Kjeld grinned down at her, planting one hand at the small of her back. “Welcome home, wife.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Home?” Caelian shrieked, laughing. “We have ahome?”
She grabbed Kjeld’s hand and dragged him behind her as she darted inside.
It was far more spacious than she imagined, not that she had any idea what the inside of one of these hollow homes should even look like. But there was a lovely living space with a small hearth and a tidy kitchen with a window overlooking the Caelora Bay. It would be the perfect spot to hang dried flowers and herbs, especially if she wanted to learn how to bake. The two large stained glass windows facing the east would allow in a glorious amount of morning light, and there were three bedrooms off the back.
Kjeld gestured toward one, nudging the door open.
The room was large enough, with a closet and its own private bathing suite, but what impressed her the most was the skylight. Framed glass displayed the night sky, but more than that, she could see the hundreds of wishes falling into the sea just beyond. There were no decorations and the furnishings were scarce, but those two problems were easily remedied. Sprawled beneath the mesmerizing skylight was an imposing bed with an intricatelycarved headboard and a pile of downy blankets and pillows. Though she supposed it would have to be quite large if Kjeld ever expected to sleep comfortably.
He tucked his hands behind his back, regarding her with care to gauge her reaction. “This would be ours.”
Caelian rolled her lips, a half smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “As opposed to someone else’s?”
Absently, he rubbed his hand along the back of his neck, his gaze dipping to her womb.
Stars above, he wanted a baby.
Kjeld shrugged, a rush of color bleeding into his cheeks. “I just thought…one day.”
He wanted afamily. With her.
“Yes!”
Caelian launched herself into his arms. He barely caught her in time, scooping his hands under her thighs so she could wrap her legs around his waist. Clasping her hands together behind his head, she wove her fingers through his golden locks. She didn’t know if he was asking or implying, but her answer was yes. Always. From now until her final breath.
“I take it you are fairly keen on the idea of being with child?”
Kjeld planted a trail of steaming kisses up her neck, his scruff rough and tickling, and the leftover tingle from the bloomfire wine that she desperately tried to ignore, reignited all over again. The mere sensation of his touch caused her skin to pebble and her nipples to harden. It was as though every inch of her was a live spark, and his attention was the wind that fanned the flames. Her core throbbed and she squirmed in his hold, desperate for friction to ease the need pooling at her center.
“Nothing would thrill me more.” She nipped at his lip, massaged his neck with the tips of her fingers, and felt him thicken between the apex of her legs. Her nerves thrummed,connected to his touch. “Tell me, husband. How many babies do you want?”
He gripped her thighs, his fingers punishing. “I hadn’t yet considered it.”
She snaked her hand between them, sliding it under the waistband of his pants. Then she took him firmly in her grasp.
He choked out the word, “Two.”
“Only two?” Caelian arched a brow as she worked him. Squeezing. Rubbing. Stroking. Impressed with how rapidly he hardened and filled her fist. “I was thinking four or five.”
Kjeld made some sort of guttural noise then, a harsh cross between a grunt of disbelief and a groan of pleasure. “I will give you four or five. More, if you want.”
He took a few hasty steps forward, pinning her between himself and the wall of their room. Cool, smooth stone pressed into her back, the scent of damp earth and warm woods filled her senses. His lips crashed into hers, hot and delicious, a stark contrast to the wall behind her. The tip of his tongue ran along the seam of her mouth, and she opened readily for him, her fingers tightening around the length of his shaft as their kiss transformed from a slow and promising taste to a frantic and crazed obsession.
She fumbled with the buttons of his pants, and her inability to unleash him fully caused her entire body to burn with need. The bloomfire wine pumped through her veins, heightening her every touch, every breath, until she was mad with lust. She clawed at the top of her dress, yanking it low so the cool night air kissed her breasts. Her head fell back against the wall, and a pleading moan tore from somewhere deep in her chest. But it wasn’t enough. Shoving one hand through the gossamer layer of her skirts, she sought her clit and started rubbing the bundle of nerves furiously.
“Caelian.” Kjeld grabbed her wrist. “Are you that desperate for release?”
“Can’t…” she panted. “Wait.”
“The fuck you can’t.”
He whipped away from the wall with her in his arms, then tossed her gently onto the bed so her legs hung over the edge.
Caelian sobbed his name.
