People didn’t speak to him that way. He’d locked eyes with her and said, “This is your fault. Remember this moment.”
In a strained whisper, she relayed those events to Slay and then added, “His guards held me as Tycho strangled Caliyo with his bare hands. He made me watch.”
“Oh gods, Ro.” His anguished voice nearly moved her to tears as Slay buried his face in her hair, and she felt his tears against her neck. “That wasn’t your fault, no matter what he said. I’m so sorry about Caliyo. And for everything you suffered at his hands. But none of it was because of you. You know that, right?”
“Most days I do. But sometimes—”
“Nope,” he cut in.
She took pleasure in how sheltered she felt, snuggled against his broad chest. Closing her eyes, she listened to the reassuring thump of his heart. He stroked her back in gentle sweeps, probably an attempt to soothe her. Rowena could’ve told him that his mere presence did the job, but that would mean ending this delicious hug.
“I’ve never told anyone about Caliyo or that I said yes to Tycho once.”
“Definitely not glad you were hurt, but I’m happy you trust me with this. I can handle anything you want to share. Doesn’t matter if it’s ugly. I’ll take it off your hands.”
Rowena swiped at a stray tear. “It doesn’t work that way but thank you. I’m so glad I met you. You know, I saw you a few times in Ash Valley, but you looked mean and angry so I never spoke to you. Never imagined we’d end up together like this.”
“I was mean and angry,” he admitted.
That was why she loved him so much. There was no bullshit with Slay. “Sounds like you had good reason to be.”
“I’ve gotten in my own way a lot, but I’m done with that.”
Biting her lip, Rowena decided to be daring. She met his golden gaze squarely. “Will you return to Ash Valley after the election?”
“For a while, but I don’t want to stay. My whole life, I worried about what other people think of me, tried to please them and failed. Now I need to figure some shit out.”
Slay hoped Ro didn’t press him on his plans.
Because currently, he wanted to follow her around like a lovesick kit. And that wasn’t the way he intended to propose that they spend their lives together. The right words wouldn’t come, and he didn’t know how he’d earn a living or where they should settle down. He needed to take her desires into account as well, so for once in his life, he meant to plan things properly. Until he had all the details ironed out, he wouldn’t even hint at his intentions.
Suddenly she kissed him, holding his face in both hands. Where Ro was concerned, it didn’t take much for him to catch fire. They’d made love the night before, but he couldn’t get enough of her. The comforting hug took on a different dimension with every inch of her pressed against him.
“I need you,” he whispered.
“You have me.”
He rolled his hips to ensure she took his meaning. “It’s urgent.”
Part of him expected her to laugh and tease him, but instead she pulled on his arm, tugging him deeper into the shadows of the stage. Soon they were inside a dark storage room used for old props. Deliberately Ro turned the bolt with them on the other side of the door.
“We’ll have to be fast. Someone will notice I’m gone and—”
Slay took her mouth like kissing was a crime and he couldn’t wait for punishment. She scrabbled at his clothing, untying the drawstring on his loose pants. Soon he had her ass in his hands and he dropped to the dusty floor to love her with his mouth. He planned to fuck her up against the door. His cock ached, and he couldn’t wait to be inside her, but first he needed to make sure she burned as hot as he did.
“Oh!” She cried out as he licked up and down her slit, not as tentative or as careful as he used to be.
Maybe one day she’d panic but somehow he couldn’t imagine that bastard pleasing her like this, so it must be new, and he fucking loved the idea that nobody had made her feel this way before. Hesitantly, she threaded her fingers into his hair, tugging his mouth where she wanted it, right over her clit. He took that to heart and nuzzled and licked until her juices filled his mouth.
“You’re so wet,” he marveled.
“Fuck me now. You said it was critical before, and I’m desperate for you.”
That was all the invitation he needed. He hitched her thighs around his hips and nudged inside her slowly. Fuck, she feels good on my cock. At first he went slow and gentle, letting her get used to the feel of being pinned against the door. The last thing he wanted was Ro to get scared in the middle of sex.
“How’s that?”
“Yes. Yes!” The second cry came when he thrust harder, increasing the speed as he watched her face. “Fuck me properly.”
“You saying I’ve been doing it wrong until now?” he teased.
“No! But you’re…careful. I don’t want you to think of me as damaged. It feels good and if you let go I think it’ll be even better. I trust you, Slay.”
Her soft words unleashed him. With a grunt, he went wild inside her, wanting to make her into a mindless creature of instinct and longing, all pleasure, all helpless response. Her breath went ragged almost at once and she squirmed against him, trying to get more friction, but this position left him in charge of their pleasure, and he planned to drive her out of her mind.
“Feels incredible, doesn’t it? Giving yourself to me.” He whispered in her ear and kissed the shell, the lobe, nuzzled kisses into the tender skin of her neck as he worked inside her.
Just then, someone thumped on the door from the outside. “Why is this locked?” They rattled the door handle and cursed. “I’ll have to find the key, I guess.”
From the amusement dancing in her eyes, Ro wasn’t worried about getting caught. “We need to be fast, like you said.”
“I’ll take my time later,” he promised.
Though his need to orgasm had been urgent earlier, now he felt like he could go all day, or at least until Ro unraveled his arms, panting and sobbing. Her pussy felt amazing wrapped around his dick, and he loved watching the joy and wonder spark in her silvery eyes. When her lips parted on a gasp, he kissed her until they had to pause, light-headed from pleasure.
He whispered filth into her ear, reading her enjoyment in each shiver. It didn’t take long until she was scratching and clawing at his back in desperate desire, then clenching in endless waves. Only when she gasped his name and went boneless in his hold did he let go, spilling into her in long spurts.
“I came. And I didn’t even need to help you get me there.”
He grinned. “Is that a recommendation? Hate to break it to you but I’m not exactly trying to build a resume.”
“I’ll keep your credentials confidential.” An answering smile curved her mouth as her body pulsed around his cock in sweet little aftershocks.
I could stay like this forever.
But a sudden thought occurred to him. “Do I need to worry about getting you pregnant?” he asked, kissing her forehead.
“Yes.”
He blinked. That had been more of an idle curiosity, not an actual concern of his, since the Animari chose when to have kids. “Are you serious?”