The heat of his body made my breaths tumble, and his heavenly scent wrapped me in memories of home. My home on Jade, surrounded by the sun and sea, with Priest at my side and the aroma of his skin in my lungs—hot and male, leather and sin, everything I craved—imprisoning my senses, possessing me.

He owned me, and he proved it with a single finger as it descended upon my clitoris. His caress enveloped the erectile bud with perfect pressure, diabolical warmth, and uncanny rhythm. Every particle of my being gravitated to him, captivated.

I imagined us together on another plane, in a different realm, united, intertwined, untouchable. Safe. I yearned for the feel of his lips, the beat of his heart, and the security of his arms around me. But I couldn’t have those things. Not here, where I played the part of a woman paying the price for killing his father.

How much time was left?

My gaze drifted toward Madwulf, but Priest grabbed my throat, forcing my eyes to his.

“Give me your come, Bennett.” He rubbed his finger through my growing slickness, arousing and stimulating my body with extraordinary mastery.

But it was that raw, devoted gaze that held me immobile. He loved me with an intensity and forcefulness that ruled him. It was there in his eyes—his instinctual attraction to me, selfless affection, and divine magnetism that went beyond science and nature.

His love was the impetus that opened me to his touch, relaxed me in a way I didn’t think possible. I felt the give in my body, the languid loosening of inner muscles beneath the strong, deep throb of desire. A rush of heat rolled forth, my cunt clenching and sucking to be filled and satisfied.

If he were to sink his finger in now, he would find all the drenched proof he needed. But he stayed with my clitoris, working it into a swollen, thrumming knot.

I hovered on the edge, rising, trembling, panting, rocking against his hand, and chasing the high. I couldn’t quite get to the ultimate peak. I was close enough to feel the shimmering edges of it, but relief danced just beyond reach.

“Bennett,” Priest breathed against the gag in my mouth. “The commodore has a rather large erection in his breeches.”

Unbidden, I moaned at the mental image, my attention turning to Ashley. I didn’t look at him, but my God, I heard him.

His shallow breaths seethed past the cloth in his mouth. At first, I thought it was rage. But after a closer listen, I detected a low, nearly imperceptible groan. A hungry, continuous groan. It didn’t make sense.

Except it did. He understood the stakes, knew I had to achieve climax, and sensed I was close. He was feeding off my arousal and growing hard because he was in this with me, joining the fight instead of fighting against me.