“I thought it was a house.” She was interested to see the place but knew that would never happen. Once Orion got his independence back, if he didn’t eat her, he’d never want to see her again.
“House, mansion, same thing. My point is that I’m not anyone’s bitch-boy running errands. I’m here with the hottest chick I know and swimming.” His red eyes sparkled. “Tell me this isn’t great.”
“That’s my point. It is great.” She frowned. “I want cake.”
“That’s my girl.” He set his mug down and cut her a slice.
She ate while he downed his mug then made them both some cocoa.
“You like hot chocolate but can’t take the sweetness from my dessert?” she asked, amused.
“I’ve got my reasons.” He finished off one mug and got himself another.
“You forgot my marshmallows.”
He rolled his eyes but fetched them for her, and it made her want to giggle, being attended to like a princess by a savage vryko.
“You’re so nice to me.”
He smiled into her eyes. “I won’t say why, but we both know it’s true, and it’s not the fault of some spell.” He waited for her to drink some hot chocolate, then he made her put the mug down and pulled her toward him.
To her surprise, he lifted her to the counter and pushed her knees apart to stand between her legs. He still towered over her, but at least this way, they were closer in height.
“Orion?”
He studied her face. “I don’t think I can wait any more. I know you want to protect me, and I am so grateful for that, but I don’t want protecting. I want you, Kaia. Whatever you want to give me. A hug would work.” He grimaced. “I know I said you could set the pace, but I’m impatient. We won’t have much time before the real world intrudes, and I’ll have to break a few necks when they get a look at you. You’re mine,” he growled low.
How the heck could she say no to that when she wanted to kiss him with every word he uttered?
He just waited, her protector, with his heart in his eyes. And though she’d probably regret it later, she couldn’t hold back.
Kaia put her hands on his shoulders and tugged. He leaned in, and she reached for his neck, dragging him closer. He went willingly, so careful, his gaze glued to her eyes, his filled with emotion.
She focused on his lips, parting hers to share that breath of want. His groan made her tingle, all of her wrapped up in his essence, in the touch and taste of him. Orion surprised her by being so gentle, so that it was Kaia’s aggression that pulled them both into a spiral of need.
Gasping and hungry but not sure what to do with all her feelings, she pulled back, staring at him wide-eyed. “I, I want...”
“You want to feel good, sweet?”
She nodded, but that wasn’t true, exactly. She wantedhimto feel good, to feel what she felt, a melting need that consumed.
“Let me lead you,” he murmured as he kissed his way down her neck to suck at her throat.
She arched up in a gasp.
“That’s it. Give yourself to me.”
As much as she wanted him, she couldn’t use him to his detriment, afraid she’d do something that might take away more of his freedom. “Orion, I—”
“Nothing more than a little pleasure, I swear.”
She nodded, bemused by the red spark of his gaze, mesmerized by his raw beauty.
“Lift your arms.”
She did and watched her shirt fly away. Then her bra. Orion’s eyes heated. He lifted her off the counter to strip away the rest of her clothes, then he set her back down on it, naked before him.
“Fuck me,” he rasped, looking her over.
