Page 86 of Between Fear and Favor

And I did just that, as the head of his cock prodded at my entrance, the swollen flesh already tender in the most delicious way. I braced my hands on the dresser as he pressed deeper, and his name slipped past my lips just as he said it would.

His fingertips found my clit, and the touch was like a spark. I was so close, so sensitive, I knew it wouldn’t take long. His mouth dropped open as he fucked me, deep and thorough. My breasts swayed and my belly quivered from each thrust, and my eyes were drawn to where our bodies met. Rain’s clever fingers worked over me, and I caught just a glimpse of his length as he bent his knees and thrusted as deep as he could.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cried, desperate for air, for release, for him. And he could tell.

Rain slowed his touch for just a second. “With me, dear heart,” he said as he nipped at my exposed neck.

Rain’s shoulders flexed in the mirror, and as he stood straight, head tipped to the ceiling, the veins in his neck bulged. When he rubbed my sensitive clit once more with expert precision, I didn’t hold back. If he wanted to finish with me, I’d just have to accelerate the process. I clenched my muscles around him, and he grunted.

“Wicked woman,” he breathed, pausing for a moment. When he began anew, all tenderness had left him. It was enough, that blessed ache alongside his exhaustive touch set me ablaze. Heat licked up my spine, and I closed my eyes as I rode the blissful wave of pleasure. I gasped and panted, the release almost painful in its completeness. The golden bond between us flared with impressive brightness. Spasming around him, I collapsed forward, elbows on the dresser.

His hand gripped my hair, lifting my head to look in the mirror. “Look at yourself. Loving everything I have to give you,” he said, pounding into me once more. The golden flare of light at the edge of my vision was almost overwhelming. I watched him, the muscles in his jaw twitching and his brows furrowing. Rain’s hands roamed over my back and waist and hips as his mouth went slack. His groan was loud as I felt the heat of him, so deep inside. He kissed my spine as he filled me, so much that our combined release dripped free.

I didn’t move—couldn’t move—as his cock’s twitching slowed and he slowly pulled out. He was still bent over, forehead resting against my back, catching his breath.

“You’re not bathing again tonight,” he said in a low and raspy voice. “You’ll stay my thoroughly fucked mess until the morning.”

“It’s already the morning,” I quipped, and his hand lightly slapped my ass as he stood.

“You’ll stay my thoroughly fucked mess until I fuck you again. We’ll line up with morning eventually.”

I laughed, turning in his arms. As I traced my hands over his strong chest, I realized all the tension from my body had gone. Every worry and fear had abated—even if temporarily. Rain had done that.

As he tugged me close, enveloping me in arms strong enough to help carry my burdens, I was grateful he’d robbed me of the distressing emotions I’d had in the bath. And if he had to keep rescuing me in this way, soothing me with his body and distracting me with fiendish words from delectable lips, I couldn’t complain.

Chapter 41

RAINIER

Wishing very muchto never rise from our comfortable bed, I used my divinity to blow open the curtains of the four-poster. I’d shut them before drifting off into a satiated and dreamless sleep, and it had kept the offensive daylight from keeping us awake. But now, there were responsibilities to attend to.

Gently caressing Em’s back, I pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to waking with her in my arms. I’d envisioned it so many times during our years apart. Each morning I felt her soft breathing against my chest and her arm wrapped tightly around me, I had to remind myself it wasn’t a dream. She roused only enough to settle her body more comfortably on mine, and I was sorely tempted not to disturb her further.

Alas, duty won.

“It’s nearly dinner time, and if you want time to brush your hair and wash before we meet with the council, I’d say you should consider giving me a glimpse of my favorite color blue,” I murmured into her hair.

She smelled of lavender soap, and I breathed deep. Tilting her head up, she pressed a drowsy kiss to my jaw, blinking the sleep out of her beautiful eyes. I hated to cut these blissful minutes short with her. Though we’d snatched a defeat away with divine fire and dragons’ teeth, it was only a matter of time before the attacks would begin anew. Despite Irses having ripped his arm clean off, I was sure the Supreme had survived—like the persistent pest he was. We needed to prepare.

Em stretched, arms and legs reaching as far as she could, before curling up against me once more. “Everything hurts,” she grumbled. “‘Thoroughly fucked’ is right.”

I snorted, rubbing down her back once more. The noise she made was vulgar in its pleasure. “Careful with those sounds, dear heart, or we’ll have to start all over again.”

“I think, in that case, I would die in the best way possible,” she said, sitting up and rubbing her shoulder. Her hair was a tangled, golden mess down her back, and her freckles stood out on her deliciously plush skin. “Gods, you worked muscles I’d forgotten I had. Even my neck hurts.”

Turning and putting her legs over the side of the bed, she stretched once more, leaning down to touch her toes. It took everything in me not to grab her and flip her onto her back. I would find it quite simple to justify being late to our council meeting if I was pressed deep inside her.

She stood on stiff legs, stumbling toward the bathing chamber. Her ass cheeks jiggled, and I had to look away. My dick was growing more eager by the minute.

“Do I have time for another bath, or do I have to settle for a washcloth? Soaking sounds nice,” she said from inside the darkened room.

I glanced at the clock on the mantle. “Sadly, not enough time for that.” I tried not to let my apprehension flow down the bond toward her. I wasn’t keeping a secret, not completely. But there was no sense in worrying her when I didn’t even know what the council meeting was about. “Durand made it seem quite important when we spoke last night—er, this morning.” Time was strange in the aftermath of battle.

“No reprieve for royalty,” she murmured, and I heard water splash from the ewer. “What did you do to me, Rain? My back is aching.”

“As soon as we’re finished, I’ll massage that perfect, sore body,” I said. Rising, I headed toward the dressing room attached to our chambers. Picking through clothing, I sought comfort. I didn’t need to dress for battle today. So I pulled on woolen breeches and a loose tunic, before finding Em a comfortable skirt. Blue like her eyes, the fabric was soft, and the embroidery on the matching bodice was elegant but not overstated.

“I can’t even lift my arms to brush my hair,” she complained as she came to stand beside me, hairbrush loosely clasped in her hand.

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