She had more or less expected him to twist her ring and immediately take her to get it over with, but as the demon moved in closer, wrapping his strong arms possessively around her waist, she knew that had been a foolish expectation. Even when in the throes of the mating thrall after the auction, he’d taken the time to explore her body and set her skin aflame with more than just forced lust.

This time she knew he would be trying to awaken her body to pleasure, to ease the guilt of forcing the coupling.

Guilt. His terrifying appearance aside, he was capable of feeling guilt. Of feeling love…

Drive, my love. His desperate plea when he’d sacrificed himself to the Prince rang in her mind as he eased her onto her back, large hands skillfully ridding her of one of the silken dresses his brother had supplied for her upon her arrival.

This creature—this man—loved her, even as his form filled her with horror.

“Oh.” Her lips parted in a soft moan when he closed his mouth around her nipple. Gentle pulls that went straight to her unprepared clit followed, and she grasped at the sheets to keep from clinging to him.

This was what she needed—to forget that the beast on top of her was more than just her lover and mate. She needed his gentle seduction, but if she let herself get too lost in the sensation and allowed herself to touch him, the spell he was so methodically weaving around her mind would shatter.

So Selma clung to the bedding as Kain sucked first one and then the other little bud, followed by his tongue and teeth gently nibbling and flicking at them until she was writhing and a warm ache settled between her legs. Unwittingly she spread her thighs for him, inviting his touch where she needed it most.

Kain growled again, the beast in him voicing its appreciation of her surrender, but before she could clasp her legs tight at the unpleasant reminder of what sort of creature she was begging to claim her unprotected core, he snaked his hand down to cover her panty-clad mound.

He didn’t hesitate, possibly sensing her returning unease, and instead pushed two nimble fingers in behind the flimsy fabric and against her clit.

Selma couldn’t hold back her gasp, nor could she keep her hips from bucking at his touch. The demon didn’t give her time to rein in her body, instead deciding to push his advantage. Without lifting his mouth from her breasts, he let his finger rub circles over her bundle of nerves and across the metal entrapping it, not stopping even when she began to moan and spread her legs wider.