“Thanks.”

Kate lifted her head off Syon’s chest and looked at him questioningly.

“For rescuing Rams.” Gratitude filled his voice. “I couldn’t get away, and honestly, I don’t think he would have accepted help from anyone else. His family puts him through hell.”

“And he takes it.”

“Yeah.” Syon reached out and cupped one of her breasts. A soft shiver went through her, and he grinned. “Still hungry, baby?”

He rolled her onto her back and kissed her. Slowly, leisurely, teasing her with his tongue as he drew out the kiss. She threaded her fingers through his hair, which was still slightly wet from their last round, arching up and kissing him in return.

“Good.” He pushed up off the bed and moved around to where his guitar was set up. “I want to write something. Light the candles.”

The computer screen was the only light in the room. She got up and struck a match and lit some. Syon opened the balcony door before tossing a towel over the laptop to bury the light. He ended up in the shadows, the city lights buffeted by a thin drape that was ruffling gently.

“Lay back down.”

He was fingering the strings, toying with a melody.

“On your side…face me…”

The candle on the bedside table illuminated her. She felt exposed, in a way she never had. The yellow glow was more sensual than modern light. She stretched out, experimenting with the moment. Time suddenly had little meaning. They might have been in any century. The current between them was universal.

“That’s hot, Kate… I love it. You’re amazing, baby.”

He was fingering the strings, refining the notes as he watched her. The soft silver light coming in from outside gave him a sinister look. All of the hard-cut muscles gained more intensity in the shadows.

“Touch yourself for me…”

She shivered, a little twist of anticipation going through her. Excitement built along with the tempo he was playing.

“Show me how you like to be stroked.”

The evening air blew in, making the candle flicker. One died, reducing the light, but it seemed to be like temptation beckoning her toward it, cloaking her with darkness to bring her deeper into the moment.

She rubbed her hand along her hip, up to where her waist was and then back down.

“Yeah…”

His eyes were narrowed, his lips thin, his jaw tight as he watched her.

“More.”

She trailed her fingers along her hip again, but this time, she stroked across her ribs to one breast. Little ripples of delight ran out from the touch, the look in Syon’s eyes pushing her forward.

Erotic was a tangible thing with him. It was in the way he watched her as much as touched her.

Like now. He was playing a melody, one that was building. She let the increasing tension in the music drive her motions. She stroked her breast and teased her nipple. It drew tight as he shot off a series of sharp notes.

“Pinch it,” he ordered.

She clamped her nipple between thumb and forefinger.

“Yeah…”

He was repeating the chorus, concentrating on the notes.

“Lower. Touch yourself… Show me how you like it…”

She licked her lower lip because it had gone dry. Excitement was brewing inside her, her clit pulsing with anticipation. She lifted her leg and placed her foot against the bed so her thighs were open.

The guitar squealed again.

Her heart accelerated again.

Her breath caught when she touched her own curls. She felt unbearably on display with him watching, but the devotion in his eyes made her keep going.

Syon was still playing, the song rising to a fevered pitch.

“I know you like that little clit touched. Touch it, Kate…rub it…”

She felt linked into the rising crescendo, her heart keeping time with the music. She plunged her fingers into her cleft, crying out when she made contact with her clit.

“Rub it… Ride your fingers, baby!”

She really didn’t have a choice.

Did she ever when it came to Syon?

Not really. With him, there was only need and the moments between feedings.

“Ride them!”

She was working her fingers in and out of her wet slit, pumping her hips toward them. Her skin turned hot, the blood roaring in her ears, but all she was conscious of was the tempo of the music. She was fixated on his fingers, imagining them against her clit.

“Yeah, baby. I’m the one touching you. That’s right… It’s me…”

She felt the climax coming. Her mouth opened as she was pulled tight by it. The music was hitting its crescendo; he was forcing it out of the strings, willing it into creation as she cried out. Pleasure slammed into her, flowing through her like a flash flood. Nothing remained standing; it ripped everything up and carried it along until it dumped her, completely spent of mental and physical strength.

Syon threw his head back, breathing deep, rasping breaths as he finished the last few notes.

“So fucking good.”

He was suddenly there, in bed with her, his cock slipping easily into her wet sheath. He’d come up behind her, rolling her and pulling her onto her knees as he thrust into her from behind. He was rock hard, his cock nearly bursting, the hard hammering satisfying that last thing inside her that hadn’t yet been fed.

But he was holding back. She knew the difference now. Knew when he was clinging to the remains of decency. Politeness. Neither of which had anything to do with what she craved from him.

“Harder,” she demanded. “Fuck me like you want to.”

His grip on her hips tightened, his body driving harder, deeper into her. She pushed back against him, but he refused to allow her any motion. She was being claimed in that moment. The savage side of him delighted in knowing she was captured.

His breath was harsh, his cock hardened even more. She tightened her internal muscles and let out a cry. It was savage and full of need. He started coming, his seed flooding her as he pumped her through the climax.

“I hurt you…”

His tone was hoarse.

“No you didn’t.”

He had collapsed on top of her and straightened up, even though his breathing was still rapid. “I was fucking…rutting on you, Kate.”

She rolled over, reaching up to stroke the side of his jaw. “I know. Ramsey’s parents obviously got to you too.”

He lay there, holding her for a long moment. “You read me too well.”

“Good.” She stood up and fought to keep her knees straight. “Because you’ve been a destructive force in my life since the moment I set eyes on you. Fair is fair.”

“We’re having lunch with my parents tomorrow.”

He turned over and rolled off the side of the bed, but she caught his hand. “Say that again.”

There was a twinge of uncertainty in his eyes. A hint of vulnerability she recognized and felt privileged to see.

“Is that why there’s no partying tonight?”

Syon nodded. “This is our hometown. I made a date with my parents for lunch. Come with me.”

She was shocked into silence and touched so deeply, her eyes stung with tears. “Okay.”

For a moment, she felt awkward. Syon captured her hand and started tugging her toward the open balcony. He pulled her through the thin drape that was fluttering in the night air. The balcony opened onto the roof and a pool area.

They were both buck naked, but that didn’t bother him. He pulled her over to one of the hot tubs and down into the bubbling water. They had a view of the city, the lights twinkling all around them. Syon settled back, sinking down until the water was halfway up his chest.

“Relax. Only Rams is up here.”

She sank down to her chin and scanned the area. Syon laughed at her and pointed across the expanse of the pool to a gazebo area.

Ramsey was still wearing his pants, but the fly was open, his cock jutting out. A girl was on her knees sucking on it, but what drew Kate’s attention was the way her arms were tied behind her back. Ramsey had a leash wrapped around his hand. The leash was attached to a collar around her neck.