He stood up, gripping me in his arms. I wrapped my legs around him, and he walked us across the room, gently laying me on the bed.
He slid my skirt and undergarment off, leaving me fully exposed. He smiled in appreciation and leaned over to kiss me, as if he couldn’t help himself. Shifting back, he looked at me and said, “Beautiful,” then kissed me again.
He tended to his own clothing and was now fully on display for me. And as he towered over me, hands on either side of my head, I fully expected him to give in to his desire for me, to plunge the fulllength of him into me. I readied for it, but he whispered, “Sleep with me, Nyleeria,” and I knew he didn’t mean sex.
Pulling the covers down, we slipped into bed. I tucked myself against him, skin on skin. His one arm acted as a pillow for my head, while his other hand continued to make long strokes along my body.
The sunlight pulled me from my dreamless sleep. It took a moment to orient myself, but as I did, I found myself still tucked into Thaddeus, my back against his torso. As I stirred, he held me a little tighter and pressed a kiss against the back of my neck.
“Good morning.” The low croon tickled my senses.
Still in his embrace, I half twisted to face him. The light filtered through his golden hair, giving him a halo. “Good morning,” I said, and a lazy, comfortable smile greeted me.
Thaddeus propped himself up on an elbow, then traced the curves of my face. Leaning down, he pressed his lips against mine, and it wasn’t the gentle, swift kiss of a morning greeting but rather a coaxing caress that teased desire from me.
Reaching back, I laced my fingers through those golden tendrils and shifted my hips toward him. The corner of his mouth curved, and his hand slid over my leg, lifting it up and over his thigh, leaving it there before reaching down and guiding himself to my entrance.
We watched each other as he slowly, so slowly, slid into me. Untwisting myself, I leaned the back of my head into him as he continued.
Thaddeus’ breath caressed my skin as his teeth scraped across my neck. His free hand prowled down my side and across my torso before cupping its fleshy quarry.
I let out a soft moan, relishing every part of us that was joined.
With every unhurried stroke, I adjusted to his girth, fully aware of the glorious friction our bodies created. Stars, what a perfect way to wake up.
Freeing his hand, he brought my fingers to his mouth, sucking two of them in tempo with his hips. Repeating the motion, hedragged his teeth along my flesh. Now slick, he guided my fingers down to the bundle of nerves between my thighs.
“I want to see you pleasure yourself.” I shuddered and let my fingertips rest where they had countless times before, obliging his request.
Thaddeus’ fingers dug into my leg and pulled it farther back, giving him deeper access.
Panting from my own efforts, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, unabashedly letting him watch over my shoulder.
“Fuck, Nyleeria,” he breathed before clamping his teeth on my shoulder and sucking hard. The small hurt was welcome as my nerves erupted in pleasure. My fingers still working as I shuddered, his thrusts brought me to a new depth of ecstasy, and my inner muscles spasmed with release. No longer afraid of being discovered, he poured into me, and we let out our cries of pleasure ring out.
Heavy breaths and our reverberating hearts were the only sounds as we lay there, completely and utterly satisfied, him still buried inside me.
Chapter 41
Questionable Outcomes
Gazing around the study, it struck me how it had transformed from a foreign space, to one of familiarity and comfort. With these men now a part of my life, I found solace in the room. A smile crept up on me as I realized this was only the beginning—many meetings lay ahead, where we would be strategizing and collaborating as one.
“Where shall we start?” Tarrin asked no one in particular, then addressed Thaddeus: “What have you told her so far?”
“Nothing, we haven’t had the time.” Tarrin gave a knowing smirk, and Thaddeus sent him a warning glare in return.
“Okay,” Tarrin said, shifting back into the role of Thaddeus’ second. “There are a few things we still need to address,” he started, looking at me. “One, the fae are far more powerful than we predicted. Our assumption is that we’ve only seen a fragment of their magic and how it can be used. You witnessed more power than any of us, Ny, but with what Amos and Caius displayed, I’d say we’ve only seen a drop in the bucket. And if things were to turn into all-out war…” He let the words trail off.
“War?” I blurted, shocked at the implication.
“War has always been a possibility, Nyleeria,” Thaddeus explained. “For my people to be free, to not have to fear the fae and their powers…like I said, it’s always been a possibility.”
“I don’t understand. Yes, Amos and Wymond could pose a threat, but the other two courts welcomed us. Treated us with kindness. Helped me,” I protested.
“We can’t trust anyone, Nyleeria,” Thaddeus said softly.
“But we built friendships while we were there, ties that could help us if we need.”
