Page 67 of Of Blooming Embers
But we were inevitable.
And in her orbit was exactly where I always wanted—needed—to be.
My forehead pushed down; eyes squeezed shut. “Thank you.”
“For?” she breathed, bowing her head so my fingers could get better access.
“For giving me—us—another chance.”
“Gavrel …” Her silence stretched for a few moments.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I vow to never break your heart again. May the Ancient of Nightmares take me.”
After a moment, one of her hands reached for me, her fingers brushing the top of mine. She brought my hand to her mouth and pressed a kiss into my palm. “Don’t be foolish. Then, I’d have to hunt him down and rescue you. I’m full up on rescue quests at the moment.”
I chuckled and curled my fingers over her kiss as her hand sank into the water. I rubbed my palm over my thumping heart and then brought it back to her nape.
Tentatively, she glanced at me with a soft smile curving her lips. “But I’ll take your apology and the vow regardless.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed before she turned forward.
The pad of my thumb brushed over the dense scar on her nape. My nostrils flared, brows furrowing.
Maya had protected her daughter by hiding her gift with an implanted rune—the engraved stone that Seryn often stroked her thumb over absently.
Just as my mother had tried to protect me. I had gone along with it. Not for me; for Seryn.
Just as I always had.
And always would.
But that decision had come with a price, as they all did.
Enough. Now is not the time,I rebuked myself sharply, slamming my eyes closed. All of my focus narrowed to my hands as I kneaded Seryn’s shoulders. Having her skin under mine was enough to take my breath away.
She was a living dream.
My every wish come true.
Every desire.
And I would rip apart anyone or anything that threatened to take her from me.
She moaned, and I ran my hands over her wet flesh. Her collarbone. Over her breasts until I reached her pebbled nipples.
My cock stirred, nudging her backside. Seryn’s mouth curled asshe wiggled against me.
This woman would be my end. And I’d happily accept it.
Shifting us deeper under the water, I leaned back as my left thumb circled and plucked at the tip of her breast. The sound of her breathy whimper shot down my spine, my length stiffening further.
I kissed the crown of her head, continuing my ministrations on her nipple as my right hand slid into the water and over her belly. Her knees trembled as they fell wider, inviting me to explore.
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Asteria,” I whispered into her ear, my middle and ring fingers slipping into her wet channel. A soft purring vibrated under her collarbone.
She was so damn soft.
So greedy for my touch.
