Orelia did as he said and kept her eyes on his. When she bit her bottom lip, he drove into her in deep thrusts. She moaned his name, and the sheer ecstasy on his face as he burst nearly made her follow him into bliss.
When his cock had finished twitching, Vade slumped on top of her, his warm breaths tickling her neck. After he’d settled, he kissed her, holding his lips to hers for a long moment.
Gods, she never wanted to stop doing this with him.
“I . . .I never knew it could be like that,” he said through a labored breath.
She panted up at him. “Me either.” She’d had sex with Tommen many times, but the intimacy with Vade was different. Stronger. Deeper. Hard-earned from them both.
Vade shifted so he laid beside her and rested his palm on her stomach, gazing at her with overflowing joy. “I’ve never thought much of my name, but hearing it moaned from your lips is the sweetest sound.”
She rolled over to face him, letting him run his fingertips along the curves of her body.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She smiled. “You’re beautiful too.”
He let out a sharp laugh. “Beautiful? I think you mean ruggedly handsome,” Vade preened.
She rolled her eyes. “There’s that arrogant fae attitude I’ve come to enjoy.”
He cupped her chin and kissed her. “Wait right here. I’ll be back.”
Orelia propped her head in her hand and watched his sculpted ass as he padded into the washroom. When he disappeared around the corner, she laid back down and let the last of the sun kiss her bare skin.
In her peaceful state, she slipped into sleep and awoke to a gentle hand nudging her shoulder. Out the windows, the sky had turned to a deep purple, and the fire in the hearth had been brought back to life, casting shadows on the beast of a man staring down at her.
His imposing frame had once frightened her, but as she gazed up at the fae who’d confessed his love, she only saw a man longing to be cared for. Orelia squealed as he put her over his shoulder and carried her into the washroom, gripping the backs of her thighs tight.
Vade set her on her feet, and she turned to see the copper tub full of steaming water, candles lit on the windowsill, and plumrose petals floating on the water’s surface.
“Too much?” he asked with soft eyes saying he wanted to please her. “Are the candles too close to the water? Are there enough petals?”
Death’s Shadow was unsure of himself, and it was adorable.
She couldn’t stop smiling. “This is perfect.” Orelia poked at his heart. “I knew there was a romantic in there somewhere.”
He huffed and stepped into the water. “Cut me some slack, lamb. I’m new at this love stuff.” Vade leaned back against the far side of the tub and rested his arms on the sides.
Orelia sauntered over, thoroughly enjoying the admission that he didn’t know what he was doing trying to romance her, even though he had done everything right.
Wandering eyes watched her dip into the water. She scooted in between his legs and leaned back against his chest, resting her head on his collarbone.
Vade wrapped his arms around her, covering her breasts and kissing her temple.
They held each other in the welcoming comfort of the hot water. Her eyes drifted out the window to the stars sparkling in the violet sky and the crescent moon peeking out from behind the clouds. She’d never felt such peace, cradled in the safe arms of a loving man.
Orelia tilted her head and looked up at him. “Vade?”
“Hmm?”
She gave him her best smile. “I love you, too.”
His lips parted. Vade spun her around, and water sloshed out of the tub onto the wood floors. His eyes were so wide she could see much more white than black. “Say it again.”
Orelia cupped his face. “I love you.”
His eyes went misty and he smiled so big that her heart nearly leapt from her chest. “Say it again.”
