Chapter 11
Arran
The rest of the night, Audrey cooks. Dish after dish makes its way onto the kitchen table as she works to keep her mind distracted and her hands busy while she entertains me with stories of her and Tilly’s youth.
I assist Audrey whenever she requests, remaining present and washing plates, bowls, and utensils as she directs. But I can’t deny the innate desire to brush my fingers across the small of her back, or let my hand linger on hers whenever she passes me something.
There’s an unquenched thirst for Audrey, and the fact I haven’t yet tasted her on my tongue or brought her to climax—multiple times—bothers me more than I dare say.
But I can’t think of doing any of that yet, not while Audrey’s worries are so big. Once we know Tilly and the babies are out of harm’s way and I can finally take Audrey back home again, I’m going to take my time and truly show Audrey how good I can make it for her.
I walk over to the kitchen window to check on the moon’s progression, concern weaving through me upon seeing it closer to the western horizon than expected. Morning will be here soon and I’ll need to get back to the safety of my castle before then.
Audrey comes up behind me and wiggles herself in under my arm to also look at the moon. I don’t know why I enjoy the gesture as much as I do, but it feels comfortable, almost natural, and unlike anything I’ve experienced in a couple of centuries.
“Tell me what we’re looking at,” Audrey says as I drape my arm around her shoulders and pull her against me.
“Sunrise isn’t far off.”
Audrey reaches up and curls a hand around my forearm resting across her chest. “In that case, let’s finish up here and head back.”
“You don’t mind?” I ask, snaking my other hand around her waist, that need for more contact, more Audrey, undeniable once again.
Audrey turns around in my arms and fists her hands on her hips. “You think I want you to go up in flames on my behalf? Sorry if I gave you that impression.”
“No, you didn’t. I—”
“I’m fucking with you,” Audrey says, her expression full of mirth. “All the food is done, the dishes are washed, and the living room is tidy. Katie can find us at the castle with any news.”
“Thank you.” I think about kissing Audrey for all of a second, and then decide to just do it anyway. No passion, no ulterior motive, just a press of my lips to hers in gratitude.
Audrey looks a little stunned when I pull back, but there’s a small smile adorning her mouth as she steps away from me and sets about placing the various dishes in the icebox, each one with a note attached to it.
I hold the yellow front door open while Audrey gives the cottage a final look, checking that everything is in its rightful place.
“Why are all the cottage doors on the island painted except yours? Audrey asks as she steps past me.
“I’ve never felt particularly attached to any color to commit to it,” I explain. Though, if I were to pick a color today, I’d consider painting it a deep ruby red, I silently add.
As the castle’s tallest turret emerges behind the next hill, I grab Audrey’s hand and bring us to a halt. I turn around and pull her behind me, my ears straining to place the approaching sound.
“It’s Katie,” I announce, recognizing the flutter of her delicate fairy wings.
In less than a breath, Audrey rounds me and lifts onto her toes, weaving up and down as she scans the dark hills for a glimpse of Katie.
If she wasn’t so anxious at this moment, I’d consider Audrey to look adorable like this.
Audibly making this remark though, is not something I’m brave enough to do.
“Damned human senses,” Audrey grumbles. “They’re basically worthless in the dark.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t have to wait too long until Katie appears with a smile so bright, it’s impossible to miss it.
When Katie’s still a way off, Audrey shouts, “Are the babies here? Is Tilly okay?”
“All in good health,” Katie pants, her chest heaving with short breaths when she comes to stand in front of us.
“Bodin and Tilly are one boy and one girl richer. The babies’ Apgar scores are great and Tilly is tired but in good spirits.
She says to tell everyone that she’s never seen Bodin smile so much as when he’s holding both of them.
The hospital is keeping everyone in for observation, but they’ll be back home in a couple of days. ”
The relief rushing through Audrey is nearly palpable. Her stiff shoulders drop as her worries roll off of them, and an intoxicating laugh bubbles up from her chest. It’s like she’s been waiting to take a full breath all night and can finally allow herself to.
“Thank you, Katie,” I say, conscious not to touch Audrey in case a new rumor finds its way around the island before sunrise.
“You’re very welcome. I was on strict orders to find Audrey first and relay those precise sentences while Doc Calla shares the good news with Beryl and Calixta. My next stop is Shinsu and Nori, then Ren and Maisie, then…”
Audrey envelops Katie with a hug, catching the fairy off guard, but she quickly recovers and wraps her arms around Audrey too.
“If you hear anything else, please let us know,” Audrey says when she steps away.
“Will do. You better get inside now, the sun is rising soon,” Katie says before fluttering away. She must really be taking her job as messenger seriously because never before have I heard her speak so few words.
Once Katie is out of sight, Audrey looks at me, her eyes alight with such joy I can’t help but smile back at her.
“I feel like celebrating.”
The intention behind Audrey’s words has blood rushing through my body and straight toward my cock.
The sensation reminds me that I haven’t fed yet, so whatever happens next needs to be solely focused on Audrey’s pleasure and not mine.
If I were to climax again, the temptation to bite her would be too great.
This is also not a problem for me. In fact, I consider this to be the perfect opportunity to right the scales after our earlier tryst.
Tonight, I’m not planning to stop after bringing Audrey to climax just once or twice. I aim to draw so much pleasure from Audrey that she’ll never forget me once she leaves this island.
“Come,” I say as I take Audrey’s hand and pull her toward the castle.
“Oh, I plan on it. Multiple times.”
When we get through the castle’s door, I sweep Audrey up in my arms and dash up the stairs, straight to her room.
I deposit her onto the bed and reach for her pants, shucking them unceremoniously down her legs.
“Wait,” Audrey says, lifting my chin.
I stop everything I’m doing and step back from the bed, raising my hands in surrender. I’m unsure if I moved too fast or did something wrong, but if Audrey wants to stop, I’ll walk out right now. I never want her to feel unsafe with me.
Audrey tsks. “Don’t give me that worried face. I just want you to close the curtains before we get carried away. If the sun comes up while we’re busy I’d hate to be the reason you get hurt.”
My heart misses a beat before it speeds up again, hammering against my chest with appreciation for this woman in front of me. It’s not that I’ve never experienced kindness, but I can’t recall the last time I’ve received such consideration for my needs.
I feel unbelievably lucky to have this time with Audrey. One day, she’s going to make her chosen partner the luckiest creature in the world. I’m under no false pretenses that it would be me, but while I have her here, I’m going to pretend that I have a chance of winning her affection.
“Thank you,” I mutter while I head for the heavy maroon drapes.
Audrey, clad in only a shirt and a tiny scrap of lace covering her cunt, proceeds to light the sconces around the room, casting her bedroom in a warm, honey glow. I’m speechless as I watch her pert ass sway, her comfort in her own perfect body a beautiful thing to behold.
Once done, she turns back to me, her eyes dark and looking as ravenous as I feel. “Listen, stud, I’m warning you now. Don’t get addicted to this pussy or, godsforbid, fall in love with me. We can have fun while I’m living here, but you have to remember I’m leaving soon.”
I stalk forward until I’m standing between her spread thighs. “Don’t fret. Everything in my life is temporary.”
Brows drawing together, it looks like Audrey wants to either argue or ask a question, but I don’t give her time to. Right now, her pleasure is my only concern.
Audrey hums in appreciation as I lower myself onto my knees at the foot of the bed. “Now this is a sight I can get used to,” she says, resting her foot on my shoulder.
I turn and give her leg a kiss, repeating the action on the other side when that foot finds its way onto my other shoulder.
“How many climaxes do you want tonight?” I ask, hooking my fingers into the string around her hips and slowly lowering her underwear down her legs. I take my time, scraping my calluses along her smooth skin, watching goose bumps dot her thighs in the wake of my touch.
Audrey’s rosy scent blooms as she watches me bring the tiny piece of fabric to my nose, inhaling her musky scent.
“Two to three,” she says huskily, parting her thighs further and giving me a view of her glistening cunt. “Think you can manage that?”
I grin up at Audrey and drape her legs over my shoulders, lowering my face closer to the source of my impending madness. “I think we can do better than that. Let’s count and see.”
The first sweep of my tongue up Audrey’s slit is nirvana, and I instantly crave more. Her hands reach for me and she presses my head down into her delicious cunt, but I need no motivation to continue.
“Fucking delicious,” I growl before diving back in.
I lick and suck, lapping up every drop of arousal from Audrey’s slick cunt until she’s panting and writhing against my face, her breathy gasps and moans the perfect song to spur me on.
The taste of her is sweet, intoxicating, and though she’s forbidden me from it, also addictive. I eat and eat, wanting more and more, needing Audrey to enjoy this as much as I am.