Page 56 of The Nymph Prince

A myriad of lovers had joined me in lustful bliss. For years, they’d paraded in and out of my bedchamber, each of them pleasing in their own way. Some held a fondness for biting; others preferred it slow and sensual. Yet, none of them had ever pleased me more than the mage.

My body hummed in response to his scent, one that reminded me of the surface world; sun-warmed rocks near the sea.

When our bodies had united as one, an indescribable sensation had traveled through me. From the tips of my toes to the top of my head, I’d felt it. Our connection, the same one that’d allowed me to follow him for so long, consumed me whole.

Alek’s skin was slick with sweat as he increased the pace of his thrusts and gripped my left leg, kissing my ankle. He hit that magical spot within me and my toes curled. Neither of us would last much longer.

Pressure built in my sac and my muscles tensed. So, so close. Only a few more thrusts and I’d—

“Alek!” Rippling pleasure had my toes curling, my cock throbbing, and spots filling my vision. When I felt like I had nothing left to give, the slight roughness of Alek’s hand pumping my length combined with him continuing to nudge the delicious spot inside me, had me screaming out in ecstasy. “Oh, gods! Don’t stop.”

The pleasure was never-ending, and I wondered if I’d ever come down from the high.

He grunted as he fucked me harder, faster. When he hit his peak, he threw his head back and groaned deep in his throat. Warmth filled me as his cock pulsed and shot his load. His eyes flashed gold as his body quaked with his release, and I gaped at the beauty of him.

I’d seen his eyes briefly flash to a different color before, yet seeing it while we were in the midst of making love took my breath away.

Once he was spent, he slumped forward and slid his arms under my back. My legs wrapped around his waist, and we stayed that way for several heartbeats. The only noise was our panting.

His head rested on my chest, and I ran my fingers through his damp hair.

“Lorcan?” His raspy voice held the intonations I’d come to adore.

I twisted a dark strand between my fingers, absentmindedly playing with it. “Yes?”

His arms held me tighter. “Do not forget me.”

A crack tore through my chest at the vulnerability in his tone. Not just vulnerability… but a note of fear, as well.

“How could I forget you?” I responded, touching his cheek and tilting his face up so I could look at him. “Do you intend to leave me?”

“Not by choice,” he whispered.

“What do you mean?”

Alek didn’t answer. He’d come far in his trust for me, but he still held so much back. Clinging onto me while, at the same time, keeping me at a distance.

“Know this, mage. If you leave, I’m going with you,” I vowed. “Whatever it is that causes fear to cloud in your eyes, we will face it together.”

“That’s not possible, nymph.” He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my fingertips. “It is a thing I must face alone.”

A retort was on my lips, but before I could utter it, he crawled up my body and claimed my mouth in a soul-scorching kiss. I had not the energy to argue with him, and so I returned his kiss, hoping it’d wash away the unease in my gut caused by his words.

“Will you stay with me?” he asked, pressing his forehead to mine. His thumb stroked my jaw.

“Yes.” There was no hesitation.

I could think of nothing better than sleeping in his arms.

Alek pulled me against his chest, my head over his beating heart. Holding me close to him, he kissed the top of my hair before releasing the softest of sighs.

I wasn’t sure when sleep finally claimed me, but once it did, my dream was of a rocky shore at low-tide, the waves caressing the rocks like that of a lover’s gentle touch.

***

By the time I awoke the next morning, Alek was gone. His side of the bed was cold, and I glided my hand across his pillow. Although I’d expected it, I was disappointed. It would’ve been nice to open my eyes and have his face be the first thing I saw.

Just when I believed he was opening his heart to me, he closed himself off again.