Page 87 of The Throne Seeker (Vallorian #1)

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

I see you finally found out what everyone else could see with their bare eyes, Onyx said, looking at their intertwined hands.

She rolled her eyes but nonetheless gave him a sheepish grin.

The ride back felt quicker than the journey there, perhaps because they were now running downhill rather than up, Onyx flying through the night with ease.

Roman kept her close, one arm draped around her while the other gripped Onyx’s mane.

She pressed herself up against his chest as much as she possibly could.

Every once in a while, he would kiss her wherever he pleased. Once on the cheek, another on her neck, and another just under her ear. Each grazed kiss was lazy and slow—his fingers tracing her inner thigh all the while.

She did her best not to fall off Onyx with every touch.

It was still dark when they arrived back at Highland Haven, but the sky had begun turning into a lighter blue than before, telling her that the sun would rise in a few hours.

They did their best to be quiet as they entered the manor, and from the silent halls, it seemed everyone was still sound asleep.

Roman didn’t stop until they reached the stairwell up to his bedroom. “Thank you for coming with me,” he said, tucking her hair behind her ear and placing another kiss on her forehead—like he was leaving.

She panicked. “You’re not coming up?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to?”

She tried not to sound desperate as she quickly said, “Yes.” She couldn’t imagine ever being parted from him again.

He looked hesitant, like he was restraining himself. “Are you sure? Because… I’ll never have the self-control to leave.”

Oh, foolish boy.

Rose gripped his hand, finding herself in the middle of a warm, golden desert. “I hate to break it to you, but you’re never sleeping in a separate bed again.”

A ridiculously handsome smile grew on his lips. “Never.”

He refused to let go of her hand while climbing up the winding staircase. The room was cool and dark without the candles or the fire, but moonlight shone bright enough through the windows to light their way.

Roman was striding to the closet to find a change of clothes when he suddenly stopped, his gaze lingering on a piece of clothing hanging on the chair beside the bed.

She stilled. It was his shirt she had stolen to wear to sleep.

He went to pick it up, smelling it. His head snapped to her. “Have you been sleeping in my clothes?”

She didn’t say anything, thankful for the shadows as her cheeks flushed crimson. She tucked her hair behind her ear, peering over at him.

He slowly stalked toward her, shirt in hand. “You’re telling me I’ve been awake downstairs, all alone, with nothing but your face seared to the back of my eyeballs while you’ve been up here, in my bedroom, wearing my clothes and sleeping in my bed?”

“And soaking in your tub,” she reminded him.

He looked like he’d been deprived of life itself. “You wicked creature.”

“I’m not apologizing. You insisted.”

Roman raised his brows before giving her a crooked smile that had her seeing stars. “Come here.”

A simple command, really—a small phrase.

Which was what made it so dangerous.

Her body conceded, not stopping until she was close enough to feel his rich breath on her face.

Golden flames seared her as his hands went to the hem of her dress. The air vanished, stolen from her lungs as he pulled it off over her head, leaving her in only her underwear.

Her heart was pounding with such force she was sure it’d break through her ribcage. He hadn’t even touched her, and already, her body ached for his.

He took the shirt and put it on her, its hem falling just above her upper thigh. “It’s yours now,” he murmured softly. “Just like me.” His voice was so raw, she closed her eyes to savor it.

His hands slid ever so smoothly down to her thighs, picking them up and hitching them around his waist, leaning his forehead against hers. With all the grace he possessed, he placed his lips onto hers, kissing her slowly, lazily, yet intently.

She held on to his broad shoulders, kissing him back with the same desire.

Roman broke the kiss, placing her gently on the bed.

She scooted backward at once, sliding across the silky sheets. He followed, prowling on his hands and knees over her.

His lips grazed her neck, rolling his warm tongue over her olive skin while he ground his hips against hers. She bit her lip to hold back a moan, arching her back. Roman’s hands slithered just beneath her breast. She arched more, permitting him to touch her.

He ran his thumb over her hard nipple.

Rose couldn’t hold it back any longer as she let a soft moan escape her lips. Unconsciously, grinding her hips harder against his, feeling his hard length between her legs through the thin fabric.

The knowledge he wanted her set her world on fire.

Roman growled at her moan, lightly biting her neck in response, scraping his teeth against her skin.

She couldn’t get enough. He could be in her skin and it wouldn’t be close enough. She intertwined her legs with his, widening them for him as he thrust against her more roughly this time.

She gasped.

She wanted him.

All of him.

But in the same moment, Roman’s arms began to tremble, weakened from exhaustion. He fought it, but he had to pull back.

He sat up, letting out an irritated grunt as his gaze fell, breathing hard.

Selfish. How had she not noticed sooner?

She propped herself up on her elbow. “Are you okay? You’re shaking.”

“I’m fine,” he replied, his chest still heaving as he tried to breathe.

She went to pull the covers back. “You need sleep.”

His hand shot out, pulling her straight back into him, so close his lips brushed against hers.

His eyes plunged into hers, straight into the vast depths of her soul.

“I’ll sleep, but only because I’m going to need every ounce of strength I have when I destroy you,” his husky voice rasped.

“And trust me, I’ll be taking a very… very long time with you. I’ll make every second count.”

Rose’s eyes fluttered closed, focusing on his voice as he continued.

“I’ll ravage you until you’re so overcome with pleasure, you won’t be able to control any sound or move you make,” he rumbled against her throat, his lips moving up slowly to just under her jaw.

Her eyes rolled back as his hand slid up her leg.

“I’ll worship every inch of you. I’ll take these and give them the individual attention they deserve.

” He reached for her breasts, cupping them in his hands.

“Then I’ll taste you.” His hand spread between her legs.

A small, muffled gasp escaped her lips. “Oh gods, to taste you.” He teased her with his fingers, careful never to touch the throbbing ache that lay just between them.

“I’ll feast on you until you reach your edge, and then I’ll push you over it.

Again and again. I’ll have you so addicted to pleasure you’ll never want to leave this bed. ”

Rose bit her lower lip, liquid pooling in her underwear. She struggled for breath, gulping it in, her eyes fluttering open to see the golden gates of heaven staring back at her, inches from hers in a clouded, lustful haze.

Her hands skimmed up his bare chest to the nape of his neck, bringing him down with her on the pillow.

Without wasting a moment, he lifted her leg over his hip as he lay beside her, crushing her chest into his. She fought the hitch as he placed a slow-burning kiss on the base of her throat.

His drooping eyes demanded sleep. “I love you, Rosalie Versalles,” he declared in a soft whisper.

“And I love you, Roman Montague,” she whispered back.