Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to.” He picked me up and guided my legs around his waist until I was forced to straddle him. He kissed my neck. I trembled under his lips. His tongue lapped the water between my breasts as he raised me higher.
He feels so good.
His fangs sank into my breast. I cried out as pleasure swelled in my nipples.
Please, Camille. His voice whispered in my mind. Give me another week. A few more days.
I can’t. Let me go.
In seconds, his fangs disappeared.
He gently lowered me back down. “Camille—”
“No.”
“I’m sorry I took us north. It was wrong of me.”
“The only way I will forgive you, is if you take me in the right direction.”
He frowned. “Then, that is what I will do.”
Chapter 11
The Journey Home
Camille
“I can’t just run off with you.” I tightened the grip on the horse’s reigns as we galloped toward Zumaya. “I have a husband and daughters. I shouldn’t have—”
“What? Let me make love to you?” Xander’s hands squeezed my waist as he kissed my neck.
For the past two days when he wasn’t groveling and begging me to stay, he was touching me nonstop. His lips devoured every inch of my skin, landing passionate kisses on my flesh. His hands explored me, taunting my nipples and stroking my breasts.
A bonfire of need consumed every part of my body. I was drenched with want, every muscle tense and taut with tension. His scent was everywhere, wrapping itself around me, joining me to him.
However, we never had sex.
Each night, it took all of my energy to not yield to those desires when I slept next to him.
He’d shown me when he led me in a direction opposite of Zumaya that I couldn’t trust him or let my guard down.
But I wasn’t strong enough to stop him from touching me, during our rides. Deep down inside I craved those fingers on my skin, trailing across my collarbone and delivering erotic tingling sensations.
And always my blood warmed with his caress.
I struggled to catch my breath. “You have to stop.”
He hissed behind me. “Will you at least plan for alternative possibilities?”
“Not this again.” I groaned.
“It’s been two years. He could have moved on. Will you give me a chance then?”
A low sigh left my lips.
The whole time I’d been in the Royal Court I’d imagined my husband Ethan falling for a beautiful woman. Each night I prayed he was happier than me and believed that the both of us shouldn’t have to suffer.
And then a year passed that had been full of the killing of prince babies. My maid had said that since I’d come to the castle, five times more princes had been born. She’d never seen so many in the years she’d lived there. I didn’t know why so many were all of a sudden born, but with each prince’s death, I lost a part of me as though the little ones and I were connected.
Then Ethan’s letters ceased. I wrote him daily, but nothing came back from Zumaya. I started questioning my logic for sacrificing my marriage and motherhood.
Sure, it had been the right thing to do, but at what cost?
Depression consumed me.
I played with vampire children in the castle, imagining they were Lily and Rose. But they weren’t and by the second year the prayers weren’t enough and helping dominas raise vampire children made me miserable. I just couldn’t be away from my husband or children anymore.
Xander whispered in my mind, disturbing my thoughts. But what if Ethan has a new wife?
I mentally replied, She’ll have to step aside.
“I know you well enough now to realize you couldn’t force his new lady to the side. You don’t have it in you to be that selfish. Plus, you sacrificed yourself.”
“So people wouldn’t starve and die,” I countered. “My town went from having no food to five big weekly wagonloads of meat and vegetables once the contract for me to leave was signed.”
“You did a great thing, Camille, but you also ruined your life.” His hands squeezed my waist.
I shrugged them away.
“You can have a second chance with me,” he insisted.
“Assuming I’ll need a second chance.”
His body tensed behind me.
“Loved ones always move on. People like to think everything stops for them, but it doesn’t.” He nudged the side of my right ear with his lips. “If Ethan moved on, you will leave with me.”
“Is that some sort of order?” I raised my eyebrows.
He didn’t respond at first. Instead, he tossed all my hair over my other shoulder and kissed my exposed neck. “Camille, I don’t love you yet, but I will. I can sense it surging inside of me. When I close my eyes, your face is there. I smell you when I’m away. It’s like your scent is attached to me. The thought of you not being near me, gives me a fear I’ve never experienced. I’ll dedicate my whole life to you, every day, each second. Not one instant will be without you.”