Page 44 of Of Withering Dreams
Kaden’s warm hand gently kneaded my neck, and I moaned at the relief it brought. “That feels like a miracle. Don’t stop.”
“I aim to please.” A laugh rumbled in his chest. He used his other hand to massage my scalp. Tingles raced over my crown, easing the ache in my temples. “Here, sit. I’ll run you a bath.”
He wouldn’t hear any arguments from me. It sounded like a splendid idea. I laid on my side, watching him draw the bath, lavender-scented bubbles swirling out of the spout. I pushed myself off the bed, making my way to Kaden as he turned off the stream of water.
As he turned to me, I nestled my hand into the crook of his neck. My eyes cleared; the pain in my head now a faint echo. “Kade, I know I said it yesterday, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I’m so sorry. I would never intentionally hurt you. I hope you know that.”
His eyes ran over my face, my lips, my eyes before looking up to the quartz ceiling, his hair looking almost midnight blue where the sunbeams swept over it. His eyes found mine as he cupped my jaw in his hands. “Never doubt that I know that. I’m all right, truly.” He slowly stroked my skin as he tucked his lips between his teeth for a moment. “Your ember is … intense.”
My heart sank as a wave of trepidation fluttered through my gut. I knew Kaden too well. He was troubled by what happened, but he wouldn’t admit it to me.
I felt powerless against my developing gifts. Against the fissure creeping along the bonds of our budding relationship.
Kaden’s eyes softened as he leaned forward, pressing his lips into mine. He rested his forehead against my brow, closing his eyes. “I’ll leave you to?—”
I grabbed his wrists as he pulled away. If he left now, the apprehension would fester, chipping away at the vulnerable cracks within me. “Don’t leave.”
His nostrils flared, the morning sun tracing the edges of his nose. Reaching up, I drew one fingertip down the uneven bridge, then rested my palm on his cheek, standing on my tiptoes to place another kiss on his mouth. His fingers pressed into me, a muffled growl vibrating within him.
The sound was encouraging, filling me with a sense of control—which I so desperately needed. I felt brave. Empowered.
I stepped away from him, pushing my nightgown off my shoulders. He tilted his head to the side, a few strands of shaggy hair falling over his forehead. His breathing sped up, an intense look of concentration lining his face.
The connection between us lingered as I backed away slightly, inching the material over my chest and letting it pool around my feet.
My breath quickened, now in time with the rise and fall of his chest. I dragged my top teeth over my bottom lip as the warm morning incandescence stroked over my bare skin.
He released a growl, tugging his tunic off and tossing it at his feet. His solid chest and abdomen strained, tense from holding himself in place.
One side of my lips quirked up as I turned my back to him, sliding my underwear down. Shivering, I stepped into the steamy bath water, goosebumps racing over my skin as I settled under fizzing bubbles.
With my head leaning against the back of the amber glass, I glanced at him. “Are you coming in, or do you have something better to do?”
He turned to leave, the sunlight outlining every corded muscle. “When you put it that way?—”
“Kaden Larkin!” I squealed, sitting up in the tub, splashing water over the edge.
He turned in an instant, a mischievous smirk reaching his eyes. It took only two full strides for him to get to the bath, a sharp gasp rushing out of me as he plunged his broad form into the water, his trousers still on. Loud fits of laughter floated through the room as he swiftly maneuvered, stretching his long legs across the length of the tub as he sat.
Then, without warning, his hands disappeared under the froth, claiming my waist and dragging me on top of him.
His hands slipped up my soapy back. I brushed my fingers through his hair, resting them on his nape, staring at his wet lips.
We weren’t laughing anymore as the water swayed around us. The sounds of our mingled breaths and bubbles softly popping floated between our bodies.
His warm exhales teased my skin, hardening my nipples as water trickled off them and into the water. He slid a hand to my breast, pinching one bud between his finger and thumb.
A sharp sensation zipped to my core, and I rocked against his wet breeches, feeling his hard length under the water. He grinned and swept the pad of his thumb over my nipple, relieving the sting and replacing it with a different type of sweet torture.
I sighed, my breath faltering as I moaned, “Kade.”
His smile faded as he seized my nape with his other hand and pulled my head to his, his lips claiming mine in a bruising kiss. My lips opened immediately, our tongues clashing.
My hips pressed into his, dragging over his erection repeatedly as we devoured each other. I couldn’t get close enough, the water frothing around us.
I caught his bottom lip between my teeth, dragging them over its plumpness.
Kaden groaned, using both hands to squeeze my bottom. His fingers pressed into the rounded cheeks, helping my sex rub over his. Heat built in my center, spreading outwards until its vibrations radiated over my limbs.
