52. In Which the Soft Morning Light Leads to a Cozy Scene
Chapter 52
In Which the Soft Morning Light Leads to a Cozy Scene
La Palazza Stellarum in the Hills of Asteria
T he soft shuffling sounds of someone moving about his room caused Evander to reach for her instinctively. His arm glided across the sheets, searching, wanting to pull her near and cradle her again. She felt so right next to him, fitting perfectly, her ass nestled against his hips. When his hand didn’t connect with her hip, he opened one eye to look around the darkened room. Her silhouette against the wall of windows moved around his chamber carrying a small rectangular light. Her shadow came close to the bed, leaning over him. He smelled her scent long before her hand gently touched his cheek.
“Go back to sleep,” she whispered.
Evander grunted and reached for her, pulling her to him across the bed in a flurry of feathers and skin. Ellie didn’t resist but snuggled beside him, purring into his shoulder. He buried his nose in her hairline, kissing her.
“Evander,” she said into his hair, “I need to go.”
Moving her head gave him access to her neck. Kissing his way to her jawline, he kept her body next to him.
“Mmm,” he murmured against her lips before kissing her. Ellie kissed him back just as eagerly as last night and pulled his head down towards her, stretching her body along his. By the gods, his appetite for her was insatiable.
“Evander,” she scolded, “I have to go.”
He tightened his hold around her waist and playfully threw a leg over hers, trapping her beneath him. “Mine.”
“I have to go. Camulos is waiting. Y’all don’t understand sleep, remember?”
He growled and rolled her on top of him, straddling his waist. She giggled and tried to wiggle free, but he gripped her thigh with one hand, his nub resting on her knee. Sometime after round three, he had taken off his arm. The nub ached from overuse, but it was worth it. She was worth it. Her hand traveled up his forearm to his fingers, lacing hers through his. The other rested on his bicep, forcing her to lean forward just enough.
“What have I told you about dressing in my shirts?” he taunted, rocking his hips.
She sucked in a sharp breath and rocked with him. He pulled up the hem and tsked at her. “Naughty girl, no knickers.”
“Well, you ruined my panties, so what’s a girl to do?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and giggled when he tickled her thigh.
“How’d I get so lucky? Do you know what a vision you are?” he asked, reaching up and tucking a wayward curl behind her ear. She leaned into his palm, her eyes bright.
“You were a handsome, chiseled god who wore cheap sunglasses, remember?”
Snickering, he remembered their encounter on the ship’s deck. It didn’t seem possible they were strangers just a few weeks ago, and now she was the woman of his dreams, smiling down on him with love in her eyes. He hadn’t wanted to press the issue last night, but seeing her like this, smiling, her hair mussed, a brightness to her cheeks that came from lovemaking, he knew she loved him, even if she wasn’t ready to say it yet. And he’d gladly wait. He had waited two hundred years to find her; he’d wait two hundred more if that’s what she needed. She rotated her hips, and he bit into his bottom lip as she rubbed across the tip.
“Morning, cowboy,” she drawled.
Lifting her hips just enough so he could slide into her, she hissed as he entered, her fingers digging into his chest. She should be sore, but she was already wet, already wanting him; it didn’t take long. She rocked forward and back, riding him as he thrust up into her, adding to her pleasure. Her head rolled back, and she arched her back.
“So beautiful,” he encouraged, grasping her hip and sinking his fingers into her skin. She was fantastic last night and better this morning. He relished watching her respond to everything he did, every praise he gave. She deserved everything he offered for however long they had. “That’s right. Gods, Ellie.”
She moaned, and he could feel her tightening around him. She was close, and so was he. They moved together, both getting what they needed, and when Ellie came apart, Evander was there to hold her pieces until she came together again. She collapsed onto his chest, her hair covering most of his face. His fingertips traveled up and down her shirt-covered spine.
“So fucking beautiful,” he cooed.
Sometime later, she slipped into her shoes, and he begged again for her to stay.
“Don’t go. Stay. Stay here. I’m way more fun than Camulos.” He took her earlobe into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue, causing her to draw in a sharp breath. She swatted at him, but she dropped her head back, giving in. His lips found the tender part behind her ear. Ellie sank against him. He had her around the waist with his one arm, her back to his chest. She placed a hand on his forearm, stroking the muscles with her thumb. The other hand danced across his bare thigh. She had effectively wrapped him around her, refusing to let go. Evander chuckled low in her ear.
“I don’t think you want to go, do you?” Tightening his grip, he squeezed before relaxing. Ellie was shaking her head.
“I don’t want to go, no. But I have to. I need a shower and to change clothes. I can’t go train with Camulos like this.” She leaned to the side, tilting her chin upwards so she could look at him with one eye in the receding dark. She kissed his jaw. “I’ll see you at breakfast in the library between our rooms?”
He nuzzled her temple, kissing her eyelid, cheek, and jaw before finally releasing her. Standing, she turned, placed a finger under his chin, and kissed him. Then she giggled and began raining tiny kisses on his lips, his cheeks, his forehead. He reached for her again, but she moved.
“I put your arm in its case, so it’ll be charged for you. Go back to sleep. I’ll be okay.”
A warmth spread through his heart at her caring gesture. He was utterly in love. Smiling in the blue gray of early morning at her thoughtfulness, he squeezed her hand.
“Thank you.” His voice filled with emotion.
“See you in a bit, darlin’,” she drawled and started for the door.
“You’re wearing that?” He sat up and feigned shock at her bare legs under his oversized dress shirt.
She gave him a coy grin. “It’s what I wore last time I left your room early. Wouldn’t want to break tradition.”
“Such a scandal, naughty girl,” he scolded.
“A naughty girl who’s going commando,” she said as she shrugged one shoulder. Evander pushed himself forward, rushing off the bed, intent on grabbing her and forcing her to stay.
Maybe he should tie her to his bedpost?
She squealed and ran to the door. Turning, she winked at him. He fell back against the pillows and watched her leave his chambers, the door shutting with a loud click.
Grabbing her pillow, he snuggled it, burying his nose, breathing in her intoxicating scent of citrus and wood smoke. Closing his eyes, he was asleep in minutes, exhaustion overtaking him. Visions of Ellie rising under him, her lips parting as he entered her, danced through his dreams.