Page 117 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“So. Fucking. Good.” He tightens his grip on my thigh as he begins to undulate.

My skin is on fire, and I can’t stop the whimpers of rapture escaping through my lips. He lowers his head, our mouths meeting in a desperate kiss that contains all the lust and desire we’ve been bottling up inside. Iknead my fingers into his skin as he thrusts, pounding me into the squeaky mattress. Unable to get enough, I arch my hips to meet his, taking him in deeper. His palm cups my ass to control every motion, every roll of his hips. Our bodies are hot with sweat, and I have to break the kiss to come up for air. My neck stretches, and he seizes the opportunity to ravage it, his tongue and lips performing the sweetest torture as our bodies rock together.

I writhe as the tension builds, and his hand comes up to glide over one of my nipples before capturing my knee and pressing it back.

I thought he was deep inside me before, but this—I don’t know how much more I can take. His pace quickens, and each slide and plunge sends my senses into a frenzy. The fire inside me explodes as another orgasm breaks free, sending me spiraling. The room is filled with his deep grunt as he stiffens, shuddering as his fingers curl into my skin.

His head drops to my neck, and I’m bathed in his hot breath as our chests rise and fall together. I’m soaring. I’m floating. And I know I can’t be the only one tingling with the aftermath.

My breathing finally slows, and he brushes his lips against mine before shifting to pull me into him at his side, his fingertips traveling up and down my arm and my back in gentle, random patterns. My body hums with joy, and I feel my lids droop. But I don’t want to sleep. I want to stay awake in Dante’s arms and revel in what just happened. And, if he’s up to it, do it again.

But the weight of sleep is overpowering, and his touch is soothing.

“Celeste?” he whispers. His lips press against my damp hair.

“Mm?”

He’s quiet for a moment. My lids droop some more.

“Sleep. We will deal with our troubles tomorrow.” His hands pull me closer into the warmth of him, and I let sleep take me.

CHapter

Forty-Three

Iawake in a nest of warmth, cocooned in Dante’s arms. My body still tingles in the most glorious way. I’m almost afraid to move and break the spell, but I know I cannot stay here. I don’t even know if anyone has discovered I’m not in my room back at Ivystone. If the king finds out I’ve run off, I fear what he will do to Nadya, my uncle, and the people of Delasurvia.

Dante’s eyes are closed when I look up at him, and I’m tempted to run my fingertips along his long, dark lashes. I would love to stay here in his bed all day, to do what we did last night—and once more in the middle of the night after I shifted closer to him and brushed my hand against his hard cock, rousing us both into a heady act of ecstasy—but it’s urgent that I return to the castle. I should have returned this morning, but the cozy bubble Dante and I have created has been holding me captive, making it impossible to pull myself away.

I need to get up and leave now. If I’m lucky, I can get back before anyone thinks to look for me. I know Nadya will hold off anyone who might ask for me, but that can only work for so long.

I slide my arm out from under his back, but when I lift my head from his bicep, he stirs. His gaze travels over my face, sparking a smile on his lips. He draws me closer until our forms are flush, and my bodyimmediately reacts. Heat seeps into my core, threatening to burn away my thoughts of leaving.

Fuck, I want to stay. But I can’t.

“Dante, I have to go back.”

He cups the back of my head, leaning his mouth closer to mine. “I want you to stay.”

I can feel his erection seeking me out, and it’s taking every ounce of willpower I have to not touch him, stroke him, guide him into me. “You have no idea how tempting that idea is. But I have to go before they discover I’m gone.”

He pushes my hair back, his lips brushing against mine. “You can’t marry him.”

I close my eyes, my fingers curling against his skin. “I know. But I need to come up with a plan. And until I do, I have to pretend. I have to keep up a ruse to protect Delasurvia.”

He closes his mouth over mine. The kiss starts out soft then grows greedier, and I feel like he’s trying to hold on to me for as long as he can before I go. His hands move over my body, and though it tears at my heart, I push back from him.

“Dante…”

“I know.” He rubs his nose over mine, his lips pulled into a frown.

I’m so close to giving in, but I steel myself and sit up. My clothes are scattered all over the floor, and I have to search and bend to gather each piece. After I pull on my underwear and chemise, I glance at Dante, who lays with his hands propped behind his head as he grins at me.

His amused look makes me laugh. “What?”

He tilts his head. “Just enjoying the view.”

Though I’m tickled by his playfulness, I can’t fight the gravity of our situation. I pull up my trousers. “Do you think there’s a chance to save your brother from the tsar’s influence?”

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