“That’s kind of the point, Ro,” I murmured against his cock head.
“Not like this.” He swept his fingers through my bangs, moving them out of my eyes “I want you to be inside me first.”
“But we don’t have any oil,” I said. And I’d be damned if he thought I’d fuck him dry using only my spit or something. That would hurt him.
“You sure about that?” Rowan smirked before reaching for the belt I’d tossed aside while tearing off his pants. The sneaky devil had stashed a small vial in the pouch attached to it.
I snatched it from him and coated my fingers. He watched me, his brow tapered and lips parted, as I scooted farther down on the grass and lifted up his hips. The sweetest sounds left him as I worked him with one finger, then a second, taking my time.
“Shit.” He arched his back, muscles tensing. “Enough. Just fuck me already. I… I can’t… I need…”
After slicking my cock, I settled between his legs and lowered my lips to his, kissing him softly. That softness seemed to shatter something inside of him. His responding whimper had him wrapping his arms around my neck and clinging on tight.
As I eased into him, he pushed his face against the cuff of my shoulder. Something wet seeped through the fabric of my shirt. I pretended not to notice. But when I grabbed his face and slammed our mouths back together, my chin shook. His did too.
Beneath a starry sky and surrounded by glowing flowers, a pond bathed in moonlight, and fluorescent trees that released a faint musical chime as a breeze rustled the leaves, we lost ourselves in each other.
A muffin lord and his gentleman thief.
***
When Rowan and I snuck back through the window later that night, our men were in bed and fast asleep. The fire burned low, in need of stoking and an extra log. Carefully, I slid off his back and tiptoed across the room.
My eyes were adjusted from having been outside in the dark, so at least I wasn’t blind and bumping into everything. Not that I had good balance in broad daylight either.
Lake lifted his head and looked at me with sleepy eyes. He slept beside Briar, the two of them on the side closest to the window.
I waved at him and continued toward the washroom. After rolling around in the grass and being balls-deep in a certain spy, I definitely needed to clean up before slipping between the sheets. As I passed the foot of the bed, I made out Callum on the other side of Lake.
But no Maddox.
Halting in step, I peered closer just to be sure. Yep. He was nowhere to be found. I checked the table near the hearth, not finding him there either. My lungs then did a weird crackle thing, causing me to cough. I threw my hands over my mouth.
“Love?” Briar sat up and searched for his glasses on the nightstand. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” I croaked, hand on my chest. “Sorry I woke you.”
“Don’t apologize.” He slid out of bed and came over, wearing only an oversized tunic and nothing else. The sight of his long, slender legs caused heat to pool low in my belly. God, he was hot. Once in front of me, he cupped my cheek. “You’re still recovering from your injuries.”
“I’m okay,” I told him, nuzzling his hand. “I promise.”
“Tell that to your lungs.” He narrowed his eyes at Rowan. “I suspect you’re at fault. The chill in the air must’ve aggravated his condition.”
“Or maybe you’re just too protective,” Rowan countered. “His lungs are fine. You think I’d put him in danger?”
“Please don’t fight,” I interjected. “Honestly, I’m okay. Just kinda winded.”
“You haven’t taken your medicine in days.” Briar frowned and guided me over to the bed. “Sit and rest. I’ll pour you a glass of water.”
Following my attack, Briar had administered a daily tonic to help my lungs heal. The healing elixirs he normally crafted weren’t powerful enough on their own to mend the damage inflicted by Stryder’s fire spell.
The bedroom door opened. A large, dark shape stepped across the threshold before closing it again. My rising worry instantly soothed. I recognized those steps.
“Sweetheart?” Maddox neared the bed.
“Hey, you.” I smiled up at him. “Where’d you go?”
He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip. “I needed to take a walk. To clear my head.”
