“She’s giving us privacy,” I said, heat rushing up my chest to my face.
“Ah.”
We stood in the middle of our sitting room, finally, completely alone. The energy that had been crackling between us all afternoon intensified.
“We actually figured it out,” I said, giddiness bubbling up my throat. “We found a big clue.”
“Your idea about the literal interpretation was incredibly savvy.” Dominic moved closer, his eyes bright with triumph and something that made my pulse race. “I never would’ve thought to try magical tracing without you.”
“We make a good team.” The words came loaded with meaning.
He closed the remaining distance between us. “The best team.”
Our hug started innocent enough, a shared celebration and mutual pride in what we’d accomplished. But the moment our bodies touched, everything shifted. Our laughter faded, triumph changing to something hotter.
I tilted my head back to gaze at him, and the look in his eyes made it very hard to breathe. This wasn’t the charming king or the serious ruler. This man was pure want, and he was focused completely on me.
“Sasha,” he breathed, and his mouth claimed mine.
The kiss was soft at first, as if we both needed a moment to believe this was actually happening. When I moaned, Dominic snapped.
He deepened the kiss, his hands coming up to frame my face, tilting my head for better access. I opened for him, tangling my fingers in his dark blond strands.
He groaned into my mouth, the sound vibrating through my body.
We broke apart only because breathing became necessary. I stared up at him, my chest heaving, watching his pupils dilate with desire.
“I’m so proud of you,” he said. “Not just today, but every day. The way your mind works and how you see patterns no one else notices.” He kissed me again, quick and hard. “You’re amazing.”
The praise made me ache. “I’ve never felt a connection like this to anyone before.”
“Me either.” His hands slid from my face to my waist, and he pulled me flush against him. “I’ve wanted to do this since you moaned while eating those cakes in the kitchen.”
Laughter burst from me. “That’s what pushed you over the edge?”
“Among other things.” He walked me backward until my back hit the wall. “But mostly it’s been watching you work. Seeing how you light up when you’re solving a problem. How passionate you become when you care about something.”
His mouth found mine again, hungrier this time. I arched into him, wanting more. I explored his back through his tunic, stroking his muscles.
One of his hands slid into my hair, angling my head ashe kissed me deeper. The other traced down my side, leaving fire in its wake.
When he nipped my lower lip, I gasped, and his tongue swept in to tangle with mine. The kiss turned demanding, desperate, both of us trying to make up for days of restraint.
When we broke apart this time, we were both breathing hard. Dominic’s hair stood up where my fingers had been, and his pupils had blown with need.
“Let me give you pleasure,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.”
The request sent heat pooling low in my belly. This wasn’t just desire. It was trust, vulnerability, and care wrapped up in physical want. Seeing the genuine emotion in his eyes along with his desire made me realize I didn’t want control. I wanted this and him.
“Yes,” I breathed. “Please.”
His smile was equal parts tender and wicked. He scooped me up in his arms, And I snuggled into his embrace as he carried me toward the hallway with our bedrooms.
“My room or yours?” I asked
He paused, looking down at me with so much warmth it tugged at something soft and aching deep inside me. “From now on, if you want, it could beours.”
The promise in those words made me dizzy. This wasn’t just about tonight. It was about building something real together, sharing space and life and everything that came with genuine partnership.
