“What?” I defended, chortling as he spun me around and yanked my weight onto his lap. “It was a compliment, you big lout.”
As my thighs flanked his waist, Aire squinted through his mirth. The rare visual robbed me of speech. His features were relaxed, sated, and coy as hell.
So this was how happiness looked on him.
The high bridge of flesh rubbing against my slit grew firmer. No pants, it seemed. I’d missed out on watching this defender of the peace waltz into the room naked.
Aire gathered me to his chest. “A squire can’t make you come in rapid succession.” He palmed my ass. “A commanding officer can.”
“Cocky Noble Knight.”
“Brazen Creature.”
But then he paused and tucked a strand of hair behind my earlobe. “Do you mind that nickname?”
I quirked an eyebrow. “It’s a bit late to ask.”
Sheepishness flitted through his gaze, a rueful muscle sliding across his jaw. “I attributed it to you so long ago, out ofexasperation at first, then much later out of fondness. Yet I was wrong. I did so without permission, assuming you were used to a variety of monikers. But while half of them were self-assigned, the others were inflicted against your will.”
The genuine concern staring back loosened another knot in my chest. As a child, the names I’d been called by Rhys and the Masters needled me. Now I considered them with less upheaval, having brushed off those old wounds.
By comparison, Aire’s nickname for me hadn’t been a source of aggravation. Not after those initial antagonist years.
Even so, I loved that he cared. Toying with the ends of his hair, I made my choice. “I like Brazen Creature. At least when I’m being naughty.”
His worry melted. A deep chuckle skipped across his tongue. “And when you’re taking my breath away? Such as now?”
“Aspen,” I whispered against his mouth.
“Aspen,” he repeated.
“That’ll do.” My fingers tiptoed across his tattoos. “And what about you? Does Noble Knight suit, or would you fancy something else?”
Aire shuddered. My touch delayed him from answering, then he reared back. “You mean business, I see.”
“Even exchange. Like swapping orgasms.”
His voice turned gruff. “If you keep fondling my tattoos, the comparison can be arranged in the next five seconds.”
“Oh?” I perked up, scooting my ass nearer to his thickening cock. “You wouldn’t tease a woman, would you?”
“I never tease.”
“I beg to differ. Your teasing lasted at least an hour earlier.”
A lusty chuckle escaped Aire’s throat. “Before this conversation—as well as my erection—takes a sinful turn, allowme to do the honors.” He set a palm to his smooth chest. “I officially accept the title of Noble Knight.”
The endearing gesture prompted me to do the same. “And I officially accept the rank of Brazen Creature.”
Then I reached between us for a handshake. However, Aire’s expression said,Fuck that.
With a famished snarl, he yanked me firmer to him, my tits burrowing against his flesh.
Seasons strike me. This man.
Playfully, I gave our agreement extra consideration. “Though, Brazen Creature versus Aspen will also depend on the type of sex we’re having. After tonight, I won’t complain if you use them interchangeably—”
I yelped as he flipped me over, my ass hitting the rug. Hovering over me in the firelight, Aire vaulted my legs apart with his waist, his cock poised against my cunt.
