Page 69 of Love in the Wild

“I know you will.” She laughed as they stripped out of their clothes and stepped into the shower stall. Thorne was all seductive smiles and dominance as he captured her mouth and pinned her against the shower wall as the warm water ran over them. But Eden was feeling playful now that he was here, and she pushed against his chest, breaking them apart.

Concern darkened his eyes. “You do not want to—?”

“I do,” she said, cutting him off, “but I would like to do something to you and see if you like it.”

He raised an arched brow but stood back and let her go. She knelt before him, thankful for the soft rubber mat on the floor of the shower stall. His aroused cock was close to her face, and she took him in her hands. Thorne tensed, and she pushed him back against the wall.

“Eden, what are you—?”

“Hush.” She stroked his impressive length with her hands before she opened her mouth and flicked the tip of her tongue against the crown of his shaft.

He cursed low, and she grinned wickedly up at him. “Learned some new words, did you?”

“Yes.” He groaned and closed his eyes as she licked him again, this time down the length of his cock. He grew even harder as she stroked him again. She did this a few more times before she took him into her mouth. His naked, muscled body nearly leapt away from the wall, and his eyes flew open. He seemed to have no words for what she was doing and how it made him feel, just reactions.

“Remember how you went down on me? How you licked me? This is what a woman can do to a man. So enjoy.” She took him back into her mouth, and he clenched his hands into fists against his sides, showing he was desperate to control himself.

He was too long to fit more than halfway into her mouth, but Eden used her hand in conjunction and opened her throat wider for him. She used her tongue to stroke the underside of his shaft, and a few seconds later Thorne fisted a hand in her hair, pumping his hips madly against her. She nearly choked, and the sound slowed his frenzied pace, but Eden kept taking him in, and soon he exploded upon her tongue. His rough, strangled cry only made her own arousal that much stronger. Being with Thorne was always like the first time, but without any awkwardness. He made love openly, honestly, sometimes ferociously, yet also tenderly in turn. He gasped, trying to catch his breath as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms.

“You are incredible.” He said this often when they were together, an expression that had come to represent something special between them. “You make me feel things that...” He trailed off and grazed her lips with a soft but hungry look that she adored. A look that promised wild passion, explosive climaxes, and sweet intimacy afterward.

Thorne touched his lips to hers. A river of emotions swept over her, and before she could stop herself, words were escaping her lips like a murmuration of starlings sent into flight.

“I love you ... I love you ...”

His lazy, seductive smile was full of leonine confidence. “I know.”

“You do?”

“We are mates. Of course you love me.” His easy confidence behind that statement felt oddly right. Of course she loved him. How could she not? She had been silly to think she ever could have denied that. But she had been afraid to let herself love him for so many reasons. Now it was too late. She was all in when it came to Thorne. Even if it got messy or painful, she was his to the end.

“Kiss me.”

His chuckle turned into a growl as he pinned her against the wall and did just that. He kissed her, loved her, and so much more.

* * *

Thorne methis uncle in his study half an hour before the guests were to arrive for the party. Though it was not uncomfortable to wear, he felt constrained in the dark-blue suit that he’d been told to wear. They called the look “sensible.” How could a man move properly when such clothing restricted him? He missed the freedom of wearing nothing but his bare skin.

“Have a seat.” Cameron put aside a stack of papers he’d been reviewing and gave his full attention to Thorne. Thorne liked that about his uncle, that as busy a man as he was, he could focus on the person he was speaking with. From what little Thorne had seen of this new world so far, men and women ignored each other and buried themselves in their digital devices. Yet Cameron and Isabelle were different.

“I know you must be worried about tonight, but it’s time we had a talk. An important one.”

Thorne remained silent, allowing his uncle to continue at his own pace.

“As I’m sure Eden has explained, your father was the eldest son of this family. That meant he became the Earl of Somerset when our father died. That was a year before you were born. As Jacob’s eldest and only son, the title now passes to you.”

Thorne’s stomach twisted, and he shifted restlessly in his chair.

“I don’t want it.”

“That’s not a choice, I’m afraid. These things are like nature. They occur despite our best intentions or desires. You are Jacob’s only child. There are ways to leave you without the title if you truly wish, but Thorne, please listen to me. This was meant to be your life. It feels uncomfortable now, but someday—someday this life may call to you as much as Africa does. Your parents lived their lives equally here and traveling the world. They made it work, and I believe you and Eden could too. You owe it to your parents to try.” Cameron cleared his throat. “That being said, I am aware of the shock and pressure this title and its responsibilities will bring to you. That is why I hope you will allow me to share the burden.”

“Share?” Thorne didn’t understand, but he was glad of any help Cameron could give.

“You will be the Earl of Somerset, but I would be at your side, helping you. You’ve had no schooling, but we can remedy that. Isabelle and I will help integrate you back into society far better than this little party tonight.”

None of this sounded appealing to him. “And if I wish to return to Africa?”

---