The Ritual (L.O.R.D.S., #1)

by Shantel Tessier

Tilting his head to the side, he drops his eyes to my lips. “You’ve been asking about a chosen.” His eyes come back to mine. “All you need to know is this …” Stepping into me, he gently pulls my head back by my hair, forcing me to look up at him. I swallow nervously. “It means that what I did to you was just the beginning.” Lowering his lips to my ear, he adds, “I’ll own you, Blake.” He shortens my name, his free hand comes up, and he trails a finger down my neck over my racing pulse, making my body break out in goose bumps. “And I think that’s exactly what you want.” With that, he takes a step back, leaving me to watch him walk away, my pussy now wet and shocked that it was him.

AHHHHHH LEGIT BUTTERFLIES

When she sucks and fucks his cock in a way that makes his head spin, his first thought will be—did Ryat teach her that? I damn sure did, you son of a bitch.

LMAOOOO

“Just know this, Blake. If you try to run from me, I will find you. And when I do, you will regret the day you left me.” Softening his eyes, he gives me a threatening smile. “You were mine yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” He gently kisses my forehead. The tenderness a contradiction to his threatening words. “And you will continue to be mine forever.”

“Thank you for saving me,” she whispers, her eyes giving me that same look of admiration she gave me the night of the house of Lords party. Before everything went to shit. “Don’t thank me, Blake,” I tell her, my eyes falling to the marks on her neck. I’d go to war for my wife. One man was nothing. “I’ll always show up for you.”

“Then you ran … and it reminded me what this really was. A job. My anger trumped anything else I had felt for the briefest of seconds.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I step toward the couch again. “Ryat …?” “Earlier in the shower made me realize I’ve gone fucking soft on you, Blake. Know why?” He doesn’t let me answer. “Because you cried. Because another man tried to hurt you. That’s what I’m trying to protect you from. I should be your biggest threat. But instead, I’m falling in love with you.” My heart hammers, and the blood rushes in my ears. I don’t want his words to faze me, but they do. “Ryat …” “I’ve been taught since I was young that obedience is important.” He goes on as if he didn’t just admit to loving me. “That power and humiliation go hand and hand. I’ve watched Lords break their chosen ones or their Ladies to keep them in line. And you? You cry a few tears, and I go fucking soft.”

A MAN A MAN A MAAANNNN. MORE GUYS NEED TO BE LIKE THIS

“The Lords have shown me that darkness exists. That you don’t have to die in order to burn. And then you came along …” I place both of my hands on her wet face, and she blinks, allowing the first tear to run down her cheek. “I can see you, touch you, and kiss you.” I wipe it away with my thumb. “I can love you.” My eyes drop to her plump lips, and her bottom one trembles. “You, Blakely Rae Archer, are my heaven.” Letting go of her face, I pick up her left hand and bring her knuckles to my lips, kissing her wedding ring. “I made a vow to protect you, Blake, and I’ll show anyone who tries to hurt you my version of hell.” I’d set the world on fire, including myself, if it meant saving her.

“I love you.” I run my hands through her tangled, sweaty hair. “I love you too, little one.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I give up fighting him. “He wants you to throw me away,” I whisper. “What do you mean throw you away?” His face scrunches at the question. “Who are you talking about?” “Matt. He wants to make me ugly, so you’ll leave me.” “Blake …” He sighs heavily. “Is that what you think?” “It’s what I know.” Stepping into me, he slides both hands into my hair and holds my head steady. “I love you,” he says, making me sniff. “You are the only woman I’ve ever told that to. And it’ll stay that way until the day I die. Your face will heal, your scars will fade, but my love for you isn’t going to change. So, whatever he said to you, or made you feel, don’t let it get to you. That’s what he wants. Understand?”

“I’ve always been a selfish person, Blake. Willing to do whatever it takes to get where I want to be. And out of all the things I’ve done, you are by far the greatest reward for my selfishness.”