Page 48 of Summer's Seduction

Adeep, throaty moan shook Morpheus’s chest as he took his time cleaning me. I bit my lip against another moan, pulling him away from my sore clit.

“We need to get sleep,” I protested with a laugh against his answering groan. We’d been at it for hours. The moon had long since set and the early dawn was quickly fading. The pine forest was coming to life around us. Artemis allowed for The Dark Ones’ preference for travel at night, but I wasn’t sure how much longer we had before we’d be expected to leave.

“I’d rather do this,” Morpheus said, the heat of his breath fanning my pussy. “You were made for me to devour, little monster. I could lick and tease and fuck you forever, and it would never be enough. I’d always want more—need more.”

I sucked in a breath as his fangs scraped my inner thigh, wanting to give in despite the soreness of my body. I’d lost count of how many times I’d bitten him, but it seemed that certain things—like the ache from coming too many times—couldn’t be healed by even his blood.

Gazing down at him between my thighs, I let my heart swell, watching as his tongue lapped gently along the vein of my thigh. Last night—this moment—everything was perfect.

I’d asked him to use me, wanting to be fucked into oblivion—and he’d delivered—but then did more. I don’t think anyone who’s touched me has ever truly cared. They certainly have never loved me. But Morpheus… he worshiped me.

I tasted his devotion in his blood, could feel his love in the way he held me after shattering me completely, remaking me as his. Morpheus had branded me with each swipe of his tongue, with his come and blood and fingers, but it was more than that. I saw his adoration shining through golden eyes as I wrapped my lips around his cock, taking him deeper, claiming his just as fiercely as he’d claimed me.

Gently, I tugged him up, curling into his side as I watched the soft morning sun flicker through the tall branches. A light snow had started, the white dusting coating pine needles overhead, but the fire's heat and the blankets' plushness kept us comfortable.

“Being here with you feels right, almost familiar.” Inhaling the scent of the forest around us, I traced patterns over the rugged plains of his chest.

His arm curled around me, drawing me closer as he kissed the top of my head. “I always liked the mornings. The way mist clings to the horizon, how peaceful the forest is, it feels oddly private.”

“In another life, I think I was meant for cold, misty mornings,” I murmured, my sleepy agreement against his chest, allowing my eyes to close as our hearts beat in time with one another. Visions of undisturbed snow crunching beneath small boots, wild, white cats slinking along a mountain’s edge, and the crisp scent of pine swirling through my hair… it almost felt real.

“You could stay.” Morpheus’s words were hesitant, braced for my rebuttal.

It was there, on the tip of my tongue. All the reasons we could never actually work. My sister, the fact that my soul wasstill very much alive, and despite my half-blood status, witches were unwelcome in the north. Not to mention, Morpheus would be a king once Hypnos was killed. He’d be royalty, and I was… nothing.

I didn’t want to think about any of that. Time would push forward, constantly shifting and dragging my tormented life along with it. There would be plenty of time to grieve and rage against lives that might have unfolded… but right now, in this moment, I wanted to live in the fantasy.

“Maybe I will,” I replied coyly, pressing a kiss to his chest. His body stilled for a breath before he coiled tighter into me, rolling to his side to face me.

“I mean it, Larkspur. You care about others, about ensuring that none are abused or exploited. You’re powerful.” Morpheus pressed a kiss to my forehead. “And kind.” Another to my cheek. “And so fucking brilliant.”

His lips trailed down the length of my neck, teasing my fluttering pulse. A soft, carefree giggle rose as he peppered me with gentle kisses, nipping and teasing as if we had all of eternity to be together. My heart swelled as he painted a picture of what we could be.

“And gods below, can you imagine how stunning our children would be?”

My eyes widened as his lips explored the curve of my stomach. Golden eyes flicked up to meet mine, noting the shift in my countenance. He tilted his head to the side, not judging but curious.

“Do you not want children?”

“I’m not sure,” I answered truthfully. “There was never time for me to consider a future, let alone one where I might be a mother. I’m not even sure if I can have children. My courses have only occurred a handful of times in the last few years…”

Shame and disappointment crept up my neck at the admission. It shouldn’t have. I knew logically that there was nothing I could do to control it. My body was the way it was. Nothing I did would alter that, but it surprised me how much I resented not having a choice.

Witches and mortals were meant to have their courses monthly; even Dark Ones cycled half a dozen times a year, but me… I was damaged.

“You’re perfect, Larkspur.” Morpheus brushed a kiss low over my belly, holding my gaze the entire time. “Babies or no babies,youare perfect.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, with the sincerity ringing through his words.

“Kiss me, Morpheus. I want you.”

He flashed me that wicked grin of his as he sank lower between my legs, but I sat up with him, capturing his lips with mine before the moment passed us.

“Not there,” I breathed, tongue sweeping across his. “I want to feel all of you.”

And gods be damned, but I wanted the life he described. I craved to grow a small patch of happiness, to build our little world of peace together, shielding the best parts from the darkness looming over our shoulders.

Morpheus’s hands dropped to my ass, drawing me up into his lap. His cock settled between my thighs, the hard length pressing against the slickness of my core.

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