Page 72 of Where the Wicked Reign

Affection and appreciation,

Julian.

“Wow,” I uttered, putting the note back down. “He’s certainly… something.”

Nico chuckled, and the sound rolled through me.

I looked out at him, and he caught my eye, cocking an eyebrow. “What?”

You should do that more often.“Nothing.”

“He performed aftercare last night. On both of us. Your cuts and scrapes have been treated. He even gave you one of what he calls hisHealing Hugs.”

“I… okay. Good. I mean, I’ll give him my thanks.”

“I think you allowing him to stuff you full with that dildo is all the thanks he needs.”

My core clenched at his words.

Exactly what I didn’t need right now. I had to get a handle on my day, get to work, fucking focus. I held up my hand. “Can we not?”

He threw the covers off and climbed out of bed.God.His muscles—those biceps, his chiseled abs—rippled with his movements. He was only wearing a pair of black boxers and they really didn’t do much to hide the hard-on beneath. His gorgeous cock that I’d gotten very well acquainted with last night. That I’d devoured and ravaged so completely.

Stop it.

“We’re not doing that, Caterina.”

“Doing what?” I asked, trying to block the lick of desire trying to take me over.

“Pretending it didn’t happen. Sweeping it under the rug.” He had me squealing in surprise in the next second as he ripped me off my feet and carried me back to the bed. He settled me under the covers with him, then wrapped his arms around me, tucking me against him.

As I shifted in his hold, he stroked my hair. “We need to talk about what happened last night.”

“I can’t just… I need to get to work.”

“Caterina,” he growled.

I growled right back.

It had him bursting out with a hearty laugh.

I shifted to face him and he loosened his hold enough so that we were lying side-by-side facing one another. “Stop it,” I said, unable to prevent a grin.

“Stop what?” he asked, amusement dancing in his sapphire eyes.

“Being cute.”

“Cute?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Wow, I’veneverbeen called that before.”

“Then I guess you haven’t shown this side of yourself before.”

“You’re right, I haven’t.Justto you.”

I took the pointedness of his comment. Sighing, I spoke, “Yeah, just like I showed you that secret part of me last night.”

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