Page 79 of Drown Me Gently

Auren’s brows drew together in that infuriating, beloved stubbornness.

“Then why haven’t we?”

Ulric ran a hand down Auren’s spine, feeling every tense muscle.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said. “For you, it could be… painful. It is not like with my hand.”

Auren’s mouth hardened into a grim line, and for a moment, Ulric thought he would fight him, but his gaze softened as he placed a tender kiss against Ulric’s Adam’s apple.

“I am a man, Ulric,” he said with a firm resolution. “And you are a man.”

He cupped Ulric’s face in his hands, thumbs brushing along the sharp lines of his jaw.

“If you truly respect me,” Auren continued, “then you’ll let me decide where my limits lie. You’ll trust me to know my body, to know what I can take.”

Ulric opened his mouth to protest, but Auren shook his head, silencing him.

“Yes, this body is new, but strength isn’t new to me. I know my balance. I know my power.”

He softened then, a small, wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“I know my strengths, Ulric. But I also know my weaknesses.”

Auren leaned in, stealing a tender, lingering kiss.

“And you,” he whispered against Ulric’s lips, “are my greatest weakness.”

Ulric shuddered violently, barely holding on.

Auren pulled back to look him in the eyes. “Let me decide my limits, Kraken.”

Ulric dragged a trembling breath into his lungs. “Are you sure?” His voice cracked.

Auren nodded. “Yes. I want it. I want you. All of you.”

The floodgates shattered. And now Auren would know what it meant to tame a Kraken.

“Then do as I say, and bend over that balcony, spriteling.”

Auren nearly stumbled over the silken pillows at their feet in his urgency to obey.

“Hands on the railing. You’ll need something to hold onto.”

His prince obeyed, hands braced on the polished wood, back to him, legs braced.

Ulric grabbed the vial of oil again, slicking his hand liberally. He worked one finger inside Auren, then two, stretching him until he could ease in a third. He took his time, massaging the tight muscle, coaxing Auren open. His man whimpered, clenching the balcony in a death grip, a curtain of hair tipping over the edge.

Ulric swallowed a growl at the sight of him—red hair wild, muscles flexing, thighs shaking from anticipation.

“If you want to feel me so badly,” Ulric rasped. “Then you will feel every. Fucking. Breath.”

Auren rocked back against his fingers, greedy and shameless. “Please,” he gasped. “Please, Ulric. I need⁠—”

Ulric pulled his fingers free and slicked himself.

He lined up behind Auren, gripping those slender hips, thumbing the slick cleft of his ass. He positioned himself at that rosy bud, letting Auren feel the heat of his length. To warn his body of the impending invasion.

“Relax, spriteling,” Ulric murmured, voice thick. “Breathe for me. Let your body open.”