Page 136 of Vicious Princess
Daegel’s shoulders lift with a deep inhale and drop with a long exhale. “I meant it when I said that I choose you, Phoenix,” he says. “Because of that, I’m committed to finding a way out. But I’ll need your support and patience. Lots of patience.”
I cup his cheek with my hand, and he leans into my touch. “You’ll have it. Anything you need.”
“It’s not going to be an easy process. And it may take longer than you or I might like. It’s not just the Caligos organization I’m leaving behind, it’s… I have to find a way out of my legacy andfamily. To fae, that’s…well, a death sentence. Family and legacy are everything to us.”
Tangy guilt is sour at the back of my throat. Here he is, ready to leave his family behind to be with me, to ensure my goals are not compromised, and he doesn’t even know the real reasonwhyI’m here.
Why I’m desperate to climb the ranks of the Ezkai.
Why I need the General to think I’m loyal.
I shove the unwanted feeling away and lock it in the furthest corner of my being. I’m not ready to reveal all my cards.
Not even to Daegel. Not yet.
“I understand,” I say softly. “I understand this isn’t easy on you and that it will be a fight. I appreciate you for doing it.” My hand slides down from his face, to the middle of his chest. “That’s courageous and, honestly, fucking sexy. Your silent strength and confidence are what made me fall in love with you.”
Daegel’s eyes widen a fraction at my words. My heart flutters, then drops. It’s not an easy admission for me, and what if?—
“I’m in love with you, too,” he says, cupping both my cheeks in his palms and bringing his mouth to mine. Over my lips, he whispers, “I thought you might not love me because of who I am.”
“I love you for who you are. I don’t care about your family or Caligos, Daegel,” I say.
Our lips meet and melt together.
Daegel is careful and gentle, as if it’s not me he’s holding but a fragile flower. Carefully, I part my lips and brush my tongue over his bottom lip.
An invitation for him.
I want him to claim me with all he has.
Thankfully, he does.
With confidence, he pushes me onto the roof and deepens the kiss. I pull on his shoulders, desperate to feel his full weight on top of me. His hips settle between my legs?—
With a chuckle, he pulls away. “I know just the cure for sleeplessness, princess.”
“You better share it with me,” I breathe out.
He kisses the middle of my throat, his hand traveling down from my cheek to cup my breast. Even through the leathers, my flesh burns under his palm. “I have every intention of sharing it with you.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Iarch my back just as he squeezes my breast, his lips continuing to explore the sensitive skin on my neck.
When his hand dips lower, caressing my stomach, and travels south until he settles on my thigh, I gasp.
The tension is killing me.
When he starts to undo the buttons on my leather pants, I dig my fingers into his shoulders.
“What if someone hears us here?” I can’t help but worry.
“Trust me, nobody will,” he says against my throat. “But you’ll have to make sure to keep those pretty moans quiet.” His hand slips into my pants and brushes over my most sensitive spot. I bite my bottom lip. “Can you do that for me, princess? Can you keep quiet?”
“Yes. Yes, I can.” My words are a mere whisper.
But, dear gods, when Daegel’s fingers toy with the aching bud, I can barely keep any sounds from escaping my mouth. And when he slips two fingers inside me and finds that spot deep within?—
