Page 183 of The Throne Seeker

Rose’s heart swelled three sizes as she tightly hugged him back. She shivered, burrowing into his arms, seeking warmth from the cold air the storm had brought.

Roman motioned toward the fireplace. “Come sit.” He took her hand, guiding her to the warmth of the flames. After picking up a blanket and some cushions from the bench, he settled in front of the fire.

She joined him on the floor, nestling herself between his thighs, leaning her back against his chest. A blanket of warmth surrounded her on both sides, from Roman and the fire, sprawling across her skin. She relaxed at once.

A comfortable silence floated as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She melted, pressing the bridge of her nose against his neck, releasing a contented sigh as her body sunk into his.

“Roman,” she said softly.

“Hmmm?” he hummed.

“Why couldn’t you sleep? You were withering away. I swear you almost died, and now, suddenly, you seem fine…” She gazed up at him. “How is that?”

He stilled, not replying straightaway, taking his time to think. “I think it’s because of you.”

Her stomach plummeted. “What do you mean?”

“I haven’t been able to sleep alone since the night we spent together after the tavern,” he confessed, his voice raw and unsteady. “I didn’t sleep much that night because of the unexpected visitors. But over the next few nights, I knew something wasn’t right.”

Rose turned to him, the heat of the fire moving to her back, seeping through her dress.

“I couldn’t get you out of my mind,” he continued, looking away. “It felt like my entire body was underwater, like arelentless pressure was surrounding me, squeezing the air out of my lungs. I couldn’t take a single breath without feeling like there was a knife lodged in my windpipe. I’d close my eyes, and all I could see was you. All I couldthinkabout was you. And I’m not talking about a small crush.” He paused, cupping her face. “I ached for you… Gods, how I ached for you.” He winced as if remembering the painful experience. He slipped his hand into her hair. “The pressure would disappear around you. You were the only cure for my madness. I had to fight my body every minute of every hour not to go find you. I’d even find myself staring up at the staircase in the middle of the night, debating if I could just… slip in next to you, if only to sleep for a few hours. But I didn’t want to scare you away.”

Her heart tore in half. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shifted his gaze like he was trying to guard himself. “I thought I could handle it, that it’d pass with time. I was ashamed of being weak. Ihatefeeling weak. I’m not accustomed to it. And more so because I wanted it to be your own decision whether or not you wanted me.”

She reprimanded herself for being so oblivious to his pain. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” Her fingers stroked his jaw, but he still wouldn’t meet her gaze.

“I’ve never been needy, and it’s hard for me… I’ve never needed anyone like I need you.”

Her heart swooned as she scooted closer to him. “Be needy with me. Begreedywith me.” She placed herself onto his lap, straddling him as she combed her hands through his hair. “Because you’ll never have to be without me again.”

His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. His perfect golden eyes clouded with tenderness. “You understand you are my entire world, don’t you?”

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. “I’m beginning to.”

Roman took her chin, making her look at him. His gaze dropped to her lips as he traced his thumb along her bottom lip. The simple touch made her skin burn alongside the fire’s flames. She ached for him. She ached for him more than she had ever ached for anyone in her life.

And what thrilled her more was that she knew he ached for her, too.

She lost her composure when his thumb stroked her lip again. She parted her mouth and took it in, enveloping it down to his lower knuckle. She flicked it with her tongue, then, ever so slowly, she allowed it to slip from her mouth, catching on her bottom lip as it dropped out.

She dared to lift her eyes.

His demeanor had changed from content to lustful in an instant. His hooded eyes fixated on hers with such an intensity that she was both excited and somewhat frightened at the same time. With a firm grip, his large hand encircled the base of her throat, drawing her lips to his.

His mouth tasted like divine life itself—a sweet, addicting taste she’d never be satisfied with. She sucked his lower lip, taking it in between her teeth, tugging at it.

Roman responded by taking her hips into his hands and grinding her against him.

She let a small moan slip into his mouth.

Roman pried his lips away, going straight for her neck, his teeth scraping her skin.

She let out another moan as she arched her neck, asking for more. Always more.

His lips traveled down her neck to her collarbone, moving until the fabric of her dress stopped his path. He pulled back, his hands going for the back laces of her dress. She turned, giving him better access. When he finished, he reached for thehem, lifting it off and throwing it to the side. The heat from the fireplace beat hotter on her bare skin.