Page 87 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
In his embrace, suspended beneath the stars, I feel so safe and cherished.
He cradles me to his chest as he carries me into his cavern. Fire burns low on the hearth across the way, casting a soft orange glow through the space. His scent of fresh rain and stone envelops me—uniquely, irresistibly him.
When he carefully sets me down, he cups my cheek, studying me with a look of intense devotion.
My heart clenches because it reminds me of my nightmare and how he was imprisoned in stone with the exact expression he wears now as he studies me intently. “Is everything alright?”
Instead of answering, I stretch up on my toes, wrap my arms around his neck and press my lips to his in a tender kiss that soon turns urgent.
His momentary surprise melts into fierce hunger, arms tightening around me as he meets my kiss with equal desperation. He claims my mouth, his tongue stroking against mine. Our lips mesh repeatedly, each kiss becoming more urgent, sending small ripples of pleasure down my spine.
“I want to be yours,” I whisper between our kisses. “Now, Thalric. I don’t want to wait any longer for you to claim me.”
He pulls back, panting heavily, his eyes glowing with barely restrained passion. “But the wedding is only a week away.”
“I don’t care,” I whisper, pulling his mouth back to mine, craving the taste and heat of him. “I want to be your mate. I want to be yours completely.”
Something snaps inside him, and he crushes me to his chest, deepening our kiss.
The world around us fades into a blur of heat and sensation as he carries me to the soft furs of his nest and lays me down. He crawls over me, staring down at me, his gaze full of desire and possession. “Are you sure this is what you want, Auri? Because I will wait if you—”
I cup the back of his neck and pull his lips down to mine, showing him just how much I want this. Want him.
I trace my hands over his body, exploring the hard planes of muscle along his abdomen and chest. He rips his mouth from mine and presses a series of kisses along my jaw and down to the curve of my neck and shoulder.
The thin straps of my nightshift slip from my shoulders, pooling around my waist before I remove it the rest of the way, leaving me bare beneath him. He stares down at me, his gaze full of awe and reverence as he whispers, “You are perfect.”
He leans in and my breath hitches as his warm lips brush across the sensitive swell of my breast, his tongue laving over my sensitive peak, sending exquisite pleasure cascading through me.
“Thalric,” I breathe, arching helplessly into him, craving more. “Please.”
He trails his hand down my body and gently parts my thighs. His golden eyes stare deep into mine as he drags his fingers through my already slick folds, each touch igniting fire in my veins.
Pleasure coils deep within as he brushes his thumb over the small pearl of flesh at the apex. I arch into his touch as he slips one finger into my channel. “Please,” I whisper. “I want all of you. Not just your hand.”
“You’re so tight,” he rasps, his breathing ragged. “Aurora, I must prepare you first. You’re smaller than I am, and I will not risk hurting you.”
My fingers curl into his shoulders, nails biting lightly into his skin. “You could never hurt me,” I whisper. “I know you won’t.”
Reaching down, I wrap my hand around his stav, surprised that he’s so big my fingers do not touch around him. He groans as I explore his length, tracing over a series of firm ridges before finding a soft, spongy ring of tissue around the base.
Gently, I squeeze and it begins to harden, a small burst of warm liquid erupting from his stav and onto my abdomen.
He snarls and removes my hand, lowering his forehead to mine as he pants heavily. “If we do not stop now, I’ll be tempted to take you. And I’m worried that I’ll hurt you, Auri.” His voice is tight with barely contained desire. “And I want you to feel only pleasure.”
I press my lips to his and whisper against them. “I trust you, Thalric. Completely.”
A low and primal growl of arousal escapes him as his careful control fractures beneath my words. His powerful form covers mine, the heat of his crown pressing against the entrance to my core.
Reaching up, I cup his cheek and gaze deep into his eyes. “I love you, Thalric. I want you, my love.”
The breath stutters from my lungs as he slowly enters me, each gentle thrust pushing him deeper inside me.
I gasp at the small pinch of pain as he pushes through my barrier, and he goes still. Tears sting my eyes as tight heat blooms in my core. I feel so full. It’s too much and not enough all at once, and I draw in a shaking breath as my body slowly adjusts to his invasion.
He starts to pull back, but I tighten my legs around him, stopping him. “Wait,” I whisper. “I just need a moment.”
Nodding, he clenches his jaw, his entire form trembling as if it’s taking all of his concentration to maintain his control and remain still.
