He lifted his head, looking wicked. “There’s still another clamp to remove, kotyonok.”
She shook her head. It had been painful. It didn’t matter that the pain had turned to pleasure. Her mind rejected the idea of that clamp coming off.
“It can’t stay on, Ania,” Mitya said in a reasonable voice, that voice he used when he told her she wasn’t to ever put his men in the position she’d put his cousin. There was reason—and the tiniest edge. “You shouldn’t wear clamps for more than fifteen minutes at most. And you’re not used to them. You’re going to be very sensitive for the next few days. It has to come off now.”
His fingers touched the bells and then caught the little chain, tugged idly, watching her face, watching the sensual burn climb into her eyes. It was easy to see the rippling across her belly as another wave hit her.
“I like that you’ll be sensitive. You’re both in heat and you’ll need us. Over and over.” He flicked the bells and watched them swing out. Pull. Tug. Torture with streaks of fire. His fingers went to the clamp, moving with excruciating slowness.
She held her breath, her heart beating too fast. It was going to hurt when the clamp came off and the blood rushed back. Her gaze clung to his. She felt each turn of that screw. The sudden freedom. That pause and then a wave of pain that ripped through her body, burning through veins to her core.
She reached for Mitya, caught him by the nape of his neck and dragged his head toward her chest. He didn’t make it easy, and his gaze never left hers. “Please,” she whispered.
He licked her nipple and then drew her breast into his magic mouth. Within seconds, the pain had turned into something else, that amazing sensation that sent another orgasm crashing through her, equally as strong as the last one. She panted through it, feeling every stroke of his tongue, the flicks and licks, the suckling that allowed her body to come down gently.
He wiped her face and then bent his head to lick at the tears. “You’re all right, baby. It was just intense. Maybe overwhelming, but I had you the entire time. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
She knew that. Deep down, in her very soul, she knew Mitya wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He was right, she’d never felt anything like that before, and it was intense and overwhelming. She wouldn’t want it every day, but she knew someday, she’d be willing to go there again with him.
He kissed her eyes and brushed kisses over her wet cheeks. “I’m right here, Ania, and I’m not going anywhere.” He sat up and pulled her into his arms, rocking her gently. He tugged one of her hands to him, turning it over to inspect the faint bruise coming up under her skin. “I might really have to beat the shit out of Sevastyan.”
She pressed her face into his chest. “Where in the world did he get those cuffs?”
Mitya shrugged, his broad shoulders rolling expressively. “My cousin is very dark. One doesn’t want to know where he gets this shit or why. At least I knew there were optional liners.”
Her head went up and she glared at him. “How did you know? Have you ever been in this room with someone like that before?” She couldn’t help holding her breath. She knew she certainly wasn’t his first woman. She might not be the first he’d played with like that. Judging from his experience, probably not even close. But she didn’t want to know someone had shared that bed with him.
“Not a chance, Ania. The only people who ever know about our safe room are family. You’re my family. We’re getting the license and getting married. I don’t care about the ceremony as long as there is one and we do it fast.”
“Small,” she said immediately.
He nodded. “And quickly, as soon as the paperwork is done. We’ll go to the Bexlar County Clerk’s office in the morning and get the license. There’s a seventy-two-hour waiting period that can be waived. We’re going to take advantage of that.”
The way he stated it, she knew he thought she’d argue. She didn’t want to argue, she wanted to go to sleep with Mitya wrapped around her. She had a million questions to ask him about what had transpired and whether or not he’d found out anything of importance, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask. She already felt Jewel pressing on her, desperate to be free with her mate.
“Sounds good,” she agreed. “Do you think if we didn’t have so much crazy sex, the leopards wouldn’t be in such a frenzy to be together?” There was a wistful note in her voice, she couldn’t help it. She loved sex with Mitya. Any kind of sex. But she was so exhausted she wasn’t certain she could walk straight, let alone think straight.