Page 48 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt,” I whisper, placing my head on his shoulder.

We stay that way for a long while, neither of us saying anything as our breathing synchronizes, our bodies melting into one another.

“Let’s get you to sleep,” Finn says, feeling me drifting off. He stands up, bringing me with him still cradled in his arms, the motion graceful and effortless.

“I was going to sleep in the chair,” I tell him.“So you would have enough room in the bed.”

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I made a lady sit up in a chair all night?” He feigns offense.

“I wasn’t aware you were a gentleman at all,” I tease, stifling a yawn.

Finn narrows his eyes at me but cracks a smile, and I’m relieved to see his grin after the heavy subjects we discussed tonight.“Only for you, Trouble.” He places me down gently next to the bed and I quickly shuck my clothes before climbing onto the bed wearing only my underclothes; my cotton shorts and a thin, silky slip that Pearl gave me.

My core heats as his darkened eyes wander over the now-exposed skin of my bare arms and legs.

“Finn,” I say, as he starts to turn away, back toward the chair by the hearth. I don’t know if it’s the wine or the fact that we could’ve died today because someone wants me dead, or because he shared more about himself with me tonight, but I feel emboldened enough to tell him,“Stay with me.”

He inhales sharply, no doubt catching the shift of my scent in the air.“Are you sure you want me?”

I nod, swallowing audibly.“More than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

That seems to be the only confirmation Finn needs, because he’s on the bed so fast I didn’t even see him move. He hovers over me, searching my eyes for any sign of hesitation.“Tell me again.”

“I want you.”

Chapter Twenty-three

Finn wastes no time connecting our mouths, his desire obvious as he lowers his body down on top of mine. He kisses me hard, the reserved demeanor from the first time we kissed long gone. His mouth is everywhere; my lips, my neck, my chest; it’s like he’s trying to devour me for dessert. I grow more frantic for his touch with each passing moment, desperate for more of him. I reach down to rub him through his pants, and he bites my earlobe in response. He raises himself up onto his knees and pulls his tunic off over his head and wings, exposing his bare torso.

I take a moment to admire his form, my eyes scanning his body greedily. His forearms and biceps are sculpted to perfection and his pecs and stomach muscles are lean. His chest is riddled with soft, curly hairs, proving what I already knew about his virility. He’s got a raised scar, about six inches long down his left pec, and knowing that aengels have rapid healing abilities due to their immortal blood, it must’ve been a pretty nasty wound to leave his skin this flawed. I reach up and run my fingers down the old laceration, a question in my eyes.

“Got into a fight with a wolf shifter. Or rather, apackof wolf shifters.” His smugness truly knows no end.

I roll my eyes.“It’s a miracle you made it out of that unscathed. Or at least,mostlyunscathed.” I smirk.

“Feeling sassy, are we?” He pinches my nipple over the thin fabric of my slip between his thumb and pointer finger, making me gasp.

I quickly forget our conversation about his scar as he slides the dainty straps of the slip off my shoulders, exposing my chest to him wholly. He leans down and sucks my nipple into his mouth, my head pressing back into the pillow in pleasure. He moves his hand down and rubs his fingers over the sensitive spot in between my thighs over my cotton shorts, until the evidence of my lust is practically dripping down my legs.

I fumble with the tie on his pants with our mouths still connected, until I finally get them loose enough to tug them down off his hips, leaving only his underclothes to contain his hard length, which looks much larger now that his pants aren’t holding him in. He lays back down, lining his hips up perfectly with mine so that I can feel his thickness between my thighs, offering some much-needed pressure to my humming core. We kiss some more, both of us growing more frantic with need as we move our bodies against each other, rubbing and grinding to gain a fraction of the friction we both crave.

He breaks our kiss long enough for me to pant,“I want to see you.”

His lips are swollen from all the kissing, but he obliges me instantly, standing up and removing his final layer of clothing, never taking his eyes off me. I’ve never seen a naked male before, let alone one that’s about to be in my bed, and I’m truly taken aback by his beauty. The lines and curves of his body, his powerful muscles, velvety wings, and, of course, the evidence of his desire. His erection is long and thick and looks silky-smooth as it stands at the ready. Normally I can’t seem to keep myself from blushing at the slightest mention of sex, but right now, I feel nothing but desire as I stare at his perfect form.

Still watching me with hungry eyes, he says,“Your turn.”

I meet his gaze and stand up to shimmy out of my slip, letting it drop to the floor in a pile, leaving my upper half completely exposed. My hands are shaking as I reach toward my undershorts, but he stops me by reaching and grabbing my hand at the wrist.

“What does your tattoo mean?” He rubs his thumb along the ink on my wrist, giving me a moment to collect myself and calm my nerves.

“Briar and I got them together on my birthday.” Finn lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses the delicate skin on the inside of my wrist, making my breath catch. “Friendship. Sisterhood. Family. You know.”

“It suits you,” he tells me, tracing the outline of the leaves with his fingers.

I take a deep breath and smile at him, feeling calmer now. “Thank you.” I hook my thumbs in my undershorts, feeling emboldened.

“Let me.” Finn kneels down in front of me, never breaking eye contact. I’m still shaking slightly from anticipation as he pulls the thin layer of cotton down my legs, his face now level with my core. He looks me over, running his fingers over the little tuft of dark brown curls there, before placing a kiss to my center, making me inhale sharply from the sensation.

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