His kiss scorched her skin and stole her breath. Electricity zipped up her spine and exploded behind her eyelids in a crescendo of coloured lights.
Bela felt as if she had always been waiting for this moment.
Hamish pulled her into his lap and she settled with her legs straddling his. She lifted her hands to his head, running fingers through his hair and to the back of his neck, pulling him closer. When he finally broke away they were both breathing heavily.
"Bela," Hamish whispered. She liked the way he said her name, as if it was some sort of wish. His cheeks were flushed and lips slightly swollen, but his eyes were focused. "Do you want this? I mean, is this what you-".
"Haim," Bela interrupted him, steel threading her tone. "Yes. Yes - please just kiss-" she broke off as Hamish crashed his lips against hers again. He ran a hand across her cheek, gently cradling her face in his palm as his kiss softened. When she gasped in response he slid his tongue across her bottom lip, chasing the sweet taste of lemon and gin that still coated the corners of her mouth. Bela parted her lips.
"Bedroom?" Hamish spoke between kisses. Bela nodded and then squealed as he rose from the sofa, lifting her with him as if she weighed nothing. She tucked her legs around his waist and he planted his hands firmly under her as he moved steadily towards a door on the wall opposite them. She barely had time to look at her surroundings before she was placed on a soft bed. The mattress beside her dipped as Hamish joined her.
Bela grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him closer to her, then winced and hissed slightly as pressure bit into her thighs. Though alcohol had done a lot to help numb the ache and make her more comfortable, her injuries weren't going unnoticed.
Hamish gave her a pained look. "Bels, I don't want to hurt you." He drew away, placing a steadying hand on her hip when she let out a whine of frustration and tried to pull him closer. "I'm serious, I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you."
Bela touched the side of his face, his expression was so serious.
"I promise it's ok, I'm fine, just a little sore." He looked unconvinced. "I'll tell you if it hurts, I promise Haim. Now take your shirt off."
He smiled a little as Bela tugged at the fabric between them.
"Ok." He pulled off his navy button-down, revealing, as Bela had suspected, an incredibly well-toned and muscular physique.
"Can I?" He ran his hand down the side of her hip. Bela nodded.
Hamish carefully grasped the edge of her leggings, slowly peeling off her clothes until she was bare from the waist down. He knelt lower down the bed, looking back up at Bela with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Seconds passed and she was afraid that he was going to refuse to go any further, but after a moment he ran his hands lightly over the patchwork of purple and blue that now bloomed across a third of her upper legs.
He leaned closer to the bruises until his lips were just brushing them. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, kissing the edge of her injured skin.
"I'm never," kiss.
"Ever," kiss.
"Going to let this," kiss.
"Happen again." As he kissed, he moved further up her thighs, peppering her skin until he reached his goal.
Bela gasped when his lips made contact, the sight of his head between her legs, hair ruffled from its usually neat parting and threaded through her fingers was almost too much to bear.
He caressed her thoroughly, applying the same diligent and focused precision that he brought to every task that came under his capable hands. By the time Bela called out his name she could swear that a mere gesture from him could make oceans part and cities fall.
As she opened her eyes, Hamish pulled away, his sudden absence leaving her breathless and aching with anticipation.
"Haim-" Bela let out a strangled sound. "I need you - please."
Hamish nodded and pulled off the rest of his clothes, not needing any further preparation. He helped her remove her shirt, stopping only momentarily to place a kiss on the sensitive spot at the crook of her neck, before hovering above her, careful not to rest any unnecessary weight where it could cause her pain.
"You're sure this is what you want?" He questioned.
Bela simply nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak. She couldn't find the right words to describe that her need for him went so far beyond want at this point.
They both groaned in relief as he pushed steadily into her. Hamish paused for a moment, giving her time to adjust to his presence while he kissed her deeply, and then they moved in unison.
The air in the room was close and heavy, full of gasps and whispered pleads as their movements grew in frequency, each responding in turn to the other's requests until they were in perfect synchronisation. As the rhythm increased Bela let out a whimper.
"Hamish, I'm gonna-"
"Hold on," he murmured, "I'm almost there with you, I just need to-".
He maneuvered her gently and placed her on her side, making sure not to put any pressure on her injured thighs. As he hit new depths inside her, a moan escaped from Bela's lips
From this position, with Hamish cradling her tenderly from behind she could feel as his body went taut against her soft curves. She felt the rumble of his breath across her ear as he growled lightly, and how his grip tightened on her hip, but she didn't catch when his nails lengthened ever so slightly, into claws.
His pace quickened almost imperceptibly and that was all it took for Bela to reach her peak. Tumbling over, fluttering around him, she gasped, breathing Hamish's name like a prayer.
It was at that moment, as Hamish surrendered himself fully inside her warmth, with Bela chanting his name like a mantra, that his eyes flooded with silver and he leaned forward, burying his fangs in the soft, smooth skin at the base of her neck, piercing the flesh.
Bela screamed, once, and then everything was silent.