Chapter 14
Leila
Leila leaned against the corridor railing and peered down at the brothel below.
She was supposed to be discreet, but the patrons were far too busy with their sexual exploits to point their eyes upward.
Besides, the cover of night would’ve concealed Her regardless.
It was strange, how light She felt in this den of lechery.
She’d been fed a warm meal, had bathed for far longer than necessary, and had fallen asleep the moment Her head hit the pillow.
The people below may have found the brothel heady and thrilling, but for Her, the place was a comfort.
She abandoned the corridor, the door to Her chamber creaking as She slipped inside.
The space was understated in a cozy way, with a simple wooden table and even simpler chairs, a chest of drawers they had little use for, and a mirrored wardrobe that reminded Her of home.
She’d never seen personal quarters as small, but She adored it nonetheless.
For the time being, it belonged to Her—and Tobias, still fast asleep.
He lay tucked in their bed, a burgundy sheet draped over his hips.
Taking a seat at his side, She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, the full lashes pressed to his cheeks.
She couldn’t remember the last time She’d seen him at peace.
Every sacrifice, each injury he’d endured, even the chamber they were sharing—he’d done it all for Her.
She swept the curls from his forehead, and he flinched beneath Her fingertips. “Darling . . .” Tobias squinted, stirring awake. “You’re back.”
“Apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She softened beneath his stare. “I missed you.”
“Well then, don’t be shy.”
He grabbed Her by the waist, pulling Her into their bed at his side. She sank into his arms, calm and content. Only he could do that for Her.
Tobias propped himself onto his elbow, looking down at Leila with a fixed gaze that made Her chuckle. “Why are you looking at Me like that?”
“I’m making sure You’re real. I’ve had many dreams that began like this.”
“Well, I can assure you, I’m here in the flesh.”
“Good.”
His gaze didn’t stray from Hers, his eyes especially black in the dimness of their room. She knew what he was thinking. She was thinking it too.
“Are You upset with me?” he said. “I lied to Isa.”
“I’m not upset.” She couldn’t help but smirk. “It was rather clever, really. I’m impressed.”
“I’m not sure the others will feel the same.”
“Had you told Isa we were seeking lodging for My staff, they would have never given us refuge.” She ran Her hands down his bare chest. “We are here because of your cunning and bravery. I’m very grateful.”
Tobias nestled his head against Hers before kissing Her temple. “They’re going to be difficult to convince. They’ll need an incentive.”
Leila stiffened. The reality of their dilemma had played in Her mind a thousand times over already. Isa would require persuasion, and there was one price above all else that could appease even the most petulant opposition—a price She couldn’t bear to pay.
“We have plenty of coin—”
“I’m to meet with Delphi in four days’ time.” Leila silenced Tobias before he could continue. “Only then does Isa need to know our plan. For now, can we just . . . rest?” She wrapped Her arms around his shoulders. “I just want to be with you.”
Tobias was quiet for a moment before nodding, pressing his lips to Hers. Coin—it was the clear solution, but it wasn’t Hers to give. Their coin belonged to Tobias and his family. To strip them of it was a cruelty She didn’t want to face.
Tobias deepened their kiss, and the familiar taste of sugar swept Her tongue.
Fuchsia billowed from his back like a cape, and Leila breathed in its sweetness.
She basked in his desire, and every other sensation became heightened and alive—the soft pout of his bottom lip, the rasp of his breath, the roughness of his hands sliding up Her back.
“What happens in these dreams of yours?” Leila whispered. “Show Me.”
A growl of arousal rumbled from his throat. He didn’t speak, eyes locked with Hers while he went to work untying the belt at Her waist. Goose bumps sprang across Her skin as he opened the front of Her dress, and She gasped when he swirled his tongue along Her neck.
She closed Her eyes, breath wavering as his lips traveled down Her chest, and She arched Her back when he cupped Her breasts.
Every inch of Her flesh was vibrating with need, then galvanized further by Tobias’s potent swells of pink.
He continued his worship, trailing soft kisses down Her stomach, and then he spread Her legs wide and nipped at Her inner thighs.
The wait was torturous, leaving Her squirming, whimpering, and when his tongue finally lapped at Her core, She couldn’t stifle Her moan.
Tobias shuffled from the bed, his knees dropping to the floor with a thud.
Before She could ask what he was doing, he grabbed Her hips and slid Her forward, pulling Her to the edge of the bed and hoisting Her thighs over his shoulders.
Wordlessly, he buried his face between Her legs, and She choked out his name as he licked Her clit.
They’d spent several glorious days exploring in the bedroom, but tonight he was different—primal and ravenous, and the sight of him excited Her nearly as much as the wonders he worked with his tongue.
She’d thought he’d need instruction, but their past studies had been more than adequate.
His mouth was proficient, even godly, and She found an even greater appreciation for his large, pillowy lips.
“Tobias,” She moaned, and his gaze flitted Her way, fierce with intention. He watched as She wriggled in the sheets, and when he sucked at Her clit, he watched Her buck Her hips and cry out once more. Pressure was building low in Her belly, and She spread Her legs wider, greedy for more.
“Tobias . . .”
Her words caught in Her throat, but She didn’t need to speak them.
He wasn’t stopping, hungrier with every passing second.
Each sensation coalesced in a blissful symphony—Tobias’s fingers digging into Her thighs, Her lungs heaving for air, and the mounting intensity between Her legs.
Then Tobias slid two fingers inside Her, stroking in time with his tongue, and Leila cried out, clutching the sheets and arching against the mattress.
She’d been wrong—this was ecstasy, and Tobias was its master.
Her legs trembled, but he didn’t lose focus.
He had taken Her to the brink. She was almost there, desperate, yearning.
The most powerful climax She’d ever experienced rocked Her body.
Pressure pounded between Her legs like a heartbeat, Her body taut as She savored every second of Her orgasm.
Another shockwave rolled through Her, teetering the line between pleasure and pain, the sensation nearly too much to bear.
She reveled in its euphoria, in the feeling of complete release—in Tobias, who didn’t stop his labor of lust until She collapsed against the sheets, breathless.
Leila lay limp, sweat beading along Her skin.
Tobias hopped back onto the bed and sidled up to Her, kissing Her tenderly.
He wasn’t finished; the pink hue of the chamber hadn’t faded, and it wasn’t long before he was nipping at Her neck and kneading Her breasts.
She couldn’t help but laugh, lazily throwing Her arms around his neck.
“What are You thinking?” he murmured.
His hard cock flexed against Her stomach, and She chuckled. “Nothing.” His hand roamed south, settling between Her legs where Her center was still wet and thrumming. She let out a contented sigh. “I just fucking love you.”
Tobias was lost in his reverence, his hands and mouth roving over Her, and She surrendered to his adoration. Their worries would be waiting for them in the morning, but for a fleeting moment, there was only Tobias, his colors, his love.
“You didn’t tell them?”
The scorn in Yucana’s voice was harsh enough to wound. Leila had figured she’d react that way—that the others would shame Tobias for his secrecy. That’s why they had decided, together, to stall the news, at least until they’d adjusted to brothel life. But after a few days of silence, it was time.
They’d called a meeting that evening in their personal chamber—the same chamber that had been used for far more enjoyable exploits.
Leila glanced toward the freshly made bed, imagining it mussy and damp—fond memories.
Clearing Her throat, She focused on the task at hand.
Their traveling party was here, and it was time to deliver the blow.
They were seeking refuge for forty or more people, and Isa hadn’t a clue.
“How exactly was I supposed to do that?” Tobias said. “‘Hello, fearsome Holder. You have no desire to give the five of us asylum, so allow me to add forty people to the equation.’”
Yucana shook her head. “It was deceptive.”
“Forgive me for prioritizing our lives over honesty.”
“He did the right thing.” Raphael offered Tobias a reassuring nod. “Gave us an opening. We can work with it.”
“This place is massive,” Naomi added. “Surely there’s enough space.”
“They’d likely have to share chambers with the courtesans or even take the service bowers.” Yucana’s critical gaze didn’t lift. “It’ll be a significant cut to the holder’s income, not to mention the danger involved.”
Leila clamped Her teeth tight. Those were rational points indeed, hence the secrecy. Besides, Yucana stating the obvious wasn’t helping the matter. There was only one way to coax such a stubborn hand, and Leila couldn’t stomach it.
“We need a bargaining chip,” Raphael said as if reading Leila’s thoughts. “Something to sway them in our favor.”
Tobias chimed in, “Well, the most logical answer is—”
“Coin,” Leila said. “The coin we need to support ourselves. To secure an army.”