“Of course, I do. I’ll never forget the moment you told me you were ready for our claiming ceremony. Second happiest day of my life.”
I narrowed my eyes and asked, “Only the second?”
The grin he flashed me was blinding. “The night we met is at the top of the list.”
“Oops, sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” he assured as he pulled me against his chest. “I love how fiery you can get.”
“And I just plain old love you.”
His hands came up to cup my face. “I love you, too.”
I pulled my head back when he lowered his mouth to mine and smiled at his disgruntled look. “I’m not turning down a kiss. I just know that the second your lips touch mine, I’ll forget what I was going to say.”
“Then hurry up and tell me whatever it is, sweetheart,” he rasped, his breath hot against my mouth. “After what just happened, I need to get you under me and don’t have a lot of patience left.”
“Good, because neither do I.” I stepped back and sat on the edge of the mattress. “Which is why I want you to claim me. Right here. Right now.”
“Fuck yes.” With a wave of his hand, lit candles were spread throughout the room, my bra and panties were replaced by gorgeous light-blue negligee, and Jareth’s clothes were switched out with a pair of black pajama bottoms.
His hard-on tented the silky material, and I couldn’t wait to feel him move inside me while his fangs pierced my birthmark. I shifted to the center of the mattress and stretched my arms out toward him as he joined me on the bed. “Thanks for the sweet nightie.”
“Don’t get too attached to it,” he growled with a nip at my earlobe. “I figured you’d want to wear something beautiful since our claiming ritual is a special occasion, but that’s not going to stop me from ripping it off your body.”
I twined my arms around his neck as he pressed my back against the mattress. The sheets beneath me were softer than what we normally used, and they were a deep red that reminded me of blood. Very fitting. “Totally fine by me.”
“Do you remember what to expect?” he asked as he kissed down my neck to lick over my birthmark.
“Uh-huh,” I breathed. “I memorized the claiming words and everything.”
“Such a good girl.”
His voice was filled with a hunger that matched my own. I wasn’t certain if it was the adrenaline from what had happened with the master vampire or the lure of the claiming ceremony already working its magic, but I felt as though my senses were in overdrive. We’d barely even touched, and my body was already primed for release.
As he cupped my face with his palms again, his bright blue eyes burned into mine as he asked, “Narkissa Anders, do you accept my claim on you?”
“Yes, I accept your claim on me with all my heart and soul, Jareth Bancroft.” Although he had taught me what to say, there was a deep knowing inside me, as though the words came from my soul.
My eyes drifted close as he lowered his head to press his lips against mine in a quick kiss. “You’re prepared to be mine from now until the end of time?”
This time, I was the one who kissed Jareth with my eyes wide open so I could see his gorgeous face before I answered, “And beyond.”
“To cement our mating bond, you need to trust me without question. Are you ready to demonstrate the depth of your faith in me?”
I had expected this to be the hardest part of the ceremony for me because I had always been fiercely independent. But I had no issues with handing control over to the man I loved. Jareth had more than proven himself to me. “Yes, Jareth. There’s no limit to my trust in you. Whatever you need, I’m beyond ready to provide.”
His gaze raked down my body, taking in my pebbled nipples and the dampness between my legs. The negligee he’d conjured up hid none of my need from him. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, but I’m going to be grateful from now until eternity.”
“As will I.” My voice was husky as he pushed my legs apart and settled between them.
He skimmed his hands up my inner thighs, goose bumps following in the wake of his touch. When his thumbs teased at the gusset of my lace panties, I shuddered in need. Then he made good on his promise, wrapping the silky material of my negligee in his fists to rip it from my body. “So fucking beautiful. And mine. Only ever mine.”
“And you’re mine,” I whispered, feeling just as territorial as he was.
He smirked at me and nodded. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweetheart.”