Page 56 of Reign

I paced over to the window and leaned my forearms against it.

“Chill, Connor. If she feels your anxiety, she’ll wake earlier. She needs to sleep.” Rawson looked at Ember, and his whole face softened.

Time and loss had taken a terrible toll on our childhood benefactor. Rawson had always been such a strong and generous soul. It was hard seeing that powerful alpha appear so cold and empty. Then again, seeing your mate’s dismembered body would ice over anyone’s heart.

I stretched my neck and inhaled deeply. I couldn't even imagine the pain of that.

“Yeah, I know.” I forced my backside into a chair by the window where I could watch Ember sleep. Rawson was the only one I’d allow in the room with my sleeping pregnant mate. I trusted my pack, but I was an alpha, and she was mine to protect. Rawson had protected her while we were growing up, but even he’d known I would take over that role eventually.

“Did you get more info about the Rift?”

“Yeah, it’s already bigger than it was two nights ago. The Count is already calling in favours. Many of the vampire covens answer to him anyway and are already on their way.”

“When will they be here?” I had a bad feeling in my gut. Demons had swamped the area around the compound last night while Ember slept. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Ember had used her phoenix power, and Walker had felt it.

That meant Satan had, too.

Rawson met my eyes. “Don’t worry, Balthazar already has this place surrounded. Owen’s called in more shifters, too.”

“Hmm,” I sat back, thinking over our options. I needed to call a meeting, but I didn’t want to leave Ember.

“You have a beta, the High King of Faerie and his son, both of whom are ancient and warriors through and through; you have me, and a pack of able and powerful alphas. Use us all.”

I inhaled and exhaled. As usual, Rawson was right. I had capable people; I just needed to trust them.

Ember turned over onto her side, her eyelids flickering half-open. “Hey.” Her smile was enough to squeeze my heart. “Go be a king, hot stuff.” She smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Rawson huffed a laugh. Her attention went to him. “Hey, you.”

“Hi.” He smiled back.

“When I’m more awake, I’m going to kick your butt. Where have you been?”

His grin couldn’t get any wider. “Here and there, Em. I’ll tell you when you get your arse up and out of his bed.”

She yawned. “Yeah? Well, that ain’t gonna be yet. Now let me rest. Both of you.” Her gaze drifted back to me. “I’m fine. I just need a bit more sleep.” She snuggled down and pulled the duvet right up to her ear, just peeking at me over it. “Go on, bugger off. I’ll be fine while you work up a plan to kick demon arse.”

I chuckled and stood up. I wanted nothing more than to strip and slide into the bed next to her, but she was right. I had shit to do. My pack deserved to have a leader who was present and level-headed. And, despite wanting to fuck my mate senseless, now that I knew she was back with me and safe, I could wait for that pleasure. Then I’d make her wait for her pleasure, wait until she was begging me... The moment her eyes widened I knew she scented my arousal.

Rawson coughed. “I’ll wait outside. See ya soon, sweetness.” He left the room grinning.

The door had only just clicked shut when I pounced. I gripped the blanket and yanked it back. Ember squealed. “Hey, that’s mine!”

I grinned. “Nope, it’s mine. And so are you.” Without pause, I fell over her kissing her deeply and with total abandonment. Our teeth and tongues clashed, and her groan hit me right in my balls. “Damn, Ember. I need you.”

She gave a breathless giggle. “Connor, we can’t...you have men to organise….”

“Hush, woman, I’m busy.” And I was. I sat back on my heels, watching her breasts rapidly rise and fall. She was breathless after our kiss. Slowly, I grazed my eyes over my t-shirt where it laid across her curves. Her nipples peaked, pushing against the material. Fuck, I wanted to feast on them. Her fingers curled into the sheets, and her pelvis squirmed on the bed. I grinned, my lower stomach tightening and my cock twitching. Sex with the Ember who didn’t remember me had been good, but now she remembered whowewere, whoIwas, wholly and completely? I inhaled. The scent of her arousal was strong in the air. Rumbling low in my chest, I slowly lifted the tee’s material, exposing her beautiful thighs and that sweet pussy to my gaze. I could see her arousal as it glistened against her skin. By now, I was holding onto my self-control by a thread. But if I gave in, I wouldn't stop for hours. I lowered to my stomach and grabbed her thighs, pushing them apart, unable to tear my gaze from her swollen sex.

“Connor…”

I smiled at the need in her voice. “Yes, Firecracker?” And I blew gently on her exposed skin. Her groan had my cock twitching and straining against my zipper. I ground against it, pushing my hips into the mattress, hoping the pain would ease me. It didn’t. Holding her thighs, I flattened my tongue and licked all the way up her slit, groaning at the taste of her; pure honey. I circled her clit once, and she bucked her hips. Or tried. One glance of a warning was all I gave her.

“Are you ready? I need to taste you before I leave. You’re going to come hard and fast.”

And with her nod, I dove in, running my tongue up and down her sweet folds, feasting on her before sucking into my mouth that tight bundle of nerves at her apex. She writhed and groaned, rolling her hips in time with the suction I gave her. I grunted and moved an arm across her hips, holding her but careful not to press on her abdomen. Without pause, I slipped a finger into her warm, silky heat. Fuck me, but she was tight, the way she squeezed, holding me in. The knowledge that we were once again in sync made this experience better than ever. I added another finger, curling them forward against her g-spot as I increased my assault on her clit. Her internal muscles tightened, and within seconds she exploded, coating my fingers, and crying out my name. I stroked her slowly down from her orgasm as I whispered, “welcome home, Firecracker,” and she collapsed back against the pillows, panting hard. Pulling my fingers gently from her, I licked her clean before sucking every drop of her from my own skin.

She watched me from beneath heavy lids with a beautiful smile on her face. But I could sense her fatigue. I climbed off the bed, covered her and pulled up the blanket.

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