Soren took a long, deep breath, relieved. He’d survived the welcoming, now it was just the meal.
Maeve easily found her way back to his side, sliding her hand into his. Two siblings were talking at her, but she took a moment to smile up at him brightly, offering her reassurance.
Soren squeezed her hand. He could face anything for her.
Hours andhourslater, Soren and Maeve retired for the night into her childhood bedroom.
Although she’d spent most of her nights with him, the room was still saturated in her scent. A few places looked bare, as she’dbrought items over to the cabin, but he could still see her in every corner and surface.
A peek inside her armoire did make him shudder—she already had so many clothes stuffed into the one at the cabin, and apparently there weremore—but he considered another, larger cabinet might be a good next project with Orek and Connor.
Once Maeve had shut them inside, the soft lull from downstairs snuffed out. He followed her further into the room, not quite knowing what to do with his hands or where exactly to stand.
He felt too big for the room, even if it was by no means a small space. His wings stayed tightly folded to his back, and he wrapped his tail around his ankle.
Maeve spun across the rug before falling onto her bed with a big, contented sigh. She sank into the plush pink coverlet, closing her eyes.
“We survived,” she cheered tiredly.
That they had. It was an ordeal, to be sure. While Soren was used to being in a large, loud group, Maeve’s family was even larger than his. Everyone had gathered to wish him and Maeve well, and so someone’s attention was always on him.
Used to fading into the background and preferring the shade, being the bright center of attention for a whole afternoon and evening had been exhausting. Between that and how bilious he was after so much good food, he and Maeve had agreed they wouldn’t fly home to the cabin tonight but stay in her room.
He was glad for the quiet of her space and the allure of her bed—even if it looked precariously small for the both of them.
Rounding the bed, Soren ducked to pick up one of Maeve’s feet and unlace her shoe. As one hand worked the knot, the other rolled and massaged her ankle.
“Mmm,” she moaned, the noise zipping straight through himto his cock.
Soren swallowed hard, telling himself to remain calm. Although there was a door between them and her family, he wasn’t foolish enough to think it’d mute that much.
When her shoes were off, Soren suggested, “Time for bed, I think.”
Planting a stockinged foot on his chest, she asked, “Haven’t you forgotten something?” Maeve waggled her brows and slid her sleeve off her shoulder, revealing one of the ribbons holding up her stays.
Soren absolutelyhadn’tforgotten, no. The promise of unwrapping Maeve like the gift she was had gotten him through luncheon, afternoon tea, supper, and an evening of card games.
“We’re in your family home,” he argued but with little conviction.
“When Sorcha and Orek were still in this house,everyoneknew what they got up to.”
Soren’s ears flattened. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
Maeve buffeted him with a peal of laughter. Rolling around on the bed, she insisted, “But this bed is so big and cold all by myself. Won’t you warm me up?”
“You survived just fine before.”
She gasped, hand on her cheek. “Only just! Had I but known, I would’ve kept myself warm with dreams of you.”
Soren stood firm, stoically meeting her flirtations.
When Maeve saw he was unmoved, she sighed and rolled to the other side of the bed. “I see I’ll have to seduce you once again, Mister Soren. You really do play hard to get.”
“I really don’t,” he protested, fists clenched as he watched her prowl her way closer.
“No? Then why aren’t I being ravished as we speak?” Coming to stand before him, she teased him with her smile and gentle fingertips slipping between his shirt and belt.
“Maeve…”
