Page 126 of The Powers of Nyx

“You may find that yet,” he replied, arm tightening around my waist. “There is a playroom of sorts. That has a loft, actually.”

My brows rose. “I was joking, but that’s good to know.”

Adrian pressed a kiss to the crook of my neck. “I’m ready to say goodbye to this.” I shuddered as his lips traced a path up my throat. “I’m ready for our future.”

“I am, too.”

He hummed under his breath, kissing the shell of my ear. “You probably think I dragged you here to fuck you in my old bedroom.”

I snorted and pulled out of his embrace. “Not initially, but now I definitely am.” I strode towards the window to look out over the trees. Below was a garden, and what looked to be water. “Did you bring me here so we wouldn’t be interrupted?”

Adrian appeared in the reflection of the glass, but he didn’t touch me. “Funny. Not in the slightest. Though it wouldn’t beawful, taking advantage of the hour or so we have left before Elias comes searching for us.”

I chuckled, turning to find Adrian staring out the window. He didn’t speak, only stared, and when he finally met my eye, he smiled sadly. “I need a minute,” he said, his smile stiff. “I’ll be out in a second.”

Before I could respond, he stalked to the bathroom. I barely caught a glimpse of it before the door closed. My heart ached for him, for what he must be going through. I rubbed my sternum and turned back to the window.

He needed more than just my presence. He wanted more, but he just didn’t know how to ask.

So, I had to be the one to take that step for him.

I rolled my shoulders and stalked to the bathroom door. My hand hovered over the doorknob, a flash of hesitation running through me. Fuck. I chewed my bottom lip as I considered what I was doing.

Are you okay?I asked carefully, resting my forehead against the door.

Of course, Sweetheart.There was a slight hesitation on his end, but he didn’t give anything away.

I released a shaky breath and opened the door. Adrian stood with his head bowed, hands braced on either side of the sink.He looked like an avenging angel, a God from Olympus standing amongst mere mortals.

“Adrian?”

My mage looked up from the sink, his brows furrowed, and his eyes crinkled in confusion as I entered the bathroom. “Ivy…”

Nerves made my heart race, but I focused on him, on the gentle swirl of magic under my skin, propelling me towards him. “Remember the hotel room?” I asked, taking another step into the bathroom. My mind went back to the night before my life had changed.

Desire flooded me as I remembered the way his tongue had circled my clit and the curl of his fingers as he brought me to my climax. The pleasure had been overwhelming at the time, but maybe it was because I’d known, deep down, Adrian was supposed to be mine.

His cheeks flushed red, darkening with hunger. As if the memories were resurfacing in his mind, too. “Of course I do. Best damned meal I’ve ever had.”

I stopped in front of him, tilting my head up to meet his darkened gaze. “I never got to return the favour,” I whispered. “You see, there’s another scene in that book that I think is looked over.”

Adrian’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Oh?” His voice cracked, and he pressed his back into the edge of the sink, gripping the marble in both hands so hard his knuckles turned white.

“Yes. See, I think the scene where he finally relinquishes control is one of my favourites. The one where Lord Easterly begs her to take his power away so that he can finally feel again.” Adrian watched with hooded eyes as I pressed myself into his front. Through the material of my sweater, the hard length of his cock pressed into my stomach. “There’s something I want to do.”

“And what is that, Sweetheart?” he asked hoarsely, his eyes tracking me as I moved.

I pressed my hands into his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through his shirt. Slowly, I dragged my palms down the ridges of his stomach to the hem, and silently, I tugged it up. He didn’t hesitate to lift his arms, allowing me to pull the shirt from his body and toss it to the side.

He sucked in a sharp breath as I traced my fingers over his pecs and down to the waistline of his pants. “I want you to give me control. Even if it’s for now. Can you do that? Can you let me take care of you for once?”

Adrian exhaled slowly and nodded. “I give you my control, Ivy.”

Our eyes met, and I knew he meant it. We might have had our bond, but this would alter something between us. Give us something more.

As I lowered myself to my knees before him, I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of his pants and pulled them down with me. His hard cock sprung free and bobbed in front of me, the tip glistening with precum. He was glorious. His length begged for my attention, attention I wouldfinallybe able to give it.

I kept my eyes on his, swiping my tongue over the saltiness covering the head of his cock. There was something primal in that first touch, in the way his entire body clenched. Part of me enjoyed it. Loved taking his control.

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