Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
But Poppy?
She was my everything.
And anything could’ve happened to her when she crossed the Veil. Anything could happen to her still. The reminder was cold and cutting.
Eather hummed as I stood with her in my arms. Another shudder rattled me when she wrapped her legs around my hips.
Her warmth seeped into me as I turned and lowered her to the bed. Our lips didn’t part as I rocked against her.
“Cas,” she breathed against my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair. Her hips followed mine, arching and seeking.
Groaning at the sound of her voice, I deepened the kiss, pouring all the worry, fear, and anger I felt into it.
This felt like madness as she clutched the back of my tunic, her fingers trembling as she tugged it up. Our lips parted as I lifted myself to pull the shirt off. Her breath came in short, quick bursts as I stared down at her. She was far too dressed.
“Do you have strong feelings about this robe?” I asked, drawing my fingers over her shoulder.
Her brows drew together. “No?”
I looked closer at what she wore, remembering that she had left here in just her nightgown. “Where did you get it?”
“Mount Lotho.”
My fingers halted on the elaborate stitching as I lifted my gaze to hers. “You’re going to have to explain that.”
“Later,” she whispered.
“Indeed.”
The fingers that had been tracing the embroidery curled around the halves of the robe. With one quick jerk, I lifted her upper body. Buttons snapped and popped free as the sharp, harsh crackle of fabric tearing filled the chamber. The robe split along the shoulders and down the middle of her back and arms.
Her mouth dropped open. “You could’ve just undone the tie.”
I rocked back. “Too impatient.”
“It probably would’ve taken the same amount of time,” she reasoned. “I think the robe belonged to—”
“Guess what?” I shucked off my breeches faster than I ever had. “I don’t give a fuck, Poppy.”
Her gaze swept down my body, tracing over my chest and stomach, then moving lower as the blue, green, and brown in her eyes started to churn. Her intoxicating scent rose, and I knew she wasn’t worried about the robe any longer.
She drew her lower lip between her teeth, flashing me the tips of her fangs. My cock twitched as I leaned over her.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, tracing a finger along my collarbone.
Fuck if I didn’t feel my cheeks warming as I slid my hand up her stomach. I pulled the gown down, baring her breasts, liking the sight of the gown pooled at her hips. She looked thoroughly debauched.
“Not as beautiful as you,” I said, my voice low and rough.
Her lips curved into a wide smile, and the sight of that shook me in the same instant it ignited a fire within. I closed my eyes, needing a moment to maintain my control—or to find it—as I felt her fingers coasting down my chest and over the taut muscles of my stomach. The featherlight touch danced lower, stopping just short. I tasted something mildly sweet, like milk and honey, and my eyes opened in realization. My heart…fuck, it felt like it doubled in size.
Somewhat mystified and utterly charmed by the boldness she displayed one moment and her shyness the next, I lowered my head and kissed her. “My sweet, shy Queen,” I murmured. “Touch me,” I ordered—or begged. Likely the latter.
She obeyed, wrapping her fingers around the base of my cock as best she could. The contact frayed my every nerve ending.
“Stroke me,” I whispered against her swollen lips.
Poppy drew her hand up my length, causing the muscles along my spine to tense. I groaned, dragging my nose over the curve of her jaw to breathe in her heady scent.
“Don’t stop.” I kissed the underside of her chin as I skimmed my hand over her shoulder.
Her arm moved between us as I palmed one perfect, full breast. I dragged my thumb over the hardened tip, kissing my way down her neck. Her breaths quickened as my mouth replaced my thumb, and I drew her nipple into my mouth.
Poppy’s grip on my cock tightened as she arched, a soft moan escaping her lips. The sound sent a jolt of electricity through my body. With a grin, I grazed my fangs over her sensitive flesh and was rewarded with a sharp cry.
“Harder,” I instructed as I moved to her other breast. Didn’t want that one getting lonely.
Poppy moved her hand with confidence, squeezing and sliding as I flicked my tongue over her rosy bud. This time, I nicked her flesh, though not enough to pierce her skin. I couldn’t risk that. One drop, and my fangs and cock would be buried deep within her.
Poppy cried out again, her body trembling as she parted her legs. Her scent was everywhere, and the taste of her skin, the sound of her pleasure, was both too much and not enough.