Page 143 of Taken By the Fae

My eyes close as I lean in, losing myself in the feel of his mouth and his body pressed flush against me.This is home.My heart pounds in my chest, and I break away suddenly, choking on a sob. I’ve missed him so much I can’t breathe.

“Aurora?” His voice is soft but urgent, filled with concern.

I turn my face away, swallowing hard as I try to stop my pulse from jackhammering. “I’m sorry,” I force out.

He trails his fingers along my neck and slides his thumb under my chin, turning my face to meet his gaze. “Talk to me. Please, Rory.”

I blink back tears. “I’ve missed you so fucking much. And I’m sorry… that I didn’t let you help me.”

“I understand why you did what you did. I hated every minute, but I understand.”

A tear leaks free, rolling down my cheek. “How are you so accepting?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Because the alternative isn’t something I can live with.”

I suck in a shaky breath. “But I hurt you. I—”

“Rory, you are everything to me.” He tips my face up, gazing into my eyes. “Everything. Hurt me as much as you like. I am yours.”

Warmth floods through me at his words, and I reach up, sliding my finger along his jaw. “Mine,” I nearly growl, overcome with the need to make it very clear where we stand.

His gaze darkens. “And you’re mine,” he purrs. “From the moment I laid eyes on you, something in me cracked wide open, and I knew. You were it for me.”

My eyes widen at his admission, and I lace my fingers together at the back of his neck, leaning up on my tiptoes. “Kiss me again,” I whisper.

His chest rumbles with a soft growl that heats my cheeks. “I plan to do much more than that.” He tilts my head up with a finger under my chin. “It’s going to be a long night.”

Without warning, he lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him as he carries me into the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind us.

I giggle against his lips. Not because this is funny—it’s far from it, but because it almost doesn’t feel real.

Tristan’s mouth freezes against mine, and he sets me down. “Is somethingfunny, Aurora?”

I press my forehead against his and murmur, “No. Keep kissing me.”

He leans back enough to look at me. “You laughed. I’m about to ravish your body, and you’re laughing.”

Biting my bottom lip to keep from doing it again, I shake my head. “I wasn’t sure we’d be together after… everything. I was having a moment.”

His stoic expression remains. “You were laughing.”

Stubble tickles my skin as I run my fingers along his jaw. “Kiss me, please.”

The corner of his mouth curls and the look in his eyes makes me wonder what he’s thinking.

I swallow hard, my heart hammering inside my chest. “Tristan…”

He tips his face, resting his forehead against mine as his eyes close. “I should take my time with you—I very much want to—but I don’t think I can tonight.”

Boldness grips me, and I reach between us, palming the front of his pants. “I want you in every way possible.”

His lashes flutter, but his eyes stay shut. “Fuck,” he growls, “I’ve missed you.” He plants his mouth on mine as his hands roam over my thighs and grip my hips, making me moan.

I push against his chest, hoping he’ll get the hint to move toward the bed. When he complies instantly, I grin. Tristan and I have always been in a constant struggle for power, but in situations like this, the fight makes my heart pound louder for him.

He stops walking once he hits the side of the bed, and we lean away, keeping our arms locked around each other. My eyes roam over his face slowly, willing my mind to commit it to memory. I want to keep this picture in my head forever: Tristan standing here, offering me all of him. The notion steals my breath as I push him onto the bed, falling on top of him in nothing but my black lace panties before sealing my lips over his. His hands slide up my body while his expression darkens, the hunger clear in his eyes. My skin tingles as his gaze devours me.

“Jesus, Rory,” he murmurs, propped up on his elbows.

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