Chapter 41 – Deceptive Surrender (Ivy’s POV)
I woke to the heat of Damian’s body wrapped around me. Morning light seeped through the heavy drapes as I blinked myself awake, tangled in silk sheets in Damian Lucenti’s bed. For a moment I simply lay still, listening to his steady breathing against the back of my neck. If I let myself, I could almost feel safe in his warmth. But I couldn’t afford that delusion. This man had been my captor, my tormentor – the enemy I was supposed to hate.
And I tried to hate him. God knows I tried. But my traitorous body relaxed into his embrace instead of recoiling. After everything, I should have been stiff with anger, not melting against him. It made no sense, except that I was playing a role and walking a razor’s edge.
I wasn’t truly surrendering; I was playing along. If making Damian believe I’d given in meant he’d drop his guard, then so be it. I would indulge his every carnal desire like a compliant little plaything until I found my way out of this twisted world of wolves and blood debts. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. Of course, none of that stopped my body from responding to the heat of him against me. As he shifted in his sleep, I felt his morning erection nudge my backside, and a flush of warmth coiled low in my belly despite myself.
“Mmm… you awake?” Damian’s rough morning voice rumbled against my ear, sending a traitorous shiver across my skin. His broad hand splayed over my stomach, pulling me snug against the hard length of his crotch.
I bit my lip, forcing a steady tone. “Barely,” I whispered. It still came out breathy, betraying me.
He nuzzled into the crook of my neck, stubble grazing sensitive skin. I smothered a sigh at how good it felt. “How’s my little minx this morning?” he purred, lazy and satisfied.
I almost snorted at the pet name, but managed a soft laugh instead. “Sore,” I admitted honestly. After last night’s... exertions, my muscles ached in the best way. “You wore me out.”
I could feel his smug grin against my neck. “Mmm, as I recall, you gave as good as you got,” Damian chuckled. His palm slid up to cup one of my breasts. Even sore, my nipple stiffened eagerly at his touch. “You were insatiable.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. Memories of my own shameless cries and pleading flashed through my mind. I had let myself get carried away – using him, using each other, for pleasure and escape. I wasn’t about to analyse that now.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I retorted, wriggling around in his arms until I faced him. His dark hair was adorably mussed, grey eyes heavy-lidded and warm. The sight sent an unwilling flutter through my chest. I struggled to focus, letting my gaze drift pointedly to the thin pink scar slashing across his shoulder – the remnant of the silver bullet wound from last night. “You’re healed,” I noted softly, reaching up to trace the scar before I thought better of it.
Damian drew a sharp breath. My fingertips barely grazed the faint line, but his body reacted instantly – muscles tensing, a low hiss escaping him. I froze. “Sorry, does it hurt?” I asked.
“N-no,” he managed, voice suddenly rough. “Not at all. It’ll be gone by tonight. Werewolf perks.” His eyes darkened, and I realized why – under the sheets, something extremely stiff pressed insistently against my belly. My gentle touch on his scar had turned him on.
A mix of relief and another emotion fluttered inside me at that realization. Relief that he wasn’t hurt... and a heady thrill that I had such an effect on him. I pushed those feelings down.
My fingers lingered on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I murmured before I could stop myself.
Damian’s gaze softened. He captured my hand in his and guided it to his chest, pressing my palm flat over his steady heartbeat. “Hey,” he said quietly, as if I were the one who needed comforting. “Don’t go getting mushy on me now, Detective.”
I huffed and tried to pull my hand back, embarrassed at my lapse. But he held it firm against the warm plane of his chest. We were face to face, nearly nose to nose on the pillow. The air between us shifted, heat sparking.
Our eyes locked, and I realized with a jolt how intimately we were tangled – my bare body against his, legs entwined. The thick length of his cock nudged against my thigh, making it impossible to ignore how very ready he was.
Desire, sharp and unwelcome, ignited in my core. This was dangerous. I needed to keep up the act, yes, but I also needed to keep my wits. Losing myself in him could unravel everything.
“Damian...” I began, intending a warning, but it came out more like a plea.
His answer was a kiss – soft at first, just the gentle press of his lips to mine. A question, not a demand. I could have pulled away. I should have pulled away. Instead, I sighed and melted into it.
That was all the invitation he needed. The kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping into my mouth to claim mine. A wave of warmth rolled through me, dissolving the last of my hesitation. God, he kissed me like he needed me to breathe.
I hitched a leg over his hip, my body acting on want instead of reason. A low growl of approval vibrated in his chest as I rocked myself deliberately against the rigid outline of his cock. I couldn’t help it – a needy little whimper escaped me.
“You keep grinding on me like that, Ivy,” Damian warned, breaking the kiss with a ragged groan, “and this morning’s going to get real interesting.”
His grey eyes blazed, pupils blown wide with lust. The look on his face – hunger barely held in check – sent an illicit thrill through me. Every sensible thought was fast evaporating.
“Maybe that’s exactly what I want,” I whispered, surprised to find I meant it. At least my body did.
Something feral flashed in his gaze. With a growl, he moved. In one swift motion Damian rolled me onto my back and pinned me beneath him. The silk sheet slid away, baring me completely to his heated stare.
“Fuck,” he rasped, devouring me with his eyes. A flush spread over my skin under that burning gaze. I arched instinctively, half an invitation, half a challenge.
“See something you like, Alpha?” I cooed, tossing his title at him deliberately. I’d learned what that did to him.
Sure enough, a shudder ran through him. Damian’s expression darkened with lust. He dipped his head to steal another demanding kiss even as one of his hands glided down my body, spreading my thighs further. His fingers found me embarrassingly wet and ready. A satisfied growl rumbled against my lips.
“So ready for me,” he muttered. “You are a little minx.” His thumb circled my clit with teasing slowness and I gasped, sparks of pleasure shooting up my spine.
It was just the beginning.