Page 47 of Rook of Ruin
He cocks his head. “Princess, whatever gave you that idea?”
I snort. “You.”
Alec becomes more daring, his hand caressing my back. “Then allow me to show you how jealous I can be.” The rough padsof his fingertips scrape against my skin, perfectly stroking my body.
Desire pools between my legs, and I swear I’ll scream if he doesn’t give me more. Alec leans down, hovering for a moment too long before he drags his mouth across my bottom lip and then teasingly bites it. I hiss from the shocking pleasure. His soft lips capture my mouth with so much passionate heat, I easily melt into him. His hand rises from my back to cradle my neck, moving me slightly for a deeper kiss and seeking an invitation. I open my mouth, and he slides his tongue along mine. He lifts my leg onto his hip, his tongue teasing mine, showing me what he is capable of doing to me down below, causing a soft moan to escape my lips. I want his tongue on me. I want his tongue in me. I want him to fuck me with his mouth.
My hands are in his hair and then exploring his chest. I nip at his lip, and he grips my thigh, a throaty groan slipping from his mouth. I can’t get enough. I wantmore. He kisses my neck, gently pushing down the silk until it reveals my breasts.
“So beautiful. So fucking beautiful, Princess.”
His mouth teases, kissing gently and then sucking my pink peak, taking it in his mouth to caress with his tongue. He gently rubs my other nipple between his thumb and middle finger, his index finger running over the top. I thrust out my hips, and he moves slightly, gripping my ass and setting his thick thigh between my legs. From the pressure alone, my breath hitches. He smirks in satisfaction, but it doesn’t annoy me like it usually would because he is greedy, wanting more from me too.
Alec slides his hand between my legs but pauses, silver eyes questioning. I nod.Permission.Alec pulls my underwear to the side, and his fingers tease my clit. His forehead on top of mine, he whispers, “You’re so wet for me, O. I’ve wanted you for so long. So fucking long.”
I bite my lip, and his silver eyes flash with desire. His mouth devours mine once more as he strokes and flicks my sensitive bud. His fingers move lower, and he slips a finger inside me, growling as he drives in a second. He’s so fucking hard, all of him, his whole body. I ride his hand, his long fingers finding an easy rhythm with my body. Hells, his fingers fuck me, his tongue twists my mouth, and I feel a tightness, pressure coiled, wanting release.
“Alec, I—” He swallows my cry as I come. The sound of his fingers pounding into my core hits me as wave after wave of pure bliss rolls through me.
I shudder as he moans against me. “I want you. I want you so badly, it hurts.” The words coming from his silky voice and the intensity in his eyes are all that it takes to make me want to burst again.
I feel his length so close, and I reach for him, but he takes a large breath and kisses me softly, tenderly, slowly removing his fingers, his hand, and replacing my underwear. Confusion fills me.
Alec puts his forehead to mine, silver eyes desperate. “Orlaith, you know I want you so much that I can barely fucking breathe. I wantthis. I want all of it, but you and I both knowthiscan never be more.” His lips form a grim line. His hand is clenched so hard, his knuckles are white. He smooths my hair from my forehead. “Are you okay with that?”
I still. Am I okay with that? With whatever he gives me being nothing more than—
He interrupts my thoughts. “The queen wants an alliance, the kingdom needs one, and you will have to marry.”
Yes, I know this.I stare at him, dumbstruck. I was just having an orgasm a few seconds ago and now . . . Fuck. What do I say?
As if reading my thoughts, he clears his throat and murmurs, “You don’t have to say anything. That was reckless of me, and I’m sorry I let things get so far.” He pulls away slightly.
“You’re sorry you let things get so far,” I repeat bitterly, hurt. “What about what I want? What I obviously want you to do? Don’t act like you have the authority to absolve me of the consequences of my behavior, my usual recklessness. I at least got something out of thisexchange. What a mindfuck you are, Alec. I don’t understand you. Maybe that’s—”
“Hells, what I’m trying to say is it could get messy, especially for me. I’m sayingI’mbeing reckless because I wasn’t thinking ahead. I was—”
“It could get messy foryou,” I repeat back to him. My lip curls involuntarily, and he notices.
He takes my face in his hands as if to reassure me. “For meandfor the person I can never truly have. Think for a moment. The queen would never choose me, a Rook, her Spider, over someone with a title . . . I will have watch you take vows with another man, to see him kiss you and have you always. I will be plotting his murder every fucking moment. I’veneverbeen a possessive man. I’veneverneeded anyone.” He pauses. The ferocity in his eyes should be frightening, but I want to be consumed by it. “Fuck it. Ineedyou, and I don’t know how I can handle anything less from you because it would break me.” His voice has so much raw conviction that I’m reeling.
I reach up to brush a stray hair away from his face. “I understand. I do. I’m not thinking ahead because I’m so happy now. I may not have happiness ever again, especially if I’m forced into a marriage I do not want. The queen told me I will have some input into who I marry, but I’m scared of who she will choose. I will have a difficult time letting you go. I want this too.” I bite my lip, trying not to cry, trying to keep it in. As if seeing myfear and sorrow, he tries to take it from me, crushing his mouth on top of mine.
If this is not everything, then it is something,and maybe we’ll take it while we can. He holds me for a while longer before urging me out of bed, telling me to go take a bath before Nora and the stylists barge in on us. Begrudgingly, I do.
As I soak in the bath, my mind drifts to Alec all alone in my bed. I rinse my hair, dry off, and put on a low-cut teal dress. Checking myself as I braid my hair, I smirk. I can at least give him something to look at.
When I walk out, he is reading the farmers book. He pauses and looks up, giving me a wonderfully wicked grin. “Trying to seduce me?”
“I would never do that. I haven’t been taught.” I try my best to keep a straight face as he reaches over and pulls me in for a very good, very long kiss. My hand weaves around to his hair, pulling him in. Our tongues tangle, and his hand moves me closer until, slowly, he releases me. “I’m sure you could teach me.”
His deep, throaty laugh has my toes curling. I would be content with him as my forever. The thought has me sitting up. I calmly remove myself from his grasp and sit in my chair.
Changing the subject, I point to his book. “I see you found the book I’ve been reading you.”
“It’s quite interesting,” he says thoughtfully.
I snort. “You’re lucky I tolerate you.”
