Exquisite Death: Dark, Friends to Lovers Romance (The Gilded Sovereign Book 3)

Chapter 17

Tarian’s moving so slowly,as if he’s afraid I’ll break. I don’t want him to be gentle. I want him to show me his true nature. There’s a darkness within him I want to lure out. I want to see the demons he hides.

I wiggle my ass again, hoping to entice him to let go. I want the dangerous side of him, the side I’ve only seen when he’s with his Sovereign friends.

“Fuck, goddess,” Tarian murmurs into my wetness right before his tongue sweeps against my core, sending me to the edge far quicker than I’ve ever experienced before.

I’m soaked, dripping onto his tongue as he teases me.

“Please,” I beg as I push back against him.

Tarian’s teeth slowly bite into my inner thigh, which has bliss skittering down my spine. His fingers explore my wetness before he drives his digits into me, causing me to cry out as I fall over the precipice.

“I’ve wanted to hear that sound for so long,” Tarian confesses as my thighs tremble and nails dig into the sheets.

Suddenly, I’m flipped onto my back. Tarian looms over me, and as I look up into those pretty blue eyes that have been the cause of so many heartbreaks, I silently pray they won’t break mine too.

My legs wrap around his waist while he pins me down on the bed. We’re keeping each other hostage, but he doesn’t need to force me, because this is where I want to be.

Tarian’s mouth captures one of my nipples. His teeth graze over the hardened bud, causing me to moan loudly, and I can feel his chest vibrate as he chuckles.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Grecia.”

His words of desire wash over me. The whispered confession reminds me I’ve been waiting so long for this moment. And now it’s here. We’re both naked in bed, and I’m about to feel him enter me.

Tarian’s cock is hard and dripping as it nudges my core. The cool metal of his Prince Albert piercing presses against my clit, and I’m anxious to know what it will feel like when it finally slides inside me.

I capture his face in my hands, to keep him from looking away.

“I want this,” I tell him earnestly.

Tarian doesn’t waste any more time, and as his thickness stretches me, the blissful pain sends a shiver of relief and fear racing through me. My legs are trembling, but I don’t release him from between my thighs. I can’t. I run my nails along his shoulders, causing him to shudder, and as the corner of his mouth lifts, his lip and eyebrow piercings flicker in the low light of the bedroom.

“I can’t move,” he moans as he lays his forehead against mine.

It’s a tender moment. There’s a vulnerability to him I haven’t seen before, and I don’t know what to do with it. It’s new to me, and I’m not sure if I can handle Tarian as gently as he’s touching me.

Resting his weight on one elbow, the fingertips of his free hand skate over my curves, and when he reaches my ass, he grabs it and pulls me against him. The motion makes him sink even deeper inside me, filling me completely.

“You can,” I urge, wanting him to do something, but then I realize he’s waiting for my permission. “Fuck me, Tarian.”

He stalls for a silent moment before he pulls out, almost all the way, and then slams back into me, making my toes curl. Pleasure racks through my body as if I’m being electrocuted. Every nerve is a live wire, and I’ve no way of surviving the onslaught.

I dig my nails into Tarian’s back, which only seems to spur him on. He moves faster as his mouth once again captures a nipple and bites down, sending pained ecstasy coursing through every inch of me.

Reaching up, I tangle my fingers in his pitch-black hair and tug hard, causing him to hiss against my breast. My body responds to his rough thrusts, and as his hips hit against mine and I’m slammed into the bed, I realize this is what he enjoys, and I find I love it too.

Our bodies mold together as if we were made for each other.

“Fuck,” Tarian breathes in my ear, and I can’t stop my body from shivering at the warmth of his breath against my cheek. The sensation washes over me in a wave of bliss. I’ve never felt anything like this before.

“I can’t stop,” I mumble.

“What?”

“I’m going to come,” I moan as I bite down on his shoulder.

Tarian reaches up, and wrapping his hand around my neck, his fingers squeeze my throat as he tightens his grip. There are dark spots blurring my vision, and I can’t stop the euphoria creeping up my spine.

As he chokes me, I claw at his back and pull his hair, and soon, I feel him thickening inside me. A groan from deep in his chest sends me spiraling out of control, and I cry out. My voice sounds hoarse, but it’s Tarian’s name on my tongue.

When he finally stops moving, all I can feel is the rise and fall of his chest. Our bodies are still entwined, and the feel of him is hot and heavy against me. Fighting back tears of emotion, I bite down on my lip to keep from crying. It’s not sadness but a feeling of elation that’s causing my response, and maybe it’s something deeper that I’m not willing to explore just yet.

Tarian’s lips tease their way up from my breast until they capture my mouth in a gentle kiss. All the while, he holds me as if I’m fragile.

Maybe I am.

Maybe he’s the only one who sees how delicate I truly am.

“Are you okay?” Tarian’s voice is a deep timber that vibrates against my skin.

He pulls away, his eyes locked on mine as he looks deep inside me, searching for the truth. I can only manage a nod in response to reassure him.

“Promise?” he questions.

I blink back the emotion and finally whisper against his lips, “Yes. I didn’t think I would be. But I am.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but he shifts, pulling me along with him, until we’re both covered by the sheets.

“Shit,” he mumbles as he rushes to the en-suite, leaving me confused. When he returns, he’s carrying a washcloth, and I can’t help but giggle as he spreads my thighs and gently wipes away his release from my skin. “Sorry.” He mumbles his apology before disappearing back into the bathroom.

I’ve never been with someone who’s so attentive before.

When Tarian slides back into bed beside me, he pulls me into his arms. I should talk to him to see if he’s okay, but I can’t bring myself to say anything. My eyes flutter shut as exhaustion takes over, but before sleep steals us both, he places one last kiss on my forehead.

Rolling over,I open my eyes to find Tarian’s still asleep, hugging a pillow to his face. The sheet has slipped down his body, revealing the smooth, tanned skin of his back. The ink that adorns his left shoulder blade reminds me of who he is—a Crown.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, and getting up, I make my way to the bathroom to freshen up. I look at my reflection in the mirror. Even though my cheeks are flushed, my eyes are sparkling, and my hair is a mess, last night still feels like a dream.

Once I’ve splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth, I head down to the kitchen, leaving Tarian still asleep in bed. The coffee machine has already been turned on, and the scent of freshly brewed java is welcome.

“Good morning.” Thane’s voice startles me, and spinning on my heel, I turn to find him leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest, watching me.

Cold fear skitters down my spine when he moves closer. I don’t trust him. I know he’s planning something, but whatever it is, I don’t want any part in it. It’s between him and Tarian.

“I didn’t think anyone else would be awake this early,” I tell him. “As soon as I’ve finished my drink, I’ll be out of your hair.”

I pick up the mug of coffee, fighting the tremble in my hands. I don’t want Thane to see I’m afraid of him, but I’ve a feeling he can smell my fear.

“You’re welcome to spend as long as you want here, sweetheart,” he tells me as he moves to the fridge to grab a chilled bottle of water.

“I don’t trust you,” I tell him honestly.

Lifting my chin, I pin him with a glare. Even though I’m showing courage, I don’t feel it. Fear holds me hostage as Thane steps toward me. The closer he gets, the more I can smell his cologne. The spicy scent takes over and invades my senses. I wish I could move, but my feet are frozen to the spot.

Thane stops inches from me, and leaning in, he murmurs in my ear, “I can smell my nephew on you. It seems your friendship has taken a new turn.”

Even though Thane is older than Tarian, they’re very similar in looks, and both Calvert men have a darker side. I never met Tarian’s father, but from what I’ve heard, he was the same and did things that would make most people balk.

“It’s none of your business,” I bite out, my palms landing on Thane’s chest as I try to push him away.

Too late, I realize I’ve played into his hands because mine are now right where he wants them. He moves swiftly, gripping my wrists and holding my palms where I placed them on his chest.

“Isn’t it?” He tilts his head to the side as he regards me. “I think Tarian’s mother would be rather disappointed that, out of all the girls in Tynewood, he chose you.”

“And why’s that?” I can’t stop myself from asking. I’ve haven’t seen the woman since I was a young girl, so I don’t know what she would have against me.

“You’re not the type of girl she wants for her son.”

“Well then, she shouldn’t have spent the last few years of her son’s life pretending to be dead when he needed her.” I can’t help but fight for the man who has stolen my heart. He would do the same for me.

Thane leans in closer and presses his mouth against my ear, sending waves of revulsion through me. I want to push him away, but with his muscular build and superior strength, I know I can’t fight him off.

“Don’t fuck with my family, sweetheart,” Thane whispers across my cheek. “I will not stand for it. Leave Tarian alone.”

The thought of kicking him comes to mind, but as I start to lift my leg, he grabs it and pushes me back against the counter. His mouth captures mine for a split second, and that’s when all hell breaks loose.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Tarian’s voice booms through the kitchen, catching me off guard.

Thane chuckles as he raises a hand and slowly swipes the index finger across his lower lip. Then he turns his head and looks over his shoulder at his nephew.

There’s no amusement in Tarian’s expression, and my stomach drops.

“Your pretty little friend wanted to know what it was like to experience a real man’s kiss,” Thane responds with a smirk.

“No!” My voice is shrill as Thane allows me to push him away.

A few moments ago, he was enjoying overpowering me, but now he knows he’s fucked everything up for Tarian and me, he’s happy to retreat.

This was his plan all along. I should have known he would do something to hurt Tarian. I just didn’t think he’d use me in the process.

“I think it’s time for you to leave,” Tarian says, his blue gaze locked on me.

“What do you mean?” I question as I rush toward him.

My eyes are trained on his, but he turns his head away and looks in Thane’s direction. And even when he answers me, his focus remains solely on his uncle.

“You heard me, Grecia. Leave.”