Page 47 of The Alien in the Archive (Galactic Librarians #1)

47

THORNE

A ll I can do is follow her. It’s all I can ever do.

Page is standing in her underwear by the bathtub, fussing with the taps. I stand, stuck in place for a moment in the doorway, watching her like she’s the only thing that exists…because she is, in a way.

At this point, she’s the only thing that matters.

Page is focused on the water, pretending that everything is fine. That it’s just a normal night. But her mind isn’t quiet, and neither is mine. Her frustration hums through the bond, a knot of tension she’s trying to smooth over with normalcy. I should say something; maybe joke about how she comes up with the most ridiculous solutions to our problems, how perhaps eating something full of cheese is not a great idea directly before a bath…but I can’t find it in myself to break the moment.

Right now, she’s perfect.

Right now, we’re together.

Page straightens up, finally satisfied with the water, and turns to face me. She’s set a glow lamp by the sink, and it sparkles in her grey eyes, illuminating them in liquid gold. For a beat, we don’t say anything. Her gaze drops to my chest, then back to my face.

“We’re supposed to be relaxing,” she murmurs, stepping closer.

“I am,” I reply.

Her fingers brush the hem of my shirt, tentative at first, then surer. “Then you’re overdressed.”

My mouth twitches, the smirk automatic but faint. I lift my arms as she tugs my shirt up. Steam clings to my skin, warmer than I’ve been in a thousand years.

“I borrowed some clothes from Riley so you don’t look like you’ve been lurking in a library,” she says, her lips pursed, jaw tight. “I want you to look…I don’t know. Respectable.”

I almost tell her I don’t think that’s going to matter too much.

I bite my tongue.

“I can still hear you, damn it,” she mutters.

I exhale, anxiety unspooling in my chest. My hands find her hips, pull her closer, and I dip my head so my forehead rests against hers.

“Page,” I say softly.

“If you’re going to say something about how it’s going to be okay, you can kindly fuck right the hell off,” she says.

“I wasn’t?—”

She kisses me, tugging me down to reach her, and I let myself fall into the pleasure of that kiss. Her lips are soft, but there’s nothing tentative about her; she kisses me like she means it, claiming me. I kiss her back, my hands sliding up the curve of her spine, my fingers tangling in her hair as I pull her closer still.

I want more.

I always do .

I guide her back, pressing her against the edge of the small counter as the water rushes into the tub. My mouth trails down, kissing the corner of her lips, her jaw, the pulse that flutters beneath her skin. She shivers as I graze my teeth there, and I pull back just enough to meet her gaze. Her pupils are dark, wide, her breathing shallow.

“Don’t think,” she says, full stop.

I kiss her again as she tugs at my pants, fumbling with the buttons before dragging them down. I’m bare underneath, naked for her now, eager, desperate. She shimmies out of her underwear next, and then she’s clinging to me, my tongue in her mouth.

She lets out a surprised squeak when I lift her onto the counter, a small laugh muffled when I kiss her again. I step between her legs, my hands on her thighs, spreading her open as she wraps them around my waist. She rocks against me, searching for friction.

I’m burning up, needing her. But…

I pull back just enough to see her, for my eyes to skate down her torso and take her in. Page is impatient, rocking against me.

“Thorne,” she gasps. “Fuck me.”

“Give me a second to look at you,” I growl, gripping her hip.

She groans. “Why?”

I lock eyes with her. “Because you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

She bites her lip. “You drive me crazy.”

I grin. “I’ll never stop.”

I lean down, taking her mouth in a slow, deep kiss. My hands slide up her thighs, tracing the shape of her hips, her waist, then I cup her ass in my palms. She whimpers into my mouth, fingers gripping my shoulders…

…and I pull her onto my cock .

Page gasps, her eyes widening in pleasure and surprise. I hold her close, feeling the way she clings to me, her body shuddering. I let out a low moan.

“Is this what you wanted?” I murmur, voice hoarse with desire.

“Yes,” she whispers. “Exactly.”

I smile against her lips, feeling her heart pound wildly against my chest.

“Good,” I growl, thrusting deeper.

She cries out, nails digging into my skin. I let myself enjoy the moment, feeling her body tighten around me as I move inside of her. Her lips are parted, breathing hard as she watches me with eyes of liquid gold.

I lean in close to her ear. “I’ve got you, Page. I’ve got you.”

I start to move slowly within her, feeling her tighten around me with each thrust. She makes the most wonderful sounds; she’s already close to her breaking point. I can feel it in the bond, too, resonating between us.

“Keep moving,” she begs. “Don’t stop.”

I keep my knot exposed so I can thrust into her, in and out, giving her that friction she craves. Her eyes flutter shut, her eyebrows furrowing with concentration. "That's it," she moans, digging her nails into my back as I continue my rhythm. Her hips move to meet mine, and we're in perfect sync.

I can feel the bond humming with her pleasure, and it courses through me like a drug. I want to feel it all…to take it in and make her feel even more.

"Thorne," she gasps, voice strained. "I'm going to…"

"Do it," I urge, thrusting harder as I feel her muscles tighten around me. "Let go."

And she does.

Page cries out, shaking in my arms as she climaxes. The bond between us erupts with white-hot light for a moment before settling once more. I hold her close as she rides out her orgasm, feeling her heartbeat…feeling mine.

I take her in my arms and set her gently on the floor, making sure she can hold herself up before I move to the bathtub. The water is just at the right level, and I quickly turn off the spigots and check the temperature. Page is behind me a moment later, wrapping her arms around me.

“Is it all set?” she asks.

I glance back at her. “I think so.”

“Not too hot for you?”

I frown. Maybe weeks ago, it would have been, but…

“I think I match your body temperature,” I murmur. “I have no way of knowing…but this feels comfortable.”

She smiles. “Good.”

When we finally sink into the tub, the water is still hot, steam curling faintly against the air. Page settles back against my chest, her head tucked beneath my chin. My arms loop around her waist, palms resting flat against her stomach, and for the first time all day, the bond hums with something softer.

Calm…peace.

She shifts, reaching for the book she left perched on a small table beside the tub, and I crack one eye open.

“You’re not going to let me relax, are you?” I grumble.

“I am relaxing,” she says, flipping the book open. “You’re the one who’s restless.”

“I’m not restless.”

“Speak for yourself,” she snorts.

I’m glad I got her to calm down.

“I think we did that together,” she shoots back, responding to my thoughts.

I smile and lean back, closing my eyes once again. Page starts reading, cuddled into my chest. It feels normal…even if this is supposedly what she does when she’s sad .

“I’m actually enjoying this,” I murmur.

Page laughs softly. “Maybe we should do it again sometime.”

I lean closer, and I feel confident in saying it as I whisper in her ear, “We will.”