Demon Moon

the sensitive flesh beneath .
    Disappointment speared through him, exposing a wish he hadn’t realized he’d made. He couldn’t taste her. Why had he been foolish enough to hope he could?
    He’d known better .
    He inhaled instead, and the scent of her arousal filled his mouth, his lungs. It was flavor; it would have to be enough .
    “Colin—” She broke off on a soft, breathy moan. Her legs shook, and she sank down onto her heels until her eyes were level with his. He held her knees wide, the skirt bunched atop her thighs .
    She rested her palms on his forearms, balancing her perch. A teasing smile pulled at his lips .
    “Savitri,” he said. “Your hands are as cold as a vampire’s.”
    She blinked, her eyelashes matted into thick spikes. Her gaze fell to his mouth. “I don’t have fangs, but—”
    Rocking forward, she drew her lips close to his…then dipped her head beneath his chin and bit his throat .
    Oh, good God. His body stiffened in unbearable erotic pleasure. Biting him. No one had ever, only —
    No, no.
    A sharp, sweet pain brought him back: her teeth, fastened on his neck. A long, high-pitched keening rose from her chest, resonated through him .
    Tight, slick heat sheathed his cock .
    When had he…bloody fucking hell, where had he been? Colin froze, trying to regain control. His breath came in desperate pants .
    She unclenched her teeth, swiped her tongue wetly over the stinging skin. Her thighs flexed as she lifted her hips, and she pressed a kiss to his neck, sucked lightly before her mouth released him .
    “Savitri…” Bloodlust raged through him—and fear; he began shaking with both .
    Run, Savitri.
    Too late. Her head fell back, a blatant invitation. Impossible to resist, impossible to let go now. She slid down over his shaft with a trembling moan .
    Her eyelids fluttered shut .
    No. “Don’t close your eyes.” He stroked into her, a demand. “Tell me. Tell me what you see.”
    See me here. Keep me here.
    “So…beautiful…”
    Triumph shot through him. “Yes.” He laughed raggedly and thrust again, dropped quick, biting kisses to her collarbone, her shoulder. “Tell me.”
    “Perfect. Don’t know—” The breath ripped from her as his teeth closed over her nipple, tightly drawn beneath her shirt. Her hands gripped his biceps for support. “—what to call it. So blue.”
    Realization struck. The sky. She was staring up at the sky. Overcome, but not by him. Caelum .
    “Cerulean,” he supplied thickly .
    “Cerulean,” she echoed, her voice filled with wonder .
    Straightening, he cupped her nape and brought her face to his, then used both hands to hold her hips motionless at the edge of the wall. He thrust deep and withdrew. “Look at me. Tell me.”
    Her lids were half-lowered, her gaze soft and unfocused. The racing of her heart pounded loud in his ears. Her chest heaved, and she tried to move forward, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling. When he gave her no inch, she emitted a frustrated, panicked laugh and fell back, lying on the wide fountain wall .
    He didn’t look away in time, and her body no longer blocked the pool from his sight. Not there. The reflection of her arms, her hands held on to nothing .
    Slipping…slipping. “Look at me,” he pleaded. She had to feel him inside her, touching her. “Tell me.”
    “I can’t—it’s too much.” Her back bowed, and she drew a sobbing breath. “It can’t be real.”
    Despair clogged his throat. Always a dream . I’m here. He pushed in deep, hard, and she cried out .
    Screaming and tearing. Blood, need to feed, then he can protect himself, protect Savitri—
    Savitri .
    Her teeth clamped on his shoulder. Safe, shaking beneath him, her warm flesh clenching around him in an unbearably sweet caress .
    He hadn’t seen her go over. He would—his fangs ached with need. She’d come again, and this physical release would be a pale substitute for what he’d give her .
    She let go of him with a shuddering sigh, easing back. Her gaze roamed over his features, her eyes bright .
    “I don’t want to wake up,” she said softly .
    Bitterness swelled through him. “You’ll awaken. And you’ll forget.” He ran his thumb down the length of her neck, felt her pulse beneath the thin layer of skin .
    Her lips curved slightly, and she turned her chin to the side in welcome. “No, I won’t.”
    Good God, if only that could be true. He lowered his head, kissed the corner of her jaw. She shivered when he