“We’ll talk to him when we’re in Ostomar for the solstice,” Marek says. “Though I doubt he’ll talk to me. Try to get him alone. He likes you better.”
“Understandable. I’m very likable.” Sei looks down, his gaze contemplative.
Marek’s skin tingles with the welcome attention. “Anything else, Adjutant?”
Sei hops down from the chair arm and squeezes between Marek and the desk. Leaning close, he traces light fingers through Marek’s short beard. “Our wing-marshal has been working in his office since dawn. He’s long overdue for a recess.”
“Since noon,” Marek corrects, to no avail. He reaches for the first button at Sei’s throat. Slowly unfastens it, as Sei’s pulse thrums beneath the fabric. “But I could use a break. Maybe a nap.”
Sei leans closer and breathes against Marek’s lips. “The only way you’re getting a nap is if you wear me out first.”
“I can do that.” Marek pushes his chair back—and stops Sei from following with a hand on his chest. “Is the door locked?”
“No.” Sei’s eyes sparkle. “Anyone could walk in.”
Nobody will walk in. If they do, it’s their own damn fault for barging in without knocking. Marek enjoys Sei’s exhibitionist streak, though. The way Sei isn’t shy about showing the rest of the world Marek belongs to him.
Because Marek feels the same way about Sei belonging to him.
Marek slides his hand down Sei’s stomach—then pulls away before reaching his belt. He leans back in his chair. “You look good in that jacket. But I think you’d look better out of it.”
“I love how subtle you are,” Sei teases, making quick work of his buttons. “I never know where I stand with you.”
Marek winks broadly. “You won’t be standing at all by the time I’m done with you today.”
“Promises, promises.” Sei shrugs off his jacket.
Marek drapes the jacket over the back of the chair. Then he clears the most important books and papers from his desk. He learned his lesson several husband-enforced work breaks ago.
Maneuvering around Sei is difficult with the way Sei keeps interrupting him for kisses. Marek only clears off half the desk before Sei sits up on it, completely shirtless. His belt is unbuckled, and his trousers unfastened but still around his hips. Sei presses one booted foot against Marek’s thigh and says sweetly, “Would you kindly help me with my boots?”
Illuminated by the southern sky and backlit by the golden fireplace, Sei is glorious. Every sleek muscle outlined in soft light and shadow. Marek’s heart thuds, and he fits between Sei’s spread thighs without noticing himself move.
Sei’s magic is a constant presence when they’re this close. Now that Marek isn’t trying so hard to avoid it, he knows how to walk around the metaphorical edges. He isn’t afraid of falling in.
“I’ll help you with your boots on one condition,” Marek says. “Sei Marek Dire, will you marry me?”
A gorgeous grin spreads across Sei’s face. “You haven’t even married me the second time yet, boulder.”
Marek caresses Sei’s calves through the smooth leather boots. “We can still plan the third wedding in advance. I want to marry you again and again. Though, before we do that…”
Sei leans back on his hands, stretching out in front of Marek. He tilts his head, colorful hair swishing over his bare shoulder. “What?”
Marek hooks his fingers into Sei’s boot laces. The simple pressure makes Sei shiver with want—which Marek finds as powerful a rush as diving through a storm. “We should practice the consummation.”
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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Sei
“You’re so diligent.” Sei’s entire body hums with the steady tugs of Marek unlacing his boots. “I agree. The consummation was my favorite part of our last wedding, but I’m sure we can surpass ourselves with sufficient practice.”
Nuzzling against Sei’s neck, Marek slides one boot away. “We’ll practice until you can’t fit that many syllables in a sentence.”
Sei laughs and catches Marek in a kiss. “Then hurry up and fuck me stupid, husband.”
Marek removes Sei’s second bootmuchmore quickly.
