Page 179 of Split or Swallow

He ran his palms over her ass, her hips, her breasts. He brushed his fingertips over her nipples, coaxing them into eager peaks. Tem leaned into all of it—pleasuring herself exactly the way she wanted—taking her climax into her own hands. For once in her life, Tem was in control. She couldn’t contain her moans. It felt so good to ride him—to slide up and down his cock—to fill herself to the brim.

Caspen simply watched her, letting her do whatever she wanted, touching her when and where she told him to. She wasn’t worried about him; his climax was inevitable in the same way the sun rose in the east and set in the west. She was concerned only with herself, chasing nothing but her own pleasure, knowing that no matter what she did, his cock would remain rigid beneath her.

Sit up.

Caspen sat up. There was sweat on his temple. She licked it.

From this angle, her clitoris was stimulated nearly to the point of torment, and she flicked her hips as quickly as she could to reinforce the sensation. Caspen held onto her as if his life depended on it. And maybe it did. Maybe, given what they were up against, all they really had was each other. Maybe this was the only thing that mattered—this fleeting minute—this cosmic moment of connection that could be taken away at any second. Tem only wanted him more—only wanted him deeper. If she could slice herself open and wrap herself around him she would. And she knew Caspen would do the same.

Smoke rose from his shoulders. It curled around her neck.

More.

Caspen shook his head.

Do not tempt me.

Tem pressed herself against him.

More, Caspen.

He could not resist her. She knew it as well as he did.

His eyes were black; his skin scalding to the touch. The smoke tightened as a low hiss filled the room. Caspen was close. She could feel it in every thrust; she could sense it in every breath. His shoulders were tense beneath her hands. Even Caspen could not resist the draw of pleasure. The moment her climax began, so did his.

Tem.

Her lips were on his neck.

Tem. Tem. Tem.

They moved to the rhythm of her name, falling over the edge together.

TEM.

Without thinking, she bit him.

Instead of pulling away, Caspen only pulled her closer.

I am yours, Tem.

She sucked on his neck, pulling the warm fabric of his skin between her teeth until she felt it break—until she tasted the stunning metallic of Caspen’s blood. Hot wetness poured into her mouth in a willing wave as she took what he’d already giv⁠en her. Tem wanted to mark him—to inflict a shadow of the pain he’d inflicted on her. Caspen’s fingers gripped her head, holding her against him. He gave himself to her the same way she gave herself to him—the same way any lover would relinquish their power to the other. When Tem released him, she arched her head back in triumph. Caspen kissed her throat.

Little viper.

Afterward, they lay together, her head on his chest. Tem ran her fingers over his neck. The wound had already healed.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” she murmured against his skin, memorizing the way he tasted.

He sighed gently, pulling her closer.

“I am afraid not. I have matters to attend to.”

Again with the mysterious matters. Tem didn’t bother asking about them. She didn’t even want to know what they were at this point.

“What about the next day?”

“It is the Passing of the Crown.”