Page 51 of Crown of Iron (The Crown Trilogy #1)

Kyron drops his mouth to where my heart beats and adorns it with lingering kisses.

He removes my hand from his hair and presses it to his chest. His heart fiercely pounds against his ribcage with a rhythmic drumming that matches mine.

“I'm yours. No matter what happens, remember I will always be only yours, Raelle.”

“And I am yours,” I vow.

My world tilts as Kyron clenches my thighs and turns us.

My back sinks into the blankets. He hovers over me, and his lips find mine while his cock presses to my center.

My hands slide between us and work free the laces of his pants until I can glide my palms inside, feeling the smooth, firm length of him.

Breaking our kiss, Kyron places his lips on the peak of my breast. I arch my back, eager for each stroke of his tongue.

He doesn't disappoint, lapping at my skin like he’s savoring every taste.

His hand joins his mouth, pinching my nipple before switching his efforts to the other.

With quickened breaths, I tangle my fingers in his hair, holding him to me.

Every cell in my body is on the brink of exploding, shattering into a million glorious pieces.

I crave my destruction, beg for it. I want him to break me, then gather all I am and piece me together again just so he can repeat the process.

He kisses between my breasts and slides his tongue down my stomach.

His fingers work loose the leather tie of my trousers, and he eases the leather down my thighs, discovering there are no other barriers keeping him from me.

Kissing each of my hip bones, he frees me of the last of my clothes, leaving me vulnerable to him and the stars above.

He soaks me in, his gaze heavy with lust. Ever so slowly he eases my thighs apart and hisses, “Fuck.”

Leaning closer, his breath sweeps over my center followed by his lips. With my chest heaving, I prop myself on my elbows and look down my body at him. Kyron stares at me as his tongue traces the seam of my center, opening me to him in the most delicious way.

I'm lost in every stroke, suck, and bite, his mouth sending liquid heat through me.

It sizzles in my veins, awakening every cell of my body.

My skin prickles with goosebumps, reacting to each lap of his tongue.

He is slowly winding my need for him, working it taut until the ache is too much, and I beg for release.

The roll of his hips draws my attention.

The black leather of his pants clings to the swell of his ass, and his back muscles flex with the slight movement of his arm.

I bite my lip as a fresh surge of desire sweeps over me.

I can't see him touching himself, but just the thought of him pleasuring himself while he does the same to me intensifies the ache between my legs into a steady throbbing.

I tilt my head back and press my pelvis against his mouth, chasing after the glorious high only he can give me.

“That's it. Let go,” he says, and the band tightly twisting inside me snaps.

My fingernails dig into his shoulder, and his name flows from my lips. I move against his mouth, praying this feeling never ends. I'd happily spend the rest of my days with him between my legs.

He braces me with his forearm over my hips, but I fight his hold. I buck against his lapping tongue as my release flows from me. I want him harder, deeper. He doesn’t relent but continues to consume every last drop from me until I have nothing left to give.

The euphoric release slowly subsides, leaving me to catch my breath. Kyron rests his head against my stomach. He licks his lips and strokes between his legs in a pure state of satisfaction. The man knows the bliss he has given me, and he doesn’t even try to hide the pride written on his face.

When my heart rate slows, I brush the hair from his forehead, and he looks up at me. “Let me see all of you,” I say.

He rises to his knees, his frame haloed in hues of coral, lime, and periwinkle.

The muscles in his forearm flex as he eases his pants down his hips.

The leather gives way to reveal every phenomenal inch of him.

He’s built of hard muscles, perfect lines, and golden skin.

Every inch of him is flawlessly tailored for pleasure.

“Come here,” I say. It's meant to be a demand, but desperation laces my words. I need to put his spectacular body to the test.

He covers me, skin upon skin. I lace our fingers, resting them next to my face before kissing the knuckle of his thumb.

“Raelle.” My name is a mixture of his need and an opportunity to change my mind. But I know what I want.

“Please be gentle,” I say. It's a plea to join slowly, to make this last, to treat my heart like the fragile thing it is.

“Of course,” he promises, gliding his palm over my outer thigh and the rough skin covering the Eporri.

Power surges between us, a sensual mixture of dark, warm passion. It's a heady feeling heightening our desire. The hollow place within me throbs, reminding me how perfectly Kyron will fit inside me. I yearn to be filled by him, to feel completely connected.

He aligns himself with my center and barely dips inside me.

I suck in the cool night air and his grasp on my hand tightens.

With a tenderness that rivals a summer breeze caressing the petals of wildflowers, he rocks his hips.

I hiss and sink my nails into his shoulders.

He stills, calming me with sweet, languid kisses which transform into desperate strokes of his tongue.

His gift crackles against my lips like a fire, sparking a feral demand for more of him.

I rock my hips under his, taking more of him inside me.

Inch by inch, he sinks into me until his pelvis meets mine.

He releases a long breath, and I close my eyes.

Statera save me. The way he stretches and fills me, it’s the most intense feeling I’ve ever had.

Kyron pulls from me and eases our bodies back together. With each deep stroke, I discover sensations I've never experienced before. They’re a fusion of emotion and touch, lust and love, give and take. I hook my legs over the backs of his thighs, and he moves quicker.

When deep, breathless moans escape his lips, I know he’s close.

“Don't pull away when you come. It's all right to let go, I’ve taken precautions,” I say, panting against his ear and hoping to alleviate any lingering worries he may have. I've prepared for this moment, and I want to take him fully. I want him to take what he needs from me too.

Kyron presses down and grinds against my clit.

“Don't stop,” I beg .

“I wouldn't dream of it.” he breathes. He eases his hand under my ass, angling me so each stroke is what we both need. “Fuck, you feel so good. You’re so close, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I say with a moan.

“Let go, princess. I need to feel you coming on my cock.”

His words are my undoing. I contract around him, my body giving into pure ecstasy. It shatters the last layer of our defenses, obliterating it into nothingness. We’re bare and vulnerable to each other, exposing our flaws and perfection. Mind, body, and heart, I am his and he is mine.

Kyron thrusts deep inside me and shudders.

The sound of my name flowing from his mouth as he surrenders to his pleasure is stunning.

We ride out our releases until our bodies go limp, his molding to mine.

I run my hands over his back and through his hair, placing kisses anywhere I can reach.

We cling to one another, basking in the destruction of you and me .

In the aftermath of what we shared, it’s only us.

“Kyron?”

He hums and rolls us to our sides.

I lift my chin and gaze at his handsome face. “Thank you for trusting me, for giving me more than I deserve.”

He slowly cracks open his eyes. “You never need to thank me. I willingly give you all I am. I'm at your mercy, and I'd have it no other way, Raelle.”

His words are beautiful, but it's the way he clenches the back of my neck and holds me against his heart that tells me I'm just as precious to him as he is to me. I pray we find a way to hold on to what we’ve found.

As dawn invades the night, my eyes flutter open, and I lift my head. Kyron sleeps soundly with his arms wrapped around me, and my leg draped over his. I run my knuckles across the stubble covering his jaw and trace his lips with my eyes. He's so beautiful when he sleeps.

My gaze wanders over the cords of his neck and the dip at the base. I follow his collarbone and study the tattoo on his bicep. His long fingers curved at my waist bring a smile to my face, and the V at his hips points to the center of his legs, causing me to lose my breath.

Last night was surreal. It embodied everything I thought I would never get to share with another.

It was a mixture of adoration and lust. I gave myself freely to him, and he offered his body in kind.

We gave and took and gave some more until we were exhausted and had no choice but to give into sleep.

I kiss Kyron's shoulder and slide out of his hold. Lifting my arms to the sky, I stretch my aching muscles. The morning breeze caresses my naked body, and I close my eyes, basking in the sensation. Even the morning is perfect with a sun-kissed breeze and singing birds.

With one more look at him, I stand and make my way down the rock to the edge of the water. Clenching my teeth, I dip a toe into the river, testing the chilly flow before stepping in. I splash my face and dip my head back, letting the gentle current wash me clean.

Samson bristles and stomps his hoof, capturing my attention.

“Don't be jealous,” I say. “And stop watching me, will you?”

With a laugh that matches the bursting, giddy bubbles inside me, I lean back and go weightless. I watch the clouds roll against the orange and pink sky and revel in the river's tranquility.

I've never been so close to having everything I want. Some may consider my life far from ideal; promised to marry one and desiring another, but this is perfection in my extraordinary circumstances. Micah has taught me that there’s no black and white.

I finally understand the hues of gray, and I've never seen a more gorgeous shade. I'm right where I'm meant to be.

Hands slide down the outsides of my arms, and I tilt my head back, meeting Kyron's smiling face. He leans down, presses his lips to mine, and whispers, “Good morning.”

I right myself and wrap my arms around his neck. “A very good morning.”

Tucking a strand of wet hair behind my ear, he says, “We have to get going. I have some preparations to finish before leaving for Stigian tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“No one told you?”

I shake my head. “I've only spoken with Ulric and Leif, and both of them had more to say about you than the mission.” Kyron lifts a brow, and I clarify, saying, “They were worried about you.”

He runs his hands down my sides and chuckles. “That gave you joy.”

I pucker my lips to hide my smile. “You don't have to read my emotions. I'm happy to tell you how I feel. They may have mentioned that you seemed a little down in my absence.”

“So you're saying you delight in my pain?”

I stand on my tiptoes, and pressing my body to his, I whisper against his ear, “I find all sorts of delights with you, General LeFur.”

He growls and guides my legs around him. “What the hell. It's my prerogative to make them wait.”

“You're pulling rank?”

“Fuck yes, I am,” he says, and his lips collide with mine.