“We’ve arrived, sir.” The driver stood at attention. Marius had to hand it to Harlow; she looked positively innocent as she smiled sweetly and stepped down onto the drive. No one would have ever guessed his cock was in her mouth just moments ago. And he was harder than obsidian just thinking about it.
He held his jacket in front of his waist, took her hand, and practically ran for the door.
She giggled beside him as he whisked her through the dark halls and into his chambers, closing and locking the door behind him. He did not need Charlie or anyone else wandering in tonight.
Harlow’s laugh filled the room as she took a few running steps inside, but ended abruptly with a sharp intake of breath. He watched her step out onto the balcony and stare, open-mouthed, at Ouros’s two moons—almost full tonight—surrounded by thousands of twinkling stars.
“The stars…” She shook her head, eyes brimming. “I’d forgotten how bright they are on the mountain. Is it always open like this? What do you do when it rains?”
“It’s spelled to keep out the elements.” He placed his hands on her waist and tucked himself between her wings to nuzzle her neck. A deep sigh left her lips, and she softened against him, but her eyes stayed locked on the sky.
“In the Swilton district, the streetlights never go out and the homes are built so close together, at most you see a sliver of the sky. I used to spend hours staring at the sky when we lived in Firedrake. I’m not sure when it happened, but after we moved, at some point I just stopped looking up.”
Every muscle in Marius’s body tightened. He hated the thought of Harlow living where she did. Hated the idea that her soul had been slowly crushed by her circumstances. Life wasn’t fair. He knew that better than anyone. Only, Harlow deserved better. He wanted to give her everything.
He released her and strode into his chambers, finding the oversized settee he liked to lounge on in his salon. He picked up one end of it and started dragging it toward the balcony.
“What are you doing?” she asked as the scrape of the legs on the stone reverberated through the room.
He positioned the settee where she’d have the best view of the stars. “Sit.”
The smile she rewarded him with was pure gold.
“Tea?”
“Love some.”
He poured two cups of boiling water from the special tap in his kitchenette that drew the liquid from deep within the hot belly of the volcano and added the best tea blend he owned. It was a special brew, a gift from Rogos. The finest in Ouros, or so he was told. He’d never had occasion to use it before. He put it all on a tray with some cream and sugar and carried it out to her.
She’d curled one leg and leaned back against the armrest. Just as he’d hoped. Now she wouldn’t have to strain her neck.
He slid the tray beside her and took a seat on the other side of it.
Her gaze flicked down to his. “You’re unexpectedly sweet.”
He grunted. The next look he gave her was anything but sweet. Her cheeks reddened.
“Okay. Maybe not sweet. Maybe… patient.”
He winked at her.
She fixed her tea and then, to his surprise, fixed his for him just the way he liked it. “I watched you do this once, when I was a girl at a society event. Two sugars and a splash of cream. Did I get it right, or have your tastes changed over the years?”
“It’s right.” His heart swelled at the gesture. It meant she’d seen him. Noticed him. Remembered him. He lifted the cup and took a sip, never taking his eyes off her. The tea was good, but he was far more interested in continuing where they’d left off. He returned the cup to the tray and watched as she drained most of her cup.
She tipped her head back again to stare at the sky. “I’d never tire of this view. I’d move the bed out here if I were you.”
“Good idea. Do you want me to move it now?”
She grinned wickedly. “No. This is fine… for now.”
Funny, he wasn’t remotely fine, but he was about to be. Rising, he stalked around the edge of the tray until he was standing before her, knee to knee. His gaze locked on her full, rose-colored lips, warm and plump from the tea. He pictured how those lips had looked stretched around his cock. Leaning over her, he caught himself on the settee, arms braced on either side of her head. The cup in her hands rattled against the saucer. The stars above reflected in her gold eyes as she carefully set what remained of the tea on the tray.
Unable to wait a moment more, he captured her mouth with his. There was no resistance this time. No game of control. Her lips were nothing but soft acceptance and welcome heat. She opened for him, and he tasted her, his tongue stroking, exploring. He was hard again. Ready. Aching.
He started gathering the fabric of her skirt, working his hand beneath the hem until his fingers met the firm silk of her inner knee. He stroked toward her center. Warm, wet heat waited for him at the apex of her thighs. Her undergarments were soaked. He slipped his fingers under them and delighted at the gasp she gave when he found what pleased her.
His mating trill rumbled in his chest again, too loud to miss. Too intense to hide.
