Treading lightly over the smooth floors, I marvel at the sandy color as well as the texture. The material seems to be the same thing the dwellings outside the keep are made of as well as the dishes we were just eating off of. Everything here is alluring to the eye. I wonder if that's where the idea of sirens came from, or if they do actually exist. A good question to ask Zanthus...when I find him.
Might not have been a bad idea to ask his brothers where I'd have better luck finding him, but as soon as the thought crosses my mind, I realize I don't need to. Shifting my stride to ascend the stairs, I'm drawn back toward the very first place I woke up here. Bypassing the room I know from memory to belong to Zale, I make my way to the end of the hall. There's a door to the right and one to the left. Even if I didn't feel that strange tug in my chest as I walk past Zephyr's room, I'd know which one Zanthus is hiding in. I can feel him as though he's a missing extension from my body.
Since being here, none of them have shown me any kind of privacy, so I don't bother knocking before pushing the door wide. I'd prepared myself for the usual battle of wits with the brutish mer. What I'm not ready for is finding the giant, sexy prince sitting on the edge of his bed with his head down in defeat. His forearms are resting on the tops of his thighs, but I'm not planning on coming at him from that direction anyway.
Crawling on top of the ridiculously tall bed, I knee walk over to his hunched form. There looks to be so much tension in the muscle underneath all of that tanned skin I'm surprised it hasn't snapped yet. I let my hand brush a straight line down his spine, and I love seeing the chill bumps that break out across his back. I also love that they never wear shirts. It's so much easier access this way.
He still hasn't made any move to acknowledge me in his space, which is unacceptable. Leaning forward, I press my lips against his back and smile at the sound of his breath catching. Daring us both even further, I drag my tongue down the same path my fingers took.
Finally, he twists around to capture my shoulders, in one tugging turn bringing me to lie face up at his side.
"What are you doing, Rubi?" he asks.
I swear those are words, but they do not register. All I seem to be able to focus on is the blond curtain that falls around my body, tickling me.
Flicking a wrist between us, I capture one of the beaded locks as I ask, "Will you put some of these in mine?"
A softness lights his features as he stares down at me and says, "These specifically were earned for battle and glory."
"Oh," I say, trying not to let my disappointment show too much.
It has him breaking into a wide grin. With one arm beside me on the bed, and the other wrapped under my back he's got me trapped. No one will hear me complaining, though, because it flexes his upper arm in a way that makes me want to feel it beneath my lips.
Without breaking eye contact, I test it. As soon as I make contact, his eyes drop to where we're connected.
His nostrils flare before he quietly promises, "When the curse is broken and we take our kingdom back, I'll buy you the prettiest of stones to put in your hair."
My pleased smile as I lay back in his arm is all the encouragement he needs to close the distance and gently bring our mouths together. The only kisses I've ever gotten from him have been hard and demanding, so it comes as a fantastic surprise as he takes his time, dipping his tongue in slowly to caress mine.
The next to last thing I expect is how different he and Zephyr taste. Call me crazy, but I assumed that kissing them wouldn't be too far from the same. Boy am I wrong and deliciously so.
Salty margaritas, that inner voice sputters, and I can't say I disagree. One of my first margaritas had a thick rim of salt and was stronger normal. The damn thing put me on my ass by the time I reached the bottom. It's exactly what Zanthus tastes like, and if I'm not careful, I'll end up the same way too.
A slight rumble vibrates his chest as I skim my tongue across his bottom lip.
"Rubi," he sighs, the air shared between us. "If we don't stop now, I'm not sure I can control myself."
It pains my heart to know how long it's been for these beautiful males. Then there's a small gleeful feeling that tries to override that thought. With my emotions running high like they are, jealousy is sharp and I must say, I detest the idea of them with anyone else.
I let my hunger and excitement yank the corners of my lips up as I whisper, "And if I don't want to stop?"
That rumble turns into a pained groan as we get shifted until he's lying on top of me with forearms braced on either side, taking the brunt of his weight. I don't wait for permission before exploring the naked planes of stacked muscles all the way from his back and sides up to the top of his pecs. All the while, Zanthus continues to claim my mouth like a man possessed.
As he works his way down my jawline and into the crook of my neck, I arch my back, giving him better access. My fingers itch to sink into the blond tresses threatening to drive me crazy, but I resist, letting my hands fall to the bed at my hips.
"Please," he murmurs while his warm breath fans out at the top of my breasts now.
I'm almost out of my mind with need. A need for us to lose the rest of this barrier between us. A need for him to lock those pretty lips of his around my nipples. A need to feel him inside of me.
It still takes a moment for me to recall his plea, especially seeing as he's starting to test the strength of the fabric of my shirt.
"Please, what?" I ask on a breathless sigh.
"Don't stop touching me, love," he begs. A hungry expression crosses his face as he admits, "It's been so long."
Gods of the sea, how can I respond other than to oblige? A shudder wracks his body as I drag a fingertip up his back to rest the hand inside of his hair while the other keeps up its exploration. A few more minutes of him teasing around the top hem of my shirt leaves me wanting to take control. Pushing against his chest and waiting until he pulls back a few inches, I reach between us to yank the offensive material off, taking my bra with it.
A few days ago, I stood in front of this merman stark ass naked demanding my dress back, but he'd resisted looking at my body. That doesn't appear to be the case now as he drinks his fill. His pulse beats in his neck so fast it's a visible thing, and I can't stop myself from raising up to suck on the spot.
Surprising me, his body slumps against mine with a groan right before his hips drive forward. Apparently, I've hit a sweet spot. Something to keep in mind for later.
Wrapping my legs the rest of the way around his waist the next time those hips arch, the hardness still hidden beneath his pants rubs against the spot that just days ago I was using to get myself off. If I do say so myself, I've seriously upgraded. Now, all I've got to do is convince him to get rid of these stupid clothes.
Fortunately, that doesn't take any more persuasion. After covering each breast and showering the nipples with enough attention to have me gasping his name, that magical mouth of his works its way down to my belly button. Never has someone's face traveled that far down on my body and my first experience now yanks a giggle from my chest as the sensation also sparks tiny little butterflies beneath his lips.
His muffled chuckle blows hot air against my skin, making those small tickles jump straight to my core.