I could say I wasn’t anything special. Maybe it was true. But she made me feel that I was the perfect fit forher.That missing puzzle piece. And in the end, that was the ultimate kind of special.
Rain began pattering on the skylights above us.
“There was some mention of showering earlier, wasn’t there?” I asked.
“There was.” She glanced at the skylight. Pressedher hips even firmer against me. “Though to clarify, I was specifically referring to the hot shower in my bathroom. Not that a rain shower wouldn’t be refreshing.”
“Even as a provincial commoner, I’m able to restrain myself from running naked through the rain.”
She pressed a kiss to my forehead and led me into the bathroom, leaning over to start the water.
Gods she’s got nice hips.
Turning to face me, she poked the tip of her index finger into the waistband of her panties. “Aren’t you forgetting one of your consort duties?”
Placing a hand atop hers, I pulled it to my lips, kissing the back of her hand. “There seem to be rather a lot of duties.” Gaze shifting from eyes that seemed just a bit wider and deeper than usual, to that last bit of fabric, I added. “Not that I mind.”
I’d dreamed of getting closer. Feeling my body against hers. Exploring what lay under the many alluring outfits she wore. This was almost too much.
I dropped to my knees. Slid my hands around her waist, fingertips peeking under the waistband of her panties. Tugged them down a little.
Her hands fell again to my head, fingers idly combing through locks of my hair. “Oh!” she said, as a long exhale of my breath apparently penetrated through her panties.
The waistband grew tight as I tugged it over the swell of her hips, pausing to squeeze a cheek in eachpalm as they were almost off. I leaned forward, kissed the tiny patch of fabric that now only half concealed a tuft of amber curls, and slid them slowly over her sleek, powerful thighs. I kissed again, brushed my cheek against the amber patch, and gazed up into her eyes. “I believe I have complimented your appearance in numerous outfits, Sephi.”
She traced fingertips over the curved tops of my ears. “You have been most generous in your praise.”
“This particular outfit is clearly the finest in all your wardrobe.”
In a single flowing movement, she pulled me to my feet, tipping her head downward to kiss me, arms pulling my torso against hers. Our mouths became one, our tongues met, a brief tap, a gentle caress, then an enthusiastic exploration.
She shifted position as we kissed, sliding a hand to cup my left butt cheek, clenching, pulling me against her, finally widening her stance. “Ummm,” she purred. “That aforementioned portion of your anatomy appears to be knocking at the front door.”
I sucked in a deep breath, longing to rise to my tiptoes, to glide my member deeper into the folds they brushed against. Finally opening my eyes again, I gazed into hers. “He appears to find the entrance to House Arazniros most compelling.”
She slid both hands along my spine, to rest on my shoulders. “Come. Let us first tidy up the house to ensure it is suitable for guests.”
I gazed back in silence a few seconds.
She poked the tip of her tongue out the corner of her mouth.
Gods. She could be covered in mud, and I’d still be eager. But there was something about the duties of a consort. I took her hand lightly in mine and led her into the shower area, moving together as if guiding her to the dance floor. Or into a coach.
The bath was simple, though generously sized. Not ogre sized, but many times what I was used to from home. Clad in a checkerboard pattern of shimmering cobalt blue tiles alternating with cream-colored ones, a dinner plate sized shower head sprinkled steamy water from well above my head. Condensation already covered nickel-plated taps and colored glass bottles of… soap? Yet my gaze quickly fell to Sephimara as she stepped under the water, raising her hands to massage wet locks of her short amber hair. The pose highlighted sleek musculature of her shoulders, her arms strong enough for the stoutest longbow. Rivulets of water followed the V of her back to a tight waist before flaring out to those magnificent—
I lunged forward, nearly pushing her against the tiled wall, as I wrapped my arms around her waist.
“I admire your enthusiasm, darling consort, but wouldn’t rubbing soap into your chest first have been a more efficient use of your current gesture.”
“I’m glad I said I loved you earlier.”
“As am I, darling consort.”
“If I would have waited until now, I fear you would think me shallow.”
She twisted at the neck to glance over her shoulder. “Would I?”
“Our discourse is a pleasure beyond words.” I slid a palm between her breasts.
