Chapter 35

As Sam stared down at Selene, logical thought fled. Instinct eliminated hesitation. Determination replaced uncertainty. A force greater than lust spurred him on. He would give his mate what she desired and claim what was his.

Yes. Here.

Though he had intended a lavish seduction for her claiming, he could tantalize her in a fine bed with silken sheets another time. If she needed him at this moment, he wouldn't delay their joining further.

Now.

His vision hazed with demonic power. He pulled at the fastening of his pants and when he was unable to loosen the laces, he tore the fabric apart, releasing his length to her eager gaze. He was on fire for her, shaking with need. Barely in control.

At last, to know this pleasure.

But the relief he felt at having his heavy erection freed from its confines was short-lived. When he positioned his body over hers, the tip of his shaft brushed the soft curls of her sex. His body tensed, and his eyes rolled back in his head.

Defeated.

His back bowed when the pressure within him could no longer be restrained. He began to ejaculate—hot ropes of semen erupting from him to lash against her belly. Waves of bliss rolled through him upon the release, even as he knew it meant failure.

It was over. Before it had even begun.

Once the last tremors had left him, he sat back to wipe the sweat from his brow. Shame rose in his throat, making it ache. He had always worried it was his strength or rough handling that would put her off. He hadn't considered failing her in this way. Couldn't last. No better than a pimpled youth or a human man such as Kevin P. Norton.

"Forgive me," he mumbled, using his discarded shirt to wipe away the seed soiling her perfect skin.

"For what? It's okay," she said, sitting up.

"I didn't mean to… " He trailed off while tucking himself back into his ripped pants. "I'm sorry."

Would he ever be fully in control of his body and its drives? The humiliation he felt at being unable to perform for his mate was making him feel suffocated.

He shot to his feet, reaching toward the tent's exit for fresh air. But then he heard a ripping noise, like cloth tearing. The entire tent began to wobble and lurch around them, like an earthquake. It the ground wasn't moving, though—it was the walls around them.

"Oh no, the tent!" Selene exclaimed. Next came a hissing sound, and Sam felt cool air on the top of his head. Rain clouds appeared above him, and he realized that in his haste to escape, he had shredded the top of the tent with his horns. The whole structure began to deflate. Selene wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and stood. The tent fluttered down past their heads with a whuff of air, pooling at their feet.

Sam stared at the ground, astounded by the extent of his ineptitude. Selene would undoubtedly want to leave him now. Not only was he a terrible lover, but he couldn't even keep her adequately sheltered. When he raised his gaze, he was surprised to see her entire face flushing red. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, and her mouth was pressed into a thin line. When he took a step toward her, an explosive sound burst from her lips, making him pause.

It was laughter.

"Oh, my God! I can't believe that just happened! Whoops!" Selene cried. She wasn't sure why the situation struck her so funny, maybe it was all those post-orgasm endorphins, but her shoulders shook until she was nearly doubled over. When she straightened, Sam was scowling at her.

"You didn't think that was funny? It was just so… unexpected!" Wiping the tears of mirth from her eyes, Selene said, "The hazards of demonhood, huh?"

"The tent is ruined."

"I should say so. But what a dramatic exit it had!" she said as another wave of giggles overtook her. It felt good to laugh, especially after everything that had happened last night. Sam did not share her amusement, though. He was looking at her as if she had grown three heads.

Clearing her throat to regain some composure, she said, "Whew, sorry about that. Is your horn okay?"

"It's fine."

"That's good," she said, smiling. But Sam continued to stand unusually stiff like he was waiting for something. She put her hand on his arm. "The tent doesn't matter. I can sleep outside."

"You can use my hammock."

"All right." Or we could share your hammock. She would not object to another round like what they had just shared.In her wildest imaginings, she hadn't thought sex could be that good. And they hadn't actually even had sex! Demon in the sack, indeed. That was what she had been missing for so many years. Passion. Intensity. Abandon.

Sam pinned her with a gaze that felt very serious. "Selene, about what happened… before I destroyed the tent. I'm sorry. I should have kept control. I should have been able to last longer."

Ah, there it was.

He was embarrassed about finishing too soon. She wasn't upset about it, especially since he had taken very good care of her before. In fact, seeing him so undone for her was pretty hot. She tried to keep things light. "You're sorry for giving me the most amazing, mind-boggling orgasm I've ever had? Because I'm not."

"No, I mean… after that."

"I know what you mean. But there's nothing to be sorry about."

"But I—"

"Stop," she interrupted firmly. She was not going to let him spiral into a fit of self-loathing, nor was she going to spend hours reassuring him. "Sam, I know that control is important to you, but I need you to listen to me. More importantly, I need you to believe me. I liked everything that happened. I wasn't disappointed. We can try again later. If you want to."

The wariness in his eyes was replaced by relief. Closing the distance between them, she rested her cheek against his chest. Instantly, he crushed her to him, his fingers tightening in the blanket she wore.

"I want to," he said raggedly.

She sighed. What a wonder he was. So different from what she had expected when they set off on this journey together, in the best way possible. As they stood together, she had a small but powerful realization.

I don't have to go home. I could stay in Aurelia with him. Forever.

When rain began to fall again, she reluctantly pulled back from his embrace. Nudging the lumps under the tent canvas, she said, "I need to get dressed. Can you pull out our things?"

Sam pulled the canvas apart as if it were tissue paper and tossed his backpack out after hers. Selene let the blanket fall, not caring that she was buck naked in an Aurelian forest, and got dressed. Sam did the same.

Selene gestured to the ruined tent. "What should we do with it? It doesn't seem right to leave it behind."

Sam pulled on the tab that usually collapsed the tent. It sputtered and whirred for a bit before folding in on itself. Despite the damage, it compacted as neatly as ever. "We'll just take it like this." Then he looked sheepish and said, "I suppose it was a bit amusing when I tore it."

She grinned at him. "It was! Maybe we should stick corks on the end of your horns for safety." When she was rewarded with the rusty sound of his chuckle, she said, "I like seeing you smile."

"Then, for you, I'll do it all the time," he replied huskily. The sound of distant thunder made him look up. "We should get moving. There's a town called Twyzel about a day's walk from here. Hopefully, we can make it there before the storm hits."

"What's Twyzel like?"

"Full of vampires," he said with a glance at the remains of Margery and her companion. They were now empty clothes after the muted sun had turned them to dust. "We're about to enter Goblyn country."