Page 64 of A Bargain with the Fae King

Riven.

I race across the room and hop onto the sofa next to him.

“What’s wrong? Are you all right?” I run my hands along his arms, his chest, his face. He’s clothed. There’s nothing wet like blood. No obvious injuries.

Riven grabs me about my waist and pulls me onto his lap.

A gasp wrenches from my lips as I straddle his hips, my shins pressed into the cloth of the couch.

“Much better now,” he whispers against my neck, placing kisses after his words.

Each touch sends a shiver rolling across my skin. His hands hold my waist, keeping me firmly atop him. My heart hammers. The sensation of his hands on me through my silken nightgown, his kisses, his scent in my nose—it’s more intoxicating than the strongest drink.

I push on his chest. “This is no time for jokes. You really scared me, bumping around in here in the dark. When did you even get back?”

He lets out a deep sigh and collapses into the cushions.

Though I can barely see him, the feel of his gaze raking my body is unmistakable. I adjust the top of my nightgown which had gone askew. Fae vision is so much better than a human’s. He can probably see just fine. The bottom hem has ridden up dangerously high, but there’s no helping that, not in this position.

“Just now,” he says. “I shifted straight here.”

“Where from?” I poke him. “Are the wards complete?”

“So many questions tonight.” His chest rumbles with laughter. Daring hands rub my sides, pressing the silk of the nightgown against my skin. “Yes, they’re finally done.”

A thumb trails along the underside of my breast.

I slide my hand along his arm, gently pushing it down and denying him the touch.

Riven sighs. “We worked constantly since you left, eager to get this chore done. And when Ambrose told me of the letter, I was even more desperate to get back.”

The letter. My heart clenches, but I push through the pain. “And Sigurd?”

A faint growl rumbles in his chest. “Here. Somewhere. Or he will be soon. Herequestedmy guard shift him and his attendants to the city to rest since they cannot shift here with the wards renewed. But I’d rather not hear his name on your lips. Not tonight.”

He drops his hands from my body, the tiredness in his voice unmistakable. I cup his face in my hands, and it goes limp, falling to the side.

“You’re exhausted.” I’m not faking the concern in my voice. “You pushed yourself so hard you could barely stand when you got here. That’s how the table got knocked over.”

I feel the smile I can’t see.

“My clever one. Exhausted, yes, and my magic burned through. It takes a lot of energy to shift. Even more to reinforce the wards.”

He’s used up too much magic too quickly and hasn’t slept. No wonder he was so clumsy, even when he can probably see just fine. Leeches, I’d considered the fae when I’d first learned of human’s effect on their magic. And maybe they are, but as a human, I can help replenish Riven’s magic. It’s worth a try anyway.

My lips seek his. Gentle. A caress. One after another, I grace him with kisses on his lips, his cheek, his brow.

Deft fingers grip my hip and exposed thigh. I find his lips again.

This kiss isn’t gentle. His enthusiasm makes me tremble, especially when his tongue urges my lips apart to dance with mine. The hand on my hip slides back to grab my backside through my nightgown.

A deep groan rumbles into my mouth.

The silk nightgown is an unnecessary barrier between Riven’s hands and my skin. I want it gone, but I don’t dare. Already, warmth gathers between my legs, dampening my underwear in the area pressed against his waistband. Everything is warm and blissful.

I’m falling, sinking into this sea of wonder too quickly.

I pull myself back, breaking our kiss and letting my hands rest against his chest.

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