What a wild one she was. He grasped her buttocks to keep her still so he could drag his tongue over her folds, then between them. Moisture seeped out, and he sucked it into his mouth. Her body squirmed. He tightened his grip and clamped his mouth onto her clitoris. A few quick flicks with his tongue, and she screamed. Her body jerked, then her sex throbbed against his face. He inserted two fingers, and she screamed again. Her vagina contracted, squeezing his fingers and making his dick ache.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He slid into her.
With a cry, she wrapped her arms and legs around him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
The caveman in him broke free, and he slammed into her over and over. “You’re mine,” he growled. “Mine.”
His climax hit like a strike of lightning. He squeezed his eyes shut but saw bolts of light flash through the darkness. He lost control, pumping wildly into her, then he crashed beside her, gasping for air. His fangs shot out, but thankfully he was too knocked out to do anything with them.
Slowly, he became aware of her panting breaths and trembling body. He pulled her close and rested his chin on top of her head. His fangs receded.
“Russell,” she breathed against his chest. “Is it always going to be like that?”
“I don’t know. Give me about ten minutes, and we’ll find out.”
She snorted. “Are we going to mate all night long?”
“If you insist.”
She laughed and hugged him tight. “I insist.”
“Your wish is my command, princess.”
She scooted up so they were face-to-face. “I’m worried about my home and my people. Han is attacking Tiger Town tomorrow.”
“I know. I’ll take care of him.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Kidnap him. Take him some place where we can have a . . . talk.”
She frowned. “What if he just teleports away?”
Russell sighed. “I may have to knock him out and tie him up with silver.”
“I’ll help you. Take him inside the palace. I’ll wait for you there with the silver chain.”
“You don’t have to—”
She put a finger on his mouth to hush him. “I’m going to be there for you. We’re partners.”
“I’d rather you stay here, where it’s safe.”
She scoffed. “Don’t worry about me. I can shift whenever I want now. Besides, we made a deal.”
“We did?”
She nodded. “That we would never say good-bye. So you have to take me with you.”
He brushed her hair back from her brow. “If anything happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“What could happen? Even if I die, I’ll come back. And then I would be even stronger.” She gave him a pointed look. “Can you handle that?”
He smiled. “Yes, princess.”
She smiled back. “Don’t call me princess.”
He kissed her nose.
She rested a hand on his cheek. “I’m going with you because I love you.”
“I know.” Unease settled in his heart. No matter what she said, it would still be dangerous. “I love you, too.”
Chapter Twenty
The following night, right after sunset, Jia arrived with Russell in Tiger Town. The courtyard was full of Vamps, shifters and Han’s ex-soldiers, all waiting for the battle to begin. Angus was at the top of the stairs that led down to the riverbank. From there, he had a good view of the Mekong River and Han’s army, gathered on the other side.
“Howard was supposed to tell Angus about our plan to kidnap Han,” Russell told her. “I’ll check with Angus to make sure he knows.”
Jia nodded. “I’ll be waiting for you inside the palace.”
“All right.” He squeezed her hand before turning to leave.
She watched him go, her heart heavy. For thirteen years, her plan to destroy Han had been inspired by hatred and the need to avenge her family. But now that she’d fallen in love with Russell, vengeance no longer ruled her heart. Now she wanted to kill Han so she could spare Russell the pain of murdering his brother.
He might resent her for butting in, but she was willing to face his anger if she could protect him from harm. What else could she do, as much as she loved him?
She weaved through the crowd, then, in her room, she changed into a simple robe that tied at the waist. Instead of her boots, she put on some slippers. This way, she could fling off her clothes in a second in case she needed to shift. She wedged a knife under the sash and hid two more in the deep pockets of her bell-shaped sleeves. Tied to her sash was the silk pouch that held the silver chain.
Outside again, she hurried through the crowded courtyard, headed for the palace. When Russell teleported his brother to the throne room, she would loop the silver chain around Han to keep him from escaping.
Halfway up the stairs to the palace, she heard Rajiv calling her name. She turned to see him bounding up the steps.
“Jia! Are you all right?” He stopped beside her, his gaze looking her over carefully.
She’d called him during the afternoon to assure him she was fine, but when he’d pressed her for more information, she’d changed the subject to the upcoming battle. The last two nights with Russell had seemed too precious and personal to discuss on the phone. She’d wanted to treasure her time with Russell without dealing with any outside interference. “I’m perfectly fine. You can stop worrying.”