Page 59 of A Crown of Madness


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“I do know. And I know he’s training Jeriko to do the exact same thing. Think about that for a moment. My father’s insane, but he’s also highly intelligent. Jeriko’sjustinsane.”

A long and defeated breath leaves his lips.

He stays together so well. He’s been here for me several nights, and goddess only knows what he’s done to get here.

All for me.

My steps are sure as I cross the room to him. He watches the way I drift toward him, every single step I take. When I’m near enough, I drape myself down onto his lap. I poise my center against his, my thighs straddling him. The soft fabric of the couch on either side of his head meets my fingertips as I inch closer to his face.

“Everything is going to be okay.” Never in my life did I think I’d say those words.

But with him in my life...I think I believe it entirely.

One way or another, every single thing will be okay.

His fingers dig into my sides as he pulls me closer. My core grinds against his hips as he makes all the space between us disappear.

He takes his time. He draws out the seconds as he angles his mouth just above mine. Every heavy breath I take swirls with his own in the small space between our lips. The darkness of his eyes makes my heartbeat pound hard until I can feel it beating against his own chest.

My lips part, and our tongues meet before his lips even seal to mine. My fingers fist through his soft hair, and I delve deeper into the smokey taste of him.

I don’t know how Nollix and I got here. How angry glares and teasing touches led to caressing hands and sweet kisses. But I hope I never leave this place. I hope he holds me here in his arms forever.

“We shouldn’t be here,” he whispers.

“That’s never stopped you before.”

Warm palms push from their safe place along my hips. Slow hands sear across my stomach and up my ribs. I arch into his heavy palms until he covers my breasts completely.

“Violence.” His lips move against my neck. “What happens if we get caught?”

I sit up a little straighter. “Since when have you cared about being caught?”

This is reckless.

His throat bobs, but his eyes darken. Beneath my shirt, calloused thumbs make slow work of rolling across my nipples as my hips rock against the building hardness beneath his jeans. A moan catches in my throat, and it snaps something inside of him.

He lifts me, my thighs locking in place around his hips. In one quick move, my back is against the soft cushions of the couch.

Quickly, he pulls at the collar of his shirt. It falls to the ground, and his hard abdomen meets my smooth stomach as he slams his lips back against mine. His weight shifts over me, his hips rocking as he positions himself between my thighs.

My fingers tease the rough, scarring lines along his shoulder and then his ribs, and he groans from the light touch. Hesitantly, his fingers skim down the curve of my side. A tingling feeling knots within my core. His hips shift back and forth. Even the flicks of his tongue have become slower. More careful.

As if he isn’t sure, his palm eases lower until it’s sliding beneath my jeans. My hips lift to meet his touch. I’ve never seen him this gentle before.

It makes my heart thunder through the tightness of my chest.

Two fingers slip down my folds. He takes his time sinking his fingers inside, rocking them back and forth at a torturously slow pace.

A humming sound parts my lips, and his pace quickens while he finds ways to kiss me deeper. My fingers dig into his strong shoulders. I hang on to him tight enough for my nails to scrape his smooth skin.

Soft lips trail the length of my jaw before sucking against the column of my throat. It’s all a spiral of overwhelming sensations. The heel of his palm grinds against my clit just as his fingers arch deeper within me.

Digging my teeth into my lower lip, the quiet sounds of my orgasm shake through the room. My eyes clench tightly as waves of my release tremble through me.

Dark, hooded eyes meet mine. Nollix watches my every emotion. A chaste kiss presses to my lips before he pulls back. The steady way his fingers unclasp my jeans mesmerizes me for a moment.

My shirt is askew, my chest heaving. Still, he watches me with intent. He grips the waist of my jeans, and I lift for him as he starts to pull. One boot after the other, he undresses me with quiet patience. When I’m nearly naked before him, his gaze lingers against my shirt.