Page 18

A SENSE OF CONTROL

A n angry little creature was trapped inside my skull, careening into the sides, attempting to break free. I rubbed my temples, cringing at the relentless throbbing.

Soft multicolored splashes gleamed through the canopy, the morning light scattering around my room. I crushed my eyes closed, the brightness increasing the ache within my head. At least I had the day off from my chores.

A cheery rapping sounded on my door, and I winced. It burst open without my consent, and I squinted an eye toward it as a swirl of blue dashed into my sanctuary.

I flopped my arm over my eyes.

“Now, Miss. No use in lazing about. It’s a lovely day, and it’s running away from you,” Derya chided, emphasizing the tsking she made as she flung my blankets off me.

“Let it run. I won’t chase it,” I grumbled.

“Up. Up!” She swatted my hip. A groan spilled from me as I rolled over and slumped into a sitting position. Derya wouldn’t give up when she fixated on something—like a busy little bird nipping at a hidden worm.

I sighed, smoothing my hand over my untamed tresses and closing my eyes. I’d be her worm if it made her happy. She deserved nothing less.

Derya’s attention was rapt on me as her feet shuffled impatiently. I peeked at her, a wide grin spreading across her face as she swayed her hips, holding out a simple black dress toward me.

“What’s this now?”

“Your new attire! Your gift is the talk of the palace. Quite exciting to be so mysterious,” she giggled.

“Just what I wanted. More attention,” I moaned, snatching my uniform from her.

I frowned at the garment in my hands. It was a symbol of failure—my utter inability to keep my ember in check.

“Embrace it, my dear. Never know when it might come in handy, yeah?” She wrapped me in a warm hug, squeezing before releasing me and cupping my cheek tenderly. “You’ve a long road ahead of you, my dear, but you’ll manage it. I’ve no doubt.”

My brows rose, a curious response on the tip of my lips when Kaden sauntered into the room.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he drawled, oozing charm. Had he forgotten I’d almost killed him yesterday?

He tilted his head, looking at me. “Ah, Ser. Didn’t see you there. Top of the morning to you as well.” His grin was infectious, sullying my uneasiness.

“You cad.” Derya swatted his arm, tittering and rolling her eyes. Then she gave him a stern look before shuffling to the door. “Take care of our girl.”

“Always. I dream of nothing else,” he crooned. He turned to me when the door clicked shut, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. I breathed in his woodsy scent, leaning into the warmth of his body.

“How did your mysterious meeting go with Elder Harrow?” he asked, kissing the top of my head.

I looked up at him, bringing my hands to rest on the wide expanse of his chest. “Ah, she canceled. You know, important Elder stuff.” I shrugged, wincing at the movement.

Kaden’s warm hand gently kneaded my neck, and I moaned at the relief it brought. “That feels like a miracle. Don’t stop.”

“I aim to please.” A laugh rumbled in his chest. He used his other hand to massage my scalp. Tingles raced over my crown, easing the ache in my temples. “Here, sit. I’ll run you a bath.”

He wouldn’t hear any arguments from me. It sounded like a splendid idea. I laid on my side, watching him draw the bath, lavender-scented bubbles swirling out of the spout. I pushed myself off the bed, making my way to Kaden as he turned off the stream of water.

As he turned to me, I nestled my hand into the crook of his neck. My eyes cleared; the pain in my head now a faint echo. “Kade, I know I said it yesterday, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I’m so sorry. I would never intentionally hurt you. I hope you know that.”

His eyes ran over my face, my lips, my eyes before looking up to the quartz ceiling, his hair looking almost midnight blue where the sunbeams swept over it. His eyes found mine as he cupped my jaw in his hands. “Never doubt that I know that. I’m all right, truly.” He slowly stroked my skin as he tucked his lips between his teeth for a moment. “Your ember is … intense.”

My heart sank as a wave of trepidation fluttered through my gut. I knew Kaden too well. He was troubled by what happened, but he wouldn’t admit it to me.

I felt powerless against my developing gifts. Against the fissure creeping along the bonds of our budding relationship.

Kaden’s eyes softened as he leaned forward, pressing his lips into mine. He rested his forehead against my brow, closing his eyes. “I’ll leave you to?—”

I grabbed his wrists as he pulled away. If he left now, the apprehension would fester, chipping away at the vulnerable cracks within me. “Don’t leave.”

His nostrils flared, the morning sun tracing the edges of his nose. Reaching up, I drew one fingertip down the uneven bridge, then rested my palm on his cheek, standing on my tiptoes to place another kiss on his mouth. His fingers pressed into me, a muffled growl vibrating within him.

The sound was encouraging, filling me with a sense of control—which I so desperately needed. I felt brave. Empowered.

I stepped away from him, pushing my nightgown off my shoulders. He tilted his head to the side, a few strands of shaggy hair falling over his forehead. His breathing sped up, an intense look of concentration lining his face.

The connection between us lingered as I backed away slightly, inching the material over my chest and letting it pool around my feet.

My breath quickened, now in time with the rise and fall of his chest. I dragged my top teeth over my bottom lip as the warm morning incandescence stroked over my bare skin.

He released a growl, tugging his tunic off and tossing it at his feet. His solid chest and abdomen strained, tense from holding himself in place.

One side of my lips quirked up as I turned my back to him, sliding my underwear down. Shivering, I stepped into the steamy bath water, goosebumps racing over my skin as I settled under fizzing bubbles.

With my head leaning against the back of the amber glass, I glanced at him. “Are you coming in, or do you have something better to do?”

He turned to leave, the sunlight outlining every corded muscle. “When you put it that way?—”

“Kaden Larkin!” I squealed, sitting up in the tub, splashing water over the edge.

He turned in an instant, a mischievous smirk reaching his eyes. It took only two full strides for him to get to the bath, a sharp gasp rushing out of me as he plunged his broad form into the water, his trousers still on. Loud fits of laughter floated through the room as he swiftly maneuvered, stretching his long legs across the length of the tub as he sat.

Then, without warning, his hands disappeared under the froth, claiming my waist and dragging me on top of him.

His hands slipped up my soapy back. I brushed my fingers through his hair, resting them on his nape, staring at his wet lips.

We weren’t laughing anymore as the water swayed around us. The sounds of our mingled breaths and bubbles softly popping floated between our bodies.

His warm exhales teased my skin, hardening my nipples as water trickled off them and into the water. He slid a hand to my breast, pinching one bud between his finger and thumb.

A sharp sensation zipped to my core, and I rocked against his wet breeches, feeling his hard length under the water. He grinned and swept the pad of his thumb over my nipple, relieving the sting and replacing it with a different type of sweet torture.

I sighed, my breath faltering as I moaned, “Kade.”

His smile faded as he seized my nape with his other hand and pulled my head to his, his lips claiming mine in a bruising kiss. My lips opened immediately, our tongues clashing.

My hips pressed into his, dragging over his erection repeatedly as we devoured each other. I couldn’t get close enough, the water frothing around us.

I caught his bottom lip between my teeth, dragging them over its plumpness.

Kaden groaned, using both hands to squeeze my bottom. His fingers pressed into the rounded cheeks, helping my sex rub over his. Heat built in my center, spreading outwards until its vibrations radiated over my limbs.

I leaned into his wet skin, my breasts rubbing against the hard contours of his chest. He licked and sucked my neck, tasting my skin without abandon.

My need condensed, and when I began pressing harder into him, his grip slid to my waist, spinning me. My backside pressed against his cock as I reclined against his hard torso.

Brushing my wet strands over one shoulder, he glided his hand over my neck, my shoulder, and then my breast. Kaden played with my nipple, stroking and tugging, his teeth and mouth nibbling and kissing my neck. His other hand slid down to the apex of my thighs.

My thighs quivered and tingled, and I gasped as he plunged two fingers into my warm heat. My hips followed his fingers as he pumped them in and out, in and out.

His thumb pressed against my throbbing clit, circling and flicking while his fingers thrust.

“Kade, I … I’m going to …”

“Yes, come for me, sweeting,” he mumbled against my neck, his teeth nipping just under my ear.

A wild moan fled my throat, followed by a whimper as I shattered, my sex tightening around his thick fingers.

“Fuck, Ser,” he rasped, sliding his fingers from my body, slipping up my stomach. He cupped one breast tenderly, gently squeezing before he whispered, “I’ll die happy dreaming of your cunt clenching around me.”

A languid grin spread across my lips, my face flushing as I wiggled against him. He gulped, his erection pulsing.

I turned in the water, standing between his legs. Water dripped, my skin shining and pink with arousal.

My body hummed, any restraint or shyness long forgotten. At this moment, I was in control in a way I hadn’t been before.

I cupped my breasts, teasing my tender nipples. “Your breeches. Off. Now,” I demanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” He fumbled out of the tub, sloshing water everywhere.

Grabbing blankets and towels, he made a haphazard pile on the floor as I stepped out of the basin.

Kaden pushed his sodden trousers off and stood in the center of the makeshift bed, his manhood thick and stiff, begging for attention.

My mouth watered while I pulled in a deep breath of the lavender-scented air.

“Lie down.” I took a step forward, goosebumps rippling over my skin.

He complied, propping himself on his elbows as I kneeled between his strong thighs.

His body was a piece of art. A sculpture of carved perfection that I wanted to explore every inch of.

I ran my hands up his shins. Over his knees. His thighs. His muscles flexing at my touch, his cock twitching. My gaze focused on the rigid length.

I drew my tongue across my bottom lip as I wrapped my hand around the base of his shaft, resting my other hand atop his thigh. He grunted, his hips rising a bit to push into my palm.

“I … I’m not sure exactly what to do,” I whispered, my heart hammering against my ribs.

His mouth tipped up, his eyes glinting. “Sweeting, whatever you want to do to my cock will please him and me. Just no teeth, please.” He winced, chuckling.

I sucked in my bottom lip, running my hand up his shaft, our skin still wet. Kaden sucked in a ragged breath, his abs tensing. My hand slid down with a firm grip. His hips lifted again, a bead of cum pebbling at the tip of his cock.

My body leaned forward, and I licked the salty wetness, gently squeezing the base of him.

“Torture. Plain and simple,” Kaden whimpered. I smirked and then wrapped my mouth around him, tasting as I pushed down as far as possible, my lips meeting my hand. His cock jerked in my grip, and I began sucking and pumping him.

He moaned, burying his fingers in my wild hair. Pleasuring him made me feel powerful. My body was on fire, and with every guttural sound he made, my core trembled, wishing it was wrapped around him instead of my mouth.

“I’m going to come. Fuck!”

My mouth left him, my hand still moving up and down his cock. His body tensed, his eyes closed, and his brow creased.

A sensual, garbled sound rumbled from his chest as he came, his seed spilling over my hand and onto his stomach.

As I released him, his body fell limp. I cuddled into his side, his arm wrapping around me protectively.

“Well, that’s one way to get rid of a headache,” I teased.

He laughed, kissing my forehead in between each word. “Best. Morning. Ever.”

“I think you’re just pleased that you finally joined me in the tub.”

“I won’t deny it. Unless you want to torture me some more.” He grinned as I swatted him on the chest and then placed a kiss on his jaw.

We snuggled for a bit atop the damp linens, neither of us wanting to leave the satiated bubble.

Contentment seeped into my muscles, relief working through each sinew. Any remaining feeling of being powerless was nudged aside. I sighed, kissing Kaden’s collarbone.

My stomach grumbled, breaking the silence.

“Ah, time to feed the monster in your belly,” he joked.

We cleaned up, and he wrapped a towel around his waist, taking his soggy trousers back to his room for a fresh pair.

I slipped my new dress over me, the fabric just as soft as my previous attire. I ran my hands down the black skirt, wishing it wouldn’t call attention to me.

“Hungry?” Kaden asked from the hallway. As he met me at the door, he took my hand in his.

“Always.”