Page 148 of The Curse of Golden Blood
He laughed, low and rich, and pinned my wrists above my head with embarrassing ease. "Am I? And here I thought I was simply appreciating my sovereign."
"Your sovereign?" I arched beneath him, partly to test his grip and partly because I loved the way his eyes darkened when I moved like that. "Since when do you bow to anyone?"
"I would bow to you." His voice dropped to that gravelly tone that made my toes curl. "I would kneel. I would worship. Though I suspect you prefer me in other positions."
Heat flooded my cheeks even as I tried to maintain some semblance of dignity. "You are insufferable."
He shifted his weight, pressing me deeper into the mattress, and I had to bite back a sound that would have been far too revealing.
His thumb traced along my wrist where he held me captive. I tugged against his hold, not because I wanted to escape but because I enjoyed the way his grip tightened in response. The way his breathing changed when I tested his control.
"What would my court think," I mused, letting my voice take on a teasing edge, "if we ignored our duties any longer?"
His lips curved in that wicked smile that never failed to make my pulse race. "We’ll claim an important research study…thorough exploration of creative uses for royal chambers."
"Creative uses?" I laughed despite the breathless quality of my voice. "Is that your scholarly term for it?"
"I could be more specific, if you prefer." His mouth moved to my throat, teeth grazing sensitive skin. "I could describe in great detail exactly what I do to you in this bed. What you do to me."
"Zydar." His name came out as more of a gasp than a word.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" The formal address was paired with decidedly informal touches that made my thoughts scatter.
"I told you not to call me that."
"Then what should I call you when you are beneath me like this? When you are looking at me like you want to devour me whole?"
I met his gaze boldly, even though my heart was racing. "Whatever you want, as long as you never stop."
His grip on my wrists tightened, and his smile turned predatory. "Dangerous words, little dove."
"I am not feeling particularly safe right now," I admitted, loving the way his pupils dilated at my confession. "And I find I do not mind it."
"Good." His voice was rough now, all pretense of teasing gone. "Because I am not feeling particularly gentle."
"I would be disappointed if you were."
That earned me a growl that I felt as much as heard, vibrating through his chest where it pressed against mine. "The court would be scandalized," I continued, even as my breathing grew shallow.
"Let them be scandalized." His mouth found the spot where my pulse fluttered wildly. "Let them wonder what sounds their perfect sovereign makes when she comes."
"Zydar," I breathed, any pretense of control finally crumbling.
"That," he murmured against my skin, "is exactly what I want to hear."
He released my wrists, and I immediately buried my hands in his hair, pulling him down for a kiss that was all teeth and tongue and desperation. Four months of this, and I still could not get enough. Still needed him like air.
His hand slid down my body, cupping between my legs, and I gasped into his mouth.
"Already so wet for me," he said, his voice rough with approval. "My perfect little dove."
I rocked against his hand, shameless in my need. "Please."
"Please what?" His fingers circled but did not enter, teasing. "Use your words."
"Touch me. Fill me. I do not care, just do something."
He laughed, low and wicked. "So impatient. Have I taught you nothing about patience?"
