Heart of the Serpent: Hades' Carnival, Book 5 by N.J. Walters

and threw back his head, exposing the long, thick column of his neck. He was panting hard, but so was she. “Now,” she implored him. “Hard.”
    He moved so quickly, the world was a blur. One second they were seated, the next she was flat on the bench with him over her. He hooked her legs over his thighs, cupped her ass in his big hands and began to thrust.
    Jessica gripped the edges of the bench, needing something to hold on to. His thrusts were so hard and deep she would have slid off the bench if he hadn’t held her so tightly. Each time he retreated she wanted him back. And each time he filled her was even better than the last.
    His dark hair hung around his shoulders, his lips were parted and his nostrils flared. He looked as dark and dangerous as he was. And he was all hers.
    With a growl, he fell on top of her. He gripped her shoulders and fucked her faster, short, hard thrusts that made her gasp. She was so hot. Her body on the edge of ecstasy.
    He shoved one hand under her, angling her pelvis so her clit rubbed against him with each thrust. Her nipples grazed his chest.
    Lost in the sensual pleasure of his touch, she came. He took her mouth, capturing her cry as her orgasm washed over her. He stiffened above her. His cock jerked inside her as he found release. The warm rush of his pleasure made her pussy spasm again.
    Her heart pounded in her chest and she sucked in the warm night air, tasting their passion and the perfume from the surrounding flowers. Mordecai slumped over her and she wrapped her arms around him, savoring the quiet moment between them.
    Eventually, the sounds of the night came back into focus. A bird flitted in the trees. A car drove down the street. A dog barked a few doors down.
    Mordecai raised his head and lifted his body from hers. She didn’t have enough energy to move and lay sprawled on the bench. He chuckled and lifted her into his arms. She lolled against him and rested her head on his shoulder.
    “I owe you a new bench.” His dry comment made her laugh. Sure enough, two large chunks were missing from the stone bench where he’d ripped them off.
    “I don’t know about that. I kind of like the way it looks.”
    He kissed her and she tasted his love, his commitment.
    She patted his chest. “Everything will be okay. You’ll see.”
    “I believe you.” She could see the truth in his eyes and it warmed her heart.
    “I’m taking you inside to bed before the neighbors discover us.” He started walking to the back door, not bothering with their clothes. She closed her eyes, trying not to notice they were both stark naked as he walked past the solar lights and onto the porch. “Although it might be too late for that.”
    “What? Who saw us?”
    He opened the door and carried her up the stairs to her apartment. “I doubt they watched, but Arand and Sabrina probably heard us. Preternatural hearing and open windows,” he reminded her.
    She should be appalled. Really she should. Instead, all she could do was giggle. She was still laughing when Mordecai unceremoniously dumped her on the bed.
    “You think that’s funny, do you?” he asked.
    She nodded and then pulled her pillow over her face to smother her uncontrollable laughter. She just felt so good. So right. Her nightmare was finally over and their future was bright.
    He pulled the pillow off her face and tossed it aside. “You can’t hide from me. I’ll always find you.”
    She linked her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “I like that.”
    “I think you’ll like this even more.” Fully erect once again, he slid inside her. She gasped as he filled her. That gasp turned to a moan when he kissed her. He began to thrust and he was right. She really enjoyed what they did next.

Epilogue
    Jessica shivered and pulled her coat closer around her. She’d thought Mordecai was crazy when he’d handed her a parka and a pair of snow boots to put on. After all, it was summer in Louisiana. “Where are we?” There was