Velvet Haven

dream I was in some sort of cavern. There were symbols on the wall, and there was a man on an altar. His head was shaved and his body was carved. It was . . .” Mairi swallowed hard. “I think it might have been Bran on the altar.”
    Suriel looked away. “It was your dream, Mairi.”
    “Jesus Christ, Suriel,” she demanded, “just answer me. It was Bran, wasn’t it? That’s what Morgan is going to do to him.”
    “Morgan was showing you what will come to pass. But it can be changed, I promise you. It’s not a path that’s set. Have you figured it out yet, Mairi? What you need to do?”
    “I think so. I can take away the pain of those I love.” He watched her with his dark eyes. “I . . . I saved Rowan by shedding my own blood.” He smiled. “And now I will die for Bran.”

    It had not been hard to garner Bran’s notice. In the club she had sat at a table with Suriel. They had some drinks, and Mairi had flirted shamelessly with Suriel, trying to invoke Bran’s jealousy.
    “It’s not working,” she hissed.
    “Patience,” Suriel whispered, moving closer to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her hips next to his. “And don’t glare at me. He’ll see through the charade.”
    She smiled and pressed closer to him as Suriel leaned in to her, nuzzling her unbound hair. “Good,” he purred. “I can practically hear him choking on his tongue. Don’t look.” He chuckled. “Have eyes just for me.”
    She looked up at him then. “I’m getting a bit nervous. I’m right in believing that I have you in me, don’t I?”
    He nodded and caressed her cheek. “Yes. Remember that when it comes time to do what you’re going to do.”
    “All right,” she whispered.
    He kissed her hair and murmured, “I’ll be there when you need me most.”
    “I’m ready to do this. Now if only he would cooperate.”

    Bran could hardly breathe. What the hell was she doing wearing that low-cut dress and draping herself over Suriel’s arm. And what the fuck was Suriel doing, leering down the front of her dress?
    He saw Mairi cuddle into the bastard, saw her look up at him and smile, and rage like he had never felt before shot through him like a bolt of lightning. He couldn’t stand this, watching her with him, especially now, knowing what it was like to feel her clamping around him, sucking his cock in deep.
    In three strides he was at her side, pulling her away from Suriel.
    “Come with me,” he growled.
    She dug the heels of her shoes into the carpet. “I don’t think so.”
    Bran’s mood blackened and he picked her up, carrying her out of the room and to the stairs that led to his bedroom.
    “Put me down,” she yelped, hitting his back with her fists. He did, but then all but dragged her up the stairs before shoving open the bedroom door. He slammed it shut and pressed her against it with his body. He was hot. Hard. And dying for her.
    “If you want it so bad,” he growled, “I’ll give it to you.”
    Roughly, Bran crushed his mouth against Mairi’s, forcing her to accept him, wiping away all traces of Suriel. Moaning, Mairi wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing the mounds of her breasts up against his chest. His body tightened, his cock swelling. Their kiss was unbroken as he crossed the floor and pushed her onto the bed. Her body was restless against his, her fingers clenching in his hair, bringing him closer to her. Bran’s kiss turned more carnal, and Mairi returned it with exuberance, matching his rhythm and allowing her tongue to dance with his.
    “I want you naked,” he said in a gruff voice. He wanted to tear that dress from her body, but he didn’t want to spare the time, so he waved his hand and the fabric melted away.
    His gaze took her in, and he hungrily devoured her. He couldn’t wait to feel her thighs wrapped around him and his cock sinking into the cunt he had been dreaming of all day.
    He found her mouth again, ravishing her lips. He cupped her, skimming his thumb along her nipple. She moaned into his mouth and he filled his hands with her breasts, watching the expression of pleasure cross her face. Their gazes met and he very purposely skimmed both thumbs across the taut, pink nipples so that he could watch her eyes widen and her tongue come out to wet her lip.
    His body was raging with heat and the urge to take her. To fuck her— hard .
    He pressed forward, nuzzling the valley of scented skin between her breasts. Then he kissed a path down her