“She needs more time. What the hell am I supposed to do, bind her to me without her consent? She’d hate me.”

  Ry shook his head and glanced toward the house next to his. “We may not have more time to give them.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cortney woke to the smell of freshly baked bread and bacon. A small part of her, the one that wasn’t ravenously hungry, wanted to burrow under the blankets and wait until Draven came looking for her. The other decided it was time to haul her ass out of bed and hit the shower. If the amount of sunlight streaming into her room was anything to go by, it was closer to noon than it was breakfast.

  She vaguely remembered Draven slipping out of her bed that morning. Like a true gentleman, he’d held her while she’d slept and done nothing more than kiss her temple once or twice. As odd as it had been sleeping with a practical stranger, the tender gestures had warmed her heart more than a little.

  Everything was quiet when she got out of the shower, but the delicious smells lingered in the air, making her stomach growl. An image of Draven standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but an apron flitted through her mind. Now that was a sight she could get up early for. Just because she’d never been a morning person didn’t mean she couldn’t change her ways. She giggled at the thought, only to stop herself short. It wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t be there long enough to warrant changing her sleep habits.

  Dressed in her comfiest jeans and an oversized shirt, she made her way to the kitchen just in time to see Draven close the lid on a picnic basket.

  “Good morning.”

  He turned to face her, a huge smile lighting his face and making his eyes crinkle a little at the corners. “Yes, it is a very good morning,” he agreed.

  “Oh? What happened? I’m sorry I missed it.”

  Draven closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek. “Nothing. But you’re here. And that makes it an amazing morning in and of itself. Are you ready for lunch?”

  She wanted to bristle at his cheeriness and tell him to point her to the coffee, but her grin broke free at his boyish excitement. “Does it involve fresh bread and bacon?” she asked.

  He took her hand and led her to the picnic basket. “And coffee.”

  “A man after my own heart,” she said with an exaggerated sigh.

  “So, is that a yes?”

  “It is. Where are we going?” Cortney asked when Draven took her out through a different door leading toward the back of the building.

  “Our private garden. I didn’t get to show you yesterday, and you can’t see it from the turret we were on.” He led her down a long hallway with doors on either side. Most of them were closed, but the few that remained open were unfurnished.

  “What are these, bedrooms?”

  “Just empty rooms now. Back when the Odyssey lived under one roof, these rooms were designated for the unmated males. The mated couples and families lived in the main part of the castle. After we’ve eaten, I can give you a better tour if you want.”

  There was so much history within the castle walls. She’d be crazy not to grab hold of the opportunity and learn more about his people. “I’d like that.”

  He took them straight to the end of the hall where an ornate set of wooden doors led to the garden. If she could call it that. She couldn’t have found a more picture-perfect garden in a magazine for the rich and famous. Every shrub, every flower, every blade of grass, it seemed, were perfectly manicured.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “But?” he asked, the brightness in his eyes dimming a little as he brought her down a winding path leading around some tall, flowering hedges. The pale pink blossoms sweetened the air with their delicate fragrance.

  “No, really it’s stunning, but I’m afraid to step on the grass,” she finally admitted.

  “Don’t be,” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “A few of the women enjoy gardening, and tend to all this, but it’s a garden to be enjoyed. The kids love playing hide and seek here.”

  She could just imagine the squealing laughter of her niece and nephew as they chased each other around the hedges.

  “What’s the matter? Don’t you like children?” he asked her as he led her to the center of the garden.

  “I do,” she told him as she settled onto a blanket already waiting for them. “My sister has a girl and a boy. I love them to bits.”

  “They’ll love it here,” he said as he pulled a thermos from the basket, then proceeded to fill a cup before handing it to her.

  She wrapped her fingers around the mug and brought it to her nose. There was just something about the smell of coffee that made every morning a little brighter.

  He handed her a small bottle. “Cream for your coffee.”

  “Thank you,” she said as she added some to her cup.

  He waited until she had taken a sip before pulling out a plate. “The toast is cold by now, but I hope the sandwiches will still be good.” He took the wrap from the plate and sat it between them.

  Cortney looked at the sandwiches he’d prepared and up at him again. “How did you know?” She grabbed a piece of her favorite, toasted BLT, and took a bite. Mayo squished out from between toast. Not too much, but enough that she could taste it. She closed her eyes and moaned. So good.

  “I wish I could say it was all me, but I’ll admit, I went to Trista for the information.” His cheeks reddened.

  She licked a spot of mayo from her bottom lip and smiled. He was trying, she had to give him that. “It was very thoughtful, thank you. I love this. All that’s missing is a big bowl of peas.”

  Draven stopped with his hand midway to his mouth as he prepared to take a bite. “Peas?”

  She nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I love them. I could eat a whole bowl of them for a meal and be happy.”

  His eyes sparkled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

  By the time they were done eating, Draven had her rolling on the blanket she was laughing so hard. The things he’d gotten into as a child would have given her parents a stroke, but then the stakes were a little different when you couldn’t easily die.

  She looked up at him from where she lay on the blanket, her laughter dying on her lips. The passion shining in his eyes was enough to melt every stitch of clothing on her body. Her gaze darted to his smiling mouth. He’d taken care of her needs the day before. Twice. He hadn’t, as far as she knew, taken care of his pleasure. She sat, heart racing, and closed the gap between them.

  His eyes widened, and he drew a sharp breath before she claimed his lips.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The moment Cortney leaned in and kissed him, Draven was lost. Her sweet lips as she’d smiled at him had teased and tormented him while they’d eaten. He’d wanted to toss the basket aside and devour her instead, but he’d been eager to learn more about his mate. And he was glad that he had. But now that she’d taken the first step and closed the distance between them, he couldn’t get enough.

  She moaned and pressed her breasts against him as she angled herself closer. The phoenix surged to the surface, demanding more, but Draven held it back. It wouldn’t get the better of him this time. As hard as it would be to keep the beast in check, he’d do it.

  When Cortney pulled away, he wanted to protest and bring her back, but then she looked at him with her gorgeous gray eyes and he released her. Not that he didn’t want to keep her close, but the passion shining back at him had his heart pounding, and his cock throbbing.

  “You must be sore down there after all that we did yesterday since you didn’t get to finish.”

  His lungs labored for breath. Wherever she was going with this, he was happy to follow. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  She raised her gaze to meet his, the twinkle in her eyes bright. “I’m sure you can handle a lot.”

  Cortney sat on her heels and leaned forward, the move making her T-shirt gape at the front, giving him a gorgeous view of her breasts. When he looked at her again, she bit her lip and smiled. “I wonder if you could handle my mouth on your cock?”

  Gripping the blanket in his fists, he kept his hands at his sides—barely. “I think I could,” he said in a hoarse whisper. Jesus. She was going to kill him if she started talking dirty to him.

  “I think we need to test that theory.” She leaned closer, gave him a quick peck on the lips, then pulled back far enough that she could grip his T-shirt and yank it up his chest. He took it the rest of the way, pulling it off and tossing it to the grass next to them.

  Before he could do or say anything else, she had her fingers on the snap of his jeans and popped it open. He couldn’t hear the rasp of the zipper coming down for the roaring of his blood rushing through him. She slid her hand up his thigh, not hesitating for a second as she found his cock and stroked it through the denim.

  Fuck. He wasn’t going to last. He had to get her naked. More than anything, he wanted her writhing beneath him, crying out her pleasure.

  “Lift your hips,” she said, her voice soft and breathless.

  It took a moment for him to figure out what she wanted, but when she tugged at his jeans, he shoved his ass off the blanket. She wasted no time removing his boxers along with his pants. His cock, hard and so full it ached, sprung to his belly.

  She pulled back a little, looking at him with her mouth gaping. “I don’t know if I can fit it in, but I’ll try.”

  He groaned and took a shaky breath. “You don’t have to do this,” he told her, though if he didn’t feel some part of her on his cock soon, he’d lose his mind.

  She bent lower, keeping her gaze locked with his. “One thing you should know is that I never do anything I don’t want to do.” She took a long, slow lick around the head of his cock, and he saw stars.

  His chest heaved, and his fingers hurt from grasping the blanket so tight, but waves of pure bliss stole through him at her light touch. He opened his eyes, not sure when he’d even closed them, to find her watching him with her tongue poised at the head. She swiped it again before capturing it between her lips, pulling with the sweetest suction. Her tongue flicked over him as she sucked.

  Draven brought a hand to her head, winding his fingers in her hair. Not to rush or push her for more, but to ground himself to her as the rest of the world disappeared around them. When she took more of him in and moaned, he couldn’t help but thrust a little deeper into her mouth.

  “That feels so good, little bird,” he whispered, his voice gritty with the phoenix so close to the surface. “Too good. I’m the one who is supposed to be giving you orgasms,” he managed to breathe out as she pulled her head back to the tip.

  She grinned up at him, her mouth still around his cock then took him in again.

  His breath hissed between his teeth. Cortney hummed as she sucked him, making his balls tighten right to the edge between pleasure and pain. Her fingers dug into his thighs, and her soft hair caressed his skin. The deep throb in his cock pulsed harder and faster as she swallowed his shaft, swirling her tongue across the head before dipping over him again.

  His muscles trembled with the effort to keep from exploding down her throat. She cupped his balls and stroked them with her thumb. “Fuck, Cortney, I can’t—” He moaned again and thrust helplessly into her mouth.

  There was no stopping it, no holding back. Heated pleasure raced down Draven’s spine and up from his toes. With his fingers still tangled in her hair, he cried out as his cock jerked and he came deep in Cortney’s throat. She met his gaze, her eyes half-lidded as she swallowed everything he had to give.

  His lungs burned, and his muscles trembled, but he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.

  “My turn,” he said once he managed to find his voice again.

  ***

  Cortney nibbled on her bottom lip. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked him. She sure as hell wanted to keep going, but after last night, she wasn’t sure they should.

  “It’s the best idea. Ever. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before,” he told her with a wicked grin. “I’m not as desperate now, so I can take my time and enjoy you better.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” she asked as she tore her shirt off. If they could have sex and not worry about the claiming part, she was all for it.

  He was on her in an instant, pushing her back onto the blanket, and covering her. He devoured her mouth, darting his tongue inside in an erotic rhythm designed to drive her mad. Her clit had been throbbing since before she’d started sucking him off, and she needed relief.

  Draven had his hands at her waist, her jeans undone, then down and off in seconds before he covered her again. His hard body pressed into her, making her moan. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she thrust up, needing more contact. His cock nestled between her folds. All she needed was a slight adjustment, and he’d be inside her.

  As amazing as the orgasms he’d already given her had been, it wasn’t what she wanted—what her body needed. She whimpered as she brought her hands down to his ass and dug her fingers into the firm muscles.

  Draven moaned and thrust forward, rewarding her with the hard glide of his cock against her clit. But it wasn’t enough. Pulling her lips from his, she nipped at his chin. “I need you inside me. Now,” she demanded.

  A sound she’d never heard before, raspy, and deep, rumbled from his throat. Sexy as hell. He tilted his hips back, reaching between them, and guided his cock to her entrance. She held her breath, still clutching his ass as he sank into her.

  Cortney arched her back and moaned. His cock filled her so much it was just shy of uncomfortable. He stayed still, breathing in short, harsh breaths as her body adjusted to his length and girth.

  “So fucking tight,” he said on a moan as he pulled back a little and slid back in. “So good.”

  “Yes. More.”

  He grunted and kissed down the column of her neck. Bracing his weight on one forearm, he brought his other hand to her breast, rolling and pinching her nipple through the material of her bra. How had they not taken that off yet? He tugged the lace to the side, and bent his head, capturing her nipple between his lips.

  Draven moved slowly, pulling out, only to come sliding gently back in again, nudging her cervix with the head of his cock every time. Her clit throbbed strong and deep, as his pelvis bumped against it over and over.

  Between the friction of his cock so snug inside her, and the pull of his lips on her breast, she was barely hanging on. Her pussy pulsed around him, but it wasn’t quite enough to take her over the edge.

  “Please, Draven,” she begged, needing more.

  He grunted again and thrust harder.

  Yes, that’s what I need. “More.”

  Letting go of her nipple with a pop, he took her mouth again in a hard, desperate kiss. His tongue dueled with hers as he plunged and retreated harder, faster. Her moans grew louder as her pussy quivered around him.

  The sensuous lick of his phoenix’s flame teased at her legs, her arms, she watched as it danced along his shoulders and down his chest. Draven groaned, and in the next instant, the flames disappeared again.

  He was holding back.

  “Let it come, Draven. I want the phoenix, too,” she managed to get out between her panted sighs.

  His bright amber eyes weren’t quite focused when he looked at her. He opened his mouth as though to say something but then moaned as flames erupted all over his body.

  Cortney gasped as the feel of hundreds of tiny little tongues licked across her skin, leaving no part of her untouched—untasted. Her clit throbbed as the phoenix found her and concentrated there. Draven’s cock jerked and grew harder, bigger inside her. He thrust into her, hard, relentless, until all she could do was moan and clutch onto him as her pussy clenched around him.

  The pressure on her clit grew stronger, more demanding. The sensation was too much, too intense. With a long, drawn out cry, Cortney climaxed. Her nails dug into Draven’s ass as he continued to plunge into her fast and hard.

  When he moaned and all his muscles tensed, she expected him to come inside her, but he pulled out. Draven’s chest heaved, and he had his eyes screwed tight. Worry niggled at her for a moment, until he started moving again.

  With his cock nestled between her folds, he thrust against her, creating little after shocks of pleasure deep within her body. The way he held himself stiff against her told her he was holding back again, and unless she was way off base, it had to do with mating her.

  She released his ass and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips to his ear. “That feels so good, Draven. Don’t stop,” she whispered before nipping at his lobe.

  He moaned and thrust harder against her.

  “Do you want to come on me like that? With your hard cock sliding between us?” she nipped at him again.

  “Fuck, yes,” he ground out. That sexy, raspy sound at the back of his throat sounded again.

  “I can’t wait to feel your hot come all over me.”

  He ground onto her clit, making her moan along with him. Her words, meant to tantalize him, had her throbbing again. His uneven breaths teased her shoulder, and he grazed his teeth over her neck.

  “Yes, just like that. Your cock on my clit feels so good.”

  He brought a hand down under her ass and pulled her up, forcing more friction between them. “I want you to come for me again, little bird.”

  Her pussy clenched at his words. He thrust harder against her, rubbing his entire length up and down her clit. She moaned and arched her back. “Yes, oh God, yes!” she cried as a wave of pleasure broke over her, sending her tumbling into another orgasm.

  Draven moaned and jerked on top of her, his whole body tensing as he came all over her belly.

  She welcomed his weight as he collapsed on top of her. Their breaths mingling as each struggled to get enough air into their lungs.

  “Is that all you’ve got,” she teased when she was finally able to speak again.

  He lifted his head from her shoulder, his laughter filling the garden.