Chapter 36 #3
He just blinked, dumbfounded. Maybe the nightgown was doing its job.
There was a slip of black silk over my nipples but the rest of the bodice was black lace that draped in a deep vee almost to my navel, the thinnest of straps holding it up over my shoulders.
The black silk swathed my hips and fell to the floor, lace running along the sides of the nightgown.
There was a slit up one side that came almost to my hip, and as I moved, the silk slipped over my curves and clung to my ass.
In two seconds, he had dropped what he was holding and yanked my hips against him. “It’s already hard enough to keep my hands off you, and then this?” His reaction pressed into my stomach.
“I don’t want you to keep your hands off me.”
He groaned. “You really will be the death of me.” He gave in enough to kiss me, and I tried to escalate things. “No.” He broke off and snagged a blanket off the back of the couch, wrapping me in it and plunking me into the chair. “I’m getting you food. You’re not going to distract me.”
“Is that a challenge?” I called.
He swore again and I smiled, pleased with myself.
While he cooked, I dug around in the pantry, still clad in my blanket, and found a bottle of wine.
As I opened it, I spilled a bit of the red liquid on my finger.
Without missing a beat, Griff took my hand and sucked the wine off of it.
Desire pooled in my stomach and I quickly poured us both a glass.
Once he had brought out a very credible soup made from what he’d found in the pantry, I brought up the subject that we had both forgotten. “Tell me what’s happening with Aine.”
His spoon clattered against the bowl. “Really? That’s what you want to talk about?”
I shrugged. “I need to know.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I suppose you do. Please remember as I tell you this that I do not want anyone other than you.”
“Alright.”
“I mean it.” He covered my hand with his large one. “There is no one else for me. There is only you. My mate. I will never want anyone other than you.”
I went all tingly with his words. “Got it.”
He gave me a searching look, then against his better judgment, began to explain. “Her father has been pushing for a betrothal for years now. Ever since I was made the Champion. There’s been discussion about who would take over as regent should Zachariah die before the lost princess was found.”
“And you were on that list?”
He inclined his head. “I don’t want it. Never have. I’ve made that clear. But apparently”—he took a sip of wine—“I was still a top candidate. Until you returned.”
“So she wants to be queen? That’s all this is?”
He nodded. “I had no idea about any of this until recently. Her father drew up a marriage contract on his own, believing no one would ever refuse his daughter. I told you I tore it to pieces. I also told him if he ever tried it again, I’d shove the shreds down his throat and watch him choke on them. ”
I grinned at the image. “But something about her must have appealed to you once.”
He ran a hand over his face, muttering, “I knew this was a bad idea.” Looking up at me, he continued, “Before I knew she was a conniving bitch, Aine was…” He searched for the word. “Kind. And I was lonely.”
My throat tightened. I didn’t want him to have been lonely, but hearing him describe her as kind, as if the memory still had meaning… “And now?” I managed.
“I want you.” The response was instant, his hands capturing mine. “I want your fire. Your strength. Your stubborn determination. You are my mate, my soul’s harbor. My heart beats for you, and only you, Lily Alexandra Andrever.”
My mouth parted at the intensity of his words.
“Any other questions?” His voice was deceptively mild. I knew that if I asked, he’d set aside his own desires and sit here talking with me for as long as I needed. The thought made me melt a little more, and I shook my head.
“Good. If that’s finished, can we proceed to more important business?”
“We have more important business?” I asked coyly.
“Oh, we do.” His chair screeched backward as he prowled toward me. “I remember what you’re wearing under that blanket.”
I grinned and shrugged out of the blanket.
His eyes darkened as he took in the nightgown again. “You better bring that back with us. I want you in this every night.”
He hooked a finger under the strap at my shoulder and followed it down.
My skin pebbled in the wake of his touch.
He brushed a thumb over my nipple, stretching the silk taut against it.
His other hand snaked around my waist, tugging me against him.
I threaded my hands around his neck and ran my fingers through the curls on the back of his head.
His mouth sought mine, our tongues tangling in a preamble to what our bodies were desperate to do.
I ran a hand down his chest, fingers lightly fluttering over his abs and the muscles tightening as I went. I slowly removed his pants, taking him in hand as I whispered in his ear, “Now about that wall you promised?”
He lifted me in his arms and I wrapped my legs around his waist. And then he followed through on his promise.