11. Eve #3
“Not quite.”
Moving much slower than we did to reach the bath, Harven carries me back to my room. The servants we pass keep their faces neutral, but I have no doubt they’ll be sharing what they saw come morning. Good. I want the whole castle to know the king is mine. At least for now.
I tuck my head under his chin. My lips brush his throat.
“Tonight was wonderful. I’m looking forward to our second date.”
“I’ll come up with something fun for us to do after dinner.” He pulls back to catch my eye. “Leri has mentioned you being bored. You said it again tonight. What would you like to do with your free time?”
My lips twist to the side.
“I’m not sure. On land, I didn’t have many hobbies. I was a painter. That was my job. I made artwork. If there was some way to do that here, I would—”
“It will be done,” Harven vows. “I’ll consult with my servants to acquire all the supplies you will need.”
The ache in my chest deepens. If I’m not careful, I’m going to give my heart away to him as well as my womb.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his skin.
We soon reach my door. Harven sets me down on the cool tiles. The guards posted outside are rigid and stone-faced. I ignore them as my eyes connect with the king’s. His hand raises to tuck a piece of drying hair behind my ear.
Tension gathers between us. We are an electric current, each of us capturing the other in our fields. Invisible hands shove us together. A string has us tied around the middle, locking us together. I breathe him in and let his power wash over me.
“Our date isn’t over just yet, Harven.” I lick my dry lips. “Particularly good dates end in a specific way.”
“How?”
Stepping closer, I let his tentacles ravage my bare legs. They curl around my flesh and suction tightly. The sensation makes me go wet between my thighs. My mouth parts as I push up on my toes and pray my towel stays in place.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I brush my lips over his.
“With a kiss.”
I seal our mouths together.
His taste explodes through me, more potent than before. Our first kiss was marred by confusion and distrust. It happened in a room full of corpses while he went on and on about my womb.
This is our true first kiss, one born out of mutual desperation.
Whimpering against his lips, I taste his snarl on my tongue. The careful restraint Harven has kept all night shatters. His hands fall to my waist as he lifts me up. I groan as he pins me to the wall. My legs go on either side of his powerful torso.
The hunger in his kiss feeds mine.
His tentacles lock around my legs, keeping them open. My mouth parts on a whimper and his tongue slides in. I yield to the expert way he teases mine. Over and over he slicks it into my mouth, mimicking the punishing pace I know he intends to fuck me at.
My pussy clenches at the thought. She has a mind of her own, turning even wetter and needier. If I let her decide us, Harven and I would already be inside me.
This attraction goes beyond an initial spark. It’s primal. If I wasn’t certain about our mating bond before, I am now. Harven’s fingers rove over my ass and hips. He squeezes every bit of me through the towel.
His tentacles aid him as they spread along my chest. Two press against my breasts, teasing my hardening nipples.
We break for air as my head falls back against the wall. Harven devours my neck and chest. Biting and sucking as if he can devour me whole.
“Harven,” I moan as his tentacle trails higher on my leg.
It feels too good. He is everywhere. His mouth suction to my throat. His scent is in my lungs. The need for him rages in my blood.
His tentacle slips under the hem of my towel.
“Harven,” I gasp again.
It’s too much. I have to end this now before we end up fucking against my door for the whole castle to see. My hands spear into his hair and grip his scalp.
“Harven. S—stop, we have to stop—”
With a guttural growl, Harven releases me. I land softly on the marble as his tentacles retreat from my body. His hands on my waist linger before he pulls them back.
Breathing heavily, I take in his stormy gaze. Lust and desire rage in his dark gold eyes. A similar storm is brewing inside me. My breathing is rough as I hold onto the wall to steady myself.
He reaches for me, but stops.
“Eve. I’m sorry. I—”
I shake my head.
“It’s not you. It’s me. I got carried away.” I take his hand and thread our fingers together. “Thank you for stopping.”
The side of his mouth curls.
“You aren’t ready for all of me yet.” He squeezes my hand, then drops it to open the door. “Sleep well, Eve. I want you rested for our date tomorrow. I’m planning a long one.”
Crossing over the threshold, I look back at him. A day ago I wanted him dead. I vowed to die before letting him touch me.
Now, if I delay a moment longer, I’ll give in to my desire and let him take me right here.
Regardless of the danger, I can’t help but tease him one final time tonight.
“With more kissing?” I ask.
Harven’s smile is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“All the kissing you could want, my mate.”