Chapter 20
Ava released a contented sigh as she leaned back against Casimir’s chest, the warm water in the deep tub easing her aching muscles. She inhaled the scent of lavender and lemon, closing her eyes and relishing the quiet time with her soulbond.
They’d been in Mosshaven four days and Ava’s leg was completely healed, though she still had a slight limp the healers told her would resolve itself soon.
They were leaving for Caelestia tomorrow and she had to admit she was nervous.
Casimir’s family was difficult, to say the least, and she knew he was dreading the upcoming trip as much as she was.
After the interactions she’d had with both Casimir’s father and brother at the Summer Solstice ball not long ago, she had no idea how she was going to convince them to join the fight against Andras.
They seemed to despise everyone from the earth kingdom.
Goosebumps peppered her skin as Casimir’s fingers traced gentle circles below her collarbone, his other arm across her stomach, holding her close.
“I could stay here forever,” she whispered.
“Mmm…Me too,” he murmured, placing a soft kiss against the curve of her neck.
She let out a small sigh. “I’m nervous about going to Caelestia.”
Taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he beheld her with tenderness in his golden eyes.
“I know, love. But I have faith you can convince them to aid us. I know you still question yourself sometimes, but you’re incredible.
And you’ll make them see that. You will make them want to aid us. ”
She brushed her fingers along his jaw. “You are too, Cas. I hate that they can’t see how amazing you are.”
“It doesn’t matter. Blood doesn’t equal family. My family is here in Mosshaven.”
“Mine too,” she whispered.
He pulled her closer and pressed a delicate kiss to her lips. “Let me distract you from your nerves, princess.”
“And how might you do that?”
“Shall I show you?” He tilted her head to trail kisses down the length of her neck.
“Yes…please,” she whimpered, arching against him.
He groaned and scraped his teeth along her shoulder. Trailing his fingers down her waist, they dipped below the water, slowly making their way between her legs while his other hand continued drawing tantalizing circles along her chest.
Ava gasped as his fingers traced the outline of her breast, taunting her with a delicious motion as he avoided her peaked nipples. His other hand brushed her inner thighs while he continued his ministrations along her neck and shoulder, nipping and licking her soft skin.
“Cas…” she moaned, urging him to touch her where she needed to feel him.
“Yes, love?” He kissed her neck, a hint of a smile in his voice. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“I…you’re—ooooh…” She gasped when he finally pinched her nipple, rolling it between his fingertips.
He chuckled at her reaction and continued his torment between her legs, stroking everywhere but the exact spot she wanted. “I’m what?”
“…stop teasing me…”
“Perhaps I enjoy teasing you.” He pulled his hand away from her breast and tilted her head toward him.
His lips met hers again, slow and gentle at first, his tongue tracing the seam, and urging her to open. He kissed her with a passion that ignited every cell in her body. She moaned and he increased the intensity, hand cupping her face while the other gripped her hip and moved her against him.
She tried to turn and face him, but he broke the kiss. “No, princess.” He rose from the step they had been sitting on and turned them both around. “Hands on the side of the tub, love.”
“Are you bossing me around in the bedroom?” Ava asked with amusement. Casimir guided her to kneel on the step, the water now coming up to mid-thigh, leaving the rest of her exposed.
She shivered, waiting, her senses in overdrive.
He stood behind her and leaned over, his massive body covering hers, and whispered in her ear, “Technically I’m bossing you around in the bathroom.” His hand moved down her stomach, pulling her against him. He spread her legs further apart with his knee. “Do you like it?”
Her palms rested on the side of the tub while he lined himself up with her entrance. “Yes,” she gasped as he teased her with the tip of his cock.
He placed featherlight kisses along her spine, then back up again, as he continued to taunt her, not fully entering. “I told you I was going to take you from behind so I could enjoy the view.” A hand massaged her ass and he groaned. “And what a delicious view it is.”
“Cas…please…” she whimpered, attempting to drive herself backward onto him, but he gripped her hips and held firm.
He ran his hands up the sides of her waist, palming her heavy breasts, squeezing and twisting her hardened nipples.
Moving lower, he grabbed her hips once more as he lost control and entered her in one smooth thrust. The angle of him behind her was so deep she let out a guttural moan, her whole body shuddering.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No.” A gasp. “Keep going.”
He groaned and began to move, picking up the pace as he guided her backward. Leaning over, he kissed her shoulder, hitting the perfect spot with every thrust.
Continuing his relentless rhythm, he dipped a hand between her legs and circled her clit, bringing her close to the edge so quickly her whole body trembled. Whimpers turned into cries of ecstasy as he upped the pace, increasing the pressure in time with his thrusts.
The orgasm hit her like a powerful wave. She collapsed onto her elbows, barely able to keep herself upright. Tingles raced along her skin, her vision wavered, her legs quivered.
Every time they were together—each time they joined—it was transcendent, all-consuming, carnal. She never knew sex could feel like this. That this type of pleasure existed. Not until him. The other half of her soul.
Casimir reached an arm around her waist and pulled her upright, flush against his chest, as he thrust into her. Moving his hand back down, he resumed stroking her clit. “Again.”
“I…I can’t…”
“Yes, you can.”
He held her steady while continuing his thrusts. His other hand circled her overly sensitive clit, and she trembled, gasping and unable to catch her breath. She reached behind her, threading her fingers through his hair.
“You’re almost there, princess.”
She whimpered, unable to form words, when the tip of his finger suddenly warmed. An electric sensation went straight to her core, her entire body shivering as she jerked in his arms.
“Just like that, love.”
Her second orgasm tore through her, her mouth open on a silent scream, her head falling back on his shoulder. Tightening her grip on his hair, every cell in her body lit up with pleasure, back arching, toes curling.
He followed her over the edge with a throaty growl, burying his face into her neck and spilling inside her with one last deep thrust.
He stilled, breathing heavily with his hands on her hips. Peppering kisses along the top of her shoulder.
“What was that?” she gasped, still trembling. “What did you do?”
He pulled out and gently lifted her in his arms, her body limp with pleasure, and lowered them both back into the water.
Spinning her around, he laid her gently in his lap, and ran his hands along her curves, cleaning her with tenderness.
“I used the tiniest bit of starlight to help you along. Just enough to heat my finger.”
Ava nuzzled into the crook of his neck. “That was…wow.”
He let out a low chuckle. “I’ll have to remember that trick, then.”
After washing each other, they dried off and stumbled to their room, crashing into the soft bed and falling asleep almost instantly, exhausted with pleasure.