Chapter 11 - Luna
CHAPTER 11 - LUNA
L ife was pretty fucking perfect. At least, it was in this moment. My Rock god confessed his feelings for me, and I floated in a cloud made of energetic, electric, soulful notes as he pressed me up against his door again, kissing me like he feared I might run away and never come back.
I had four men dedicated to me, protective of me, willing to bend the rules for me, and it was more than a girl could want, let alone dream of. Damn… I lived and breathed one of Astra’s sappy romance novels. I was so grateful and content. More than happy, fucking dancing on the sun. The elemental djinn power within me combined into a starburst that longed to birth a new star into life to illuminate the world in love.
Gable sucked my lip into his mouth and nipped gently, then flicked his tongue over the stinging flesh. “Can we skip dinner and go to dessert? I’m hungry for princess pussy, and I want to eat you out five times before I feed you sustenance.”
I groaned into his mouth, our tongues rolling over each other in a seductive dance. This man knew how to kiss. Slow and sensual. I fisted his cotton, long-sleeved shirt, wanting to remove the barrier of clothing between us, and feel his skin under my fingers and palms. He smelled so good—spicy, and earthy like his shop.
“Fuck. My sister.” Gable drew back, stabbing a hand through his wavy dark locks, disheveled from where I ran my fingers through them. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I was used to cockblocks in the classroom. My single bed was a cockblock in of itself when it couldn’t fit all three of my Academy men on it!
Gable’s forefinger strummed my lips like a musical instrument. “You’re still staying. I won’t let you leave.” He parted my mouth, slowly inserting his digit, and I wrapped myself around him. “You’re mine tonight. Fuck what the Guild has to say about it.” He hissed as I drew him deeper.
I loved the assertive note in his voice and that he went after what he wanted with every fiber of his being. This man could teach me a lot about that.
“You better stop that, Princess,” he hummed low and resonantly. “Or I’ll fuck you so hard, we’ll break that window.” His threat went straight to my pussy.
Despite his warning, he pumped his finger inside me, his eyes round, and zeroed in on my mouth. I wanted to sink to my knees and take his thick, hungry length into my mouth. Not yet. Tonight, when Mary retired to the bedroom. Then he was all mine. His cock all mine. His mouth on my pussy, delivering on his promise.
He removed his finger, nipped my bottom lip a final time, and claimed my hand, taking me away from his shop. “My dick hates me right now.”
I squeezed his ass and made him groan. “You can make it up to your dick tonight.”
I admired his profile as we cut through his shop. The lean frame of his torso, strong back, and fit arms, snug in his fitted crew neck steel-blue shirt. Buckle jeans hugged his long legs and fine ass. A body muscled from carrying boxes, playing guitar, and yoga. Smaller than Cole and Talon’s in height and width, but no less sexy. Wavy raven hair that rolled like the notes of his voice, long enough to cover his brows and lashes. Cheeks and lips dipped in pink.
We emerged into his apartment, dimly lit with half the lights on and candles flickering on his small dining and coffee table. The scent of wild berries teased my nose, overpowering the sharp tang of cheddar on the cheesy bread on the counter.
Mary waited for us, standing just inside the doorway, eyes lowered to the floor, hands pressed tightly to her sides like a soldier awaiting an order. She looked more like her brother every day, with raven hair, gray eyes, dark lashes and the tinge of pink on her lips and cheeks. I gave her a good six months of sorting herself out before guys would be knocking down Gable’s door to date the shy beauty.
“Welcome, Princ… Luna.” She bowed her head and held it low.
Nope. We weren’t doing this again. I lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “You don’t have to bow, look down or do any of that formal crap. I’m normal, the same as you. No better than anyone.”
But you love the princess title, my mind reminded me.
I pulled her in for a hug, and she tightened as if she expected me to hurt her. “Gable told me you got sunglasses today. Show me.”
When I released her, her mouth scrunched into a part smile, part uncertain expression. “Okay.”
She scurried away to retrieve them, completing an order, not out of enthusiasm for her new gift. Mary would take her time to adjust to her new way of life, to process that she had autonomy and a say in her life when it had previously been dictated to her. At least, that was how Gable explained it to me, as well as my impression from brief memories of my grandfather forcing me to abide by his will.
Gable helped me out of my jacket and hung it on his coat rack on the wall. He kissed me, stirring the lingering heat in my mouth and core, then broke away. We moved into the kitchen, my man loading two trays of nachos into the oven to heat and setting the timer.
“Got time for a quick game of Exploding Kittens ?” He poured me a bourbon and Coke and himself a straight glass, no ice. “I’ve been teaching Mary, and she’s getting good.”
A huge smile crept up on my face at how patient he was with his sister, teaching her how to survive and cope in a new setting.
“I love you a little more.” I reached out my spare hand and he took it, walking me to the kitchen table, seating me, and marking me with a kiss that tingled all over.
Wearing his typical cocky grin, he rested his glass next to the waiting card box and returned to the kitchen and grabbed the cheesy bread, situating it in front of me. We sat at ninety-degree angles to each other because of the square table, taking turns feeding each other the bread. When we finished it off, he leaned back, his eyebrow lifting, eyes narrowing as he removed the cards and shuffled.
“Trying to psyche me out, Rock god?” I licked the rim of my glass and sipped at my drink.
He pressed a hand to his chest. “Me? Play dirty?” He wagged a finger in my direction. “That’s your game, Princess, licking your glass like that.”
I leaned forward, squishing my breasts against his table, his eyes straying to the bulge in my blouse. “Big talk from?—"
Mary came to sit with us, wearing the sunglasses inside, and interrupting our flirting operation. I shut that down for later when we were alone.
I hid my smile at her innocence behind my hand. “Red really suits you.” The color brought out the cherry notes in her raven hair.
“Thank you, Princ… I’m sorry. Luna.” She slid the frames from her face.
“Don’t be sorry.” I squeezed her wrist, and she flinched, but didn’t move away this time, touch getting easier for her. “Your brother tells me you’re pretty good at Exploding Kittens .”
Her smile warmed and she blushed. “I’m learning.”
“Show me what you’ve got,” I challenged her.
Gable gave me a wink and reached under the table to squeeze my knee. I loved the adoring and appreciative look in his gray eyes, more rain cloud than stormy, giving me a day in bed, reading vibes.
“Speed round before dinner,” Gable announced, dealing us each a hand of eight cards.
I checked my playing hand quickly, putting them in order, holding the set close to my chest, pretending to lean over and inspect Gable’s.
“Cheat!” he laughed, pinching my leg and making me squeal.
“Am not!” I leaned to the other side and played the game with his sister, trying to make her feel comfortable rather than nervous.
“Watch out for this one, Little Bug,” he warned with a smile.
Mary watched us curiously then smiled, clutching her cards close, like she saw her brother do.
“Ready to lose?” I teased them both.
Gable arched a brow. “There’s that competitive spirit I like.”
I studied his sister as she rearranged her hand. Both of us went easy on Mary for the first round, and she knocked me out with a reverse and bomb combo after I used my diffuse card when my man dropped a bomb on me. The oven buzzer went off seconds before she slammed a bomb on Gable’s hand. We cheered and clapped at her win, her smile wide, confidence brimming, making my heart stretch.
“Nice work, Little Bug.” He ruffled her hair. “Stay there. I’ll get dinner.” He shot me another wink and blew me a kiss as he left us.
Mary lifted her eyes to me and quickly flitted them away. “My brother says you study magick at the Guild.” A curious endeavor for mortal enemies.
I leaned my elbow on the table and explained to her how that came about, her eyes meeting mine for brief stints before falling away.
I ended with, “Would you like to study at the Academy?”
I doubted they would go for it when they didn’t extend the offer to Gable, and I was merely a weapon they’d prefer on their side, not against them. Still, it didn’t hurt to ask on her behalf.
She scratched the chipping edge of the table. “No, I don’t have magick. I’d rather be a doctor and do good in this world.”
Neither did Gable, but he harnessed the power of white and dark magick like many witches or warlocks. I respected the fact that she might not want to dabble after her experiences growing up.
“That’s an excellent goal.” I waited for her to look up and patted her arm. Her eyes twitched but she didn’t move. “No less important than being a witch.”
A long wooden tray clonked on the table as my Rock god delivered our dinner—two plates of nachos covered in melted cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. He twisted the wood to allocate a plate with a smaller quantity for Mary and a brimming dish for him and me to share.
“Careful, Little Bug, the plates are hot.” He deposited a dipping bowl half-filled with green-colored peppers. “Do you like jalapenos?”
I waved both hands. “No.” Sweet chili sauce was enough spice for me.
“Are you brave enough to try them, Little Bug?” He held one out to her.
She took it from his fingers and went to place it in her mouth.
“Put it on your corn chip.” He showed her how to do it, using his fork to twirl the cheese over his corn chip, topping it off with two peppers. He took a bite, humming and bopping his head as he chewed.
Mary copied him and coughed, fumbling for her water, gulping it down.
“Too spicy?” Gable asked, and she nodded, panting. He leaped up and poured her a glass of milk. “Drink this.”
I adored the brotherly side of him, when he showed nothing but strength in front of my men, only peeling back his vulnerable side with me.
We waited for the burning in her mouth to subside before we dived into the meal, chatting, getting messy fingers, and even messier plates.
“This is delicious,” I said, sucking the cheddar off the fork.
“I taught Mary how to make the nachos.” Gable filled her with confidence at every turn, bringing her into the conversation, making her feel included, and my heart swelled so big, it might take off like a balloon. “Well, it was a crash course since she slept through most of it.”
“He taught me his secret ingredient.” Mary’s eyes gleamed with purity.
“Oh, really?” I picked up another corn chip, using the fork to scoop on more toppings. “He wouldn’t give me his secret. You must be special.”
Gable shrugged at me and winked at his sister. “It’s a family tradition.”
She giggled, looked at him, smiled and tucked her head, seemingly honored that he only shared it with her. It was beautiful to watch Mary slowly come out of her shell and express herself when she seemed frightened and closed off.
More fun and fluffy conversation sailed us through the rest of the meal. Gable offered me another drink, but I covered my hand over my glass, stopping at one bourbon and Coke , Talon’s orders to keep my wits about me when outside of the Academy’s walls.
Mary did the best she could but couldn’t finish off her plate and pushed it away, blowing out a long breath and rubbing her stomach. “That was delicious, brother. Thank you.”
Gable’s doting smile was everything. “Glad you liked it, Little Bug. I’ll make it again for you.” He leaned over to whisper. “And no matter what Luna says, don’t share our secret recipe.”
She giggled again. “I won’t.”
“Good.” He ruffled her hair.
When we finished our plates, leaving only scraps on them, Mary eagerly jumped up and cleared the dishes away.
I cupped the warm hand on my knee. “You teach her that?”
“Sure did.” He grinned, watching her with a glowing pride I hadn’t seen on his face before.
Mary plugged the sink and got started washing the dishes.
Gable let out a low whistle. “Leave that, sis. Come over and play cards with us. It’s your deal.” He stood up and grabbed the Exploding Kittens deck he moved aside on the sofa.
Mary cut off the water and wandered over, taking her seat, and sliding the pile of cards over to her. Her eyes lit up as she picked through the pile for the diffuse cards, then shuffled the deck and dealt our hands.
We played a solid hour of the game, the night flying by until Mary stretched her arms wide and yawned. “May I go to bed, brother?”
“You don’t have to ask permission, Little Bug.” He stretched over and kissed the side of her head. “Good night. Don’t worry if Luna and I make any noises. I’m not hurting her.”
I blushed so hard, I needed ice cubes to dampen the flames.
Mary got out of her chair and went to bow when Gable clicked his teeth. She corrected and straightened. “Good night, Luna. It was an honor to be in your company.”
We’d have to get her out of that formal habit fast.
“Sleep well.” I waved and smiled as she retreated, spinning on her heel and hurrying to Gable’s bathroom.
I barely had a moment to adjust to us being alone when Gable shifted to the verge of his seat, grabbed me by the back of my neck, pulling me over for a heated kiss that officially kicked off the rest of our night together.
I was thrilled Talon allowed me to stay the night and promised to clear it with the headmaster and text me back with a change of plans. His lack of response told me the Academy didn’t have a problem with the situation.
Gable’s hand came to my ass, edging me forward, lifting me off my seat. “Get your ass on the sofa for a cuddle, Princess.”