Page 132 of Emylia

In one swift movement, he pulled me into his lap, his arms snaking around my waist. Teeth scraped over my exposed skin as he splattered kisses across my shoulders, each one claiming another part of me I didn't know he hadn’t laid claim to.

“Bastian—” I gasped, my body betraying me with every aching breath.

“Can I ask you something?” His voice was soft, laced with something fragile.

I wasn’t sure if I had the answers he so desperately craved. And Gods, I was terrified of the question he might ask–because I didn’t want to break him.

“I can’t promise I can answer them,” I said, barely above a whisper.

“Do you want to be with me?” Vulnerability seeped into every word, opening up to hurt that I knew would destroy him.

“Bastian…” His name slipped from me like a plea. I couldn’t answer. Not without betraying the feelings I had for Maalikai.

“Okay, then…" He took a stuttered breath. "How about this? Do you want me to touch you?”

Holy Nexus, how was I meant to answer that?

My entire body burned. I was already wet, already pulsing with need. How could I lie?

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“It wouldn’t be fair. Tohim.”

“It wouldn’t be fair to you,” he whispered, “if you didn’t get to feel both of us before deciding.”

My heart stuttered.

His fingers slid up my thigh, pausing. Waiting for my permission. A heartbeat of silence passed between us and then another. The air was thick with the need, the yearning. It was impossible to deny.

“Em?” he asked again.

A breathy moan escaped me, and I leaned the back of my head against his shoulder. “I don't know." I whispered.

His growl vibrated through me. “Stop sending mixed signals.”

This was probably the worst idea ever, but I had lost the tethers of my control, I couldn't resist him any longer. “What I do know is I'm sick of fighting against what I so desperately want.”

"And what do you want?"

"You."

And then he was kissing me—deep, demanding—and I was lost to him.

The slip on my restraint faltered. “Touch me.”

His voice came out in a low rumble. “Are you sure?”

“Please touch me.” I hated how my voice came out as a fevered plea.

Fingers slipped the rest of the way up my thigh and dove under my panties, testing me as he slid his fingers expertly across my clit before dipping lower.

“Gods.” The word left me like a prayer.

His lips captivated mine, kissing me in the most incapacitating way. Dexterous fingers continued their assault, occasionally diving into my depths, bringing more unsolicited moans to my lips. My breath came hard and fast as he brought me closer and closer to the brink of the edge.

“Sebastian…”