Page 93 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

“What would you do with it? A degree like that? I assume that unlike your father, you’re not interested in making artifacts, just studying them, studying history? Art?”

“All of it,” I said, my heart kicking up a notch. “Minus the artifact making. I love looking into the past, reflecting on the way it shaped our world. Vivi works in a museum now, did you know? I’m not sure that’s the path for me, though. Maybe I could follow in Professor Miller’s footsteps. At least, that’s what I thought I’d end up doing, working at the university with her, teaching lectures, all of that. But now she’s gone, so I don’t know…”

Bastian’s features softened. He held my gaze for a moment, then leaned in and kissed me, slowly, gently. Like he was telling me it was okay—everything would be okay. Heat spread through my core. His thigh nudged between my legs, pressing against my pussy. I groaned and flexed my hips, grinding against him. Already, I wanted him again. I deepened our kiss, pulling at his bottom lip, biting harder than I would have with a human. A brazen challenge, a show of dominance.

He growled, and in one fluid motion, rolled us over and pulled me on top of him. I settled against his chest, then pushed myself up, pinning his shoulders. “I need you again,” I admitted. “Need to feel that fancy piercing of yours.”

His lips tipped up and a challenging gleam lit his eyes. “Take me,” he commanded, his gaze darting between my face and breasts.

I didn’t need any further prompting.

His hands tightened on my hips as I found his hard length, guiding it to my entrance. I delighted in the hiss of pleasure that broke from his lips as I sank down on him.

My lips parted, a cry of delight breaking free at the feel of him filling me. At the feel of his piercing. It hit right where I wanted it. With the pressure of sitting on his cock, it was even better. It was bliss, absolute bliss, having him this way. Lifting my hips and snapping them back down, I rode him, and just like he’d commanded, I took him.

32

Asnore sounded next to my ear, pulling me from sleep. I woke with the weight of a body atop mine. Bastian. I tried to shift and found myself entirely trapped, so I lay there, blinking up at the ceiling in his room. My legs were parted, and he’d found a way between them, his entire body aligned to mine, sleeping on top of me. His face was nuzzled into the pillow beside mine, his breath fanning against my cheek.

I swallowed. We were naked and he was hard. His length pressed obscenely between the apex of my thighs, so close to where I wanted it. If I shifted, I could probably work him in.

Heat flushed my cheeks as memories from last night came rushing back, the way he’d fucked me from behind, the way I’d ridden him. We’d collapsed after that, at nearly five in the morning, and passed out. I hadn’t even gone through my bedtime routine, which was why my face felt gross with day-old makeup.

Annnnd, I had to pee.

Groaning, I finally pushed him aside. He gave another little snore and readjusted, grabbing the closest pillow and pulling it toward him, wrapping his arms around it. My shoulders shook with silent giggles, taking in the sight of him, all six foot something, layered with muscle, half his body covered in tattoos and piercings, rings on his fingers, beautiful gray skin, pointed ears, and black hair laced with deep green fanning out around him.

I was in so much trouble with this male.

I shook my head, forcing my gaze away. Otherwise I’d stand here all day. I slipped from his room, leaving him with Teddy curled up at the foot of the bed. I went to my bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, my mouth dropped open. My hand jumped to the crook of my neck to rub the bite mark there. He’d bitten me! It had been so damn hot. His teeth hadn’t broken the skin, but there’d be a nice bruise and the outline of his pointed teeth. I leaned closer for a better look. Except, the longer I stared, the fainter it grew, until it disappeared completely. Like I’d imagined it.

Weird.

I rubbed my temples then set about cleaning myself up. I washed off yesterday's makeup and brushed my teeth⁠—

“Running from me, sugar?” Bastian’s gravelly voice nearly made me jump from my skin.

I sprayed toothpaste on the mirror as I rounded on him, brandishing my toothbrush. He was back in his human form, propped in the doorway with his arms crossed, amusement dancing on his features. He was still completely naked—as was I. I rushed to spit and clean my mouth.

“Thanks for that,” I said, then grabbed a towel and wiped the toothpaste off the mirror. He chuckled, sauntering into the bathroom. My heart kicked up as he stalked toward me. He took me by the hips and lifted me onto the counter, coming to stand between my legs. His lips found mine, sweet at first before a hand slipped into my hair and tightened, tilting my head back for better access.

A moan escaped me as his tongue swept in.

“Good morning,” he teased, pulling back slightly to look at me. “Think I might be lucky enough to get you in the shower?”

“That depends,” I managed, trying to look annoyed about the toothpaste.

“On?”

“Whether you’ll make me breakfast?” I batted my eyelashes.

He laughed, full bodied and uninhibited. The sound sent shivers across my skin. Something told me he didn’t let just anyone see him unguarded like this. Which made me feel immensely special.

“How are you so fucking cute, even when you scowl at me?” He pressed his finger into the crease that had formed between my eyebrows. “I love this. But anyway, I was already planning on making omelets, so…”

“Omelets?” I sat up straighter. I loved a good omelet, and I was certain his would be amazing.

“Omelets.”