Page 35 of The Nymph Prince

“Believe me, nymph, you don’t need to tease me in order to make me want you. I’ve wanted you since the first day I saw you.”

A sound somewhere between a hum and a purr vibrated in his throat as he nestled his head to mine and slipped an arm around me.

It wasn’t only lust that had me clinging onto him. My heart warmed at the feel of him in my arms and how, although he was about the same size as me, he seemed smaller. More precious. I rested my cheek to his temple and ran a hand up his spine, causing the delicate chain he wore to jingle.

“Come with me to bed,” Lorcan whispered, sliding his hand down my arm and linking our fingers.

Lorcan led me over to the large bed before lying on top of the blanket. He caressed his hand up and down his stomach, playing with the silver chain. I grew even harder. Sparkling green eyes locked onto mine, alight with the same desire that kindled inside me, too.

“I want you, Alek,” he said, and I followed the path he made with his fingertips, traveling farther down his abdomen and to the perfect cock between his legs.

“We hardly know each other,” I pointed out, confused as to why I was making excuses.

What’s wrong with me?

“And?” He gripped his cock and gave it several slow pumps. The pink head glistened, and on the upturn of his wrist, he glided his thumb across the slit. I groaned. “Do you have to know your lovers before you fuck them?”

“No,” I answered, unable to take my eyes off him.

A lopsided grin quirked up one side of his beautiful mouth. “Then why do you still stand by my bed when you should instead be joining me in it?”

Because this will mean something.

Showing that type of vulnerability to someone terrified me. Caring for someone made it that much more painful when they disappointed you. When they left you.

“I… I’m unsure,” I said, dithering in place.

We hadn’t had sex yet, but I already felt intimate with him. Logic told me I couldn’t care for him in the way my heart told me I did, but as I watched him right then, catching a lingering scent of the sea on my skin from when he’d been against me, I knew that once we finally crossed that threshold there’d be no turning back for me.

Confusion flashed in his emerald eyes. He released his cock and sat up, tilting his head. “Do you not want me, Alek?”

Gods how I wanted him. I wanted to fall on top of him and taste his lips again, to get lost in his touch. I wanted to kiss down his lean torso and feel the muscles beneath his soft skin contract as he sighed and moaned. And I wanted to suck his cock, tasting his sweet and salty nectar.

Yet, I couldn’t move forward.

“I…” I finally took a step, but it was away from him. Toward the door. His face fell. “Sleep well, Prince Lorcan.”

Before he could say a word, I grabbed the handle and left the room, closing the door behind me. I felt like I was going to be ill and it had nothing to do with anything I’d eaten. No, it was caused by the hurt in his eyes as I’d rejected his advances.

Malik turned his head toward me. “Is all well?”

No. Far from it, actually.

“Aye,” I muttered, fighting the pain in my chest. My blood was thrashing in my veins, causing my heart to thrum wildly.

“Shall I take you to your chamber?” Reif asked, speaking for the second time since I’d met him. The first had been to tell me his name. He wasn’t much of a talker.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

I felt Malik’s eyes burning into my back as I walked down the corridor toward my room. From my abrupt departure, I was certain he suspected Lorcan and I hadn’t ended the night on the best of terms.

Once inside my room, I closed the door and pressed my back against it. No, the night hadn’t gone as expected at all. I’d had every intention on fucking Lorcan so hard he’d feel me for days to come. But then fear had crept in. The same fear that kept me at arm’s length with everyone I met, especially lovers.

The only people I’d ever allowed close to me were Fletcher and Kellan. And they weren’t around anymore. They were in the northern seas somewhere, too far out of my reach.

My eyes watered and when I closed them and hung my head, tears ran down my cheeks.

I collapsed on the bed, fully clothed. I had neither the energy nor the will to remove them. Unlike Lorcan’s room that had a whole wall made of glass, my chamber had only a single window that gave me a glimpse of the outside. I didn’t know if it was a good view, as I hadn’t looked yet. I didn’t care to.