Page 95 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

A giddy laugh burst free of my chest. “I can’t even… That’s a lot of loose cash for missing ingredients,” I managed. Because this many roses must have cost a fortune.

I took it all in, my chest burning. A few tears slipped free, mingling with the water slipping down my skin. Their sweet scent filled the room, mixing with the heavy steam of the shower. I inhaled, my shoulders immediately relaxing.

“Now,” he said, “what else would you like, since we’re at it? Chocolate? Diamonds? Both?”

“You,” I gasped, spinning to face him. “Just you. On your knees for me.”

His smile was pure wickedness. He complied, erasing any doubt that he wouldn’t be good at this sort of thing—whatever it was we were doing. I still had a lot to get off my chest regarding what we were—because I wanted an answer to that—but for now, the gesture was enough.

When his tongue found the heat between my legs, I braced my back against the shower’s tile. I wrapped my hands around his head to anchor myself, draping my right leg over his shoulder. He lapped at me, running his tongue along my opening, circling my clit. His piercing sent zings of pleasure straight to my core.

Soon enough, my legs began to tremble as my orgasm built.

My head fell back against the wall. I closed my eyes, letting the steam and the scent of roses wash over me. “Fuck, Bastian,” I whispered, my body tightening.

A low chuckle sent tingles shooting straight to my pussy. Pleasure raked its sinuous claws over me. I rocked my hips against his mouth, moaning. “More,” I begged, growing desperate, aching. Bastian’s fingers slipped inside me. First one, and then two. They curled, hitting my inner walls just right. I came apart. A cry wrenched from my lips, hips bucking against his mouth. His movements slowed, growing gentle as he finished licking me.

When I dropped my gaze to his, all I saw were hot green sparks. He licked his lips and his glamor flashed in and out, a sign he was losing control. When he smiled, all I saw were the points of his goblin teeth, ready to devour me whole.

I wasn’t sure there was a single thing Bastian couldn’t cook. I shoveled a combination of diced mushrooms, tomatoes, basil, cheddar cheese, and egg into my mouth, like I couldn’t eat fast enough. “Hungry much?” Bastian chuckled beside me, watching me eat for several beats, his eyes dancing.

I moaned. “It’s so frigging good.”

“Good, eat up. You’ll need your strength today.”

Hot fire dropped into my belly. “I…will?”

Because we’d be having so much sex, right? Yes. Good. I was ready for it. It didn’t matter that he’d fucked me thoroughly in the shower after I’d finished coming on his tongue. I could take so much more.

It was funny, because I thought I would be sore. Yet, everything felt fine. Perhaps my prolonged celibacy hadn’t been so detrimental after all. I could go at least another five, maybe six rounds? It depended on how many breaks we took⁠—

“Whatever your thinking, I can smell it.” My lips parted. “We’re going to your apartment this afternoon, sugar. We had a deal, remember? I’m going to magic your apartment back to normal. It needs to appear as if you’ve gone back to your everyday life, just in case Luke comes looking.”

My mind came to a screeching halt. Luke. Apartment. Bait…

I set my fork down, stomach clenching into a tight ball. “I suddenly find I’m not all that hungry.”

“Elle.” Bastian’s voice was gentle. “Eat your breakfast—lunch—whatever. You’ll be fine, I promise.”

“But you’re not going to make me stay there, right? While he’s still on the loose?”

Bastian’s body went rigid. “You will stay where I can keep you safe.” His words came out as a menacing growl. “With me.”

I nodded and relaxed, glancing down at my plate. It really was a freaking good omelet. I lifted my fork again, taking another bite.

Around us, vases of pink roses littered the kitchen. He’d cleaned up his grand gesture in the bathroom by summoning additional vases to house the loose roses. Now they were everywhere—a reminder. My cheeks washed with heat.

“Still thinking naughty thoughts about me?”

“Will you just—eat your food!” I snapped, even though there wasn’t any bite to my voice. “God!”

He chuckled, then returned to his omelet. My stomach relaxed and I managed to devour the rest of my food—not hard, considering it was incredibly delicious—and finish my second cup of coffee. Then we were headed out the door to my apartment.

Our drive through the city was quiet. Bastian didn’t appear talkative, and I didn’t want to push. Instead, my mind replayed our words, our actions, everything. It would be silly to think I was somehow special—that after he’d had his pick of partners over the years—correction, centuries—I was the one he’d make an exception for. And yet, his actions spoke otherwise.

Bastian found a spot along the curb and parallel parked his truck. I punched in the code on the building and we took the elevator to my floor. My heart lurched at the sight of Peter’s closed door. There was no longer caution tape lining the entry. It wasn’t swarming with police. Everything looked as it ought, as if he might pop his head out and say, “Eh, Rose? All right, girl?” And I’d nod and say, “Yep, thanks, Peter. How’s Teddy?” And he’d chuckle, regaling me with Teddy’s latest antics while I unlocked my door, then we’d bid each other goodbye. Only to do it all over again the next time I came home.

“You okay, Elle baby?” Bastian’s hand tightened on mine, sending butterflies fluttering through my chest. I nodded, pulling my gaze from Peter’s door, focusing on mine instead. "I had the landlord replace the locks," he said by way of explanation, pulling a set of keys from his pocket and handing them over. "Hope you don't mind."