Page 44

“Mmm. Now I feel on more even playing ground. No one should look as gorgeous as you did waking me up,” he murmured, his voice thick with residual sleep. Slowly, he turned her to face him. He’d smoothed his hair away from his face, though stray locks fell over his cheeks. His eyes glowed like preternatural emeralds that lured her into a lost security she’d dreamt of for decades. “But I wouldn’t ask for anyone else to wake up to.”

Rihanna had no time to respond before he consumed her in a kiss so deep and hungry, it put her efforts into breakfast to waste. His body pressed into her, pushing her back until her legs hit the table, and didn’t stop. He lifted her until she sat on the edge of the table, legs wrapping around his hips, arms holding fierce to his neck as she lost herself in the wild hunger she’d only known with Mikhail.

And with Bryce.

Ceramic clinked behind her as Bryce shoved the plates back, leaning into her until she couldn’t do anything but lay back on the table. Dear Goddess! She sank a hand into his soft hair, keeping him close as he tore his mouth from hers and kissed his way down her neck. His fingers splayed over her belly, lifting her sweater, molding to every curve of her hip and ribs and breast.

“Bryce,” she hissed, drawing her knees higher on either side of him, locking her ankles around his back.

A shrill sound erupted, startling them both upright. Bryce cussed under his breath and pulled his cell phone from his back pocket, shutting off the alarm with a sharp exhale.

“Damn it.” He rubbed his hand over his face—a hand that trembled—and caught her eyes as she smoothed down her sweater. “Daily work alarm.”

Rihanna raised a brow. “You’ve work this morn?”

He frowned and nodded once. “Yeah. I’ll be done early today. Another pharmacist relieves me at three.” He glanced down at his clothes. “I have to run home and change. I really don’t want to leave so abruptly.” He leaned to the side, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Did you make me breakfast?”

Rihanna slid off the edge of the table and tugged nervously at her hair. “Aye. Had I realized you would be leaving for work, I’d have packed it up for you.”

“How about I take a plate and eat on the way in? This way I have an excuse to hurry my ass back here when I clock out.”

Rihanna straightened her shoulders. “To return a plate?”

He laughed, playfully tapping the tip of her nose. “Silly. To see you and thank you for a delicious meal. But I can also return the plate.” His humor faded as he lifted her chin with a curled finger. “I don’t want to leave you. I’m afraid I’m walking in a dream and when I wake up, none of this would have happened.”

“Shall I pay you a visit at work? To reassure you all is well and true?” She folded her hand around his wrist, a subtle flow of magic seeping into her palm from beneath his sleeve. Her brow furrowed and she gently slid his sleeve back, revealing a leather plaited bracelet with rough pieces of gold. “When did you receive this? From whom?”

“Oh, right.” He chuckled uneasily, lifting his arm betweenthem. “Your friend Thierry stopped by after you fell asleep on the sofa. Delivered this little gem in hopes of preventing another foolish fainting spell on my behalf.”

She hid the unusual ache that came with the mention of Thierry. Mayhap because he felt the need to come when she was sleeping to keep his distance from her. Aye, her heart belonged to the man standing in front of her, but Thierry had helped her survive the immeasurable loneliness his loss created.

“Is everything okay?” Bryce asked, snapping her from her thoughts. She put on a smile and nodded. Despite his own grin, his eyes glinted with a sharpness that assured her he wasn’t convinced. “I should go before I’m late. You know”—he lifted his phone and tapped the screen several times—“I think I should have your number at this point.”

Rihanna laughed. “Mayhap. I may not be here upon your next surprise visit.”

“Then you’ll see me frozen on the front stoop, waiting for your return.”

“What of your heated truck?” She stepped into him, tipping her head. The tip of her nose brushed his chin, followed by an airy flutter of her lips. “Surely you’d rather stay warm.”

Bryce’s eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. “You’re teasing me.”

“Nay.”

She nipped his bottom lip, giving it a light tug. When she stepped back, his arm whipped around her waist, crushing her to him, almost lifting her toes off the floor. He spun her around until her back hit the wall, his hips pinned to hers, and every erotic inch of his cock digging into her lower belly.

Bryce tilted his head, angled his mouth over hers, but didn’t kiss her. She reached for him, craving his kiss, only forher chin to fall in the firm grip of his fingers, keeping her a hairsbreadth from what she needed.

“Crazy little bird, but I feel I’m falling into an old dance with you. One I know in the very fibers of my soul, and nothing, not a hundred years, can slow down what has been building, burning, clawing for release.”

Rihanna’s breaths ceased, her heart pounding. “What did you call me?”

“Little bird.” He lifted his head, narrowing his eyes on her. “That was my—”

“Pet name for me,” she finished. A sting touched her eyes. “Do you recall why?”

“I first found you wandering in the forest. You had just arrived from Faery, is what you told tell me, and you were singing quietly, the sweetest of sounds that reminded me of springtime birds. And you were snacking on berries.” He released her chin and draped her hair over his palm. “Your hair shone like a raven’s feathers in the afternoon sunlight. When I approached, you spooked and ran. When I next saw you, you were watching me, so timid and beautiful, from outside my store. Everything about you was graceful, serene, and magical.”

“When I ventured into your store, you had a small dish of berries waiting for me.” A soft chuckle fled her on a breath. “Like an offering for a bird.”