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Mara froze at the length and thickness revealed by the stretchy material. No way. She reached out to confirm what she saw, instantly intrigued and intimidated. No way he’s that size.

He captured her wrist, stopping her. “You’re going to kill me, Little girl. Do you want this, Mara? Do you wish to complete the bond with me?”

Without hesitation, Mara nodded. Whatever this was between them, she wasn’t going to miss out. “Eep!” burst from her lips as he lifted her off her feet, leaving her pants lying forgotten with the other clothes scattered on the floor.

Darius carried her as if she weighed less than a feather pillow but was delicate and precious. Who swept woman off their feet these days? She loved how he took control, revealing his strength.

Ignoring most of the space they moved through, Mara kissed his neck and shoulders. Her impression of his home was rich luxury, dark wood, steel, and marble. He climbed the curving staircase, taking two steps at a time. Shadows filled the hallway as he strode toward a large, double wooden door.

Inside, he balanced her securely with one arm as he threw his covers back. Gently settling her against the pillows, Darius slid her sensible socks and shoes from her feet. She wasn’t the type of woman who regularly frequented Nightfall. One look at his hungry expression told her that he was as into her as she was attracted to him. Wearing only her panties, Mara reached out to draw him down to her. She could be her usually modest self another time. Tonight, she wanted to live in this sensual moment.

Darius resisted her attempt and stepped back to deal with his clothing. Mara didn’t disguise her interest in every inch of hard, pure male flesh he revealed. When he stood nude in front of her, Mara marveled at the Greek sculpture come to life. She pushed herself up on one elbow and held her hand out again.

This time, he wrapped his fingers around hers as he joined her on the bed. Darius caged her under his body, holding her hands pinned to the soft cushions above her head. His kiss demanded a response from her, and Mara met his lips eagerly. She’d had sex before but always felt self-conscious. With Darius, she could sense waves of his arousal toward her through their mental connection.

“You are everything and more. I’ve waited centuries to find you, Mara,” he whispered against her ear.

His praise rushed through her like fire on dry kindling, setting her ablaze. “Please, Darius. I need you.”

His low chuckle rumbled over her. “Little girl, I will make you mine once you are twisting with desire. Let’s get you there.”

He captured her lips in a punishing kiss before trailing kisses down the sensitive cord of her neck. Never rushing, Darius lingered at the spots that drew gasps from her or shivers. He explored her nooks and crannies as if he were completely focused on her pleasure. One hundred percent. Her desire for him consumed her.

When his mouth reached her breast, Darius cupped her sensitive flesh. He didn’t jump immediately to her nipple but rubbed his whiskers against the tender underside. A thrill zinged through her at the combination of a prickly and silky caress.

When his lips closed around her taut peak, Mara closed her eyelids to concentrate and savor his skill. She raised her hips, needing more. Darius slid his leg between hers, wordlessly providing her with something to rub on. She ground herself against his hard thigh.

“Darius? I ache,” she whispered.

“I’m going to make everything better, Little one.”

She nodded, trusting him, but tugged to free herself from his grip. Maybe she could hurry him along. Darius held her securely with ease. He pressed her fingers into the fluffy cushion. “I need both hands now. Grab the pillow so you remember to stay in this position.”

Mara followed his directions for now, but she already planned to ignore his order as soon as possible. She lost track of that idea as he drew a wavy pattern down her abdomen with his fingertips. He ruffled her scant pubic hair before pressing a kiss a fraction of an inch above the seam of her pussy. Lifting his head, Darius inhaled deeply.

His eyes glowed with power and desire, shining clearly in the shadows of his bedroom. As if he couldn’t wait another moment, Darius tasted her, dipping his tongue into her pink folds. Propped up on her hands now, Mara stared over the length of her torso at the erotic show. His hum of enjoyment sent vibrations through her as he explored her most intimate spot.

When his tongue brushed quickly over her clit, Mara screamed as her body launched into a sudden, hard climax that astonished her. She usually struggled to come. Not with him, echoed through her mind, confident Darius would ensure she found more pleasure than she’d ever experienced.

“Never,” he promised.

Stop reading my mind.

You’re yelling thoughts at me, Zoí mou.

The meaning of the Greek term filled her mind. My life! But so much more than those two words alone. Trying to understand the emotions that flowed to her, Mara picked up on desire, excitement, connection, and caretaking. Her importance to him radiated from his thoughts, bringing tears to her eyes at the level of emotion wound up in that endearment.

He glided back up her body, cradling her from the sheets and holding her tight against him. She drew his head down to hers and kissed Darius with all the feelings welling up inside her. Passion, lust, excitement, and eagerness mixed with sorrow that he had existed so long without her.

Tasting her own flavor on his lips pushed her arousal even higher. She tugged at his hair to raise his head and demanded, “Now.”

Darius hoisted her hips upward to align their bodies and slowly filled her with his thick shaft. He stretched her tight channel as he glided inside taking his time to allow her to adjust around him. When his pelvis finally met hers, he said in a low voice that revealed his struggle to remain in control. “You are mine, Mara Eliot.”

“Yes!” She wouldn’t argue. If she was his, that meant he belonged to her as well, right?

“Exactly, Mara, my life.”

She smiled and demanded, “More, please.”