Page 121 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
“I have another truth to tell you.” Her voice echoes in the dimness of the tent. “When you were asleep—”
“I know about the soft kisses you stole,” I say to ease her conscience. “Vampires do not sleep, Nel. It’s part of the curse. We enter a low awareness state, but we never—”
I stop when I see the look on her face. She’s probably recounting every little thing she did to me whenever she thought I was asleep.
“It’s fine, Nel,” I say in complete dismissal.
“You’re not angry?” I can hear the surprise in her voice.
“Not really.” I hold her gaze for a moment longer. “But I will punish you for it.”
Her eyes widen a fraction when I scoop her into my arms. I’m surprised and slightly disappointed that Nel doesn’t struggle against me at all, resigning to her fate. Little fawn has become too trusting.
I place her on the bed, lying on her back.
“Svenn, what are you doing?” Her bottom lip starts to tremble.
I don’t bother answering her.
My girl has so much shit to deal with. This will help her take the edge off. A distraction.
Who am I kidding? I’m doing this for me.
I claim her lips lightly, intending to give one of those sweet, soft kisses she usually enjoys. The plan goes to shit when she pulls on my tunic, desperate for more. She sucks on my tongue and a low groan escapes me. I can’t get enough of this girl.
I break the kiss just to look at her.
“Svenn…” she murmurs with gentleness. “My mate.”
There is something in the way she says it that sends a wave of pleasure coursing through me. I can’t give a fuck about the bond or whatever strange thing that ties us. I already know what I feel for her is real. But this ‘mate’ thing is important to her.
So, I’ll make tonight special for my little fawn.
I trail open mouth kisses from her neck down to her breast, slowly unraveling her nightgown.
“Only truths between us from now on,” I whisper to her skin.
She nods, not knowing what she has just got herself into. I take her taut nipple in my mouth, swirling my tongue over it in slow strokes. Rhianelle arches her back, and a gentle sound leaves her throat.
“Show me how you touch yourself every morning in the bathtub,” I say in a quiet command.
She shakes her head frantically, a horrified look on her face. Perhaps that was too much for my soft girl.
“Did you wish that I was touching you?” I ask.
A brief silence.
Then she nods.
That simple gesture from her thrills a dark part in me. A devilish grin tugs my lips. I pull away from her, sliding off the bed. She whimpers from the loss of warmth.
“Where are you going?” she asks, alarm coating her voice.
Nel was always nervous whenever I left. I blame myself for her anxiety. I went away the morning after the wedding, came and went whenever I pleased, took off right after killing the sewer rats.
The worry in her face drains away when she sees me kneeling at the foot of the bed.
That’s right, Nel. I’m never leaving you again.
