Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Ash’s voice dropped, sounding full of smoldering flames as he added, “In private.”
Excited.
I was definitely feeling excited as my eyes locked on his molten silver gaze. But there were important things to discuss. Lots of things. Ignoring his rich scent, I forced myself to act responsibly. “We need to talk about what just happened—”
“That can also wait.” Ash took my hand as he stepped into me. I felt him then, thick and hard against my belly. Our gazes collided, and he didn’t look away as he said, “Lailah?”
“I’m good.”
“As am I,” Nektas shared, and my heart started to pound for a wholly different reason than it had before as a shadowy mist unfurled around us.
“Perfect.”
I didn’t even see the essence rise as Ash’s mouth descended on mine, his tongue parting my lips with one fierce, wicked promise of what was to come.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“I really hope Kars and Rhahar didn’t head to Vathi,” I said as I slipped from Ash’s embrace, a little breathless from the kiss. He had shadowstepped us back to his office in the Shadowlands.
“So, they knew where you were going?” he asked. The lock engaged with a metallic click. My gaze shot to Ash’s. The intensity in his stare bore into me, causing my already erratic pulse to speed up.
“Yes.” I backed up some more.
“Did they try to stop you?”
“They tried.” I drew in a deep breath, catching the thicker, heavier scent of arousal.
Oh, gods.
“And failed.” He prowled forward, each step fluid and precise.
“Would you expect anything less?”
One side of his mouth curled up. “Absolutely fucking not.”
I inched back a step and bumped into his desk. “We need to talk.”
“We do,” Ash agreed. “That’s why we’re here.”
I blinked hard, surprised. “Talking is clearly not what you’re communicating.”
“I suppose I need to work on that.”
“Yeah—” I gasped.
Without warning, he closed the distance between us. He was right in front of me, one cool hand cupping my cheek and tilting my head.
His mouth returned to mine with unerring accuracy, interrupting my steady stream of questions—though he’d ask more questions than I did. There was nothing gentle or tentative about the kiss or my body’s immediate response. The flick of his tongue along the seam of my mouth was like a lightning bolt to my senses, electric and intense. His touch was cool, but it evoked a rush of sultry heat.
Ash’s lips lifted from mine, but not far. “You taste like sugar.” A deep and dark growl rumbled from him. “I like.”
“It’s from the tea I had earlier.” Or at least I thought it was. I couldn’t be sure now. His kiss had scattered my thoughts, and he wasn’t done doing so.
He kissed me again, and this time, his tongue parted my lips and swept inside, dancing with mine. “My brave, beautiful wife.” His lips coasted over mine. “Still so frightened by a snake.”
“That will never change.”
“Good. I find it adorable.” His other hand landed on my hip. “I know you were upset when you saw Attes’s face, but I didn’t hurt him too badly.”
I gripped the front of his shirt. “You shouldn’t have hurt him at all.”
His lips brushed mine as he moved his large hand over the curve of my backside. “I enjoy the way you look in these pants.” His fingers followed the thin seam over the center of my ass. “But I love the way your body feels in them.”
Heart thumping, I lifted my gaze to his. “I can tell.”
“Can you?” A wolfish grin appeared. A wicked gleam in his stare joined the devilish expression. “How about…?” His questing fingers dipped lower, dragging a ragged gasp from me. “Now?”
Raw, sharp sensation curled tightly in my core as my fingers splayed across the soft linen of his shirt.
His chuckle was like silk against my skin, and his kiss was more languid and intoxicating this time. I started to lean into him, wanting to give in to the captivating pulse of pleasure his kiss and touch elicited.
But we did need to talk.
Mustering up what little self-restraint I had, I lightly pushed against his chest. “Yes, I can definitely tell you’re fond of these pants, but we need to behave responsibly at the moment. So you need to forget about them,” I said, ignoring the breathy note in my voice. “What did Attes think about us wanting to meet with the Primals?”
“He thought it was a good idea.” The grip on my ass tightened as he dropped a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth and then my cheek. “If he heads out to the other Courts when he said he would, we’ll hear from him within a day.”
My stomach dipped once more. “That’s quick.”
“It is.” He slid the hand from my cheek and down the side of my throat. His palm glided over the thick braid of hair, and his fingers skimmed the curve of my breast where it was lifted from the tight vest. I inhaled sharply. “I’m betting Lailah will go with him.”