Page 107 of Stars in Halo

She paused for a beat. ‘Kodan, I’ve never had a man care for me. All the men in my life have either stolen from or wanted something from me. You’re different. You make me want to be better and worthy.

She ducked her head, shy all of a sudden. ‘You are something else, Sable.’

He chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. ‘We’re not the most conventional pair, but that’s what makes us interesting. We both have our secrets, our skeletons, and our past. But today, at this moment, I want us to be honest with each other. To be real. That’s all I ask to care for you how you deserve to be.’

With a flick of his wrist, he poured two glasses of wine, the ruby liquid swirling in the crystal. He handed her one, his fingers brushing against hers for a fleeting heartbeat.

‘Here’s to the start of something, Katya, that I hope will last as long as the halo of stars in the sky around us.’

She elevated her glass, a small smile tugging at her lips. ‘To new beginnings, kodan.’

He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. ‘You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, khaliya. But know this: I’m genuine,’ he rasped with earnestness. ‘I want to help you, Katya. You and your children deserve more than a life of scraping by.’

She accepted the chalice from him, her gaze locked on his. ‘And what do you want in return?’

He smirked and pulled her close, his mouth grazing her ear. ‘The appreciation of my food.’

She gave a small, amused huff.

Katya admired his lean body, the sinuous way he moved, and the soft expression on his face every time he sliced his eyes at her.

It was inevitable. The fokkin’ roguish Rider had stolen her heart.

In minutes, he had a platter laden with the fruits of his labour.

He carried it over to the table, and they fell over the fare with a ravenous hunger that could only come from making love.

Later, they returned to bed.

He climbed back on the divan, crawling towards her until he hovered over her.

Her eyes widened at the sight of his pulsing cock, his erection stiff and throbbing.

Xion gazed into her eyes, his pupils dilated.

‘Ready for this again, beautiful?’ he growled with a sultry smirk.

He pushed her onto the plush surface, the divan giving way beneath them.

Her eyes were half-mast with need, her exhalation ragged as she locked her eyes on him, the connection raw and primal, making her tremble with anticipation.

Xion’s eyes never left hers as he lowered onto her, his lips meeting hers once more in a fervent kiss.

Their tongues mingled, tasting each other, exploring every inch of one another.

He broke away, panting, his gaze never straying from her.

With a growl, he trailed his fingers along her neck, down her chest, then between her legs. Her breath hitched at his touch, as with a snarl of possessiveness, he positioned his thickness to probe her wetness, his eyes never leaving her face.

He eased in, entering her, filling her with his hardness, losing himself in her pulsing heat and tight clasp.

Katya arched her back, her hands gripping his shoulders. She moaned out loud, the sound echoing through the Tachy.

Writhing beneath him, she curved her spine, moaning, hair flying as he slammed into her again and again.

Her cries of pleasure filled the air, mingling with his ragged breaths.

The intensity of their lovemaking was palpable, a storm of emotion and desire that threatened to consume them both.

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