Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

would hold nothing back. But in the end, nothing mattered to him so much as her pleasure and he always—always—gave that to her tenfold.
    Rafael dropped to his knees, hands pushing her thighs apart and dragging her hips forward so his mouth could devour her. His tongue stabbed deep, drew out cream, and he began licking and sucking while her hips bucked against his mouth and her hands tangled in his hair. She screamed as the first wave rushed over her. The almost desperate sounds he made drove her right over the edge. Spasm after spasm rocked her.
    He tumbled her to the bed, following her down, skin to skin, thrusting his knee between her thighs to keep her open to him. He surged forward with one hard stroke, burying himself deep, driving through the soft velvet folds until he hit her womb. He tilted her hips, pushing deeper, forcing her to take all of him. He swore softly as her body, so tight and hot, grasped his, squeezing and milking and sending fire racing down his spine. Lightning sizzled in his bloodstream and whipped through his body. He began to piston, driving with his hips, sinking deep into the refuge of her body, reveling in the way her muscles tightened like a fist, holding him to her.
    He thrust hard, over and over, ignoring her helpless pleas as he took her higher and higher, building the pleasure until she was whimpering for release, pleading with him to take her over the edge. She began to throw her head back and forth, struggling against the terrible sexual tension, but he held her still, plunging his body into hers, taking them both to a fever pitch of need. Then she was screaming, as her body shattered around his, as jet after jet of heat filled her and her womb convulsed with shocking pleasure. It spread through her like a tornado, taking her body by surprise, ripping through her vaginal walls, down her thighs and up into her stomach.
    She lay gasping for breath, staring up at the man she loved above all else in the world—
    the man who loved and accepted her for who she was. Bloodlines or not, Rafael loved her and that was enough for her. She could feel confident in herself no matter what because he loved her unconditionally.

Chapter 13
    The wind began to pick up in strength, blowing snow around even as more began to fall in earnest. Mikhail hesitated just outside the large house. Traian Trigovise had designed and built the house for, not only his lifemate Joie, but to share with her brother Jubal and sister Gabrielle. Now that the vampire who had taken Traian's blood was dead, Traian felt he could once more live in the company of other Carpathians without endangering them all.
    You re being such a chicken , Raven teased.

    Traian's in-laws are visiting. And Gabrielle has risen. There are going to be questions I would rather not have to answer at this time.
    Because she is in love with Gary Jansen.
    Not exactly . Mikhail knew he was hedging. He didn't want Gabrielle and Gary to be in love. As humans it was perfectly fine, but now that Gabrielle had been converted, he knew there would be tremendous problems. And with Gabrielle's parents there to celebrate Christmas, there would be more questions than normal. I think I will skip this visit .
    Mikhail Dubrinsky! You knock on that door. As the prince, it is your duty to welcome Joie's parents. And Gabrielle needs your support as well.
    My duties as prince seem to be getting larger and more complicated as time goes on.
    Maybe I should pass this duty along to my second in command.
    Raven laughed softly. Don't you dare .
    Mikhail heaved a tortured sigh and knocked on the door. It swung open immediately and a woman with bright eyes and a ready smile greeted him.
    "Please come in. I'm Marissa Sanders, Joie, Jubal and Gabrielle's mother."
    "Mikhail Dubrinsky." He identified himself, and sent Raven the image of him throttling her. I'd rather face a vampire than a mother-in-law . Her answering laughter wasn't in the least sympathetic. I am going to have to explain to you the finer points of lifemates. You seem to be missing them .
    "Oh! The prince." Mrs. Sanders stepped back to wave him inside. "Lovely to meet you. I have so many questions."
    He bowed slightly. "I will try to answer what I can for you."
    She stopped in the hall so abruptly he nearly ran into her. "Prince of what? Are you in exile? Everyone just refers to you as the prince, but they never say of which country. I imagine there are quite a few princes thrown out on their royal…" She