. Heat bloomed with every graze of his thumb until he pulled away and worked the button before sliding the zipper down. I opened my eyes, finding that hollowed out desperation in his stare as he slowly dropped to his knees.

No words were spoken, just the graze of denim as he tugged my jeans down. I lifted each foot, allowing him to slide them away. I shivered under that stare, the same haunting need consuming me as it did him. I slid my fingers through his hair, clenching hard enough for him to lift his gaze to mine.

“Don’t,” he whispered, his voice thick and husky. “You need to hate me, Helene. Youneedto recoil every fucking time I touch you. Because, if you don’t…” His chest heaved with a breath. “If you don’t, then I’m more dangerous to you than I was before. I don’t want that.”

My pulse sped and thrashed in my head.

He looked away, but his fingers trembled as they tugged my panties down. Panties he’d bought me. Panties he wanted me to wear. Because he felt something for me. I’d seen it before when he’d cooked for me. I’d seen it again tonight when he said they were training the Daughters.

I clenched my grip, fisted his hair, and jerked harder, forcing his gaze to mine once more. “Will you fuck them?” I whispered. “Those Daughters? Will you get on your knees just like you’re on them now?”

Pain slashed across his face. “No. I won’t get on my knees for them.”

“But you will for me.”

It wasn’t a question. I knew by now how Riven Cruz worked. If there wasn’t a direct response required, he avoided answering.

“Yes.” That scowl deepened. “I will for you.”

A lump grew in the back of my throat. I wanted to say more, but I couldn’t. I just eased my hold around his hair, leaving him to slide my panties all the way down until they hit the floor. Warmth brushed along my skin as he leaned closer and kissed my thigh.

My pulse skipped.

Oh fuck.

Oh…fuck.

The brush of his lips moved over. Those fingers pushed in, sliding over the sensitive nub. He gripped the back of one leg, easing it over his shoulder, and moved in, then the warm slide of his tongue took over and cast me into oblivion.

It had all been for their sister.

Every cruel, terrible thing they’d ever done.

I wanted to hate them for it, but the truth was, I’d done worse for mine.

I’d killed. I’d tortured.

I’d detonated bombs and razed buildings.

I’d done a thousand things to innocent people I could never take back.

And I’d do it all again…to protect those I loved.

A moan tore free. I looked down to where his head was buried between my thighs and I did something I’d never expected to do. I caressed his cheek, drawing his desperate stare upward. Gone was the savagery. Gone was the unfeeling demeanor. Gone was the man who’d tied me to a chair and fucked me with his fingers until I’d drenched his sofa. Although, some sick part of me hoped that that man hadn’t left entirely.

“Take me to bed, Riven,” I urged. “And fuck the hell out of me.”

He eased my leg from his shoulder and rose swiftly. Strong hands gripped my waist and lifted, letting my legs wrap around his waist. He carried me to the bed and gently laid me down before he unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it over his head.

His shoes were kicked off before he fumbled with his belt, unbuckled his trousers, and slid them down. He came to me naked, sliding his hand under my thigh to cup my asscheeks. Heavy breaths brushed like a caress along the insides of my thighs.

With a guttural moan, he plunged his tongue deep inside me. I arched my back, releasing a cry. My toes curled as he sucked, driving his fingers deep inside. He cradled me in his palm, my body, my desire while he devoured the center of me.

“Riven,” I cried.

He lifted his head, his powerful grasp wrapping around my throat, as though he knew exactly what my body needed. “Beg for me,” he demanded. “Beg me to let you come.”