I chuckle and close my eyes.
I’m not in love with him, right?
It’s still early when I wake up; Aolyn is still asleep beside me. I have to get ready because today I’m headed to Onyxera to visit the village in the lava tubes with Paxton, Kore, Thriven, and Aurora for our assignment for Ethnography.
I slip into a maxi dress made of thick, all-black material. The material stops at the top of my breasts, where the corset lifts them, and from there, a series of ropes drape over my shoulders and chest, creating a cage appearance. Apparently, this is typical fashion for theKadorian nobility. I twist sections of my hair and braid others, bringing them together in a coronet at the back of my head.
I paint my lips a soft pink and brush on blush before lining my eyes with coal. I slip my diadem over my head, letting the jewel fall over my forehead, and slip on a few bangles and a necklace. I’ll be representing my kingdom today. I grab my cloak and Prism, along with my bag, on my way out.
Ryker is there waiting for me. I didn’t expect him back yet, so I can’t help the giddy smile that spreads across my face as I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck with a giddy squeal. “You’re here!”
He chuckles, wrapping his hands around me. “Just came to see you off, but I need to head back to Malaya.” He squeezes me as my heart does a little dance. He came all the way back just to see me.
“Gods, you’re breathtaking,” he groans, leaning down, wrapping warm hands around my waist. “Have fun today, and be careful.”
I inhale a lungful of him before pulling out of his arms. One heated look from him steals the breath from my lungs. I could just stay right here, and I’d be perfectly happy, and, well, that scares the hell out of me.
He grins, tugging me down the hall toward his room before I can say anything. His door opens as he places a gentle hand on my lower back, escorting me in. Once the door is closed, gone is the facade of calm and collected, and in its place is something carnal.
The back of my thighs hit the edge of his desk, and my freaking core ignites. There’s something predatory about the way Ryker leans over me, leaving no space between us for the way my chest is heaving. His eyes drop to my mouth in question.
“Tell me to kiss you,” he pleads.
I’m not sure if it’s a question or a demand, but the choice is mine. In response, I lean up on my toes, giving him what he wants. I still have a few minutes before I need to be downstairs.
He doesn’t hesitate to claim my mouth. My lips part, and his tongue sinks in, stroking and claiming me with the taste of fresh mint still lingering in his mouth.Yes.This is what I need more of. It’s adangerous game we’re playing, but I don’t care right now. I just want to burn.
Warm hands find the backs of my thighs as he lifts me to the desk, spreading my legs so he can step between them. My dress rides up to my thighs as I wrap my legs around his waist, locking my ankles at his back, my slippers falling to the floor with a thud.
Nothing exists beyond us, beyond this door. The veil could fall, the planets burn to the ground, and I wouldn’t have it in me to stop. Not with the way he’s holding me and kissing me like I’m the very air he needs. His breath mingles with mine as his tongue strokes mine, making my body putty in his arms.
“Your Bond, Raea,” Anders mutters, pulling away just enough to brush his mouth over my lips.
I nod and then lean back in for more, sliding my fingers into his hair and tugging on the silky strands.
He tastes so damn good, I could live with my mouth attached to his. There’s so much energy flowing between us that we could sustain life itself. His mouth leaves mine, skating across my jaw, peppering kisses tenderly and so at odds with how I feel. His hands flex on my thighs as I rock forward, my core finding friction along his waistband. My power surges through me.
I’m.
On.
Fire.
“Raea,” he growls.
Right, my Bond.
I stack more bricks, noticing the wall has been blown apart. Gods, if he wasn’t paying attention, I’d have given my Bond to him. For some reason, I can’t find it within myself to care, not right now, not when I know this can very well be my future. Driven by the escalating friction, my hips move forward. I feel the soft graze of his teeth along my neck, sending a delicious spark of heat dancing along my spine.
“Ryker,” I breathe.
In one swift motion, he’s carrying me across the room.
He sits on his bed, keeping me in his lap, pinning me in place withhis hands firmly on my waist. I shift, rocking my hips, uncaring when a breathy moan escapes me. He lifts his hips into my core, and I feel the hard length of him beneath the combat pants.
“Watch your Bond,” he rasps, grinding against my sensitized core.
I gasp, gripping his arms while focusing on the not-so-stable brick wall in my mind. I lean forward, bringing our bodies flush; his solid length rubs against me as he holds me in place and presses all-too-gentle kisses along my neck. Once he reaches my shoulder, he holds his mouth there, breathing, his whole body still.
