Page 56 of Gilded Locks
But without Ash gathering those pieces, without this careful tending, she’d be left fragmented. Suspended between spaces. Lost in a fall back to earth that could turn transcendent experiences into trauma.
“You’re almost through it now, Zayka.” Ash tilted her chin up, ice-blue eyes scanning her face with an intensity that made her feel precious. Cherished.
She looked up at him and sniffled. “What is Say-kah?”
He chuckled. “Zayka. It means little rabbit.”
She smiled.
“You like that?”
“It’s better than little thief.”
“I suppose it is.” He rewarded her with one of those rare smiles that transformed his face from dangerous to devastating. “Though, I’m not so sure you have the heart of a small creature. Especially when I sense the mind of a printsessa.”
She smiled, trusting the compliment and not looking further for hidden meaning. His words gave her strength in a way that repaired her and helped her feel grounded again.
She glanced up at him. “What happened to your eye?”
“It’s nothing.”
It wasn’t nothing. He’d had it before the fight with Hunter, but she still suspected he was the source. “Did Hunter do it?”
“I deserved it.”
She wanted to ask if it had something to do with her. “Why?”
“Because I took something I shouldn’t have.” He shifted and let out an exhale. “Think you can eat something?”
The thought of food made her stomach turn. “I’m not hungry.”
“That’s because you’re still coming down. It’s important you enjoy some creature comforts.” He tucked a lock of blonde behind her ear, letting his fingers trail over her collarbone and dangerously close to her chest. “Water. Food. Warmth. Touch.”
Her nipple hardened, and snuggled closer. Dear God, was she leaning into his touch?
He gazed at her questioningly, his hand no longer moving.
Her lips parted, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to whisper a plea or apology. “I…” Her lashes lowered in more shame. Living in a facility for the mentally ill didn’t make her feel half as imbalanced as a few hours in this house with these men. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
Pulling back, she put some space between them and closed her arms around her chest, hiding her aroused breasts. “I don’t know. I’m…confused.”
He gently pried her arms away. “Don’t hide yourself.” Softly, he dragged the back of his knuckle between her breasts. Goosebumps rose on her flesh and her nipples pulled tighter. He watched her carefully. “May I?”
His request threw her off. She was theirs. They had full authority over her—or else. The ice around her heart softened and she nodded ever so slightly.
Slipping a hand under her knees and behind her head, he lowered her to her back. Warm breath tickled over her neck as soft hair teased her skin. First, he merely nuzzled her breast with the side of his nose and groaned. He traced the tip of his tongue slowly, swirling over her curves and building anticipation. He was delicately teasing her, making her want his mouth even more.
When he finally closed his lips over her nipple, she sighed in sweet relief. Her body arched and her legs slowly scissored as pressure built low in her belly. Those soft kisses were perhaps some of the gentlest kisses she’d ever been given.
Then his teeth loosely trapped the tip of her nipple his tongue swirling decadently against her flesh. She moaned and instinctively ran her fingers through his soft hair, but he caught her wrist and pressed it into the mattress, holding her hand down as his fingers formed a sort of monocle.
“Is this too much? I know you’re tired.”
“No,” she rasped, through with the shame and leaning into the pleasure.
“Good.” His mouth closed over her nipple, and this time he applied more pressure, sucking deeply until something dark unfurled inside of her. She arched and moaned, but then the pleasure shifted and there was a bite of pain.
