Page 54 of Only in Moonlight
“Emmeline,” I said, my voice rougher than intended. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. This isn’t—it’s not required for our ruse.”
She laughed softly, the sound like those crystal chimes might have made in their prime. “Is that what you think? That I’m performing for some invisible audience?”
“I know the stakes tomorrow. We both need clear heads.”
Was I trying to convince her or myself? With her in my lap, legs astride me, it was hard to form a clear thought.
Her fingers traced the collar of my shirt. “Maybe I need something else more.”
“You’re certain?” I asked, unable to hide the hope in my voice. But I needed her to be certain, especially since all this—our criminal partnership, our fake romance—had been my doing.
“I want you right now so much, but…” Her hand flopped to her side. “I can’t risk getting pregnant, Valen. I know you said there’s magic that prevents that, but…”
She looked at me helplessly.
“But you’re not ready,” I finished in my gentlest tone.
She hung her head.
I took a deep breath of the cool air, hoping it would clear my head. My cock was hardening under her, and I struggled to think of anything other than how much I wanted her. But as I considered the problem, it didn’t seem insurmountable.
“There are other pleasures that don’t carry that risk,” I said, my hand sliding to her knee, then pausing. “If you wish it.”
Her eyes widened, and she graced me with a dazzling smile. Then she guided my hand beneath the first layer of her gown.
The silk whispered against my skin as I navigated the elaborate design of courtly fashion. Stars, did it need so many layers? Finally, I found the warmth of her thigh and caressed her smooth skin. She leaned her forehead against mine, her breath quickening.
My hands explored, slight hair brushing my skin, until I found her entrance. A brief skim of my fingers made her gasp and straighten.
“Too much?” I asked.
“No, don’t stop.”
My fingers stroked and tested, making her tremble atop me. She was already slick with desire, her body more candid than either of us had been with words. I worked slowly at first, learning the rhythms that made her clutch my shoulders, the patterns that caused her breath to catch.
The surrounding garden seemed to pulse with the same tempo, the flowers glowing brighter with each moan I drew from her lips. Her hips rocked against me, setting a more demanding pace. I obliged, watching in fascination as control began to slip from her grasp.
“Valen,” she breathed, and stars, I would never get used to her saying my name like that.
I worked faster, inflaming her mercilessly until her entire body seized. Her nails dug half-moons into my skin through my shirt, her face buried against my neck as she shattered. I held her through the aftershocks, murmuring nonsense that might have been endearments, might have been promises I had no right to make.
When she lifted her face, it was one I hadn’t seen in some time. Gone was the red-haired enchantress who’d turned so many heads at the party. Instead, her natural brown curls tumbled around her shoulders, and the elaborate gown swallowed her tinier frame. She had faint pockmarks on her face and arms that I hadn’t noticed—or she’d shapeshifted to hide—the first time I’d seen her on Earth. I presumed they were scars from the pox she’d contracted when younger.
She realized what had happened a moment later, her hand flying to her face in horror.
“No,” I said, catching her wrist before she could change again. “Please. You’re beautiful.”
Uncertainty flickered across features that seemed more vivid. “You like this better?”
“I find myself strangely attracted to whatever form you take.”
A wicked smirk took hold of her face. “That sounds like a challenge.”
A laugh bubbled out of me before I could think. “Yes, I’m sure you can change into something sickeningly hideous.” I cupped her cheek. “But not tonight.”
Chapter 27
Emmeline
