39. Lirion
Abreeze ruffled Lirion’s hair, carrying the scent of salt as he stepped onto the deck. Overhead, the sky was a deep, velvety black, speckled with millions of glittering stars. Only a couple of lanterns burned to keep a person from walking into a mast or crate in the darkness.
A loud creak drew Lirion’s gaze from the heavens to find Fenric descending the set of stairs from the helm, a small smile twisting his lips at suddenly finding Lirion standing nearby.
“You just come off your shift?” Lirion inquired.
Since leaving Relos, they’d fallen into nearly the same routine they’d had on the trip north.
The only exception was Rain taking longer breaks from the wheel to feed Aria.
Last he’d heard, they were drawing close to Dead Man’s Curve, but Rain wasn’t worried.
The pirate was confident the kraken was still licking its wounds—assuming it was even still alive.
Fen grunted and strolled over to the railing. “Rain is back behind the wheel, finding a spot for us to stop for the night. He said your sister is tucked into bed and already snoozing. He informed me while wearing this ridiculous grin on his face that probably won’t wear off for several hours.”
Lirion chuckled and joined him at the railing. “If he’s smiling and she’s sleeping, then I’d say it’s a safe bet Rain is keeping her very well fed.”
Fenric rubbed his hand along his jaw, sighing. “I don’t know if you need to hear this, but Rain can be a reckless asshole. Still, he is very protective of people in his care. Your sister is in good hands.”
He didn’t necessarily need to hear it. Not only did he have faith in his sister’s ability to pick a trustworthy partner to see to her needs, but he’d come to know Rain over these several weeks.
Fen was right. Rain was reckless, impulsive, and a bit crazy, but it was clear he cared about his team and anyone who needed his protection. Aria was in very safe hands.
But what touched him was Fen’s need to reassure him. Maybe Rain wasn’t the only one who felt protective at times.
“You know,” Lirion drawled as he leaned against the railing. He bumped his shoulder against Fen’s. They hit a large wave, and the ship bounced, threatening to knock Lirion off his feet. Except Fenric’s muscular arm wrapped around his waist, steadying him and pulling him in closer.
Fen huffed a laugh, and Lirion cleared his throat. You’d think he’d have his sea legs by now, but the ocean still had a way of knocking him off balance.
“As I was saying, I was thinking about what happened during the rescue mission at the mansion.”
“You’re gonna have to be a lot more specific than that. So much happened during the mission.”
“I’m talking about when you switched places with me. You guessed I was in a dangerous spot. Why did you do that?”
The hand that had been loosely resting on his hip instantly tightened, strong fingers digging into flesh and bone.
Fenric leaned in, bumping his forehead against Lirion’s so he could barely make out the other man’s scowl.
“It’s because you were in danger, asshole.
What the hell was I supposed to do? Rescue your sister and then leave you to get yourself killed? ”
Goose bumps broke out across Lirion’s arms and his heart skipped a couple of times.
What was he supposed to say to that? This man was tearing through all his normal defenses and laying claim to parts of him like he was planning to make a home in Lirion’s soul.
Did Fenric even know what he was doing to him?
Was he even aware of the hundreds of thoughtful little gestures he did every single day?
And then he went and downplayed actively choosing to take Lirion’s place in a deadly situation?
How the hell was Lirion supposed to walk away when this job was over? To go on living without this warm, captivating perfection in his life?
Lirion knew Fenric cared for him, and it wasn’t just because he wanted to keep Lirion alive long enough to deal with the Lord Mire matter.
He could feel ripples of emotions from Fenric—joy, irritation, amusement, concern, fear—but there were others, hidden in the murky depths of the thief that weren’t as clear and he couldn’t put names to.
How deep did those feelings run? And what were they?
Lirion wasn’t brave enough to push the issue when he wasn’t sure about his own feelings for the man. No, it was better to preserve the facade and enjoy the time they still had.
Lirion smiled even as he tipped his head to steal a kiss from Fenric, who didn’t stop glowering. He might have even growled, which tickled Lirion. “Your worry was very unnecessary but very cute.”
“Is that right? Then I’ll never save your ass again.” Fenric released him and took a step away as if he meant to walk to the bow of the ship.
Lirion caught his hand before he could get away, pulling him in close again. “Don’t do that. You’re so dashing when you come to my rescue!”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Leaning in closer, he brushed a kiss across Fenric’s Adam’s apple. “I don’t think I’ve properly thanked you for risking your life to save me.”
“I didn’t do it for thanks. And as you said, it was unnecessary.”
“I know, but I still need to show proper appreciation for your gallant efforts. There are plenty of people in the world who wouldn’t even consider risking their life for another.
” As he spoke, he continued to tug Fen toward the stairs leading below deck.
The devilish rogue continued to glare, but there was far less resistance in his gait as he followed Lirion to their private cabin.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Lirion pushed Fen against the wall and neatly fit his body between his legs so he could be as close as possible.
Their mouths came together so naturally, as if he’d been born to spend his life kissing Fen.
Tongues tangled. God, Fen could kiss. Lips that spent so much time frowning were so deceptively soft and sweet.
He slipped a hand inside of Fen’s shirt and slid it up across rock-hard abs and far too many scars to pluck at one tender nipple.
“Lir,” Fen panted as Lirion moved to nibble along his jaw. “This isn’t necessary. If you’re hungry…”
“You know this isn’t about hunger or thanks. It’s about enjoying our time together.”
Fen lowered his head and Lirion’s heart skipped at the smile sliding across his perfect mouth. “We always enjoy our time together.”
That was the truth.
The clothes came off more quickly now. A loud squeak jumped from the bed as they tumbled onto it, their mouths barely leaving each other’s bodies.
Heat, sweat, and lust swamped Lirion, but there was something else this time, delicate as frost in the dawn light.
Fen lay half on top of Lirion, trapping his legs under one thigh while his hand caressed up his chest. Lirion felt cherished by his gentle touch, but it was the underlying quiet possessiveness that whispered like a siren song to something hidden deep within him.
Part of him longed to be possessed, body and soul, by this man. To belong to him and only him.
As if Fen could sense the direction of his desires, he crushed his mouth to Lirion’s, and they lost themselves in the demanding kiss.
The fire blazed between them. Hands grabbed and stroked.
Cries of pleasure and need broke from Lirion’s parted lips as Fen’s fingers slid inside of him, stretching his body.
“Fen!” he choked out, lifting his hips, needing more.
“Rush, rush, rush,” he teased, even as a bead of sweat ran down his jaw. His voice was low and rough with his own need, but there was playful mocking in the sparkle of his eyes. “You’d think you’d enjoy a bit of torment.”
“Torment has its place in life, but not when I need to be stuffed full of your cock,” Lirion grumbled. Usually he could roll with the playfulness, but tonight he was feeling needy.
Fenric slowly worked his fingers in and out of his body. At the same time, he kissed his way down Lirion’s chest, licking across his stomach as if he’d been dying to taste his skin.
Hot breath danced across the head of Lirion’s cock, and he froze. It was so rare for any of his partners to suck his dick. There were a few who needed it to get off, but it wasn’t about his pleasure.
The expectation was that, as an incubus, he should be the one to give and give and give.
Fen dragged his tongue across the sensitive head and down the shaft, wringing a cry out of him loud enough for all the ship to hear. His hand found Fenric’s head, and his fingers tangled in those silken locks as he chanted Fen’s name over and over again.
The combination of wet heat and fingers working his ass broke all restraint he had left. And then the wicked man crooked his fingers, finding the magic spot that set his entire body ablaze.
His orgasm ripped through him before he could even warn Fen, but he didn’t seem surprised as he drank down every drop.
When his orgasm had faded and Fen had licked his cock clean, he sat up, smirking and sucking his bottom lip into his mouth, looking so damn proud of himself.
“That was not my plan,” Lirion wearily snipped, even as his own mouth turned into a grin.
“Oh, I’m not done yet. I wanted to test out an old wives’ tale.”
“What? That incubus cum will make you immortal?”
Fen snorted and reached for the bottle of oil he’d used on his fingers to ease his entry. “Nope. That an incubus has a quick recovery time.”
Lirion’s head fell to the side as he laughed. Fen was always full of the most delightful surprises.
Fen pushed into him in one long, slow stroke that curled Lirion’s toes and trapped his breath in his lungs.
Only a second ago, he’d been feeling sated and relaxed.
But now that he was stretched and deliciously full of Fen’s cock, those low-banked embers of desire were flickering and growing into a new flame.
Bracing his arms on either side of Lirion’s head, Fenric leaned in to capture his mouth in a deep kiss that matched the steady rhythm in and out of his body.
He could taste himself on Fen’s tongue and feel the desperate hunger building within him, but the man remained in complete control, seemingly determined to fuck Lirion into oblivion at a leisurely pace.
No one had taken their time with him. Not like this.
Digging his heels into the mattress, Lirion slid his hands down Fen’s sweaty back while lifting his hips to meet each thrust.
Fen sped up and growled in his ear, “That’s it. Take what you want, baby.”
A whimper broke from Lirion’s throat. So close. So fucking close. But it was like brushing the edge of something with his fingertips, yet not being able to grasp it. So close, but not close enough.
“More,” he cried, not knowing what more he could get.
That wicked Fen had another trick up his sleeve. Wrapping his arm around Lirion’s waist, he flipped them on the bed so Lirion was now straddling him.
While Lirion was still adjusting to the new position, Fen poured more oil on his fingers and grasped Lirion’s aching cock, stroking it as he thrust upward into Lirion’s ass.
And that was the more he needed.
Lirion’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he groaned. His entire body was on fire. The tension was winding tighter and tighter. With one hand braced on the wall for balance, he rose and fell on Fen’s cock. The slap of damp skin and frantic pants filled the room.
“So beautiful,” Fen whispered in a rough voice.
Lirion opened his eyes to find Fen staring at him with a dark gaze, his face so wonderfully flushed.
“You’re so beautiful. I shouldn’t be able to touch someone so perfect. I just…just want to make you happy. Keep you safe.”
The last slender thread holding back Lirion’s orgasm snapped. Liquid fire poured through his body. He shouted, coming so hard his vision flickered. Pleasure sharpened almost to the point of pain.
The haze that swallowed his brain faded as he heard Fen shout and join him in ecstasy.
He collapsed on Fen, a sweaty, cum-covered mess, but he didn’t care. He barely knew his own name and wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to walk again.
But despite his brain-dead state, he was sure of one thing—sex had never been so amazing with anyone else in his life.