She arched her back and gasped. He didn’t need to drag her anywhere; she’d go willingly. He kissed back up her throat, teeth nipping softly at her skin. She pushed his shirt off and he let it fall onto the bed of leaves.
Even though her dress no longer covered much, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get totally naked. Were there wild fae here, watching? Verden pushed off his boots so he stood in just his trousers. Then he beckoned her forward, to the waiting bed of greenery. She hesitated, watching as he undid his trousers; then he pushed them down and stepped out of them.
Naked, he was glorious. Flawless.
Fit and lean.
The afternoon sun slanted on his golden skin, highlighting every curve of muscle and the light dusting of hair that arrowed down. Her gaze lingered on his shaft as it curved toward his body. Her tongue traced her lower lip as she looked up. He was waiting for her.
She swallowed. Today she was a wild fae, giving into the need burning in her blood—a need that he’d lit. One that only he could sate. They were safe here, hidden away from everyone. She’d worry about everything else later. She carefully untied the ribbon on her shoulder and let the dress slide down her body. She stepped out of her delicate slippers, ballet flats that would make a mortal green with envy. They were both making every move deliberate, as if giving the other the chance to back away. It wasn’t too late. They could put on their clothes and end this now.
Except it wouldn’t end.
They would circle each other at Court, wondering what it would be like. Maybe this would be it. Get him out of her system. Even as she thought it, she knew it wouldn’t happen like that. Giving into craving never took away the desire. Yet she couldn’t turn away. She stepped closer, the magic of the ruined site snapping between them.
He drew her down to the bed of leaves, his body covering hers. His knee was between her thighs, separating her legs. His shaft was hard and hot against her stomach. She kissed him, her hands smoothing down his back, his skin was slick from the jungle heat. The magic here was older, raw and wild where Annwyn was tame and restrained.
Verden kissed down her throat, his tongue caressing her collarbone, his body pulling away as his hands moved over her. Her skin burned with every touch. The days and days of waiting and lusting without being able to act on a single glance had taken their toll. She was fairy, not stone.
His hand smoothed up her leg, and he touched the little toe ring with his lips before working his way up her leg, kissing and tasting, taking his time as though he wouldn’t get another chance. The heat in his eyes shocked her. She hadn’t expected it to be so clear. His expression was undisguised hunger, as if he hadn’t allowed himself to feel, or be free, in too long.
His lips grazed her inner thigh, his breath hot on her skin. She pulled him back toward her, hooking her legs around his hips so his shaft was pressing against her slick and swollen folds. So tempting, so close. Every breath smelled of him and jungle. Wild and intoxicating.
He took another kiss and rolled his hips, teasing without entering. He was smiling, as if he were enjoying her gasps and the way her fingers kneaded his butt. That he was really smiling made her lips curve in a grin.
“What’s so funny?” he said between kisses.
“Nothing. I was smiling because you are.”
“Don’t I smile?” He rolled his hips against hers, but this time, she was ready and the tip of his cock slid into her core. She drew in a breath, expecting more, but he stopped.
She looked him in the eye. Her thumb brushed his cheek, then his lower lip. “Not really, not enough.”
“I can’t help it when I’m around you.”
“You should spend more time with me.”
“I know.” He sank deeper into her. Filling her.
She didn’t try to bite back the moan of satisfaction. As he began to move, she closed her eyes; she had to as sensation rippled through every nerve and tightened in her belly, liquid heat pooling in her sex.
No, she needed to see him. She opened her eyes and pushed him back so he knelt between her legs, her hips resting on his thighs. The surprise left his gray eyes and was replaced with molten understanding as he gripped her hips and thrust deeper. And she watched every stroke. She watched the way he moved, the look on his face in the fading light.
His thumb swept over clit, circling, and she broke apart, his name on her lips as she came. He caged her body again, sealing her lips with his as he came with a growl lodged in his throat. He thrust again, as if drawing out the sensation. She trembled and came again, clenching around his cock. He did it again, and this time she could feel him grinning against her lips.
Her body was already oversensitive and responded to his touch too easily. She didn’t want it to end. She didn’t want him to roll away and dress. She wanted to hold on to him. He was hers.
They lay there, entangled, as their breathing settled, the air cooling their skin. The hum of insects and their breathing were the only sounds. Nothing and no one disturbed them. But they both knew the spell had to end; they couldn’t stay here forever.
Could they?
She sighed and he eased away, but instead of getting up, he laid on his back next to her, gazing up at the stars as they appeared in the soft, dark sky. There were half a dozen before he spoke.
“I like it here.”
“That’s what you said about the other place.” She glanced over, but he wasn’t looking at her.
“I never used to like it here. It was too different, too wild, but it grew on me. When I was thinking of someplace special to take you, this place was the only place I thought of.”
“It’s very magical.”
“A lot of rituals took place here. Since they died, no one comes here.”
“A lost temple.” She smiled. Their lost temple where no one could find them.
He turned onto his side and looked at her, his gaze drinking her in as if he never wanted to forget. “You would come back?”
“I would go anywhere with you.” The words were out before she could vet them. She’d revealed too much. It was one thing to lust after him and fuck him, but she was in no position to fall for him—or admit such a foolish thing. People at Court didn’t seem to fall in love. They loved the deals and games more than each other. Fairy men don’t play with their hearts.
He placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “I won’t use the truth against you. If I wanted lies, I wouldn’t be here with you. I’d be at Court pretending to smile and have fun.”
That was as close to an admission of where he wanted to be as she was going to get. He’d played Court politics for too long to actually reveal much more. Sadness welled in her heart for him. She rolled onto her side and brushed aside a strand of his hair.
His hair and clothes were careless because that was the only freedom he had; everything he did was controlled by the rules of the Court, the deals he was caught in.
“Do you ever want to run away and never go back?” She whispered the words.
“It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s what is good for Annwyn.” He blinked slowly. When he opened his eyes, the mask was back up. “I think I have gambled more than I was willing to lose.” He fingers traced her lips before he let his hand fall away.
He’d finally realized that he didn’t want to risk his position to be with her, and yet she couldn’t bear for the game to end. Not yet. Not when they were just starting. Maybe he’d gotten what he wanted and that was it. She was the fool. She’d let herself think she was more than casual fun—wanted to be more. A tiny part of her had started falling for him. She sat up so he couldn’t see her face.
The leaves rustled behind her. His hand traced up her back as if he still had the right to intimacy.
She couldn’t look at him. “And this? Was this good for Annwyn?” Was it even good for her? Probably not.