Instead of answering, I simply looked out the window at the rain. “I think I’m going to make the pies and freeze them so that they’re ready to bake on Wednesday.” I stood up, carrying my plate into the kitchen. After a few minutes, Tally entered, offering to help.
We spent the rest of the afternoon making pies and getting the dough for rolls ready. I wanted to do everything I could to take my mind off what was ahead of me. The rain let up after a while and Killian went out to put up the new decorations. By the time evening came around, I lit a fire in the fireplace and we snuggled up to watch The Great British Baking Show in some much-needed downtime.
Chapter Seventeen
Killian let Tally have his house to herself that evening and stayed with me. He didn’t mention the sting operation again, and I was grateful. One thing he had learned about me: if I didn’t want to talk about something, or if I had made up my mind, no amount of pressure would work on me. In fact, it drove me further into doing what I had decided to do.
We were headed to bed when I caught a glimpse of Esmara standing in the kitchen. I gave Killian a kiss on the cheek and told him I would be up in a minute. After he was on the way upstairs, I slipped into the kitchen and looked around. Sure enough, Esmara was standing over by the sink, staring out into the darkness.
What’s going on? Is there something you need to tell me?
Esmara turned to me. I want you to be careful tomorrow. What you are planning on doing depends so much on the people who are supporting you. I like Rowan, but as much as she and I have come to an understanding, there are times she forgets that others aren’t as strong as she is. Has she ever introduced you to a member of the Court Magika? I mean, in terms of this particular situation? Are you sure that they’re behind this?
I stared at Esmara for a moment. Surely you don’t think Rowan is lying to me? Why would she? What reason could she have?
No, not lying, Esmara said. But Rowan has always been antsy around anything that reeks of someone taking advantage of another. Just make sure you do have backup tomorrow night, and don’t let her snow you into going in without knowing who is there to come in and help you out. Once Sheryl starts that spell, there isn’t much you can do about it. Some spells have to run their course once they’ve been initiated, and a life-drain spell—which is what she will be performing—will work remotely.
I thanked Esmara for the warning and headed upstairs, my fingers trailing along the banister as I thought over what she had said.
Killian woke me up in the most delightful way. I opened my eyes to find him leaning over me, a sensuous look on his face. He reached out and stroked my cheek, trailing his fingers down my skin, then down my chest between my breasts.
“Do you have time, my sweet?”
“That depends on what the time is for,” I said, leisurely stretching beneath him, reaching up to wrap my arms around him. “Are you interested in a morning romp?”
He laughed, then leaned down to kiss one of my breasts. “A morning romp sounds absolutely delicious.”
“I should brush my teeth,” I whispered, but Killian handed me a mint strip, touching my lips with his finger so that I opened them. He slid it inside, placing it on my tongue and I closed my mouth, letting the mint dissolve. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“Believe me, I don’t like interrupting the mood.” He held up a condom. “I come ready for action.”
The bed was cozy, and it was warm beneath the comforter. Outside the wind was howling, blowing up a storm. A branch skittered across the window. Western Washington was known for its November windstorms, and sometimes they were ferocious enough to produce hurricane-like winds. Deciding to ignore the gale going on, I positioned myself so that Killian could easily reach my breasts. He leaned down and took one of my nipples in his mouth, coaxing with his tongue. I moaned, hunger racing through every fiber of my body. I often woke up horny as hell, and sleeping next to Killian with his musky scent added to the mood. He trailed one hand down my side, curving across my hip, as he slid his fingers between my thighs, stroking my fire into a frenzy. I moaned, hungry for him.
Sex with Ellison had been perfunctory, and usually left me unsatisfied. He claimed it was my fault, but ever since I had been sleeping with Killian I knew different. There was absolutely nothing wrong with me or my sex drive, and Killian helped me prove that time and again.
Killian let out a gruff laugh, sliding under the covers so that his head disappeared. I pulled the comforter up around my chest to keep warm as he pried open my thighs, landing his tongue direct center. I moaned again, thrusting my hands beneath the covers to hold his head as he went down on me, nibbling and stroking with his tongue, circling around my center.
My thighs tensed as I tried to keep from shoving his head deeper between my legs. With one hand he reached up to palm my breast, and with the other he slid three fingers inside of me, coaxing me higher.
I tried to get him to let up, to give me a break but he wouldn’t, he just kept eating me out, devouring me with his voracious tongue. And then it hit, like a knife through my core, and I let out a little shriek, coming so hard I could barely feel my body. I spiraled up and out and then back into myself as the orgasm rippled through me, spreading like concentric rings on a pond.
I gasped, leaning up on my elbows as I panted. Killian popped out from beneath the covers, a delighted smile on his face. “You liked that?” he asked.
I took a deep breath. “I liked that very much,” I said.
“Shall we try again?” His voice was sultry as he moved up between my legs, his cock rigid and pulsing against my leg.
Reaching down to grab hold of his hips, I pulled him inside me, gasping again as he penetrated deep, driving himself toward my center. He began to thrust as I groaned. He was still rubbing against my clit, and once again I began to build toward climax. He was so thick and hard inside me that I could barely think.
I focused on the feel of him driving himself between my legs, and let out a little groan as I wrapped my arms around his back, raking gently with my nails. His butt was firm and tight, and his chest rubbed against my breasts as he ground himself against me, driving his cock in and then withdrawing to penetrate me again.
Killian slid his arms beneath me and rolled over, bringing me to ride astride him. I leaned forward, bracing my hands against the headboard as I began to ride him hard. He bucked beneath me, and my breasts began to bounce as he reached up, pinching my nipples as I picked up the pace. And then he grabbed my waist again, holding tight as he thrust up, arching beneath me. His thumb hit my clit and I shrieked again, tumbling back into climax, coming with him.
A moment later, he relaxed and I fell forward onto him. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him as he was still inside. I kissed him gently as he reached down to hold the condom firm while I slid off.
We cuddled for a while after he cleaned up, enjoying the leisurely morning. I glanced at the clock. It was eight-thirty, but there was no need to get up immediately. However, Xi and Klaus had other ideas. They came bouncing into the bedroom and up on the bed, landing on my stomach. Xi began to knead immediately, while Klaus burrowed between us, trying to sniff Killian’s armpit.
“You little goober,” Killian said, laughing. “That tickles.”