Patrick's Heart by Stacey Espino Page A

can work after all,” she said.
    “You’ve already been chosen. As soon as I get the word to return home, Garret will make things official.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “You’ll officially be ours. Forever.”
    He was talking about the love bite, their unusual ritual. She supposed it came from Patrick’s animalistic roots and they’d taken on the idea to include him. “About that love bite. Personally I think sharp would be better than blunt, don’t you?” She shifted in his embrace so she could run the pad of her thumb along his upper lip.
    “Garret will be first, then the four of us will follow to complete the bond.”
    “Five bites?” This was just getting better and better. She knew she’d go through with it, regardless of how unorthodox, but it still sent a chill racing up her spine. “Couldn’t just one of you do it? Couldn’t you ?”
    She tenderly pushed his lip back, looking for those sharp tips, but found only regular human teeth.
    “Looking for something?” A hint of playfulness colored his words, one eyebrow rising in question.
    “I’m–I’m curious.”
    He exhaled, as if holding on to control by thread. “Be curious tomorrow, Cassidy. Right now I want to enjoy your body.” Patrick had already brought her to a peak, only to leave her hanging. She knew it would take little effort to bring her back to that pinnacle.
    “Touch me,” she begged. He’d been holding, talking, studying, but not touching. She wanted to feel his big, rough hands explore her curves, his fingers invade her cunt. Tonight would be more than sex. She wanted him inside her, his cock throbbing within her walls. This was a man she loved. After the emotional declarations she needed to be as close to him as possible. She yearned for the great passion that could only be achieved once all virtual guards had been lowered.
    “Were you never taught how dangerous it is to taunt a predator?” He brought his lips close to her neck, lightly grazing her skin. She could hear him breathing before he nipped her earlobe.
    “I don’t taunt,” she said. “I can handle it hard and fast.”
    “Can you now?”
    He traveled down her body, seeking her breasts. When his warm mouth closed around her hypersensitive areola, she cried out. She needed this more than she knew. The sexual play acted as a release for all the stress she’d built up inside her the past couple days. In Patrick’s capable arms, she could let everything go, just focus on his hands, his tongue, and his cock.
    The more he explored, the more urgent his movements. He became rougher, his breathing more like ragged growls. She ran her hands over his wide expanse of shoulders, her fingers exploring the powerful, bunched-up muscles as he held his weight over her body.
    “I need you,” she said.
    “Like yesterday?”
    She tried to catch her breath, but it was difficult with her body already overheating. “That was sex.”
    Cassidy wasn’t about to admit the pull her five miners had over her. It was like they had some soul-deep connection that she was unable to sever. One look, one touch, and she was addicted all over again.
    Patrick positioned his body firmly between her thighs. He thrust against her folds, building up delicious friction. Her clit was already engorged, throbbing for release. “What is this?”
    “Everything.” She grabbed him behind the neck and tugged him close enough for a kiss. This kiss was like no other—deep, lasting, and sensual. She became lost to his affection, drowning in the passion she’d only dreamt of experiencing with Patrick.
    He lifted his hips enough to impale her with his impressive cock. Satisfaction was instantaneous, a rush of heat and electricity surging through like a scattering of lightning. She cried out, the sudden fullness taking her off guard even though her body was well prepared to accept him. He was so thick, and he worked her tirelessly from the very first stroke.
    “You’re tight, fucking tight.” He licked