I stayed as still as possible, knowing if I could see them if they actually broke the kiss and turned their heads they would see me, too. And I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to break this moment. They needed this. Healing one another even though it was frustrating as hell to know they didn’t realize it.
And then…I was caught in another moment I didn’t want to be a part of—asChasing Carsended and Snow Patrol’sCrack the Shuttersbegan playing, they’re kiss didn’t stop. In fact, Grigori lifted Ember, and as they continued loving one another’s mouths, he began walking with her wrapped around him to the marble desk. I closed my eyes knowing where this was leading.
And I really did try to just listen to the music as items from the desk hit the floor. I even tried to go back to sleep, just picturing their soft moans and groans part of the lyrics to the songs that played. But it was no use. When you know people are having sex near you, it’s like your body automatically picks up every little sound they make or their bodies—dear God, eventual—joining makes.
And even though the locale—the desk I would never look at the same way—was somewhat unromantic, it was obvious they were making love, not just fucking. Their words, when there were words, were soft and tender. Their loving unhurried and unselfish. The sounds of their breathing remarkable as one when—from the sound of it—they made slow love to one another.
I stayed silent and kept my eyes closed the whole time…through so many damn songs and dozens of freaking pleasure filled moans. I just prayed they didn’t find me over here. There was only one door to this room, and it was too open an area to try to sneak out. So I was stuck.
I yawned quietly when it sounded like they were nearing the end. Their pace didn’t sound like it picked up, but their breathing had become a bit erratic. At least, that’s what I was hoping that was about. It would be a little awkward if one of them went into cardiac arrest because then I would probably have to show myself.
“I’m sorry I’ve never said it to you,” Ember whimpered quietly. “Because I do.”
“I know, kitten,” Grigori groaned. “I know you do. You don’t have to say it.”
Ember sighed on a moan, “Yes. Yes, I do. I always had this stupid thought about those words…” She paused, gasping, and whimpered again. “But it was senseless and childish. I know that now.” She gasped again and then murmured softly, “I love you, Grigori. I have for a very long time.”
Grigori growled softly, almost sounding like a purr, and he breathed, “I love you, too, kitten.” Both their moans became muffled, and his voice was a bare whisper when I heard him say, “We’re both screwed up.”
Ember chuckled, “Screwed up doesn’t even begin to define us.”
And then, she gasped his name, and he groaned hers, and soft murmurs ensued between their panting and moaning.
I was right, they were almost done, but I was still sitting there in shock realizing that two people could say they loved one another, and believe it, but not understand it wasn’t just simple love for another human being. These two were so in love with each other, it was like a bright pink spotlight shone down on them when they were alone—at least, they thought so—and were able to be themselves. Their actions. Their words. It was all there…except for damn common sense.
Ember started whimpering Grigori’s name, but that abruptly stopped and she began chanting a keening cry, “Love you. Love you. Love you. Love you.”
Grigori picked up her mantra—and the pace from the sound of it—groaning with her, “Love you, too. Love you, too. Love you, too. Love you, too.”
Suddenly, skin was slapping a lot harder, and Ember screamed—I tried not to flinch—Grigori’s name. Their rhythm was hectic. Grigori was shouting Ember’s name—I tried not to baulk again. Ember was whimpering brokenly and Grigori was groaning deep and long. Sounded like they were finally through.
I stayed quiet…and then, so did they, their breathing becoming steady and then rhythmic. Oh, they had not just done what I thought they had. I waited, praying they would make some noise of separation…
…and heard nothing.
Except for a slight snore starting up from each of them.
They had fallen asleep on the damn desk!
I tried not to groan. I was still stuck. They weren’t the heavy sleeper types.
If I tried for the door, they would surely wake up.
So I did what I could do. I fell asleep.
Startled, I felt a sense of vertigo. I squawked, my arms flying out, but Daniil’s voice murmured softly, “It’s all right.” It was him lifting me, his arms that held me tight. “Go back to sleep. They’re gone. I’ve got you.”
I groaned, resting my head against his shoulder as he started walking through the darkened study and out into the hall. “How did you know I was here?”
Daniil chuckled lightly. “I have eyes all over my house. I can see everything if I chose to.”
I stilled, a little grossed out by that. “You know what happened in there?”You watch your own kids get it on?
Daniil kissed my forehead, walking up the stairs and laughing against my skin. “I said if I chose to see it. Not that I do. I have cameras all throughout the house for my own family’s protection.” He chuckled again. “And when I started looking through the footage to find you,” his arms started shaking he was laughing so hard, and I hung on afraid he would drop me, “Ah, Beth, you know curiosity can get you into situations you don’t want to be in, right?”
I grumbled, “You don’t have to tell me that…but, I didn’t want to interrupt them. They needed that.”
Daniil held me tighter. “I didn’t watch for any real period of time, just glanced at the screen to try to see if you were in the room. And, by the way, remind me tomorrow to show you a way out of there they might not have noticed.” He hesitated, and then asked as he entered his room, “You said they needed that—was something said?”
