My heart stutters in my chest at the image. “He locked you both in a room, knowing that Theo would hurt you, and then expected your hatred would fuel your resolve to kill Theo later on, when the fairy tale was due to play out,” I summarize. I despise King Arthur. I regret not stabbing him at least three more times.
Hart’s throat bobs. “He didn’t bank on the fact that he’d rendered us both helpless, meaning we would form a greater bond than he could ever imagine. I would give my life for Theo, and he would do the same. When you have survived the horrors reigned down on you by a parent that should have protected and loved you, you learn to rely on those united in terror.”
Hart’s hard attitude and unyielding protectiveness for his brothers makes a little more sense now. But that should mean he can see my situation more clearly than his siblings.
“You can understand why I cannot sit on my ass and wait for Gwyneth to become Charming’s wife.”
“She’s in no danger,” Hart reasons. “The situation isn’t parallel to my own.” I open my mouth to argue, but he continues on. “However, I understand your protectiveness. But you aren’t in a powerful position. You are a maiden from the outer realm and hold no sway over the arrogant, self-absorbed powers that rule over the Hallows. You are trying to fight against a well-oiled and powerful machine. I admire you for it, but on the balance of probabilities, it is the best course of action.”
I huff. “The best course of action may be the smoothest for everyone else, but it is not an acceptable one.”
He tugs my hand, drawing me over his body so my chest is against his. His other hand tangles in my hair and holds me steady as his gaze studies my face. “You are impossible.”
“And you are weak if you allow just one person to be sacrificed for the greater good. That is not how loyal knights behave.”
My hand pushes against his chest as I try to put some distance between our lips. Kissing a Stirling brother wouldn’t help me come sunrise when I was plotting to escape. “You are this paradox of demanding the realm be fair, when your presence brings about chaos.”
His other hand wraps around my lower back, preventing me from escaping his unwavering scrutiny. His gaze narrows. “Daphne,” he groans. “Are you wearing anything under my shirt?”
I blink. “Um, no, you don’t have undergarments for a maiden hanging around in your impeccably neat and organized room.”
He flips us and knocks the breath out of me as he settles his weight between my legs. The next tempo his lips crash into mine. His kiss is not precise and hard. It’s wet, demanding, almost violent as he forces his tongue between my lips and steals my breath. “I need to taste you just once,” he rumbles as he trails his lips down my throat. He lifts and tears my shirt in half before devouring my breasts like a starving man. Everything is fast and hot. It makes me dizzy with need as a persistent throb builds between my legs. Every tug on my nipple sends a zap of pleasure to my core. He grinds his hard length against me, only his thin sleeping pants separating us.
His hands glide under my back and I arch my spine so he’s got more access to my breasts. He’s going to drive me crazy unless he satisfies the ache he’s created deep inside me.
Wordless moans escape my lips. He works lower and lower before snatching a pillow from under my head. “Lift your ass for me,” he demands. I arch off the bed, and he shoves the pillow under my butt. I expect a tease, a gentle exploration like Theo. But Hart isn’t taking any prisoners with my body. He pushes his tongue deep inside me. I can feel the stubble on his chin graze against my sensitive flesh. My legs try to close and arch away from him under the assault of pleasure. It’s too much to take at once. His hands grip my hips, pinning me to the pillow, his wide shoulders pushing against my thighs, opening me even wider as he closes his mouth around that magical little bundle of nerves and sucks hard. My head jerks back and I cry out. My orgasm comes barreling down my spine like lightning has struck me. Hart’s hand slams over my mouth as I scream. My limbs go lax and I flop down like a limp noodle, expecting Hart to leave me alone now. His hand leaves my mouth, and he pushes his fingers inside of me before latching onto my sensitive and swollen flesh and flicking his tongue over it again and again. He pumps his fingers hard and fast inside of me and an impossible sensation comes flooding back. Again? Is he for real? Everything is too sensitive. I try squirming away from him, but he twists his fingers inside of me and rubs deep. My eyes fly into the back of my head and I pant through the pleasure he’s raining down on my body. He slides another finger in, creating a delicious stretch and slight burn that spirals me into another orgasm, this one deep and realm shattering. If these brothers keep trying to outdo each other, I will die with a smile on my face.
He slides his fingers out of me, then licks them clean, causing little aftershocks of pleasure to zap through me. Damn, why is that so hot?
He drops next to me and pulls the pillow out from under my ass before sliding it under his head and turning his face into it to inhale. Holy Idol babies, Hart is devastating when he lets go.
I turn toward him, and let my hand drift lower, a little unsure of myself, but knowing I pleased Theo makes me bold. Hart grabs my hands and pulls it to his chest. “Sleep, Daphne.”
“But–”
“I didn’t do that for you to please me.”
“I know, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to.”
He smiles and closes his eyes. “I know, my little calamity. Get some rest. Tomorrow we can go back to hating each other.”
Silly knight, I have never hated him. “I don’t hate you.”
“I know. Now sleep, unless you need me to make you come again to get you to cooperate.”
Between my legs is a throbbing mess. No more orgasms for me. It might kill me.Here lies Daphne Stone, obliterated by orgasm.Now that would be quite the headstone. I sigh and my eyes fall closed. I enter a dreamless sleep wrapped in the arms of the coldest of the Stirlings. Except now I know he’s thunder and lightning wrapped in a pretty package.
ChapterTwenty-Six
“This is cozy,” a deep voice echoes inside my head. I snuggle deeper into my cloud as someone rubs my back in soothing circles. No one, and I mean no one, could extricate me from this beautiful place full of warmth and a nice body which I’m wrapped around. Wait, what? My hand feels out whatever it is I’m laying upon. That’s a taut stomach. My hand drifts lower. Oh wow, okay.Good morning to you too, Hart.His hand freezes on my back.
Someone clears their throat dramatically. “When you are finished feeling up my brother, perhaps you could join us in the living chamber?”
There’s a smoky scent in the air. It must be Theo who’s judging my cuddle fest with the prickliest Stirling brother. A door snicks closed and I lift my head and peer up at Hart from under my lashes. He cocks a brow and a little smirk spreads across his face. Wow, he’s handsome when he’s scowling, but the realm isn’t ready for Hart to smile. I decide the smile is just for me and no one else can have it—at least not until I make my escape this sundown. My heart clenches at the thought of another woman making him grin like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. Hart is so busy projecting his grumpy hard exterior, it takes a hot tempo to see underneath, but what a breathtaking creature he is.
His hand wraps around the back of my head and he leans down for a kiss, which makes my toes curl and head spin. “Time to get up and see what calamities the diurnal has in store for us,” he grumbles against my lips.
I groan at the thought of having to leave this warm paradise. If I stay here perhaps the diurnal won’t start? With each turn, the moment of my departure creeps closer. Hart flips us so I’m under him. I can’t hold back my grin, hoping for a repeat of last sundown’s activities. A girl can’t have too many orgasms, right? I don’t think so, anyway. I would enjoy testing the theory out.
