“Bad cock,” Rian growled. “You belong to me. You rise only for me.”
“Yes,” I said. “Conquer that cock!”
Rian smacked it one more time, but that was all he could manage before he lost control. With a roar, he grabbed my hips and pounded away, my table creaking with every thrust and items shaking on the wall shelves. All I could do was grip the edge of the table and grin. That and come a few seconds later, violently and mere moments before Rian shouted and pulled out to empty across my back.
Chapter Seventeen
“Conquer that cock?” Rian asked with a lifted brow.
We were on the floor, the chairs requiring too much effort to keep ourselves upright. Plus, on the floor, I could nestle into his arms.
I looked up at Rian and burst out laughing. He joined me, and we flopped about together in amusement. When our laughter finally died down, we collapsed back against the kitchen cabinets.
“It felt right in the moment,” I said.
“No, it was fantastic,” Rian pulled me in tighter against his chest. “I didn't go too far?”
“You went just far enough.”
“Good.” He fell silent for a few moments, then asked, “Will you tell me about him?”
I went still.
Rian angled his head to look at me. “Knowing another man can arouse you does make me irrationally mad, but I'm feeling calmer now, and I'd like to know.”
“Why?” I whispered.
“At the moment, he's a specter. Faceless and frightening. If you could fill in some details—about him and your relationship, he will become known. The known is easier to handle.”
I sat up. “We'd best get dressed for this conversation.”
“Why?” Rian pulled me back against him. “Neither of us is ashamed of our bodies, and I'm perfectly comfortable.”
“I'm not comfortable talking about someone else while we're so intimate.” I pushed away from him, grabbed my undershorts and trousers, then got up.
“Very well.” He got up too, though he took longer to dress.
As Rian finished up, I went into the bedroom and put on a shirt and some shoes. I also brushed my hair, though I left it unbound. Staring at myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath, then turned to leave the bedroom.
Rian stood in the doorway.
“That bad?” he asked.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” I countered.
Rian stepped up to me, took my hand, then led me into the parlor. We sat down on the rug before the Fire crystal fireplace, and he tapped the button to activate the crystal. It instantly turned red and with the glow came warmth. With that done, Rian eased me between his legs and folded himself around me.
“I was in love once,” Rian said.
I jerked, then turned to look at him. “You were? Was it Jaris?”
“No. We weren't as close as Jaris and I, but we were friends first. We went to school together. It was a long time ago, but I still remember the way he smelled.” His voice went soft and wistful. “The way he felt beneath me. So I understand how love can linger even after you're ready to let it go.”
“What happened to him?”
“He took over his family's estate.”
“Did you end things because he wasn't your mate?”
