Page 65 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“We should get you to the bed—to get some sleep,” I add hastily. “Do you have the energy to make it there?”

Riven stands.

I gasp. My legs lock around him to avoid falling. Such strength, when moments ago he could barely hold his head up. I wrap my arms around his neck and snuggle into his warmth.

“You would tease me so?” he taunts.

My effect on him is quick and effective, much more so than I intended. I’d only hoped to get him someplace more comfortable, but now…

Fur tickles my skin as Riven lays me upon the bed with utmost care.

Then he’s following me down, covering my body with his.

“You need rest.” I shove his chest, but it’s a poor effort.

I want him. I can’t lie about that, not to myself. When he’s close like this, his honeysuckle scent swarming my senses, it’s easy to forget my worries. I could melt into him, give into the pleasure I yearn for. It’d be so sweet, freeing, perfect.

But in the back of my mind, there’s a voice that won’t be quiet. Its whispers are impossible to ignore.Remember how old he is? Or May, your sister who’s still out there?

He groans and rolls onto the bed next to me. “I know, I know. But stay with me?”

“Yes.” No matter what the voices say, I have no intention of leaving him.

A grimace creases his face as he pushes himself up and discards pieces of clothing one at a time. When only his pants are left, I turn away as his slow fingers undo ties and buckles. The slip and slide of fabric taunts my ears. Riven gives another groan before sliding under the covers.

Only a layer of fur and fabric separate our bodies as he presses up against me, where I still sit on top of the bed.

The glide of his fingers across my side has me turning back to him. His sleepy face and wild hair spread across the pillow dries my mouth. Hell, he should not be that attractive when he’s so dead tired and exhausted. I’d be a hot mess, yet he’s even more handsome now somehow.

“Lay with me,” he asks, barely a whisper.

There’s a rawness, a vulnerability, that I haven’t seen in days.

I snuggle against him on top of the bed. This close, I can’t help but trail my fingers over his shoulder and down his chest. Invisible sparks float between us where we touch. A pleasant buzz fills my head.

The age difference doesn’t dampen the way I feel for him. He doesn’t look old, feel old.

And so, I conclude, he isn’t. Fae ages are just different. The number doesn’t matter, just the man before me.

His half-mast eyes lure me in until I close the breath of space between us and press my lips against his again. His spark of energy has burned through, yet he still kisses me back with reverence. A soft, gentle match to my own efforts.

Sleepy eyes stare at me across the pillow after I pull back. Our breaths mingle in the narrow space between us. I want him. In every way.

“I’d give so much for the look I see on your face to be true,” he whispers, caressing my face.

“Rive—”

He cuts me off with a finger to my lips. I have to restrain myself not to lick it.

“You know I want you, but when I finally put my mark on you, I intend to do it properly, when I can take you in all the ways I’ve imagined. Not when I’m like this.” He gestures limply to his body.

“Oh.” Disappointment colors my response, yet it does nothing to calm my racing heart or to halt the moisture building between my legs. “Is there anything I can do to help? With your magic?”

“Stay close to me. Skin to skin might work even better. We could try it.” Mischief dances in his eyes.

Excellent idea. I lick my lips. Before I can think better of it, my nightgown is up and over my head, leaving me in only my underwear. Cool night air tickles my stomach, my breasts. But the chill vanishes as soon as I catch sight of Riven’s eyes on me, locked to the areas I’ve just exposed so brazenly.

Dark laughter floats from his parted lips. “You would choose to tease me when I have the strength to do little about it.”

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