Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
She intended to tell him that she would be able to make her way around and express her gratitude to all and sundry—but every time she tried to open her eyes, things got even heavier.
The next thing she was aware of… was a whirling sensation, as if the world were spinning—and then came a tinkling sound. The fountain. In the white marble courtyard… with the fruit tree and the colonnade.
Forcing herself to rouse, she said, “We’re back.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lassiter carried her into his private quarters and she smiled at the zebra-print accents. “Your decor… is so original.”
The double doors closed behind them, and the strange ambient light, which had no discernible source of which she was aware, dimmed.
“You know, it’s been called worse.” He laid her upon the bedding platform. “And I spared you a pink and black suit for the reception.”
“Pink and black?” She arranged herself against the pillows, her body languid. “How vivid.”
“Again, that’s a kind word.” He sat down on the mattress beside her and stroked her leg. “You okay? The ceremony is a little intense at the end and I know we didn’t talk about it.”
She nodded and returned unto the moment when his silver blood had flowed and he had borne the carving with utter bravery. “I am so honored. Although I am not sure I could have stood up on my own. Thankfully, Mae and Beth were there beside me.”
“Good. I wanted everything to be done right.”
When there was a pause, she smiled as she recognized what he wanted but would not ask for. “I am not that tired, you know.”
All at once, her hellren pounced on her, finding her mouth and kissing her deeply, his body settling on top of hers, pressing her down.
“I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he moaned as he nuzzled his way down her throat. “And this dress is fantastic—but it’s got to go.”
The zipper was on the side, and he zeroed in on it with such confidence, she knew he had been eyeing it and strategizing what it would take to get the thing down its track. As the bodice loosened, she sat up, but the skirt trapped things, so she had to lie back down. But then they couldn’t get the top off.
“Be of care,” she said. “This is the Queen’s—”
“How do we get this—”
“Here, I shall stand,” she suggested with a laugh.
Up on her feet, the dress flowed off her body and formed a pool that shimmered at her feet, and after she stepped out of its splendor, she was careful to pick it up and fold the shimmering weight. There was a white table in the corner and she laid the gown upon the top, so that it was not wrinkled.
“The females were so kind to me, and—”
The words froze in her throat. From across the way, Lassiter was staring at her with such intensity, he arrested her where she stood.
“Come to me,” he said in a guttural voice. “Shellan mine.”
She had worn a sleeveless shift beneath the gown, and nothing under that, and as she complied with his order, she was aware that the fabric was so fine, her body was visible unto him.
As soon as she was in range, his hands reached out and pulled her in, and he went right for her breasts, sucking on them through the silk’s fragile layer. The sensation was exquisite, especially as he switched to her other nipple and the wetness cooled and tightened her tip even further.
Sweeping her off her feet, he laid her down again, and between one blink and the next, all the gold upon him disappeared and reappeared beside the Queen’s beautiful gown.
“Will you turn about,” she whispered. “That I may see properly my name upon you?”
He pivoted, just as she had asked, and her breath caught. Stretching across his upper shoulders, in a subtle arc, were the symbols of her name, the scars already healing and leaving a clear imprint on his skin.
Lassiter looked back at her. “Is it good? It feels good. I mean, I don’t even care what it looks like.”
“It’s… the most beautiful thing I have e’er seen.”
The smile of his satisfaction was masculine pride made manifest, and he came at her anew, although this time he did not mount her. He went unto her feet and started kissing her ankle, and then her calf, just below the knee—and thus he continued upward, his hands moving the shift up as his mouth brushed over her skin.
She had a thought about where he might be heading.
And he did not disappoint. Spreading her legs, he stared at her sex. “I want to taste you.”
As she moaned in anticipation, he went in to her core, his lips sealing on her, the wet-on-wet caresses sending her into a release that surely shattered her corporeal form—except no. She remained whole.