Chapter 5

SERAPHINA

His promise to me was an edged adventure and I wanted that experience so bad.

Azriel captured my mouth, holding my lips in position as he slipped one hand around the back of my neck. The moment he wrapped his fingers there, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was no going back.

His passionate hold and the way he masterfully controlled our lips was a dream come true. But I hadn't anticipated the hard thrum shooting into every vein or the way my entire world ceased to exist.

For a few beautiful seconds, I wanted to be his.

Forever.

There was nothing sweeter in the entire world, even if it was false reality.

I rolled my hands up his chest, fingering his shirt before slowly unbuttoning and easing it off his massive body. He allowed me to take some control, dropping both arms so the material could fall to the floor. Then he fisted my hair with one hand as he curled his fingers around the hem of my dress, crawling it up my thighs.

A wave of heat traveled through me, my heart racing.

He tasted incredible, like mint mixed with vodka. The combination was irresistible.

A dark growl bubbled past our connected lips, and I realized I was swooning in his hold, something that had never happened to me before. I'd kissed a few boys in my time, but never a man.

And certainly not like this.

When he slipped his hand between my legs, sliding a fingertip back and forth across the thin lace of my panties, I pushed my hips against him. I was trembling all over, uncertain how I was supposed to act.

He broke the kiss briefly, taking scattered breaths.

"Relax, little one. This is what you wanted."

His statement was accurate, but I was so clueless I remained stiff until he swept his tongue inside, dominating mine as the kiss flew into a passionate roar of nearly desperate need.

Then my body responded for me.

I clung to him as if letting go would cause me to tumble into a dark abyss. He was rock hard, the feel of his throbbing cock pressing against my stomach sending a shockwave through every vein. Wetness dampened my panties, the scent of intense desire wafting between us.

He pulled me away from the counter, sliding his hand under my buttocks and lifting me off the floor by several inches. I wrapped one leg around his hip and tangled my fingers in his hair.

He spun me around, taking two long strides toward a massive kitchen island, using a single arm to rake across the surface. Items tumbled to the floor some clattering, others breaking.

There was urgency in his movements, a need blazing in his eyes and rough touches. Who was I to argue with a man who knew what he wanted?

When he broke the kiss this time, he lowered me onto the floor, pushing me against the edge of the island. He dipped me at the waist, then wrapped his fingers around my throat.

He was so strong he could snap my neck with a single twist of his wrist.

Instead, he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my jaw.

Then he lowered his head, the rough timbre igniting another fire deep within me. I kept one hand against his chest as he dragged his tongue from one side of my jaw to the other. He was intentional with every move, exploring carefully.

Somehow, I knew that wouldn't last.

When he bit down on my lower lip, I shuddered in his hold. The slice of pain was delicious, heightening the passion. He continued his sensual exploration, sliding his tongue under my jaw to my neck. When he rolled the tip into the shell of my ear, a moan escaped me.

"I can't wait to thrust my cock into your sweet pussy."

Hunger laced every word, his heated breath skimming across my skin.

Seconds later, he pulled away completely, brushing the rough pads of his fingertips down my arms. Then, without hesitation, he ripped the dress up and over my shoulders, the shock jarring.

With the few boys I'd dated here and there, Azriel was my first man. The way he was looking at me now, I'd rocked his world.

A warm flush scattered across my cheeks.

I couldn't breathe or think, the realization of where I was and what I was about to do sizzling through every sense.

He took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds. When he blew it across my face and neck, I shuddered audibly. His gaze drifted, whispering hoarse words of lust under his breath before settling on my naked breasts, nipples already rock hard.

Embarrassment thrashed through my body, and I involuntarily threw my arm across my chest, turning my head.

He gripped my chin, bringing my face toward him, shaking his head in clear admonishment while dragging his tongue across his lips.

"Never cover yourself from me, gorgeous girl. You are perfect in every way."

There was no way he could know how his words affected me. The intensity of his tone and the sincerity beneath it were exactly what I needed.

I dropped my arm.

Within seconds, he cupped my breasts, gently kneading them as he rubbed his thumbs across my aching nipples. My entire body trembled from the first moment of raw intimacy.

The good girl inside me failed.

The wicked woman longed to touch him.

And so I did.

I slid my hand down the length of his chest, daring myself to brush a finger down the thick bulge in his trousers. As soon as I found the courage, his throaty growls deepened. I bit my lower lip to keep from giggling nervously, purring when I freely stroked him.

He chuckled, the dark sound penetrating my eardrums.

"Touch and take, my sweet girl."

He was giving me permission, but I knew whatever control he allowed would be short-lived. A man like Azriel never surrendered command.

Still, I enjoyed the sinful moment, rubbing my fingers up and down as I watched his expression shift from hunger to something darker, more primal.

I had no doubt he was going to devour me whole.

"So beautiful. Every inch of you is utter perfection."

His praise thrilled me even though my stomach remained in knots. I'd never done anything like this before, and I sensed he was masterful. I wasn't certain if I should tell him I was a virgin who just turned eighteen—he might stop and that wasn't what I wanted.

As he lowered his head, his dark eyes remained locked on mine, the shimmer in them as hypnotizing as the scent of his masculinity.

My eyes trailed down his body. Ripped abs. Colorful ink covering his skin in mesmerizing designs.

A slight purr escaped my throat and I laughed nervously.

He was every girl's fantasy, a perfect alpha hero from a romance novel. If I had a best friend, I'd be on the phone detailing every second. Too bad I'd never made one. My mom and I moved around too much for any friendship to grow.

"Are you hungry, little one?"

I nodded instead of speaking, fearful I'd sound as inexperienced as I was.

"Yes."

"Mmm... Then allow me to help in your... endeavor."

His growl sent another wave all the way to my white-painted toes.

I couldn't help myself. I reached out, running the tip of a single finger down the vine on his neck, swirling it around the wolf-looking creature covering part of his chest.

"Gorgeous."