Page 23 of Dormeo
ASH
Rose practically purrs as she curls up against me in her dreams and lets her delicate hands rest against my still heaving chest.
Fuck me.
My entire body hums with energy, her desire, her passion feeding me in a way nothing else ever has.
Reluctantly, I extract myself from her dreams until I’m staring down at her sleeping form once more.
She looks just as flushed and beautiful, and the scent of her arousal is thick in the air.
Letting my fingers lift a strand of golden hair, I kneel down beside her so I can see her features more clearly. Perfectly at ease, relaxed and sated in my bed, Rose is a sight to behold.
“You did so well, little Rose. Maybe there’s more spirit inside you than you let on.”
Tempting though it is to pull back the sheets and climb in beside her, to continue to draw on her power, the line between fantasy and reality is already blurring. For most incubi, their visits to the human realm are perfunctory. They leaveimmediately, not lingering in bedrooms or admiring their hosts, and return without growing attached or obsessed.
I fear that I’m already too intrigued by the little human sighing softly and hugging my sheets to her chest.
“Ash,” she whispers, a small smile tugging at her lips, and the urge to delve straight back into her head, to see what’s going on inside that magnificent mind of hers is almost overwhelming.
I need to get the fuck out of here.
Standing, I allow one moment of weakness, letting my tail stroke her exposed thigh, before turning and striding out the door.
“That didn’t take long.” Gaap waits, arms resting on the mantelpiece as he stares down into the fire before slowly twisting to look at me. “And from the look on your face, it won’t be the last.”
Immediately, I’m protective of Rose. I will not speak to him about her or encourage the envious look in his eye.
“You better have good reason for sneaking into my quarters while I’m guarding someone here. It would be a shame if I got the wrong impression and thought you were trying to gain access to Rose.”
As I round the back of the sofa, coming to stand beside him, Gaap resumes his gazing into the dancing flames. “We have company. A ship approaches.”
“And father has no clue who it is?” It wouldn’t be unheard of for Father to receive guests and not to bother telling anyone he’s expecting company. Just one of the many ways he likes to ensure everyone stays on their toes.
“He knows who they are, but their appearance is unexpectedly early.” Gaap’s eyes drift to my bedroom door.
Shit.“They’re here to rescue Rose.”
Gaap nods. “Two men have made it to shore and lurk near the caves. There may be more. Want me to go and take care of them?”
I should instruct him to handle it, but if there are the types of men her father deems eligible, and we’re to endure a parade of these idiots attempting to prove themselves, I should probably go and see for myself.
“No. I’ll deal with them.”
He nods and moves to the sofa as if getting ready to settle himself there while I leave. “Okay, have it your way. I’ll remain here.”
Barghest snarls and hops off his chair. Looking less than happy about it, he moves to the bedroom door and curls up into a ball at the base of it, glaring at Gaap as he blocks his way.
“I appreciate the offer of help, but there’s no fucking way anyone gets close to her while I’m not here. You can guard her from outside the door, if you insist on helping. If not, Barghest and Bronx can manage for a couple of hours.”
Gaap drums his fingers on the heavy wooden beam before nodding emphatically and standing to his full, impressive height.
“You’re right. I have no desire to take her from you, brother. But she’s an intoxicating little thing. I feel the power radiating from you after just one sleepwalk. Best to avoid any risk of a slip up.”
Good-natured as ever, he accompanies me to the door. As I grab my weapons, strapping heavy leather straps loaded with knives across my back and chest, and picking up a sword and shield, I turn toward the balcony, where Bronx perches in his usual spot, ready to protect if needed.
“Don’t worry about me, Bronx. No matter what you see, you guard her now, do you hear me?”
