Page 113 of Decadence

Sienna suppressed a grin. It was kind-of fun to catch the unflappable commander off-guard.

But the expression of surprise quickly disappeared as he slowly looked her up and down, and it occurred to her that she was still naked.

Oh, shit.

And he was aroused again.

Sweet stars.

Did these Kordolian males never run out of stamina?

“I can’t promise that I’ll ever compromise my ability to protect you,” Ikriss said slowly as he swooped down to the floor and retrieved his black horns. “But perhaps there are some compromises that can be made.” He rose to his full height and took a step forward, holding out his severed horns. The bases gleamed with drying black blood—his blood. “Once they are dry, the outer skin will fall off, and they will polish up nicely.” He grinned. “Believe it or not, some races trade these on the intergalactic black market. Apparently, our horns are incredibly valuable, although I cannot fathom why. We usually just discard them, but since you asked for them, they are yours.” A soft chuckle escaped him. “Perhaps you have started a new tradition. A trophy for our precious mates. Whatever will you do with them?”

Reverently, she took Ikriss’s horns into her hands. They were solid and heavy and elegant, and somehow, they felt comforting and familiar in her hands. “I’ll dry them and polish them and keep them in a safe place. As a memento. Thank you, Ikriss.”

He bowed his head, the gesture oddly formal, as if they were completing some sort of ceremony. “Everything that is mine is yours, Sienna.”

Her heart did a thousand flips in her chest as he moved in closer, his head still bowed. He walked forward until his bare chest was pressed against hers; until she could feel his warmth and his steady heartbeat.

Stars, this man. Did he not know how terribly irresistible he was?

He leaned in and kissed her.

She kissed him back, tasting warm spice and a hint of bitterness.

God, he was delicious, even with all that blood on his face.

“Does it hurt?” she asked as she pulled away, staring at his severed horn-bases with concern.

“Immensely,” he said nonchalantly, stealing another quick kiss, “but it’s just pain, and it will be gone in a few sivs.”

“Y-you don’t even show it.”

“Training,” he shrugged. “I am used to these things. Why would I let something as insignificant as pain distract me when I have you right in front of me?” He chuckled, sounding as if the fact that he had just cut off his fucking horns was no big deal.

Sienna let out an exasperated huff. Arousal was making her restless. She rocked back and forth on her feet, unable to ignore the blatant bulge of his erection as it pressed against the soft skin of her lower belly. “Well, if we’re about to make our dramatic return to Earth, you should probably get yourself cleaned up then, right?”

Her fingers were still curled around his velvety horns. Part of her could hardly believe this was real.

Her silver warrior grinned, flashing his fangs. “That went better than I hoped it would. You will join me, of course.”

“But I just got out of the shower. I’m clean.”

“True.” He leaned forward and buried his nose in her hair. “You smell incredibly good. I could eat you again.”

Her legs quivered. “E-eat?”

He swept the horns from her hands and took her hand into his. “Come,” he whispered. “There is work to be done, but first I want to enjoy you a little longer.” He held the blade and his horns in one hand, leading her by the other.

Heat spread through her core, seeping between her thighs. Her entire body felt like jelly. “You’re impossible,” she sighed.

“Yes,” he agreed, dropping his blade and horns onto a small storage compartment as he gently led her toward the small Kordolian-style bathroom; into the magical shower compartment.

He slipped off his trousers, revealing his proud, erect cock. Unable to help herself, Sienna reached out and ran her hand over the mouthwatering ridge along the top.

Droplets of cool water began to fall, dampening her hair, running in rivulets over her feverish skin, washing away the black stains on Ikriss’s face.

She ran her fingers over his cheeks, his forehead, his temples, wiping away all traces of that terrible violent act.

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