Page 114 of Veil of Night & Flames

“Chase—” His name is barely a gasp, and I lose myself in the pleasure of his mouth teasing my core. Of his hands, sure and firm on my hips to hold me still as he tastes and teases and works me until I’m begging and my hands are in his hair, and I’m saying his name like a prayer.

That’s when he takes me over, slow and certain, and holds me there until I’m boneless and shaking under his mouth.

When he rises over me, his eyes are molten gold, and I sigh as his hand finds mine on the pillow, and he twines our fingers together.

“I love you,” he says, and I can feel my smile in my cheekbones. “Me, too,” I say, then brush his lips with mine. “I think you really need to show me how much.”

“Baby, you read my mind,” he whispers as he pushes into me with one slow thrust. I lift my hips, meeting his thrust, then lock my legs around his hips as his body moves in a wild, sensual rhythm that makes everything else fall away—the barriers, the keystone, the Widow Maker. Even Adric.

There’s only Chase. This man deep inside me, his thrusts sending starbursts of pleasure rolling through me like a thunderstorm crackling with lightning and waiting for that one, massive thunderbolt that finally, blissfully, crashes over me, tearing me apart as it shakes the heavens.

He follows me over, his whole body going taut, his breath shuddering out of him against my hair.

For a long minute, neither of us moves, then he whispers, “Hi,” against my neck, making me giggle.

“Hello to you, too.”

“We’re going to do that more often,” he says.

I laugh, delighted. “I approve of that plan.”

He brushes a kiss over my temple, then rolls us both so I’m tucked against his chest, and I close my eyes and revel in the feel of his body spooned against mine. And then—for five glorious heartbeats—I let myself believe the barriers will hold, that there are no nightmarish monsters out there pounding at the gate, and that everything beyond these walls can wait.

We’re getting dressed after a particularly invigorating shower when there’s a pounding at the front door.

“Yo!” Tia calls. “Chase! Cora! We come bearing breakfast and info. And since Chase was idiot enough to give me a key, I’m using it.”

“Please don’t be naked,” Riley adds.

“Or be as naked as you want,” Tia shouts.

“Clothes,” I say to Chase. “I’m the only one with looking privileges.”

He lifts a pretend glass. “Right back at you.”

And as the key turns in the lock a few moments later, I’m zipping up my jeans, Chase is tying up the waistband of his sweats, and all is right with the world.

For the time being, anyway.

“Oh, thank god,” Tia says, managing to hug me even though she has a paper bag in one hand and her laptop bag in the other. “I was so worried you’d come back depressed because Adric’s about to destroy the world.” She puts the bag on the table and turns back to look at me. “You talked him down, right? There’s no apocalypse on the horizon?”

I grimace, then shrug. “The jury’s still out. But we’re cool for the time being.”

“Oh.” She makes a face. “Well, that’s not entirely ideal.”

“Right there with you,” I say. “And I’ll give you the full scoop later,” I promise.

I get a thumbs-up from both of them, then Riley heads for the kitchen, presumably to make coffee. Ten minutes later, I’m on my way to being fully caffeinated, Tia’s laid out a spread of bagels, Riley’s cracked her laptop, Chase is reviewing the documents he’d fallen asleep with, and we’re a team again.

“How’s Whistler?” I ask, settling into a chair. “Is he on solid food yet? And how’s Griff holding up with him?”

“Whistler crossed back to the Realm of the Others last night,” Chase says, glancing up from checking his phone. “He wanted to meet with his team. Said he was strong enough for the trip, and Solenne agreed. He’s doing well, and he’ll be back in a couple of days.”

Relief floods through me. “That’s fabulous. And Griff?”

Chase sets the phone down. “I almost texted him to come over this morning. Then I remembered what today is.”

I mentally run through holidays, but none land. “Okay, I give up. What day is it?”