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Rhysand did not need someone to tell him he was gone. The moment he slid into her, he knew there was no return from her. He drowned in her wetness, skin, scent, and eyes.

“Oh, Rhysand…” Penny sank her fingers into his bare back; she did not care if she drew blood, and neither did Rhysand. Their bodies were in exquisite harmony with one another, the pleasure pure and explosive.

The real world spun and careened on its axis, exploding in a downpour of fiery sensation with every move, every touch, every thrust.

Penny’s eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her body felt as if it was half ice and half flame. Her toes curled, and she could feel a particular sensation rising in the pit of her stomach.

“Oh, Rhysand…” She held him tighter, and he knew.

“Let it go, darling,” he whispered as he picked up his pace. Penny shattered into a million glowing stars as she cried out for release.

Shortly after, Rhysand let out a groan, spending his release, and he collapsed on the bed as they caught their breaths.

“Rhysand, that was–”

“–spectacular.”

Chapter25

Penny lay in the warm embrace of Rhysand’s arms, naked and sore. It had been a challenge keeping up with Rhysand’s stamina. He was determined to explore every inch of her body as he said he would, and they spent the entire morning doing just that. Now, they lay in bed together in the tender embrace of satisfied lovers. Rhysand’s eyes still roamed over her body hungrily, but he did not touch her, having considered her soreness.

“You were right.” Penny licked her lips. They had spent the entire night tracing lines of their naked bodies with their lips and fingers, but Penny colored at the thought of what she was about to say.

“What about?”

He held her slender fingers in hers, idly loving the smoothness of her skin against his. Since their steamy night, he had to be touching her at every possible moment if he was not inside her.

“About how I still crave love despite everything that happened to me.”

Rhysand pulled her closer to him so she leaned on his chest.

“After it was revealed to me what my mother had done, I could not help but feel unloved, even when I knew my family loved me. I did not think anyone could genuinely love me if the woman that birthed me did not love me.”

“You crave love because you give out a lot of it. It has nothing to do with your family or your mother. You are perfect, and you should be loved right by everyone.”

Penny sighed. She could not get herself to believe his words, but she appreciated his effort to comfort her. Penny could tell it was not something he did often.

She bit down on her lower lip.

“What is on your mind?”

“I do not know what to expect from you. I only wonder if–” she could not bring herself to complete her statement.

“Talk to me, Sunshine.”

She swallowed and took a deep breath.

“I wonder if I satisfied you.”

Rhysand pushed her off his body and turned her to face him with his hands on her bare shoulder. “Where did that come from?”

She bit down on her lower lip again, ashamed to meet his eyes.

“The lady that pushed me, Lady Madeline… she told me you do not waste your time with blushing maidens, that you do not make love. Or cuddles. And you would get tired of me if you were not satisfied…”

Rhysand retained his affability, but there was a distinct hardening of his eyes. He licked his lips.

“Look at me, Sunshine,” he cupped her face. He needed to make sure she heard what he was about to say clearly without any mistakes or misunderstandings.