Page 122 of Frost Bound

Sleep tugged at him, and he followed its call with his wife sleeping in his arms.

It felt like mere moments had passed when he registered Lia’s touch along his jaw. He kept his eyes closed, savoring the soft caresses that ventured to his sensitive ears and down his neck. His body burned and ached for thevallesas she explored. His right arm tightened around her, and he blinked open his blurry eyes.

Dahlia stared up at him, pulling back her hand, the shadows in the room casting her features in hues of blue and gray. He caught her fingers and pressed a kiss to her knuckles and whispered, “Don’t stop.”

Having her touch was one of the best feelings he’d ever experienced. Neve didn’t know what power she possessed over him, but he liked it andcravedit. He placed her palm on his cheek and then draped his hand lazily over her tiny waist and waited.

Seittae. Please touch me.

His hearts clenched as she traced his lips, and longing struck him hard. All he wanted was to taste her again. The memory of their kiss had haunted him for days. His hand wandered over her back, kneading muscles and drawing circles over her thin garment.

Her little fingers slipped underneath his hair and cupped the back of his neck. He watched as emotion flickered across her face before she settled into resignation.

“What?” he murmured.

“Just this once,” she breathed as she applied pressure to the back of his neck, urging him closer.

Neve leaned down and kissed his little wife. He’d never been interested in humans as a whole, especially in their mating rituals, but in the days since Neve had tasted Lia’s lips, he’d managed to find a few books on it in the library—kissing in particular. And helovedit.

He threaded his fingers into her hair and cradled her face. The bones beneath her skin were so delicate, and he didn’t want to hurt her. Her fingers brushed the skin of his jaw with tenderness. This kiss wasn’t anything like the one he’d given her in frustration and pent-up desire. It was gentle, tantalizing, and so bloody soft that he could drown. When had anyone ever touched him like this?

Never.

He wanted all of it.

Chapter Forty-Four

Dahlia

It was selfish.

To kiss him. To want more. Especially with what she planned.

Dahlia pushed the thought away and threw herself into the kiss, her lips parting his own. He made a small noise in the back of his throat that sounded like want and surprise and need all in one. She gasped as his hand moved to her bottom and hauled her against him as he took possession of the kiss.

It was as if all his restraint had crumbled, leaving raw need behind.

He kissed her with fervor, pressing closer until his bare indigo chest rubbed against her shift-covered one. She held on to his hair, her tongue tangling with his. It was everything she needed and everything she shouldn’t want.

The king rolled her onto her back, kneeling between her legs. Cool air kissed her bare thighs.

Embarrassment flooded her cheeks at how exposed she was, wishing now more than ever she’d worn something underneath her shift.

She trembled as he broke the kiss, his massive blue body caging her in. He skated his warm lips down her collarbone, tugging the shift out of the way so he could lave her collarbone with that wicked black tongue. Her embarrassment fled as a powerful wave of desire crashed over her. There was no shame here. Imposter bride or not, she was still married to him.

And he wanted her.

Lia closed her eyes and sank her fingers into his blue-black hair, tilting her neck so he had better access. Slowly, she ran her shaking right hand down his chest and taut abdomen to the waistband of his trousers. She tugged on the laces and they loosened immediately, threatening to spill hissoravinto her hand.

Neve lifted his head, and she opened her eyes as he stared down at her, brow furrowed.

“What?” she rasped.

He reached for her right hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissing her palm. “You’re shaking,jaivelle.”

“It’s nothing,” she whispered, leaning up for another kiss. She could do this.

The king brushed his lips along hers tenderly. “You’re afraid.”

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