Page 93 of Taste of Thorns

It’s easier than the last time, but the size of him still whips my breath away.

I’m half aware how dangerous this is. The lesson has only just finished, the door stands unlocked, and he’s cast no silencing spell. It would be so easy for someone to walk in on us, for someone to catch us. But it adds to the moment. My body’s running on adrenaline and that magic is singing in my veins.

He pounds into me and it’s so much more raw and powerful than the last time; I realize he must have been going gentle on me. I cry out and he rings his tongue around the shell of my ear.

“You gotta be quiet, baby. I know you find that hard. But you’ve got to be.”

I nod my head, trying my best to smother the moans that he forces from my body. It’s no good though, and he kisses me, attempting to swallow away all my noises.

“Tell me I’m better than her,” I murmur against his lips.

“Who?” he growls, thrusting so hard into me, I’m forced up onto my toes.

“You know who I mean.” I scowl.

“There’s no comparison, Briony. You’re everything to me. You drive me to distraction. All I want to do is fuck you over and over again. It wasn’t like this with her. It’s never been like this with anyone else. I’ve never been in love before.”

The word floats out in the air like his shadow magic and it’s so potent, so shocking, it has me tipping over the edge, the professor coming right after me as I convulse around his cock.

“Love?” I whisper, as he rests his damp forehead against my shoulder and catches his breath.

“You knew that,” he says.

“I didn’t.”

He nips at my shoulder. “You do now. I love you, Briony Storm, no matter how damn irritating you can be.”

“I think I love you too,” I say, smiling over his shoulder. “Even when we argue.”

“The arguing is worth it for the make-up sex,” he growls and before I can argue with that, he’s pressing a thumb to my clit and forcing another orgasm from my already wrecked body.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Beaufort

Henny threads her arm through mine and waves at a group of ladies walking the halls of the Palace complex.

“Will you cut that out?” I say, snatching my arm away and creating space between us.

“Now, now, Beaufort,” she says, delight gleaming in her crazy eyes, telling me off exactly like she used to do when we were kids playing in these same corridors. “Play nicely, otherwise I’m not going to help you.”

“Parading through the Palace like a newly married couple wasn’t part of the agreement, Henny,” I growl. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”

She peers off towards the retreating backs of the chattering ladies and then back at me, grinning from ear to ear. “And I think I achieved it, Beaufort. The rumor mill will already be churning.”

I curse her and stomp off down the hallway, not waiting for her to catch up.

“You should probably thank me. If your mother thinks we’re back together,” she purrs a moment later by my ear, “then she won’t get wind of who you’re really spending your time with.”

“She knows we have a thrall.”

“But does she know she’s more than that?” I halt, snap around and grab Henny by the arm. “Are you going to punish me for being naughty, Beaufort?” she teases.

“If you tell anyone …”

“You know,” she says, that infuriating amusement dancing in her eyes, “you claim you’re not ashamed of the Slate slut, yet you’re determined to keep the true nature of your relationship secret. Seems like you are ashamed of her after all.”

“No, I’m trying to keep her safe from maniacs like you.”