They all pulled up short when they saw Killian, their weapons falling loosely to their sides.
“We heard shouting,” Conri offered lamely.
I ignored them and hurried over to Killian. Cat rushed over with me, actually looking concerned for Killian. She licked at his face as I shook his shoulder. Long, auburn lashes fluttered open, and vivid green eyes stared up into mine. Killian gave me a weak grin, then winced when Cat's tongue lolled across his nose. I laughed, sat back, and finally noticed that he was nude.
Gloriously nude. Oh, gods was he naked. And he did naked well. His knees were pulled up to his chest, so I couldn't see everything, but what I saw was enough to make my heart race. I swallowed past a dry spot in my throat as I glanced down the corded muscles of his thick thighs, then the curves of his calves. A light sprinkling of auburn hair drew my attention back up and over his sublime ass. Sublime. Looking at Killian's ass was nearly a holy experience.
Lying there like that, his body was shown to its best advantage. His back angled forward in beautiful swaths of muscles, reminding me of a sculpture I once saw in a museum. Except Killian was stronger and far more beautiful. I traced the dips of his biceps, then his golden, sun-kissed shoulders, up to the lines of his neck, and his twitching jaw. Twitching with laughter. I lifted my eyes to his as a flush rose up my chest.
“Sorry,” I muttered and pulled my hand away.
“Never apologize for looking at me like that,” Killian shifted up into a sitting position and slid his hand around my neck. He pulled my forehead to his and whispered, “or touching me like that. I'm sorry I laughed. I just thought it was funny that you save my life and then ogle me.”
“I did neither of those things,” I protested.
“Excuse me?” Killian pulled back from me and lifted an eyebrow. “You were definitely admiring my physique.
“Well,” I cleared my throat. “You have a very nice body.”
“I'm so outta here,” Conri muttered.
The rest of my Star's Guard must have agreed with Conri because I suddenly heard the sound of several pairs of feet making a hasty retreat.
“And you know you saved me,” Killian continued. “I was gone, Seren. Lost to that reptile mind.”
“The lizard brain,” I whispered.
“Yes, exactly,” he agreed. “There was no emotion there, just calculation. What I needed and how to get it. That punch broke the calm long enough for your words to reach me.”
“Punching you was pure instinct.”
“I've heard that before.”
“Killian,” I shook my head.
“I could have killed you,” his usual Killian smirk disappeared entirely, replaced by the serious man beneath. “Or you could have killed me. Either way, I would have been dead.”
I frowned at him.
“You die and I die, Twilight,” he whispered.
Then he kissed me. His hands slid around my neck and pulled me forward gently. I pressed against his solid chest, my hands going up his back, as his mouth met mine. His lips were soft, a direct contrast to the muscles pressed against me, and his tongue was a gentle lure. It coaxed me further into desire, easing me into passion. Turning up the heat slowly, until I was boiling with need, and had no idea how I'd gotten there. His hands lowered, skimming over my chest to slide around my waist, and pull me more firmly onto his lap. My legs wrapped around his waist, and I clung to him as ecstasy consumed us.
Cat whined, bringing us back to reality. I eased away from Killian, panting, to stare into his stunning eyes. His lips were parted and kiss-swollen, even fuller than usual. I'd never liked full lips on a man, but Killian was able to pull them off without looking too feminine. And after that kiss, I was starting to see the benefits of a man with soft lips. I leaned back in, but Killian stopped me.
“As much as I'd like to continue making out with you, it's getting a little uncomfortable for me,” he grimaced. “Walking back through the castle is going to be awkward enough without a raging hard-on.”
I couldn't help it, I automatically glanced down. Oh, what a mistake. I looked away fast, but not fast enough to keep the image of that velvety rod from burning itself into my mind. I nearly reached for it. Instead, I controlled myself and eased away.
“Wait here,” I stood, and cleared my throat. “I'll get you some clothes.”
“Sure thing, Twilight,” Killian smirked and bent a knee to rest his arm on.
It put him on full display. All of him. Just right there. Glistening tip and everything. I nearly ran for the castle. Killian's laughter followed me inside, but this time it didn't bother me. He was safe, and beautiful, and devastatingly romantic in his own, Killian way. A hell of a combination. But I wasn't ready to jump on the Killian train just yet. Raza had agreed to this arrangement, but he'd also set some rules. The least I could do was abide by them. No riding the Killian till after I was married to Raza.
I stumbled a little at the thought. Marriage really was a hard concept for me to come to terms with. There was no reason for me to be nervous. In fact, I should be thrilled. Still, it was a lot to take in, a lot to adjust to. And adding consorts to the arrangement seemed to magnify my nerves. Maybe I was simply on the verge of being too happy. I stopped suddenly, and Cat had to circle back to me. She stared up at me inquisitively.
“Am I afraid of being happy?” I asked her.
