"Alaric…" she whimpered again, her body tightening, her pleasure cresting.
He stayed with her through every tremor, guiding her over the edge not once, but twice, savoring every moan, every shiver, every breathless cry of his name.
Only when she was trembling, spent, and utterly undone did he draw back, licking her clean with deliberate care.
Her body glistened with a sheen of sweat, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her heart pounded, the rapid rhythm like a song to him.
Alaric rose, leaning over her to capture her lips in a deep, lingering kiss, tasting her satisfaction as much as sharing his own.
"You're unbelievable," she whispered against his lips, her voice shaky yet laced with adoration.
"And you're irresistible," he replied, his smirk returning as his fingers brushed her flushed cheek.
Salviana let out a soft laugh, her arms looping around his neck. "You've ruined my sleep, Alaric."
"And made it unforgettable," he countered, his tone full of wicked pride.
She only smiled, her heart still racing, as the storm outside seemed to echo the lingering intensity between them.
He drew back and kissed her, his lips still heavy with passion. Salviana kissed him back with equal fervor, her arms tangling around his neck.
When he broke the kiss to stand, she rose with him, unwilling to let go of the connection. In one fluid motion, he scooped her up, carrying her to the bed.
Dropping her onto the plush surface, he climbed after her without hesitation. Their kisses resumed with urgency, their bodies pressing together as though they couldn't get close enough.
Suddenly, Salviana surprised both herself and Alaric by flipping him onto his back. Before he could react, she was on top, her breath hitching at the realization of her newfound boldness.
Her movements softened as she leaned over him, her lips trailing from his mouth to his cheek, then to the sensitive curve of his ear.
Her tongue flicked against his earlobe before she nibbled at the strong column of his neck.
Alaric groaned deeply, his hands gripping her thighs as she straddled him.
He began to grind her against his throbbing length, still restrained by their clothing. The thin barrier between them was maddening, the heat of her damp core pressing directly against his aching need.
Salviana caught onto his rhythm quickly, her hips moving with him, gaining confidence with every stroke.
Her kisses grew bolder, her body learning the art of their dance. Alaric groaned again, his control slipping as he tilted his head back.
One of his hands fell from her hips, the other tightening possessively as she worked him into a frenzy.
She felt powerful. For the first time, she was leading, drawing pleasure from him as he had so often done for her.
But as she leaned in to kiss him again, Alaric pulled her head back gently but firmly, gripping the nape of her neck.
"Salviana," he growled, his voice rough, almost feral.
Her eyes widened at the intensity in his gaze. For a moment, the flickering lights in the room seemed to dim, casting a shadow across his features.
Before she could ask what was happening, he pressed her into him and kissed her fiercely. The raw passion of it stole her breath, his lips devouring hers with a hunger that made her tremble.
She whimpered as his right hand, still gripping her thigh, guided her movements against him with ease, his strength undeniable.
His lips crushed hers, his tongue claiming every inch of her mouth. She barely registered the sharp sting of his fangs grazing her lips until she tasted the faintest tang of blood.
Her hips stuttered as he groaned deeply, his body tensing beneath her.
She could feel him losing control, the heat between them reaching its peak as he climaxed, his voice a low, guttural sound.
Salviana wasn't far behind, her own pleasure crashing over her like a wave.
When his grip finally loosened, Alaric broke the kiss with a gasp, his chest heaving as he came down from the high.
Salviana lay atop him, equally breathless, her heart racing in time with his.
But as his eyes fluttered open, a strange, glowing light emanated from them. He froze, his expression shifting from bliss to alarm.
Sitting up abruptly with her still in his arms, he stared at her, his chest rising and falling like a storm was raging inside him.
"Alaric," Salviana whispered, awe lacing her tone as her own chest rose and fell. "Your eyes…"
"Salviana," he breathed, his voice heavy with regret. He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing over her swollen lips, inspecting the faint marks left behind.
"How could you allow this?" he asked, his voice breaking as he tilted her face to study her more closely.
"It's fine," she whispered, her lips curling into a soft smile.
But Alaric didn't share her ease. Leaning in, he let his tongue brush over the small dots of blood still marking her lips.
The healing began instantly, but the act only deepened the guilt settling in his chest.
He had let his vampiric side surface, had taken too much in his hunger. Worse, Salviana had stayed, accepted it, even returned his passion.
The thought of what he could have done, how far he could have gone, terrified him.
After ensuring every mark was gone, he pulled back, his jaw tightening. His hand fell away as he shifted to the edge of the bed, cradling her momentarily before setting her down with care.
His inhuman strength made the action effortless, but his frown deepened as he stood.
"I should leave," he said gruffly, his voice distant and cold.
"Wait," Salviana protested, sitting up and gazing at him with wide eyes.
"You need rest," he interrupted firmly. "Thank you… for taking care of me."
Without waiting for her reply, he grabbed his cloak and stormed out of the room, leaving Salviana behind, her heart twisting with confusion.
Her fingers brushed over her lips as she stared at the door he had just exited. She could still taste him, still feel the weight of his touch.
But his reaction, his retreat, left her wondering: was he running from her, or from himself?