The clock was reaching close to midnight. The festival went until two in the morning, though most families had gone home by this point, leaving primarily teens and adults enjoying the fun. The music began to slow, the song playing a raw and sensual beat as Quill and I found our way to the dance floor again. I had ditched my slippers at some point, and my feet trailed on the clipped grass.
We stared into each other’s eyes, our smiles fading as we swayed to the music. His golden skin seemed to glow in the night light, always a contrast to my fair skin. His amber eyes began to fill with lust as they trailed down to my lips, his grip on my waist tightening.
“My mother won’t be home tonight,” I whispered in his ear, the wine giving me liquid courage. I never would’ve been so bold sober.
He pulled back, wide-eyed. I supposed he, too, was surprised by my fearlessness.
“My, my, Flower,” he purred, running his hand along my neck. “And what would you like to do while she is gone?”
I realized my liquid courage wasn’t that strong, as I flushed at the thought of all I did want to do with him. He chuckled softly, pulling my mouth to his. For a moment, I felt like I was floating. The music around us blended and hummed, and everyone disappeared until it was just us. Our mouths parted, and our tongues slid on each other’s, the warmth between my legs heightening. A small moan escaped me, but thankfully, the music was so loud no one would have heard it.
Quill pulled back, staring at me with that damn lazy smile of his.
Before he could say anything, I took his hand and pulled him toward my home.
We made it there quickly, and Quill closed the door behind us as I turned to face him. My heart was beating so fast I would be surprised if he didn’t hear it about to burst from my chest. He slowly looked me up and down, then walked towards me, tilting my chin to look into his eyes. He was so damn tall.
He studied me for a moment. “Can I ask you something?”
Confused, I nodded.
“Why do you think so low of yourself?”
The question took me aback, and I was unsure how to answer. After a moment, I responded, “I have just messed up a lot in my life, for myself and…for others.”
“I cannot imagine you messing anything up badly enough to justify your lack of self-worth,” he said, and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he wanted me to tell him the specifics.
“Maybe I’ll tell you once you tell me all your secrets.”
He smirked, then dragged his thumb across my bottom lip. “Cruel, beautiful siren,” he whispered. “I love you.”
I stilled, my mouth falling open.
He flushed and swallowed. “You don’t have to say it back—”
“I loveyou,” I said quickly, smiling sheepishly. “I’ve wanted to tell you for quite some time.”
He rested his forehead on mine. “As have I,” he whispered, and I pressed my lips to his. We stood there for a while, just kissing slowly until we became more eager—until we were stumbling into my bedroom.
“Are you sure you want this, Lena?” he panted softly against my lips.
“Yes,” I breathed, and he motioned for me to turn around.
Chapter Sixteen
Quillcameclose,hiswarm breath on my neck sending chills throughout my entire body. Slowly, he untied the knot that held up the top of my dress and pulled down the small zipper, his hand then tracing my bare back.
“I knew you would look beautiful in this dress,” he purred. “But not as beautiful as you’d look without it.”
He undid my ponytail, so my hair spilled down in copper waves. He traveled his hands to just below my shoulders and pulled the dress all the way down, the rest of it now pooling on the floor.
I inhaled sharply. All I wore underneath was a pair of black underwear. No bra.
He ran his hands down my arms and began kissing my neck from behind. Chills consumed me once more, my back resting against his chest, my nipples now hardened peaks.
His left hand traveled lower, squeezing my ass as he let out a low growl, his tongue still lightly tracing around my neck.
His right hand gently grasped my breast before it traveled lower as well, towards the front of my underwear.
