“Really?” I asked, looking from Rath to Xae.
“Really.” Rath stood up, pulled me into an embrace, and kissed me. It was quick but meaningful, and when he eased back, he nuzzled my face before releasing me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I went from Rath to Xae, who also got to his feet. “And I love you.”
Xae growled before he kissed me, a rougher expression of affection but just as treasured. His hands clenched on my ass and his mouth moved possessively over mine. Xae would have a rough night, knowing what I was doing with Kel, but he'd endure it for me. It was yet another testament of his love.
Then I drew them in together. “Thank you. I'll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight,” Rath said.
“Goodnight.” I let them go.
“Goodnight,” Keltyr murmured as he stood.
It hurt to walk away from Xae and Rath, especially knowing how difficult this night would be for them, but I was also excited to be with Keltyr. I took Kel's hand and left the room, looking back only once to see Xae and Rath holding hands. Then Keltyr and I were in the hall, the door closed between us and them, and things got a little easier. I smiled at Kel, he smiled at me, and then we raced to the stairs.
We were laughing by the time we reached his bedroom. Kel opened the door, and we burst inside, still smiling. As soon as I saw his bed, a shiver raced down my spine. I looked at him. He locked the door and looked at me.
“Just you and me,” Keltyr said.
“You and me.” I nodded.
Then I launched myself at him.
Kel caught me and lifted me off the floor. As he kissed me, yanking the passion out of me, he carried me to the bed. Then he stopped. We had arrived. But he didn't set me down. Kel kept kissing me, his arms braced under my ass. No clutching or clinging, just sweet love exchanged through our lips. It was perfect, and neither of us wanted to stop. But we also wanted more.
At last, Keltyr put me down on my feet, and we rushed out of our clothes, grinning at each other as things got tossed to the floor. Once we were naked, we paused, both of us looking our fill, then Kel picked me up and laid me down on the bed. Emotions bubbled inside me as he carefully crawled over me, that big body caging mine. Happiness was prevalent, of course, but also relief to have him safe, and lust so deep and dark, it shocked me. I wanted this man in every way I could have him.
“Ember,” Kel whispered as he looked down at me. “I've wanted you for so long. I don't want to rush this.”
“We have all night. Go at whatever pace you want.” I brushed a fingertip over his right temple, near his healing eye. The swelling had gone down enough for him to open it.
“Ignore that.” Kel grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I love you, Ember.”
I grinned. “I love you too.”
Then Kel was kissing me again, his body rolling against mine. I shifted my legs, and he worked with me, wedging himself where he needed to be. We moved perfectly together, as if we had one mind. But we were still separate, and I wanted that amended with all haste.
Kel had other plans.
His kiss shifted away from my mouth and down my neck. Keltyr sucked and nibbled as I massaged his back, urging him on. He made happy sounds as he moved down to my chest. Softness on my skin, the press of lips. Then a wet sucking on my right nipple. I moaned and slid a hand up the back of his head to hold him to me. Flicking heat against that sensitive bud, then sucking again. My cock ached.
“Please,” I whispered.
“What do you want, Ember?” Kel asked as he moved on, his kisses forming a line down the center of my chest, then over my belly. “Tell me.”
“I want you in me.”
That big, hard body shuddered. “I want that too,” he said breathlessly.
But Kel continued downward.
When he nuzzled my cock, I jerked. “Kel.”
“Mmm, you smell good. Maybe just one taste before we come together.” His mouth enveloped me. Hot, wet, sucking, then massaging. He drew off me and went downward to kiss my sacs. “Lift your legs for me, sweetheart.”
I didn't think, just obeyed, taking the back of my knees and pulling until my ass rose from the bed. Keltyr spread my cheeks, made a happy purr, and then buried his face between them. For a brief second, I had an image of Jath doing the very same thing. But then my love for Kel overwhelmed that memory and put it in its grave. Where it belonged. I had physically scrubbed Jath away, and now I had mentally done it. Nothing was going to stop me from fully enjoying this.
