He joined her at the bowl, drinking his fill and then taking a bite of the apple. Alena chose a cluster of grapes from the dish and popped one into her mouth. She poured a small amount of water into the basin and washed her face and hands. Her basket had grown heavy on her shoulder. She removed it and moaned at the relief. She rolled her neck.
“Lie down. I’ll keep watch.”
Resisting the draw of the white bed was futile. She crawled under the covers and laid her head on the pillow. Orpheus shifted uneasily, his eyelids heavy with sleep.
She held out her hand. “Come. Lie beside me. Just a short sleep, and then we will continue on. We’re safe here.” She wasn’t sure how she knew they were safe, only that she felt it to her bones.
Orpheus inhaled deeply. “We can’t trust the gods.”
Alena could barely comprehend what he was saying. Her eyelids were heavy, and the light in the room rippled as she edged toward sleep.
Whatever strength or resolve he’d had abandoned him quickly enough. He approached her outstretched hand and slipped into bed beside her.
Chapter Eight
Orpheus told himself he’d keep watch. He didn’t trust the gods or this strange house in the underworld. But despite his resolve, no sooner had he stretched out beside Alena and settled her head upon his chest than he drifted to sleep. When he woke, he felt refreshed, which was odd, because it appeared no time had passed. The light streaming through the sheer window dressing shone on the floor in the very same place it had when he’d crawled into bed.
“Oh, that felt good.” Alena ran her hand down his chest and over his stomach. She paused, seeming to catch herself, and removed it to her side. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
But Orpheus caught her wrist and placed her hand back on his torso. He loved it when she touched him. Her heat. Her scent. He brought her fingers to his lips and pressed a kiss against the tips.
“Orpheus…” She stared at him through hooded eyes.
He reached for her and rolled her on top of him. The look of surprise on her face made the corner of his mouth twitch. Let her be surprised. This was what she did to him. His cock was hard as stone, and all he wanted to do was bury himself in her. He wouldn’t hide it. Not anymore. Not when his every waking thought and dream was of her.
“We should—” Alena seemed to forget what she’d been about to say.
For several heartbeats he stared up at her, believing she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
“You are and always will be the one who holds my heart, Alena.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “If we ever make it out of this, I’m going to marry you properly and make the Alexandria elite regret the day they suggested you were anything less than my queen.”
She laughed. “I know you’re only saying that because you think we won’t make it out of here, but I’d love to see the looks on their faces.”
Willing his expression to be as serious as he could make it, he reached up and cupped her face. “Marry me, Alena.”
Her lips twitched as if she believed he was joking at first, then fell as she examined his face. “Yes.”
Her lips lowered to his, her mouth hungry, wanting. He rolled them over and settled his weight between her thighs. The woman was a rare beauty. Orpheus exulted in the feel of her soft breasts pressed into his chest. He trailed his kisses down her throat as his hand worked at her belt.
“Be my lover, Alena. We may never have another chance. I swear I will wed you if we survive, but for now…”
Alena arched beneath him, rubbing against him through the thin layers of their clothing. Gods, he wanted her. He ached to be inside her. But he wouldn’t force her. No, if she wanted him to stop, he would, even if he had to handle things himself. His hand worked under her tunic and found her tight flesh.
“Alena?” He rose off her, allowing cool air to snake between their bodies. “Will you have me?”
“Yes,” she said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I want this. I want to have you before we die.”
Orpheus tossed her belt aside and pushed her tunic higher on her hips and then over her head. Her exposed breasts plumped, luscious and peaked, over the gentle roundness of her belly and the mound of her sex. Gods, she was a feast, and he intended to taste every part of her. He removed his loincloth and pulled off his chiton.
“I…” She covered herself with her hands as he knelt on the bed between her knees. “I’ve never done this before.” Her tense, almost worried expression gave him pause.
“Touch me, Alena,” he commanded. When she looked away, he repeated in a firm but gentle voice, “Do not be afraid. Look at me. Touch me.”
She moved her hand tentatively to stroke her nails up his thigh, her eyes settling on his face. This wouldn’t do. Alena was a lion, not a scared little bird. He removed her hand from his thigh and wrapped her fingers around his cock. Her eyes grew large, but he didn’t stop there. He guided her touch along his length.
“This is what you like?” Her voice was husky.
“Yes. Now let’s find out what you like.”
