Chapter 32
Asnore sounded next to my ear, pulling me from sleep.
I woke with the weight of a body atop mine.
Bastian. I tried to shift and found myself entirely trapped, so I lay there, blinking up at the ceiling in his room.
My legs were parted, and he’d found a way between them, his entire body aligned to mine, sleeping on top of me.
His face was nuzzled into the pillow beside mine, his breath fanning against my cheek.
I swallowed. We were naked and he was hard. His length pressed obscenely between the apex of my thighs, so close to where I wanted it. If I shifted, I could probably work him in.
Heat flushed my cheeks as memories from last night came rushing back, the way he’d fucked me from behind, the way I’d ridden him.
We’d collapsed after that, at nearly five in the morning, and passed out.
I hadn’t even gone through my bedtime routine, which was why my face felt gross with day-old makeup.
Annnnd, I had to pee.
Groaning, I finally pushed him aside. He gave another little snore and readjusted, grabbing the closest pillow and pulling it toward him, wrapping his arms around it.
My shoulders shook with silent giggles, taking in the sight of him, all six foot something, layered with muscle, half his body covered in tattoos and piercings, rings on his fingers, beautiful gray skin, pointed ears, and black hair laced with deep green fanning out around him.
I was in so much trouble with this male.
I shook my head, forcing my gaze away. Otherwise I’d stand here all day.
I slipped from his room, leaving him with Teddy curled up at the foot of the bed.
I went to my bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, my mouth dropped open.
My hand jumped to the crook of my neck to rub the bite mark there.
He’d bitten me! It had been so damn hot.
His teeth hadn’t broken the skin, but there’d be a nice bruise and the outline of his pointed teeth.
I leaned closer for a better look. Except, the longer I stared, the fainter it grew, until it disappeared completely. Like I’d imagined it.
Weird.
I rubbed my temples then set about cleaning myself up. I washed off yesterday's makeup and brushed my teeth—
“Running from me, sugar?” Bastian’s gravelly voice nearly made me jump from my skin.
I sprayed toothpaste on the mirror as I rounded on him, brandishing my toothbrush. He was back in his human form, propped in the doorway with his arms crossed, amusement dancing on his features. He was still completely naked—as was I. I rushed to spit and clean my mouth.
“Thanks for that,” I said, then grabbed a towel and wiped the toothpaste off the mirror.
He chuckled, sauntering into the bathroom.
My heart kicked up as he stalked toward me.
He took me by the hips and lifted me onto the counter, coming to stand between my legs.
His lips found mine, sweet at first before a hand slipped into my hair and tightened, tilting my head back for better access.
A moan escaped me as his tongue swept in.
“Good morning,” he teased, pulling back slightly to look at me. “Think I might be lucky enough to get you in the shower?”
“That depends,” I managed, trying to look annoyed about the toothpaste.
“On?”
“Whether you’ll make me breakfast?” I batted my eyelashes.
He laughed, full bodied and uninhibited. The sound sent shivers across my skin. Something told me he didn’t let just anyone see him unguarded like this. Which made me feel immensely special.
“How are you so fucking cute, even when you scowl at me?” He pressed his finger into the crease that had formed between my eyebrows. “I love this. But anyway, I was already planning on making omelets, so…”
“Omelets?” I sat up straighter. I loved a good omelet, and I was certain his would be amazing.
“Omelets.”
“Then yes! I’m all yours.” He wasted no time. His hands came under my hips, scooping me up. I squealed, trying to wrap myself around him, clinging to him for dear life. “Bastian!” I pinched his hard muscle. He didn’t even flinch.
He walked us into the shower, turning me away from the spray as water came cascading out. Goosebumps prickled my skin and I shivered against him. He set me back on my feet, letting my body slide down his, over his hard cock. Then moved me into the stream of hot water.
My eager groan was answered with a low rumble of a chuckle. His fingers found my hair, working it back, getting it wet. I rolled my lips between my teeth before saying, “Are you going to wash me?”
“You’re mine to care for, so yeah.”
There was that word again. Mine. I let it sink in, trying to ignore the thrill of it. Did he really mean it? I cleared my throat. “Uhm, Bas?”
“Hmm?” He set about lathering up my loofa. “You don’t exactly do relationships, do you?”
“Not usually, no.” His focus was absolute as he prepared to wash me. His long fingers, the way he worked my body wash into a lather, was distracting as hell.
I cleared my throat. “Right. So, relationships. When, exactly, was your last one?”
He shrugged. “Couple centuries ago, give or take”
Which confirmed my suspicions. He hadn’t had one—not since he’d had his heart broken by Sara. The human who’d given him his distrust for humans. For relationships in general.
The loofa was well and truly lathered. “Turn around, Elle. Let me get your back.”
I sighed, complying. A hand wrapped around the front of my shoulder, gently holding me in place while the other began to clean me. I waited in silence for several minutes before saying, “So. You don’t do relationships at all then?”
“Nope.”
“I… I see.” A horrible ache welled in my chest. I’d known this about him. And yet, I’d jumped in head first.
“After Sara,” he finally said, breaking my tortured silence, “I wasn’t interested in getting close to anyone. At first it was out of bitterness and fear. But then I realized that it was just…easier.”
I held my breath, waiting.
“Given what I am, what I do for the fae, it's just…easier. No expectations, no complications. I can disappear for days tracking a charge and not have to explain myself. Never have to meet the parents or friends. Don’t have to plan date nights or buy flowers and chocolates—”
My body was rigid beneath his touch. These were all things I wanted to have with someone someday.
Call me a hopeless romantic, but I wanted my significant other to spoil me with little surprises.
I didn’t need them to spend an exorbitant amount of money on me.
Just…little things, thoughtful things to show they cared.
Bastian’s movements slowed.
I cleared my throat, trying to inject levity into my tone. “I suppose it’s good to know I shouldn’t expect any roses, then?”
I was so disappointed. In myself, mostly, for getting my hopes up.
Bastian’s hand tightened, gently pulling me back. His mouth came to my ear. “Baby girl. I will buy you a hundred roses if that will make you happy. Or even a thousand. What’s your favorite color?”
My stomach bottomed out. “My… My favorite color?”
“Mmm-hmm”
“You can’t guess?” A hot feeling that felt a lot like hope rekindled in my chest.
“Pink?” I nodded. “I thought so.”
I sucked in a sharp breath because—
“There. It’s not a thousand, but I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”
My vision blurred with tears. I was surrounded by roses. They lay strewn across every surface in the bathroom, even littered over the floor, clustered in vases, everywhere. Countless long stemmed pink roses in various shades. “You… How… What… Did you just…?”
“Don’t worry.” He lips brushed my ear with a gentle kiss. “I paid for them. I keep loose cash around for all those missing ingredients you mentioned. The stuff I might need on occasion.”
A giddy laugh burst free of my chest. “I can’t even… That’s a lot of loose cash for missing ingredients,” I managed. Because this many roses must have cost a fortune.
I took it all in, my chest burning. A few tears slipped free, mingling with the water slipping down my skin. Their sweet scent filled the room, mixing with the heavy steam of the shower. I inhaled, my shoulders immediately relaxing.
“Now,” he said, “what else would you like, since we’re at it? Chocolate? Diamonds? Both?”
“You,” I gasped, spinning to face him. “Just you. On your knees for me.”
His smile was pure wickedness. He complied, erasing any doubt that he wouldn’t be good at this sort of thing—whatever it was we were doing. I still had a lot to get off my chest regarding what we were—because I wanted an answer to that—but for now, the gesture was enough.
When his tongue found the heat between my legs, I braced my back against the shower’s tile.
I wrapped my hands around his head to anchor myself, draping my right leg over his shoulder.
He lapped at me, running his tongue along my opening, circling my clit.
His piercing sent zings of pleasure straight to my core.
Soon enough, my legs began to tremble as my orgasm built.
My head fell back against the wall. I closed my eyes, letting the steam and the scent of roses wash over me. “Fuck, Bastian,” I whispered, my body tightening.
A low chuckle sent tingles shooting straight to my pussy.
Pleasure raked its sinuous claws over me.
I rocked my hips against his mouth, moaning.
“More,” I begged, growing desperate, aching.
Bastian’s fingers slipped inside me. First one, and then two.
They curled, hitting my inner walls just right.
I came apart. A cry wrenched from my lips, hips bucking against his mouth.
His movements slowed, growing gentle as he finished licking me.
When I dropped my gaze to his, all I saw were hot green sparks. He licked his lips and his glamor flashed in and out, a sign he was losing control. When he smiled, all I saw were the points of his goblin teeth, ready to devour me whole.