Page 178 of The Throne Seeker

“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered, each word gently brushing her bottom lip, making her desire for him only grow. “I’ll give you time. I’ll wait… Hell, I’d wait until the end of time for you, Roe.”

She let out a harsh laugh, choking back a sob, tears freely flowing out of her eyes now. “I don’t need time.” She gazed up at him. “The only time I need more of is with you.”

His chin trembled as he took her wet palm and brought it to his lips, then pressed it against his cheek. His other hand slid up into her hair, bringing her to meet his lips.

She kissed him back with an unsatisfied hunger as her nails sank into his back, dragging them across his wet skin, forcing him to come closer.

His lips traveled down her jawline, leaving a trail of tender kisses in his wake as he took his time to explore. He moved to her neck, nipping and caressing it, going further down to her collarbone.

Her lips parted, letting out the sigh she’d been containing. She arched her neck as the ends of her long hair fell into the water.

This had to be what heaven felt like.

His movements became ravenous at her sigh. His mouth retreated home to hers, this time more greedy, forcing her lips apart as his tongue slipped in.

She responded with the same urgency. She couldn’t fight her body any longer as she ground her hips against his, earning a deep-throated growl.

The foreign energy was taking over her limbs again, but this time, she leaned into it, bending backward as she pulled Roman down with her, slowly sinking through the water. Her hair seeped deeper, flowing effortlessly around her.

She withdrew her lips. “Do you trust me?” she asked, almost as if the voice was not her own.

His breathlessness matched hers. “Always,” he stated between breaths.

She captured his lips again, pulling him gently backward, deeper, until they were fully submerged underneath the crystal-clear water, the rocks glowing alongside them, showering them with their light even underwater.

She took a chance and inhaled through her nose. As she’d suspected, she could breathe underwater, just as with the sea beast. She kept her lips on Roman’s, giving air to him through her mouth. She could feel his surprise under her fingers as his muscles tensed, but his desire overruled any sense of survival. They sank lower to the floor with every passing moment.

His hand slid to her chest, cupping one of her breasts. Her back arched, moaning into his mouth as she bit his bottom lip, begging for more.

He smiled against her lips.

A tease.

She smiled back despite herself, pushing him deeper. His smile remained, trying to grab her arm, but she swam away playfully, then turned back and stretched out her hand, cocking her head, ushering him to explore more of the water’s depths with her.

He took it, and together, they swam along the rocky bottom side by side.

The fear that had bound her like a chain had at long last set her free. The quiet blanket of the water over her ears calmed her. Being submerged felt like second nature. In fact, the longer she was, the bolder she felt, the more at…homeshe felt. It was strange. So strange to think she could’ve ever feared it.

She brought Roman to her lips every once in a while to give him more air. It was an excuse, really. He could easily resurface if he wanted, but she looked for any reason to repeat the action, always leaving her lips on his for much longer than necessary.

He knew it. And it didn’t stop him from kissing her back just as hungrily.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, they resurfaced, still hand in hand.

His chest heaved between breaths as he spoke. “That was…. incredible… How can you do that?”

“I don’t know. I discovered it when I was underwater with the sea beast. I thought maybe it was just a fluke until now.”

His eyes glittered with amazement as he placed another soft kiss on her lips. He’d quickly become addicted.

All too soon, his lips released hers. His breaths were still far too harsh, still lacking energy from lack of sleep. She wanted to stay here with him forever, but he was in no state to keep swimming. “We should go back.”

He gave a loud, resigning sigh. “Come on, then,” he said, kissing her temple.

CHAPTER 68

After dressing, Rose and Roman exited through the cave to where Onyx grazed, waiting for them.