Chapter 393: The Devil’s Reward [M]

[Music recommendation: PIXIE-T - Nothing Compares To Me]

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Just then, the wind began to stir again, followed by the restless movement of the sea. The whale plunged gracefully back into the water in a magnificent arch, sending a shower of droplets sparkling beneath the moonlight.

Aliana let out a joyful, musical laugh that echoed over the waves, watching the horizon in pure fascination.

Yet Gavriel was no longer looking at the sea, as his eyes were fixed on her.

As the whale breached the surface one last time in the distance, Aliana whispered, "Thank you..."

Slowly, she turned within his embrace until she was facing him directly.

With deep affection and raw desire pooling in her eyes, she draped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips tantalisingly close to his. "How about we head back... so you can collect that reward?"

Gavriel did not need to be told twice.

He captured her lips with his, and Aliana melted into him, their tongues entwining in a sensual dance that made the rest of the world vanish.

Before Aliana could even register, the dark pulse of his magic shifted around them, and in the very next breath, they were back in the quiet luxury of their bedroom.

Her back met the softness of the mattress as their hands roamed over each other, as though memorising every curve and tracing each other’s silhouettes through touch.

A moan slipped past Aliana’s lips as she arched against the mattress when Gavriel’s kisses travelled from her jaw to her neck. He sucked on her sensitive skin hard enough to leave a mark before soothing the sting with his tongue.

One hand slipped behind her neck to untie the knot securing her white dress. As the fabric loosened, he eased it down her body until it gathered around her waist.

His lips trailed lower towards the valley between her breasts before he took one into his mouth while his large palm covered the other as he gently kneaded it.

Aliana responded by weaving her hands into his dark hair, tugging gently and eliciting a low, rumbling growl from deep within Gavriel’s chest.

It had been far too long since they had been able to lose themselves in each other like this, and the pent-up longing between them was driving them wild.

When Gavriel gently bit her sensitive peak before circling it with his tongue, Aliana let out a breathless cry. "Oh, Gav..."

Hearing her pleasure-filled voice made dark powers pulse within him, intensifying the already maddening desire he felt for her.

Suddenly, with one swift tug, he tore her dress like paper and leaned back on his knees, admiring her beautiful form clad only in white lace underwear as she trembled in anticipation.

Her desire was so palpable that he could almost taste it.

Raising a hand, he let the backs of his fingers trail from her collarbone to the curves of her soft, full breasts, then further down to her flat stomach, which dipped beneath his touch.

"You’re so beautiful," the words slipped past his lips as his gaze lifted to meet hers.

The moment his fingers brushed against the fabric of her underwear, Aliana’s breathing faltered. Gavriel tugged at the delicate fabric before tearing it away and leaning closer to her face.

But that was all the opportunity Aliana needed.

She lifted her legs, wrapped them around his waist, and gripped his shoulders. Using her body weight, she swiftly flipped them over until she was on top of him, taking Gavriel completely by surprise.

A slow, wicked smile curved her lips as she caught the fleeting shock in his eyes. There was something immensely satisfying about seeing him so thrown off when she was the one responsible.

"Did you forget that tonight is about your reward, not mine?" she whispered, leaning close enough for her breath to brush his lips.

Just as she began to rise, Gavriel’s hand shot out and wrapped around the back of her neck, pulling her towards him. "You are my reward, Ana..."

"Shh..." Aliana pressed a finger to his lips, her gaze lingering on them before shifting back to his eyes. "Be good and let me go, Gav."

Her eyes gleamed with such fearless dominance that Gavriel found himself speechless at the way she addressed him so authoritatively.

When he failed to respond, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him hard before drawing back to meet his gaze.

"Let me go now... or I promise I’ll punish you instead," she whispered, her firm tone sending a strange tingle of anticipation coursing through him.

Eager to discover what she had in store for him, Gavriel slowly released his hold on her neck. Just like that, for the very first time, he willingly surrendered control.

Aliana’s smile widened as she pressed another slow kiss to his lips.

"That’s my darling," she purred.

Then, leaning down, she trailed her hot tongue along his neck, feeling his muscles tense beneath her.

Bringing her lips close to his ear, she murmured, "Now... you are not to touch me until I give you permission. Not a single finger."

She leaned back, gazing down into his darkened eyes with an almost merciless intensity. "Am I clear, Gavriel?"

Gavriel could hardly believe that his little rose had practically transformed into a dominant seductress right before his eyes.

Though it was already taking every ounce of his willpower to remain still rather than take her as he pleased, another part of him revelled in the tantalising thrill of surrendering control to her.

What she demanded of him bordered on the impossible, but for her, he was more than willing to walk straight into the trap.

He would play along... though his submission would come at a price.

A slow, devastating smirk curled his lips as he reluctantly lifted his other hand from her waist and placed it on the mattress beside him.

"Alright, baby... have your way with me," he murmured, his voice dropping into a low, gravelly hum that broke the silence. "But remember... once you are done, it will be my turn."

His eyes gleamed with the raw focus of a predator tracing its prey, that sent an electrifying shiver down Aliana’s spine as the true weight of his unspoken promise settled over her.

But she was far too pleased with her little victory to let that deter her.

Tossing caution to the wind, she slowly licked her lower lip before settling back on top of him. "Oh, I will..." she replied.

Her fingers traced a teasing path down his throat before drifting toward the buttons of his shirt.

Then, in one sudden, ruthless motion, she seized both sides of the fabric. Mirroring his earlier display of raw force, she yanked the shirt open, tearing the seams and sending the buttons scattering across the floor.