My gaze went back to Rook, like it always did.
She opened her eyes, sensing I was watching her.
She gave me a lazy, lopsided smile. Her cheeks flushed from plum blossom wine as she bit her rosy bottom lip that was far too kissable. “You’re giving me that look again.”
“What look?” I smirked. I knew exactly what look.
“The one where you suddenly drag me into the dreamscape and have your wicked way with me.”
“At least there we have privacy.” I arched my chin at the panthers watching us with twin sets of golden glowing eyes. “We have an audience far too often.”
“They still find a way to follow us.” She giggled and slowly sat up. “So...bedtime?”
Standing, I bent down and helped her upright.
The moment our skin touched, the energy that constantly flowed and fed off each other completed its ouroboros, recharging us, cleansing the alcohol in our system, returning us as good as new.
“No fair.” She pouted. “I was having fun being all loose and lazy.”
I laughed and kissed her gently. “Little drunkard.”
We hardly ever indulged but tonight was a special occasion.
Pulling her toward the edge of the terrace, I cupped her cheek.
Before I took her into paradise and made love to her...there was something I needed to do. Something I’d wanted to do for years.
Over three hundred years to be exact but I’d wanted it to be a surprise. Which was nearly impossible when sharing every thought and feeling—
“Wait.” She gasped. “Oh, isthatwhy you bought wine?” Her heart overflowed, buffeting me and making it hard to concentratewith how much I needed her.
“You.” I pointed in her face. “Don’t ruin it.”
Her face lit up in a blinding smile. “I wouldn’t dare.” Holding out her left hand, she wriggled her ring finger. “Go on then.”
“Having you in my heart all the time is sometimes very inconvenient.”
“Then stop trying to be all secretive and do it.”
Taking her hand, I pinched her finger where a wedding band would go. “I know our souls are bonded beyond any mortal connection. We’re a pair in every way. A forged circle. A never-ending loop—”
“Lucien...just say the words.”
“We don’t need human traditions. We don’t need marriage certificates or paper pledges—”
“Luxin.” She growled under her breath, adorably fierce, and using my true name. “Just ask me the question so it stops echoing so loudly in your mind.”
“Have I told you lately how annoying you are?”
“Not lately.” She laughed. “But I hear everything.”
“One of these days, I’ll figure out a way to have some privacy.”
“You’d miss me.” Her eyes glowed with their silver ring.You’d miss me inside you. You’d miss me walking in your heart. You’d miss the fact that you can feel just how much I love you and need you and—
An image of her on her hands and knees with me thrusting into her from behind filled my thoughts. She sent me picture after picture of just how good it would feel—
“Ugh, you don’t play fair.” I groaned, doing my best to block her out.
