Chuckling, Auraelia closed the small space he’d created between their lips, kissing him softly as she ran her fingers through the sleep-mussed hair that had fallen across his brow. “Daemon—”
At the sound of his name, Daemon groaned and buried his head in her cleavage, pulling her closer as he mumbled, “That’s you’re ‘we need to talk’ voice, and it’s far too early for that, Princess.”
Hooking her leg over his hips, Auraelia pulled his head back so that he was forced to look at her. She stared into his eyes, taking in the rich swirls of mossy green and the bright golden bursts in their centers.
Goddess, I love this man.
She pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. “That’s because wedo needto talk. I meant what I said last night; you need to go back to Kalmeera.”
Daemon rolled away slightly, his head falling back against the pillows as he pulled his arm from around her torso and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you at least going to give me areasonfor this asinine idea? I don’t want to leave you. Not after everythi—”
Auraelia gently placed her finger over his lips, silencing his words in the process. “You’re notleavingme, Daemon. But you need to make sure that your people are protected. Need to prepare them for what is coming.”
Letting out a resigned sigh, Daemon gripped her waist and rotated until she was on top of him, her legs straddling his hips, her center settling directly over his hardening length. A ripple of desire swept through her, landing squarely between her thighs as she slowly rocked against him.
“My star,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Don’t start something that you don’t intend on finishing.”
Auraelia planted her palms on his chest and slowly rolled her hips. “I fully intend onfinishing, my love. But not until after we talk.”
Daemon’s eyes slid closed, the muscle in his jaw ticking as he clenched his teeth together, his hold tightening as he slowly guided her along his length. “Talk fast.”
“Go home to Kalmeera. Prepare your people however you can, and then come back to me.”
The muscle in his jaw continued to jump as his teeth grated against each other—clearly at war with himself over what he knew was the right thing to do and what hewantedto do. Holding his gaze, Auraelia didn’t bother trying to hide the sly smirk that tugged on one corner of her mouth as she slowly increased her pace, and the groan that rumbled up his chest was like music to her ears. She’d never tire of the effect she had on him. Of the way he always seemed to toe the line between restraint and wanting to bury himself so deep within her that they didn’t know where one of them started and the other ended.
It may have been wrong to use that against him, but if it was the only way he would agree, she’d use every weapon in her arsenal.
“Daemon.” His name sounded like a plea on her lips as she steadily rocked against him.
“Fuck, Princess. If I agree, will you stop torturing me and let me slip inside that slick cunt of yours?”
Auraelia leaned down far enough that her words were a whisper against his lips. “Only one way to find out.”
“Fucking, hell.Fine. I’ll go, but Iamcoming back.”
His lips were soft and demanding beneath hers. Tugging his bottom one between her teeth, she slid her hand between their bodies and wrapped it around his cock. A thrill of excitement shot through her as it jumped against her palm, and she slowly positioned it at her entrance. “You better.”
As soon as the last syllable left her lips, she slid down his length. He filled her so completely that all of the air in her lungs escaped in a rush.
Daemon’s grip on her hips was near bruising, but she didn’t care.
She wanted his marks.
Wanted to see the evidence of him on her skin after he left.
For every downward slide, Daemon thrust up into her, the sound of their bodies coming together mixed with the grunts and moans that fell from their lips. It was a symphony of lust and love, and she never wanted it to end.
Daemon’s hand slid from her hip to where the steady pulse pounded between her thighs. The delicious friction from his relentless circles sped up the rate at which her orgasm would crash into her. But as soon as her walls began to flutter around him, he stopped, and she couldn’t have suppressed the disgruntled sound that came out of her mouth if she’d tried. “Nooo, why’d you stop?”
Daemon thrust up into her once more, then held her hips down against his. “Your pleasure belongs to me, my star. And ifyou’re sending me away, I plan to lead you to the edge of bliss and drag you back again as many times as I see fit.”
Auraelia attempted to rock against him, searching for the friction that would bring her what she sought, but his grip was firm. Deciding on a different tactic, she slid a finger down his abs, watching as his muscles responded to her touch and savoring the quick intake of breath through his lips. “So, you’re punishing me for asking you to take care of your people?” she asked, a singular brow hiking up to her hairline.
“You could say that.” Daemon’s thumb began swirling against her once more. “But you and I both know that youlikemy punishments. So be a good girl, and ride my cock.”
When she didn’t move, his brows furrowed, and his thumb stilled. “Auraelia.”
The way he ground out her name made her skin pebble with anticipation, but the only movement on her body was her lips tilting up into a mischievous smile. “What are you going to do, Daemon?”
