I leant into him, forever grateful that the high court had granted him permission to stay this side of the gateway.
Which reminded me. “I heard from Lady Sarhin this morning.”
“Oh?” He shifted to face me. “And?”
I grinned, unable to keep it in any longer. “In light of the events that occurred at Blake’s cottage, the high court feel it would be in my best interests to remain where I feel safe. And since I now share a joining pact with Talis, that place is with Rys and his pack.”
Dathal raised an eyebrow. “In other words, they’re embarrassed that members of their own fae guard abducted a member of the high court and would certainly have killed them and others if we hadn’t rescued them.”
I nodded. “Lady Sarhin said after she went into great detail as to how her safety had been compromised and that she was contemplating living through the gateway herself, the high court more or less bent over backwards to agree to all her suggestions.”
Dathal laughed. “I can imagine.”
“I’m glad she seems to be on our side in all of this.”
“So am I, Cousin. So am I.”
* * *
“Are you sure about this?”I stood in the doorway to Talis’s bedroom, watching him pack a bag. “We can stay here if you prefer, or I can go on my own. It’s not exactly far.” I fiddled with the edge of my T-shirt.
It turned out completing the joining pact was the easy part. Negotiating what came after proved to be way more difficult. We hadn’t discussed this, hadn’t made plans beyond getting healthy.
He zipped his rucksack and turned to face me. “Do you not want me to come home with you?” He walked over to me and cupped my jaw, tilting my chin up. “It’s okay if you want some space.” There was no anger or disappointment in his voice, only concern for me.
“I don’t want to take you away from your pack.”
He smiled, and like it had ever since we’d completed the pact, the sight of it lit me up inside with a warmth I felt everywhere. “Axel, I love my pack, but we don’t have to be with each other all the time. I want some alone time with you.” His hand slid into my hair, tugging me forward and into a kiss so full of desperation it made my toes curl. “Ineedit.”
“Fuck. So do I.” I’d slept in Talis’s bed every night since we’d woken up, but other than kissing—which to start with was all we had the energy for—we hadn’t felt right doing anything else. Talis’s room was soundproofed, but for whatever reason, neither of us had pushed for more.
I wanted to now, though. Wanted to peel the clothes off his body and explore him at my leisure.
Talis inhaled sharply, eyes closing. “Goddess, Axel. You’rekillingme.” He kissed me again, arms wrapping around my back. Solid warmth surrounded me, the hard length of his cock pressed against mine, making me groan. It would be so easy to push him back into his room and kick the door closed. No one would hear us, we could be naked within a matter of minutes, but when we did this, I wanted to be alone with no chance of any interruptions. And I wanted to spend hours basking in the afterglow, because if I got my way, it would be the final piece to our relationship that set Talis free from any lingering guilt.
With a huge effort, I eased out of his arms and smiled up at him. “Take me home.”
AXEL
I’msure my house seemed as welcoming as always, and I would’ve appreciated the fact that someone had been in and cleaned in the two weeks I’d been away, but none of that registered as the front door closed and Talis pressed me up against the wall in the hallway.
He glanced down at me, green eyes dark and hungry as they met mine. “This is becoming a bit of a habit,” he murmured, hips slotting against mine.
I smirked as I felt how hard he was, idly wondering if it had been like that all the way here. “I’m overly fond of this wall,” I said, looping my arms around his neck. When I hitched a thigh over his hip, he got the message and hoisted me up. I wasn’t small compared tonormal-sized people, but most shifters were massive. Talis was no exception, and I took full advantage of that fact as he held me easily with both hands cradling my thighs.
My breath caught as I pictured my plans for later.
Or now, probably, since it looked like we weren’t bothering with anything trivial like food.
Sliding my hands into his hair, I stole a move he was so fond of and tilted his head back. When my lips grazed the base of his throat, his whole body shuddered, a low moan escaping when I nipped at the skin there.
“Yes,” he whispered, fingers digging into my thighs.
He had his head tipped back, eyes closed, and his muscles tensed from holding my weight. With his hands otherwise occupied, he was completely at my mercy, and I wanted to do wicked, filthy things to him.
Starting now.
I bit down hard and he growled, low and rough, hips bucking against mine.
