Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
I want him to be mine. To only crave me.
“Whatever you wish, I will provide,” I whisper almost soundlessly, only an inch away from his tempting lips. I long to sink into them as if they were wild strawberries, but I wait, captivated by his green eyes.
His breath quickens right before he pushes himself up to kiss me. His hurtful words caused so much turmoil in my heart, but the touch of his lips is so soothing I can breathe deeply once more.
I gasp with my whole body and pull on a chain that lifts the swing a bit higher. As soon as it rises, I push between his legs and wrap my arms around him as our tongues clash in a sweet, if hurried, dance. It couldn’t be any clearer that I am his too.
I might not have much experience with love, or even people, but nothing has ever felt more right than his touch, and I wouldn’t dream of letting him go. Dragging my hand down his thigh, I roll my hips, and we both whimper when our erections meet through layers of fabric.
“I want to see you naked,” I say, forcing my eyes open.
He bites his lip, looking around the orangery filled with plants and stone statues of gargoyles poached from his world by my great grandfather. “Here? No one will come in? It does take a while to put these clothes on…” But he’s already pulling on the red bow around his neck and opening the silky scarf.
He wants this.
He wants me.
Just needs time and reassurance.
“Tristan won’t let anyone through. We’re alone, this is my palace,” I whisper, my lips pressing to his temple as I tug on the front of his vest. “And you look so beautiful in the moonlight.”
“What do you like so much about me?” he asks as if he wasn’t a vision in the clothes celebrating the death of his enemy. He sighs, and while I unbutton his vest from the top, he joins me starting from the bottom, and our fingers meet in the middle. “Sorry, that’s so needy of me.”
I shake my head and reassure him with a quick kiss. “No. I want you to know that you are the best thing that ever happened to me,” I say as my chest fills with sweetness. My life used to be so lonely, but now that I have him, every single minute has gained intense color. “You don’t judge me for being my brother’s shadow. You see me. You have the sweetest little ears, and soft lips, and a smile that makes my stomach feel ticklish. Your tongue can be sharp and cut deep but also give me so much pleasure. Your eyes hide depths I’ve never seen despite living on the shores of the Nocturne Ocean. And you saved my life today. Again. I don’t think I could ever thank you enough.”
Even when my immediate family was alive, I always knew I was on my own. Luke is giving me a glimpse of a life where I can bask in his attention. Make love to him, and kill for him if need be. Seen and recognized. Connected.
“You have such a way with words…” Luke sighs with a smile as I absentmindedly unfasten his breeches at the sides of his hips. I might not be privy to all his secrets yet, but at least his body can be mine.
“It’s not hard to speak the truth,” I say and slide to my knees, pulling my fingers down his calves, all the way to the boots made of the softest leather in the Realm. His eyes cloud as he watches me descend, but I can’t wait any longer and cradle his foot in both hands. I kiss the tip of his fine red footwear, then rub my cheekbone against it while my fingers pop open each button.
Luke licks his lips, and some of the wavy hair falls on his face when he looks down. His cheeks are flushed as I reveal his stocking-clad foot. Now that I’ve lifted the swing, his toes barely reach the ground.
“Is that a place for a crown prince? At my feet?”
He’s being playful, but all I can think is that he could as well be my prince. Tender and carnal feelings rise inside me, creating an intoxicating concoction.
“Where any man’s place is in the presence of the one he adores,” I say, putting away the boot as I massage his foot, which is clad in a thick blood-red stocking. My lips graze his knee, and I repeat the same with his other boot, steaming up under my coat.
“You’re just horny,” Luke sniggers, nudging me with his other foot. His chest rises and falls fast, and his nipples are stiff against the sheer fabric of his shirt.
“I’m what?” I ask, pulling my hands up his legs. He gasps when I push apart his knees and slide between them, burying my fingers in the lush shirt.