I try to speak, but I can’t form words. My eyes are glued to the ring.
Maxon takes the ring from the box and drops to his knee. “I want to do this right. You are my mate and the other half of my soul. I want to make you my wife and queen.”
My eyes fill with tears as he takes hold of my hand, placing the ring on my finger, and I fight to hold back the sob that threatens to escape my throat.
“I want us to grow together, uniting the fractured pieces of this realm, and filling our home with the laughter and footsteps of our children. Everly, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I nod my head over and over, a sob breaking free as I dive into his arms.
“Yes,” I whisper into his neck. “Yes.”
I didn’t expect to feel such overwhelming emotions by this question, we are already mates. However, it was like the cherryon top, bringing undeniable happiness to my soul. Maxon’s arms enveloped me tightly, burying his head in my neck. My heart, a wild drumbeat, thunders in my chest, threatening to break free from its confines. It echoes in my ears, drowning out the rest of the world. I feel a rush of adrenaline, a surge of energy coursing through my veins, as if the universe itself is pulsating in time with our connection.
“I love you, Stóirín.”
“I love you too, a chroí.”
Pulling away, I pepper his face with kisses, my hands firmly grasping his cheeks.
Maxon’s growl reverberates through me as his lips press against mine, the kiss filled with desire and hunger. His hands go under my ass, and he stands, lifting me into the air. My dress is a simple silk gown, but it has slits all the way up so I can easily wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me inside.
The sensation of Maxon's tongue against mine sends a flurry of tingles throughout my body, and I can't help but grind against him in response. He gently places me on the bed before swiftly unfastening his swords and daggers. The moment he finishes, I lunge at him, my fingers seizing his shirt and tearing it apart. My hands immediately drop to his belt, but Maxon clasps my wrists in one hand and lifts them above my head as he walks me backward. The back of my knees hit the bed, and I fall, Maxon’s body following mine. The weight of his body on mine feels like pure bliss, and all I crave is the sensation of his skin pressed against mine.
Leaning up, I gently graze my lips against his, teasingly nipping at his bottom lip. There is a flickering fire burning deep in my chest, warming my entire being. Maxon’s hand pressesmy wrists into the mattress, his other hands ripping down the top of my dress, letting my breasts spill out. I squirm as he drops his head, sucking one nipple into his mouth while grinding his hips into mine.
“Maxon,” I moan.
“Yes, Stóirín?”
“I need your skin against mine now,” I whine.
Maxon lifts his head, eyes more silver than violet as he smirks, sending a riot of butterflies through my stomach. Rising to his feet in one swift move, he kicks off his boots and rips his pants off. My god, he is absolute perfection. And he is mine.
I slowly stand, my hands landing on his abdomen, my finger tracing the dips and swell of his muscles. Maxon shivers under my touch, and I smile playfully before repeating the motion. I squeal when he growls, spinning me around and tearing my dress from the neck down. Shocked, I drop my eyes to the tattered remains of my new dress piled at my feet. His arms come around me and firm hands cup my breasts, pulling me back into his chest. His lips tease along my neck as he pinches my nipples, and I press myself against him, rubbing my ass against his cock. Maxon's hands slowly release my breasts, and drop to my pants to skillfully guide me as I step out of them. He then stands, turning me to face him once more.
“You are so incredibly beautiful,” he whispers, gripping my throat and tilting my head back.
Then his mouth is on mine, owning this kiss, owning me.
I whimper into his mouth, the need and desire more than I can handle. I’ve never felt like this before, like if he didn’t touch me, I’d burn up.
Our hands glide over each other in a sensual dance, wanting to explore every inch of bare skin.
Breaking the kiss, Maxon carefully guides me down onto the bed. His lips start to explore my stomach before he firmly holds onto my thighs, gently spreading my legs apart. Slowly, his mouth moves along my inner thighs, occasionally nipping at my skin, eliciting a surprised yelp from me. I look down into his eyes, a wicked glimmer holding me captive as his mouth covers my clit. Waves of pleasure cascade over me, causing my mouth to drop open in sheer ecstasy. My head falls back onto the bed, and my hands instinctively find purchase in Maxon's hair as he devours me with an insatiable hunger. My legs tremble as warmth spreads to every part of my body, a bright light filling the room as I come apart.
Maxon growls, driving his tongue deeper into me, feeling my walls clench around him. The noise he makes is inhuman, and only makes another orgasm crash over me. I cry out into the room, barely aware of the words coming from my mouth.
Maxon withdraws and grabs my ankles, flipping me onto my stomach and covers my body with his. I moan, pushing my ass into him as he slides his cock against my wet pussy.
“I could die happy hearing you come apart like that,” he admits, his voice rough and sexy, his arms caging me in.
“Please don’t.”
A dark chuckle escapes him as he mischievously nips at my ear, causing an instant shiver and a new wave of tremors that sweep over my body.
“I could do that every day. You taste fucking divine, my queen.” He grabs my chin, bending my head back, his tongue driving into my mouth.
The taste of myself lingers on his lips as we kiss, and I let out a whimper of anticipation as his tip teases my entrance. Maxon releases my chin, his hands now gripping my waist as he pushes into me, his movements deliberate and gradual. My head drops between my shoulders, and I grip the sheets tightly in my fists as he slowly stretches me. Maxon pushes in as far as he can go, and a low rumble comes from deep in his throat, his hips rotating and grinding into me. A rush of heat floods my core, and I can't help but start panting in response.
