I leaned in, my exhalations fanning her exposed core, and she spread her legs wider, thrusting her body toward me while she quivered. I darted my tongue out, taking a taste, and her fingers wrenched on my hair. She wasn’t letting go, and I loved how she made her need for me known.
My mouth closed over her, my tongue circling her sensitive nub. Her hips bucked, but I held her steady, my hand firm across her hips as I explored her with my tongue, my lips, my teeth. Each moan that slipped from her swollen lips, each tremor that ran through her body, urged me on, driving me ever closer to the edge.
As I stroked and sucked on her clit, I delved at her entrance with my fingers. I teased her, slipping a finger inside her far enough to make her squirm. She was tight, deliciously so, and the thought of my cock buried deep within her made me lose all control.
What I wouldn’t give to strip and take her on her throne—then again on mine. I’d turn her around and pump myself into her sweet wetness from behind, then place her on my lap and lift her, only to thrust her back down onto my shaft. We’d claim each other while claiming this court, and let them try to rip us apart after that.
I flickered my tongue across her clit, matching the rhythm with the thrust of my fingers inside her. Her panting whimpers drove me on. Her cries grew louder. She was close. So close. Her inner walls kept tightening around my fingers as her body coiled like a spring.
With a flick of my tongue and a deep, possessive thrust of my fingers, I made her give way. She thrust back her head and bowed her body. Her cry echoed off the ceiling. Her body convulsed around my fingers, her release washing over her in ripples that left her shaking and gasping for air.
My cock exploded in my pants.
I remained where I was, kneeling in front of this woman who had quickly come to mean the world to me.
I’d die for her. Give everything I had inside just to see her smile.
And there was a good chance I was going to shatter her heart.
With slow thrusts of my fingers, I drew out her pleasure for as long as I could. Only when her grip on my hair loosened, and her hands flopped to her sides, her body going limp, did I pull them out and lick them. Sweet. Utterly perfect.
I pressed a kiss on her inner thigh before rising to my feet.
Hazy satisfaction clouded her eyes, and her lips parted as she struggled to catch her breath. I leaned over her, caging her in with my palms braced on the arms of the throne, and claimed her mouth in a kiss that made my cock start stiffening again. She must taste herself on my lips, and the realization made arousal growl through me.
I lifted my head, staring down at her.
“Merrick.” Her hands rose to hold my face, her thumbs stroking my cheeks. “You . . . I don't know what to say.”
“You don't need to say anything.” I curled up my lips. “Though you could thank me.”
“You.” She smacked my arm, though she followed it up with a caress. “You have a wicked tongue. That's all I'm going to say.”
And that was all I needed to hear.
“When you're ready, let me know.” I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “There’s no rush with any of this. I mean it. We have all the time we need.”
I prayed to the fates we did.
It took all my will to step back, to give her space to breathe and return herself to the composed Reyla I’d fallen in love with. I’d been claimed by the wildfire who’d fallen apart in my arms.
With a snort, she tugged her torn undergarment out from beneath her hips and dangled it in the air. “Should I ask Lord Briscalar to sew this back together or—”
I snatched it from her fingers and tucked it into my pocket.
“A keepsake?” she said, her lips sliding up on one corner.
“A treasured reminder of this moment.” I’d never forget watching her face as she shattered.
“Don’t fly it like a flag at the top of the highest tower.” A shadow flickered across her face before she purposefully smoothed it. “You know what I mean.”
Leaning over her, I kissed her again, drinking in her dampened fire. It was all I could do not to heat her up again only so I could watch my flames consume her.
“I don’t know what to do with you, Merrick.” A touch of vulnerability came through in her voice. “So I’m not going to decide at this moment.”
Love me, I wanted to say, but couldn’t. If she gave her heart, it needed to be her decision alone.
She adjusted her gown, covering her legs and smoothing the fabric back into place. Now she looked every inch the queen she was destined to become, strong and regal, yet the warmth in her eyes belonged solely to me.
