But that is far beyond my power. However, I can treat him with respect. Teach him gentleness. Show him how he deservesto be treated. It is going to have to do. It’s the only thing I have to offer.
Chapter seventeen
This feels frighteningly domesticated. I’m sitting alone with Mabon at this cosy two-seater table by the window, having a candlelit dinner. Though I don’t think the candles are for romance, I think the fey simply prefer them to electricity.
Mabon is ignoring me again. Whatever he is reading on his tablet is apparently infinitely more interesting than me. But the silence feels companionable. Comfortable even. And besides, he is probably reading work stuff. Ruling Britain has to come with some admin.
Which sucks for him. I’m glad that I just get to sit here and enjoy this amazing food. Steak and a selection of perfectly seared vegetables. Heavenly.
I peek at Mabon and quickly look away before he can catch me staring. He looks fine. He looks exactly like his normal glamorous, beautiful self. There is no hint of the vulnerable man who clung to me yesterday. Is he over it? Is he hiding it? And if so, what the fuck else does he hide? Because I’d never be able totell from looking at him now that he’d ever had a dark day in his life.
My stomach twists queasily, and I put my fork down. Is he okay? Should I ask? Would he be grateful for my concern, or would he consider it an intrusion?
I’m saved from my indecision by a shadowy servant approaching the table. He bows elegantly, places a very pretty box with a ribbon on it on the table and then drifts silently away.
Mabon puts his tablet down. His eyes are sparkling. He picks up the parcel and opens it excitedly. He is like a kid at Christmas and now I want to buy him all the gifts in the world.
He rummages in the soft pink tissue paper and pulls out a silver bracelet encrusted with diamonds. It sparkles and glitters in the candlelight.
He slides it onto his left wrist, where it nestles among his other bracelets. He holds his hand up and coos over his present.
“Is it from him?” I snap.
Mabon’s gaze flicks from his new bracelet to me. He gives me a long, dark look.
“No,” he says simply, and he goes back to admiring the sparkle of his gift.
Relief surges through me. I don’t think he is lying, why would he? He has no need to lie to his pet. The bracelet is not from Gwydion. So who is it from? Does Mabon have other lovers?
My gaze rakes over the many bracelets that adorn both his slender wrists. Are they all gifts from lovers?
“Are you jealous?”
I look at him and find him staring at me intently.
“No,” I say, but it sounds sulky to my own ears.
Mabon laughs. Rich and melodic. The sound sinks into my heart and does strange things. He slides off his chair and glides over to me. He pushes the table away and the next thing I know,he is on my lap, facing me with his hands resting casually on my shoulders.
“I’ve been ignoring my little pet,” he purrs.
I should deny it. I should scoff and laugh and tell him he is being ridiculous. But then he might walk away.
So I say nothing. I just stare at him. Whatever he sees in my eyes makes him smirk. The curve of his lips is not enough to make his dimples appear. I need to deepen his smile. It’s imperative. But I haven’t got the faintest clue where to start.
His hands gently slide down from my shoulders. They skim over my pecs and rest on my nipples. His purple eyes flash dangerously. His fingers twist, tweak and pull. And they don’t stop.
I groan. He giggles. He is a warm weight on my lap. The silk of his robes feels nice against the bare skin of my thighs.
Mister Dinky is going to be making an appearance very soon.
Pleasure is shooting through me. It’s igniting my blood and setting fire to my skin. I really don’t understand how he does this to me. It’s as if he has a direct line to my arousal and can turn it on anytime he chooses.
His hands continue to work. I continue to get hotter. Any more heat and I’ll burst into flames.
Suddenly, he bends down and licks my hard nipple in one broad stroke. My hips lift and a noise like a whimper spills out of me. Mabon sucks my nipple into his mouth and the wet heat of it has my eyes rolling to the back of my head.
He lifts off with a wet plop.
