I doubted we’d find Grandfather, and from everyone else’s reaction, no one else did either. Despite the helpless feeling, we had to try. Otherwise, there was no guarantee Rod and I could complete our bond.
Roderick had never been inside my private chambers. The space that had been so depressing and empty for decades now hummed with joy. My joy and Rod’s. This wasn’t permanent, but I told myself this was what the future would be like.
“After four decades of not speaking about our relationship, I didn’t expect the way your family’s welcomed me.” Rod pulled me closer and my inner fire burned brighter. “Was it only your grandfather who opposed us?”
I smiled at how being in my room made Rod nervous. “Three years since we’ve been alone together and you want to talk about whether my family agreed with Grandfather keeping us apart?”
Rather than give him a chance to answer, I cupped his cheeks and kissed him. It wasn’t gentle, not with years of built-up longing.
His mouth claimed mine with an intensity that matched my fire. I pressed closer, molding my body to Rod’s. I coaxed my inner flame until it danced just beneath my skin. My healing energy surrounded him and flickered in response to his touch.
Magic swirled around us, and our bond sang its yearning to meld together and be one. The obstruction created a wave of frustration that threatened to sap the happiness of the moment.
“Cinaed,” he breathed when we finally broke for air. His forehead rested against mine, our breaths mingling in the space between us. “We should slow down.”
“I don’t want to slow down.” I kissed him again, pouring all my frustration and need into it.
He responded with equal fervor, backing me toward the bed. “I want this as well, but?—”
“Father gave us his blessing.” I pulled him closer, drawn by the quiet power that always surrounded him. “And Grandfather’s wards are focused on the wrong type of magic now.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Looking for loopholes already?”
“Always.” I reached for him, no longer willing to maintain distance. My fingers traced his jaw, feeling the slight tremor that ran through him at my touch. “I’ve missed you. Seeing you across the room, having to pretend we’re just allies—it’s been torture.”
His hands found my waist, pulling me closer. The heat of my skin didn’t bother him anymore—he’d long since grown used to the fire that burned within all phoenixes. “We should be planning,” he murmured, even as his grip tightened.
“We have hours until dawn.” My other hand slid into his hair, reveling in its softness. “And I need this. Need you.”
His hands found my waist, pulling me closer. The heat of my skin didn't bother him anymore – he'd long since grown used to the fire that burned within all phoenixes. "We should be planning," he murmured, even as his grip tightened.
My fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt, revealing his skin inch by inch. It had been too long since I felt his body on mine. Too long since I felt his heart beat against my skin. I pushed the fabric off his shoulders and helped him toss it aside.
Rod’s gentle hands slid under the hem of my shirt and pushed it over my head. A soft gasp escaped me as the coolnessof his body connected with my warmth. His eyes darkened as they traveled over my torso.
“Three years,” he whispered, voice rough with emotion. “Three years of remembering rather than feeling.”
Pulling us together, he tilted his head, opened his mouth and captured my lower lip between his teeth. Our tongues tangled and fuck! I forgot how good he kissed. Pulling back, I gasped for air.
Half of him wasn’t enough. I need to wrap my flesh around his, forgetting where I ended and he began. “Pants,” I managed before crushing my lips back against his.
Rod moved us toward my bed, and our pants joined the pile of discarded clothing. We broke our kiss, and I filled my lungs with air. Closing my eyes, I ran my hands over his body, remapping the contours I’d memorized in all of our stolen moments. The bed touched the back of my legs, and we fell onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs.
I inched closer and cupped the back of Rod’s head. Our mouths met and my tongue touched the seam of his lips. I traced the edge, not asking for entrance. The kiss was soft, as we took our time reacquainting ourselves with each other. Our lips slotted, and Rod opened his mouth enough for me to push my way in. The soft kiss had turned in a bone-tingling one that stoked my inner flame.
Moaning softly, I pulled Rod on top of me. His body covered mine, and I hooked a leg around his. He dick pressed tightly against mine with breathtaking friction as our bodies wriggled. Rod slowly inched his way down my body, feathering my skin with soft kisses as he moved.
He swirled his tongue around my left nipple and I nearly shot off the bed.
“Still like that, I see,” he whispered, before shifting to my right side.
I gulped in a breath to keep from shooting. “Still remember what it does to me, I see.”
“Always,” he said before continuing his trek downward.
His tongue painted a wet line down my abs, while he ran his hands up and down my side. As if sensing my urgency, Rod raised his head and captured my cock in his warm mouth. Keeping his lips tight, he pushed my foreskin down and ran his tongue incircles around the sensitive head. I slammed my head back against the pillows and moaned.
“Oh fuck, that feels so good.” I clutched the sheets as I squirmed. Rod cupped my balls in his right hand and ran his left one up my body to tweak my nipple. “That. Just like that.”
