Page 76 of Split or Swallow

Tem gasped in surprise, realizing he was teasing her—bringing her to the edge and then denying her a climax. Tem wanted to protest. But before she could, he sent the claw in again, his presence so strong she could have sworn he was behind her. For the second time in a row, he brought her to the brink, but wouldn’t let her finish. Instead, he said:

Take it out.

Tem could barely comply—it went against everything she wanted and needed. But she did so anyway, the smooth hardness slippery in her hands.

Lie on your back.

Tem did so.

Place it on your throat.

Tem set the curve of the claw so it encircled the front of her neck. It was so heavy she felt pressure on her airway. Caspen’s growl of pleasure deepened.

Now finish.

It was the easiest thing in the world to slip her fingers between her legs, rub them against her clitoris, and finish. When she came, she could have sworn the claw tightened around her neck, and Tem thought she might choke. Before she could panic, the claw loosened, and a wave of euphoria swept through her. Tem’s joy was nothing compared to his.

She felt Caspen’s climax in conjunction with her own, his pleasure rushing in a relentless wave so unfathomably deep that she feared she might slip beneath it and never come up again. Tem had no idea this was what it felt like for him when he came. It was so much stronger than anything she had ever known—she couldn’t believe he could survive such pleasure. It was impossible to tell where her climax ended and Caspen’s began—perhaps they were one and the same. His pleasure was hers, and vice versa. There was no end to their connection—no limits to what they could achieve together.

Tem lay there, naked, the claw still clamped around her neck. The afterglow of their orgasms were so strong she barely heard Caspen when he asked:

Did you like that?

His voice was a purr.

Yes. Did you?

When his answer took a moment to come, Tem panicked. When it finally did, he said:

Of course I did.

Pride rushed through her. He was pleased. He approved.

What did you like the most?

Tem genuinely wanted to know the answer. Caspen was so mysterious; it seemed like she was always the vulnerable one.

She wanted to know more about him—to learn how to please him, and for him to trust her to do so.

I liked the way you did what you were told.

It was not the answer she wished for. Tem wanted him to like something about her—something that she, specifically, had provided.

He must have sensed her disappointment because his presence coiled in her mind, settling at the base of her skull.

It is not my approval you should seek. You must save your heart for the prince. You know this, Tem.

Tem did know it. But that didn’t make her seek his approval any less. Caspen himself had told her she was not meant to be tamed. Why should she tame her heart?

I just want to know what you like about me.

She could feel his amusement, and she didn’t like it. She hardened her tone, snapping:

Are you laughing at me?

His amusement only increased.

Certainly not. I am merely wondering what made you this way.