Page 122 of Emylia

And then his hand was there.

Replacing the pressure of his thigh with something far more lethal. Fingers skilled and devastating found my clit, coaxing circles that sent lightning down my spine.

One hand teased. One hand claimed. His mouth stole every moan, every gasp, every curse.

My hips moved of their own accord, riding the rhythm of his fingers, grinding into him like he was the only thing anchoring me to the earth.

The pressure inside me built—slow, overwhelming, unbearable. My legs trembled. My breath came in broken, hungry bursts.

And then?—

It hit.

Blinding, euphoric release tore through me, wave after wave. My body fractured in his arms, every muscle trembling as bliss took me under.

Lightning split the sky again, illuminating the world in stark, searing white before darkness swallowed everything whole.

“Gods!” I cried.

And somewhere, in the echo of my voice, the storm answered back.

After it peaked, my body melted—silk unraveling in his arms. Lazily, I dragged my hand down Maalikai’s chest, daring myself to go lower, fingers teasing the sharp lines that disappeared beneath his waistband. My breath hitched as I ventured further, nerves tingling with anticipation and apprehension.

But before I could reach him, his hand closed gently around my wrist, stopping me.

My eyes snapped to his. “You don’t want me to touch you?”

“I do not expect that.”

His answer sent a prickle across my skin. My heart seized. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? You know… considering what you just did for me?”

A soft rumble of laughter spread through him, low and warm. “What I want from you is this.” He pulled me closer, tucking me against his chest like we had all the time in the world. His arm settled over my stomach. Steady. Protective.

“You want to snuggle?” I asked, incredulous.

Another laugh, this one deep and reverent. He leaned up on his elbow, looming above me, gaze locked to mine. Those ocean-blue eyes were suddenly devastating. “Yes. I just want to hold you.”

Disbelief cracked through me. “You don’t want me, likethat?”

A pained growl escaped him—raw, guttural. “Gods, yes. More than anything in this world. But it’s been… a confusing day.”

What. The. Fuck.

His eyes darkened, turning a stormy midnight. “I may not have had the strength to resist you completely, but if I were to take everything tonight… I don’t think I could forgive myself.”

My heart kicked hard against my ribs. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He exhaled slowly. “Your emotions are a tempest. You’re unraveling. If I let this go any further—if I take everything—you might wake up tomorrow and regret it.”

“You have no idea what I’ll regret,” I snapped, the venom in my voice betraying how deeply it cut. “And that’s not your choice to make.”

Lightning split the sky.

We both turned toward the window, the sharp flash illuminating the truth neither of us said aloud.

The storm wasn’t just outside.

It was me.

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