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He pushed open her thighs until she was on display. He licked his lips and with no other warning yanked her forward and lifted her. Her back hit the desk.
His lips and tongue were everywhere. She gasped, overcome by the welcome heat. She reached for his hair, but it was fiendishly short, providing her with nothing to pull. She found an ear and held on tight. Perhaps she pulled a bit too hard. Draven growled, the vibration going right through her core.
Her climax came swift and so powerful that she sobbed in relief. She didn’t think she’d ever see him again and she did. What he did with his mouth was nice, but she missed him. Living the rest of her life without him would have just been existing, not living.
Before she fully came down from that, he bit her thigh. The same brisk, invigorating sensation swept over her. It blended with the lazy, content haze of her release into a floating blissful peace.
Soon enough, Draven licked the wound and rose to his feet. “No tears. Not for me. I don’t deserve them,” he said, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek.
“I thought I lost you,” she said, voice half-sobbing. “And then we’d never get to have that argument.”
He pressed his forehead to hers and laughed. It was deep and warm and unlike any noise she had ever heard him make. She approved.
“Impossible. You can’t lose me. Soulmates, remember. I’ll always find you.” A menacing growl crept into his voice. She also approved.
He’d always find her.
“You’re here,” she whispered.
“I’m here.”
Later, once the sweat dried and heart rates returned to normal, Draven sat behind the desk. Charlotte sat in his lap; her feet kicked up on the desk. The room was a mess with scattered papers and an overturned bottle of ink soaking into the rug. She didn’t care. A rug was a small price to pay, and no one in her household would be shocked that she knocked over an ink bottle. It happened regularly enough.
“You have a liquor cabinet.” Draven pointed to an object near the desk.
“That is a globe,” she said. Then added, “Of Earth.”
“It’s been a while, but I do recognize the home planet,” he said in a dry tone, padding over to the globe. Charlotte took the opportunity to admire the view. Draven tossed a look over his shoulder, his brows raised.
She lifted a shoulder in a helpless shrug. “I’m only human.”
He felt around under the wooden ring. There was a pop and the top of the globe opened on a hidden hinge. “Liquor cabinet.”
“How extraordinary. I had no idea.”
Inside were dusty bottles. Draven held aloft his prize, a questionable bottle of brandy, and two glasses. He poured a generous portion into each glass.
Charlotte accepted the glass with thanks. She took a cautious sip. The brandy was at least a year old, possibly more. Mellow and fruity, it barely tasted of anything.
“Do you think it would work? Assuming a new name and being in my employ?” she asked in a serious tone.
“I don’t see why not,” Draven said, emptying his glass. He scrunched his nose, as if disappointed in the taste. “An attractive young widow taking a shine to the handsome new librarian? Imagine the scandal.”
Charlotte mulled over his words. “I have decided to spend Lionel’s money in the most scandalous ways possible. I was thinking of orphans, but I could turn his library into a lending library for the public.” The more she considered the idea, the more she liked it. “I’d charge a membership fee to those who could afford it and use those fees to subsidize the poor. Anyone who wants access to the books can.”
“An admirable idea.”
“We can start with opening Vervain’s library to the public and expand to a building in the village.” She couldn’t wait to hear all the outraged noises Lattice would make when she learned of Charlotte’s plans for the great house. “I’ll have to advertise the position, otherwise people will question your arrival. You’ll need a new name.”
He lifted her hand to kiss the back. “A new name and vocation. I cannot wait to woo you again for all to see. You won’t be able to resist my charms,” he said, voice purring.
Charlotte blushed at the wicked promise in his voice, which was silly considering how deeply connected she already felt to him. She only hoped she would use his new name, whatever it would be, and did not slip by calling him Draven. “How did you pick the name Draven?” she asked, curious.
“It’s embarrassing.”
Her entire body perked with interest. “Oh, now I want to hear this story.”
He gave a dramatic sigh. “You won’t let it go until I explain, will you?”
