Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 24 : We Didn’t Sleep

It was incredibly still in the room, the only sound that of Jared slowly turning the lock on the door into place. It echoed through the space with finality. We were alone. He turned to look at me, his shoulders tightening and then relaxing as he took a breath.

“Do you know what I am?" he asked, taking a step toward me.

My heart was beating a million miles a minute as he closed the distance between us, his gaze locked on my face.

I couldn't answer. I couldn't form the words. Did I know who he was? A bounty hunter… murderer… closeted master of antiquities… Aeris has called him something else, though.

A lost prince.

“Why did he call you a lost prince?" I breathed as he continued to close the distance between us.

He stopped short of me, looking down at me and the way the moonlight was touching my shoulders. He didn't answer my inquiry, but he reached out and ran his fingers over my exposed skin. I closed my eyes against his touch.

“You're not safe around me," he breathed.

“Why are you trying to push me away?" I replied, leaning into his touch as he stroked my neck.

“Because this won't end well for us," he admitted, a hint of regret in his voice.

I opened my eyes, finding him incredibly close now, close enough for me to rest my hand against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat hammering nearly as rapidly as my own.

“Why?" I dared to ask. I bit down on my lip and closed my eyes again as he reached up and plucked the pins out of my hair, releasing my curls.

“Eliza," he whispered, resting his forehead against mine. We were silent for the space of a breath, my palm spread wide over his chest. “I'm a Dark Lord. Do you know what that is?"

“Yes."

I knew of Dark Lords. I knew one personally, in fact. Maybe that's why I'd found Jared so familiar. His dark eyes and even darker shadow of power suddenly made sense. Maybe like the White Queens, his lineage branched off into seemingly endless factions of family carrying the same powers and traits.

'I'm not afraid,' I told myself. 'I'm not. I'm not.'

“I could hurt you," he said, tilting his head so his nose grazed against mine. I felt his eyelashes on my cheek as he brushed his lips against my jaw. A shiver ran down my spine, causing me to curl my toes in anticipation. “I will hurt you."

"You couldn't hurt me if you tried," I whispered.

"I could," he repeated, but his voice cracked over the words.

replied, closing my eyes as I leaned

shuddering breath, then leaned forward, brushing the softest kiss against

kind of power over me that

chest and gripping his shirt, pulling him closer. He groaned low in his throat, a tremble running through his

the Goddess he'd locked the

He loosened them with his fingers, pulling on the fabric until it gave way. The sleeves fell from my shoulders and the bodice

I sucked in my breath, a desperate moan escaping my lips. He stole the sound

breathed against my

cupped my breasts, his calloused hands warm and rough against my skin. My n*****s tightened and

to ask him if he felt what I was feeling. I wondered if he felt that same magnetic pull. I didn't want to break this spell, however. I couldn't form the words anyway, no matter how hard I tried. He bent his head, running his lips across my chest, then took one of my n*****s between his teeth. I hissed, gripping

I liked

I gasped as he sucked, his tongue flicking over my n****e, sending a rush of warmth down my spine. I threw my

edge with desire as he knelt

over my belly before he kissed me just above my hip bone. I closed my

his thumb

I'd had in mind as he

between my thighs. I hadn't realized I was clenching

out in mingled shock and relief as his mouth settled on my core. He was rough, his stubble scraping against the tender skin along my

my hands

losing the ability to stand upright, my legs trembling as the warmth of his mouth fanned over my skin, his tongue lapping me into a stupor. "I–I can't–Oh, please–" I pleaded, my breath coming in gasps as I fought to stay upright. Every muscle in my body tightened. I was

he pulled

into his arms and walked me across the room, tossing me roughly on the bed. I looked up at him, watching as he hastily removed his clothing. His eyes were on me, on my body,

was nearly all the way undressed, wearing nothing but his

tore his eyes from my fingers and met my eyes, his gaze feral

the bed, holding himself over me as he bent his head to kiss

my cheek all the way down to my navel, and then between my legs. I shivered under his touch, then cried out as he slid his

I could feel the length of him resting against my inner thigh, hard and hot and aching as he slowly ground against me, his

as he worked me with his fingers, always slowing his movements whenever he felt my

was enjoying teasing me and making me beg. He was watching every shred of pleasure and desperation pass over my face, the

resting on my knee, pushing my legs open wider for him. I tore at his

drenched entrance again and again. My eyes nearly rolled in the back of my head at the movement, my arms falling limp at my sides. With one hand he took me by the wrists and pinned

aren't you?" he rasped

afraid,"