Valentin’s nostrils flared and he leaned down to press three sweet soft kisses on my cheek. “I am not beautiful,” he replied. “I am scarred and worn. An ugly beast.”

Turning my face to his cheek, I kissed the skin just below his ear, watching as the skin grew bumps at my touch. “I decide who and what I think holds beauty, and Valentin, you do in my eyes.” Valentin’s body was still with tension, so I brushed my mouth past his ear and declared, “My beautiful monster.”

I had licked over the curve of Valentin’s ear when, on a strained moan, he placed his hand on my jaw and turned my face to meet his. Full lips kissed mine in quick and ravaging caresses; then he moved down my neck until he reached my chest. Valentin shifted down my body, his strong rough hands heating my skin. He palmed my breasts and licked at my nipples as their flesh hardened, yearning for his touch.

My eyes fluttered shut, and I pulled on the back of Valentin’s head, wanting him to take me harder and faster, the feel of his mouth on me reaching every cell. He was possessing me, owning me, and I had never felt more alive.

His teeth pulled at my nipple, the sensation shooting straight between my legs. His mouth moved to the next breast, and my head rolled on the mattress. It was too much, the feel of this rough and dangerous man, this born killer, this assassin, taking my body as his own.

Then he dipped lower.

Valentin’s tongue traced down over my torso, until it reached the bottom of my stomach. Valentin ran the tip of his tongue back and forth over where my short hairs began. I writhed on the bed, and cried out in shock when I felt the wetness of his tongue dip to the creases of my thighs.

Valentin growled and, lifting his head, his eyes intent on mine, asked, “Are you sure?” My heart melted, knowing he didn’t want to push me.

“Yes.”

Valentin licked along his lips, never breaking his gaze, then with his hands on my inner thighs pushed them apart. I shivered in anticipation of him touching me so intimately. Touching me so intimately with my consent, not as my torturer, but as the man who understood my soul.

Then, to my shock, Valentin lowered until his broad shoulders were between my thighs, the hot breath from his mouth washing over my most sensitive part. My eyelids fluttered, trying to shut at the feel of him so close to me, but I fought to make them stay open, to watch him making me his.

Valentin’s attention was solely on my core. His teeth had gritted together as though he was fighting hard to hold back. My chest tightened when I saw his hips pushing into the mattress.

He was as lost to this moment as I.

Valentin moved his hand, and I cried out as his finger ran through my folds. He teased and teased until I squirmed for him to touch me more. “Valentin,” I whispered as he kissed the inside of my thigh.

“You’re so wet,” he said, his voice low and husky with need. “So fucking beautiful.” He laid another kiss to my inner thigh, only closer to my center this time, the feeling causing my skin to blaze with fire.

“Valentin, please,” I begged, unsure what I was asking for. Instinct was driving me, pleading for this man to touch me.

My hips lifted, and as they did, Valentin groaned, slipping his hands below to grip my behind, and he smashed his mouth against my core. I screamed, my back arching off the mattress as his hot tongue circled my entrance.

My fingers searched to find purchase, but his hair was too short. Instead my nails scraped across his scalp, the action causing Valentin’s hands to grip my behind even harder, pushing me farther into his mouth.

I moaned and moaned at the new sensation wrapping me in its hold, but nothing prepared me for the feel of Valentin’s tongue flicking over me. As his tongue brushed past the bundle of nerves, I jerked and my back lifted off the mattress.

My hands fought to push Valentin away, the feel of him licking me there too much to stand. But the killer within him rose from the ashes. The assassin, the dominant monster, took control and with a strong hand pressed on my chest. The strength of his hand pushed me back to the mattress, the action keeping me pinned to the bed as the flat of his tongue slowly and teasingly lapped against me.

My arms spread out, my hands gripping the edges of the bed just for something to hold on to. My body was alight. He was setting me on fire.

Then his tongue moved faster, his hand on my chest gaining in strength, pinning me down. Moan after long moan issued from my lips as his mouth devoured my core. Valentin shifted his body, his wide shoulders keeping my legs spread apart. His tongue never paused as he moved his position. He withdrew his hands from my behind, and I screamed when I felt his finger circle my entrance, before slowly pushing inside.

“Valentin!” I screamed, and fought for breath at the dual sensation of his tongue and finger working in tandem, lifting me higher and higher.

Lights flashed behind my closed eyes. Like lightning, I felt a burst of heat shoot through my veins, bringing with it the most intense heat. And I burst apart; I screamed as pleasure filled my every part, my chest pushing against Valentin’s rigid hold. My body bucked and strained until I couldn’t take any more. But Valentin never stopped. He groaned as he lapped at my flesh, but I was too sensitive, my body needing a break.

“Valentin,” I whispered, my thighs shaking against his shoulder as my body struggled to calm down. “Valentin,” I pushed again, and laid my hand over his on my chest. I squeezed at his hand and felt his tongue slow. He lapped at and circled my clit, then slowly pulled his finger from my channel. I gasped for breath as the sensations heating me from within began to cool. But Valentin’s thorough tongue lazily licked at my wetness, his soft lips kissing at my core, filling my heart with light.

Minutes and minutes passed by as he caressed my center. My back flattened against the mattress as my hand held on to his, still on my chest. My legs fell to the side, too weak to move. My eyes were closed, and I was sure I could stay like this forever. This, the aftermath of the pleasure, the man I craved most bringing me down and worshipping me. Making me feel alive.

I had survived the massacre that took my family, but lying here, I realized that the years spent away in hiding I was simply existing.

And it took a monster to revive my heart. It took a killer to touch my soul.

Peppering kisses along my folds, Valentin then turned his face to my thighs before finally lifting his head. As his eyes met mine, my heart lurched and my face flushed. Valentin sat back on his ankles, and my attention dropped to his hard long length jutting against his stomach. The tip glistened.

Valentin wiped across his mouth with his arm, then moved forward, planting his hands at my sides. Valentin crawled forward, looking every inch the dark, dangerous predator he was. His muscled inked body, spattered with scars and marks, engulfed mine. I tried to control my breathing. As he stalked me, I tried to cool my blood. But this man hovered over me in silence, hunting his prey. My heart raced and my chest seized with anticipation.

His expression had changed. I could see that taking me in his mouth had triggered something carnal and dark within him. Yet I wasn’t afraid. I wanted him like this.

I liked him needing me like this.

Valentin’s hands stopped beside my head. Still he remained silent. The air in the room was still and heavy as he stared down at me. His cut and ripped muscles tensed and rippled as he held his large frame over me. I shivered and shook under his scrutiny, yet my skin burned with need.

My lips parted and I released a pent-up breath, Valentin’s jaw clenching as I did so. The static pulsed and crackled between us; then, as he lowered his torso, his heavily muscled thighs pushed mine open until I could not spread them anymore.

Valentin’s chest met mine, and his arms caged my head on the mattress.

I was trapped.

I was held captive.

I was alive.

Reaching down, Valentin’s warm breath ghosting over my skin, I suddenly felt him at my entrance. My heart kicked into a sprint as he ran his broad wet tip up and down my folds. I swallowed at the sheer size of him. I wasn’t sure I could take him.

The silence of the room, and the lack of words coming from Valentin, only added to the nerves, topping up the tension. My chest was coiled as I waited for him to push forward. Just as I feared I could not do this, Valentin suddenly lowered his mouth to mine, and he pressed a soft and gentle kiss to my lips.