The king’s mouth fell open just a fraction, and his brows raised slightly at her admission before he quickly corrected himself and schooled his expression. Mara shrugged as she glanced to the side, trying to play it off. “Don’t get too excited.” She shook her head, letting out a small huff of a laugh. “I’m not about to make any promises, but I . . . wouldn’t mind giving it a try.”
Vareck looked at her, a slight crooked smile giving away his amusement. “Oh? And what would that entail?”
“A lot of things,” said Mara. Her fair skin reddened at the thoughts running through her mind. She chalked up her current musings to the heat of the jungle. Surely it was messing with her mind. Vareck placed his hands on her hips, pulling her onto his lap with her back flush against his chest. Mara gasped at how easily he could move her around like a rag doll.
“What are you doing?” Mara hissed under her breath. Vareck hushed her gently, placing a hand on her breast as his arms wrapped around her. His other hand landed on her knee, trailing up to the apex of her thighs. His nose nuzzled into the back of her neck, placing a soft kiss before whispering in her ear.
“We were interrupted earlier. Now seemed like a good time to continue.” His words lingered in the air as his fingertips circled around her nipple. Mara breathed in sharply, flinching at the effect the breath had on her ribs. Screw the injury. There was something else burning deep inside her that was far more important. Still, there were other obstacles in their way.
“Sebastian and Sadie are sleeping right there.”
“Exactly,” the king mused. “They’re sleeping. Think you can be quiet?”
“If you think I’m”—her breath caught in her throat as Vareck’s fingertips rubbed small circles against her most sensitive area. Mara leaned her head back against his shoulder with a pleased hum as her eyes rolled. “You bet I fucking can.”
God, the way his strong hands pressed into her sparked static through her spine. She bit her bottom lip as his fingertips slipped into her tight pair of jeans. He let out a low growl of frustration. “Unbutton them.”
“What’s the magic word?” Mara teased.
“Now.” There was something about the way he pushed his authority that made Mara quiver at her very core. Her hands shook as she fumbled to unbutton her ripped jeans, biting back a moan as he rubbed his thumb against her once more. The moment the zipper reached the bottom, Mara didn’t have time to take off her pants. Vareck’s hand was already past her underwear, his rough hands slipping past her folds.
Mara took in a sharp breath, cupping her unattended breast as bliss spiked through her. Who knew that even in her exhausted state, all she needed more than anything was to be fucked? She pinched down on her nipple, Mara pressing her lips together to hold back a moan as two fingers found their way inside her. He explored the edges of her slick, wet walls as he peppered kisses to the side of her face and pumped his fingers.
She jolted at the spike of pleasure as Vareck found her G-spot, rubbing his fingers against her as he pressed her body against him. Mara’s leg shook, letting out a small whine as her eyes fluttered closed. She could practically drool, feeling the king’s hardening erection pressing against her backside. The last time Mara had seen the king for all his worth, she had his cock in her mouth. She pleasured him with her tongue, slaving away on her knees as he came down her throat.
The thoughts of an earlier placed pleasure were ripped from her as a loud squawk echoed through the trees. The pair stiffened, on high alert as they looked for the culprit. Mara panted, pulling herself away from Vareck as she spotted her sister stir in the corner of her eyes. Every part of she was aflame, the woman cursing under her breath. Now wasn’t the time for this, was it? Curse Vareck for getting her so absolutely turned on and wet.
Even the king looked a little apologetic, shooting her a small smile before turning his eyes back toward the sound. Sadie gazed over at the two, her nose scrunched before turning over to return to sleep. Mara shook her head, feeling her face heat up from embarrassment once more. Her stomach churned at the thought of almost being caught. But in a way, she had never felt so alive. Mara glanced over to Vareck, meeting his gaze. While he held a demeanor of innocence about him, they both knew the truth.
Lou
It took a lot of careful and compelling words to shake Kaia off, but he’d managed to convince her to head back to the castle with that cat with the promise he would get her the portal she wanted. He was the businessman, after all. Between the pair, he was far better equipped to make deals than she. Let’s be real, the lass was out of her element. He’d seen it the moment she pulled back the curtain and tried to barter for a simple artifact. Dancing around with a witch set the stage for a far more dangerous proposition. Even Lou dreaded what he was about to get into.
“Oh, come now, Ami, my love. Ya’ know I bring ya’ all the business I can. I wouldn’t bring them to anyone else. Haven’t we done enough deals with each other that this portal would count us even?” If there was any way to convince Amelia otherwise, now was the time, but for all his tricks and charm, he couldn’t break the surface.
“Even?” Amelia laughed. “I think you’re forgetting how much you’re already in debt, Loulou. Your game is good, but it doesn’t work on me.” Amelia stood behind her bar, the artificial fog rolling through the room during the busy night. While it was nice to get a drink for cheap during her busy hours, Lou wished that he could talk to her one-on-one. She had too much of an advantage on her own home turf, and he was quickly realizing he had little to offer.
He had plenty of artifacts and strange items of riches. But what exactly could catch the eye of a witch? Especially one as eccentric as Amelia. It was always hard to pin her down. “A favor for a favor, then,” Lou replied dryly, knocking back the whiskey he had nursed in his glass. He would need several more before the night was done. What was he even doing this for? To impress some woman of the King’s Guard? He shook his head. She wasn’t just any woman. This was Kaia.
The moment he had laid eyes on the blonde angel it was as if he were bewitched. Her beautiful eyes, her stunning curves. Lou let out another deep sigh, resting his elbows against the bar as he leaned forward. How could one creature hold so much of his desire? Never had someone struck his fancy in such a way. What would his poor mother (bless her soul) think of him lusting for a blonde warrior instead of a good ginger girl?
Amelia finished her orders around the busy bar, exchanging cash and gold alike for brews and potions. Tiny imps flew around to collect money, and most of the drinks floated across the bar of their own accord. The stage Amelia had been preparing earlier was in full glow. A beautiful Nymph sat on a stool at the center stage. She let her beautiful brunette hair cover half of her face as she hummed out the first few notes, eyes darkened with thick liner and lust.
Lou twisted one of his rings around his finger, immune to the performer’s charms as Amelia playfully sat on the bar in front of him. She crossed one ankle under the other as she leaned back on the black-coated mahogany. “What’s got you so down, Loulou?” She frowned, holding up her hand as a fresh whiskey floated over for him, and a glass of glimmering red spirits for her. She sipped the ruby concoction, pressing her lips together in a pout. “Does this have to do with blondie?” She reached out, lifting his chin. “You poor thing. I could always throw in a love potion if you want to make the deal a little sweeter.”