Stryker smiled as Zephyra leaned over him and sank her fangs into his neck to feed. He would gladly let her bleed him dry if it meant he could hold her like this as he died. His head swam with the scent of her, the sensation of her breasts pressing against his chest while the small hairs at the juncture of her thighs rubbed against his hip. Leaning his head down, he inhaled the valerian even as she nipped him painfully. This was paradise.
He brushed his hand down her arm until he laced his fingers with hers. Lifting her hand, he placed a kiss on her palm before he sank his fangs into her wrist. She jerked ever so slightly, but she didn't pull away. Stryker growled at the sweet taste of her. And as he drank, he felt her powers merging with his. Until now, he'd had no idea just how much demonic energy she held. I should never have been able to defeat her. . .
He tensed at that realization. She'd let him win. A slow smile curled his lips, but he didn't speak. He didn't want to anger her again. Not when they were like this. She pulled back to stare down at him. He released her hand as her hair teased his chest. Truly there was no more beautiful sight than her rising above him while her bare breasts brushed against him.
Zephyra was caught by the handsomeness of Stryker. The power of him. Now she knew the truth. He had restrained himself in their fight. He could have seriously hurt her and yet he hadn't. If only she could trust him again. Did she dare?
He lifted himself up so that he could gently suckle her breast. Cupping his head against her, she shivered at the sensation of his hot tongue sweeping over her. He lifted her effortlessly and set her down on him. She sucked her breath in sharply at the sensation of his body inside hers.
She lifted his chin up so that she could taste his lips again while she moved ever so slowly against him. How she delighted in the way he felt. In the sensation of his breath mingling with hers. Stryker couldn't even think straight as his body cried out in plea sure. It took every piece of his control not to come from the sheer joy of being with her. He dug his nails into his palm in an effort to keep himself in check. But it was hard.
This was the only woman he'd ever loved. A whisper of a smile curved his lips as he fingered her ear. There was one spot. . . Dipping his head, he swept his tongue behind her ear, down to the lobe. She sucked her breath in sharply as chills spread over her, drawing her nipples tight.
"You're still so sensitive."
She gave him a heated look. "And what about you?"
"I've never been sensitive."
"Uh-huh." She swept her hands under his arms and down his ribs, making him jump. She groaned as it caused him to go even deeper inside her.
Laughing, Stryker pushed her back against the bed. Zephyra arched her back, bringing him in even deeper. He quickened his strokes until she couldn't stand it anymore. She came in a bright flash of sensations that exploded through her. Crying out, she wrapped herself around him and held him close as her body pulsed.
Stryker growled as he joined her in release. He held her close as his body shook and his toes curled. She was delicious and he wanted to spend the rest of his life entwined with her naked in his bed. He pulled back with an arrogant taunt. "So tell me, love . . . are you disappointed?"
She crinkled her nose. "Hmm, well, all things considered, I suppose there is a term for it."
"And that is?"
"'Poor play.'"
He snorted at her bad pun. "The night is still young. I have many more hours left to savor you, and I assure you when I'm done 'poor' is the last word that will come to your mind."
She put on a haughty front, unwilling to let him know exactly how pleased she was with him. "Well, if you wish to embarrass yourself again, who am I to stop you?"
He tsked at her. "You're so evil." He reached around her to pull back the covers so that he could tuck her into his bed.
"You were serious about continuing?" she asked.
"Absolutely. I have a few centuries to make up for."
She started to respond, but before she could there was a knock on his door. He made sure she was covered completely, then he barked, "Come in."
It was Davyn. He took one step into the room, then paused as he saw Stryker naked while she was beside him. He quickly averted his gaze. "My lord, I wanted to report that we're having another bit of a problem."
"And that is?"
"We can't feed."
Stryker exchanged a frown with her before he addressed Davyn. "What do you mean?"
"War and the demons have us locked in. If any Daimon leaves here to feed, they either kill him or convert him. We're trapped."
Stryker let out a foul curse. "How long until you need to feed again?"
"I fed last night, so I'm good for a few weeks. And you, sir?" He glanced at Zephyra.
She went cold as she understood that look. "I've taken blood from you twice. . . ." He nodded. "I'll be good for a couple of days."
She swallowed in fear of his dry tone as a sense of dread went through her. "How many?"
"Maybe two."
And then he'd be dead.
CHAPTER 9
ZEPHYRA DIDN'T SPEAK AGAIN UNTIL DAVYN had left them alone. Stryker turned toward her on the bed and her gaze dropped to where she'd stabbed him earlier. He followed the line of her eyes. Though the wound was healing, it was still a nasty reminder of her temper. And deadly aim.