Bound to the Elvin King (7 page)

If she ran into any trouble, she’d worry about it then. It was a motto she lived life by. Whoever said, “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” hadn’t met her.

She let a seductive smile come to her lips. At least, she hoped it was seductive. “No, I guess it isn’t one-sided. So what are we going to do about it?”

A flicker of astonishment graced Talion’s face before it faded away. She stifled a giggle. Sometimes even her own audacity surprised her. This could be kind of fun. Just treat it like a game until she found a way out of the whole bonding mess.

The insistent warmth pooling low in her stomach demanded attention. Though she wanted answers, they’d have to wait. She was hornier than a cat in heat. Since they’d already done the deed, what was one more time?

Maggie ran her hand up his arm. The muscles contracted under her touch, and she bit her lip. “Let’s do it.”

He closed the last millimeters between them and pressed his body against hers. The heat radiating from him clouded her mind, and she shivered.

“Do it? That’s not very romantic, my dear.” He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.

She made a scoffing noise, though she really wanted to moan in ecstasy at the tingly sensations zipping through her lower regions. God, he was better than a chocolate high. “You’re a guy. You don’t need romance. Geez, you’d think you’d be happy to dispense with that crap.”

“I see I won’t have to court you.”

Did he think he was getting off scot-free?
Ha, let him have his crazy ideas for a few hours
. “Call me an easy lay.”

“There’s nothing easy about you.”

Maybe he wasn’t as clueless as the average male. But it hardly mattered, because the lust flooding her veins consumed her. She wanted them body to body, naked skin to naked skin. And that was how she’d have him.

Chapter 4

Maggie frowned at the pewter buttons on Talion’s shirt. She fingered one. They were in her way, but not for much longer. “Right now, I’m going to make things very easy for you.”

“You are?”

“We’re both overdressed. Why don’t we take these confining layers off?”

He glided his fingers over the low neckline of her gown. “You’ll get no argument from me.”

Blood pounded through her veins like a speeding racecar. “That’s a first.”

“Life with me will encompass many firsts. And I look forward to introducing you to each and every one of them.”

His words crashed over her like an erotic wave. A little arrogant and sure of himself, wasn’t he? “Is that so? What makes you think I’m a stranger to anything you’d want to introduce me to?”

“You’re young and haven’t lived long enough to experience all I have.”

Reality slapped her down, and that damn watermelon formed in her throat again. She’d be tied to him in some way as long as she lived. As long as she lived….

When Cal had completed her bonding to Relian, his lifespan automatically became hers. Did this hold true with her and Talion? She closed her eyes, trying to block out the possibility. She wasn’t ready to know, not yet.

She pasted on a determined smile. “Hmm, I’m a fast learner and will soon surpass the teacher if he isn’t careful.”

“Is that a threat?”

“A promise.”

A smirk formed on his lips. “I look forward to being outperformed.”

Yeah, I bet you do.
And she would have a great time doing it.

The first button slid loose easily, followed by the second and third. They revealed an expanse of lightly tanned flesh. Her hands paused. Did he spend time out in the sun? Given he was blonde, this seemed the likely cause.

“Like what you see?”

Oh, yeah.

He chuckled.

Though she hadn’t meant to voice her thought out loud, she must have. She gave a mental shrug. Well, the fact she was attracted to him had to be no big surprise.

With a finger under her chin, he lifted her face up to his. The press of his mouth against hers lit fireworks in her veins. All too soon he drew back, and the decadent thrust and parry of their tongues ended. She sent a pout his way.

He waggled his brows. “You may finish undressing me.”

Laughter and irritation bubbled inside her. Even when he was teasing, he still sounded lordly. She would humor him this time. “Whatever you say, Your Majesty.”

His eyes grew heavy-lidded. “Hmm, I like the sound of that.”

“Don’t have enough people knee-towing to you already?”

“One person has been showing a decided lack of respect. But I think we’re in agreement now.”

She frowned at him. They weren’t exactly in agreement, except for this desire thing between them. It had to be enough for now. Her gaze meandered to the firm skin bared by the gaping shirt, and all notions of animosity evaporated. So far, she loved what she saw.

The overwhelming desire to see the rest of him tackled her. She wanted to run her hands over his skin. Use her tongue. This thought threw her. Her tongue? Since when had she wanted to give someone a literal licking? The idea had always seemed kind of gross. But now it made her mouth water. He was better than a big, juicy hamburger that called to her in spite of her vegetarian ways.

She licked her dry lips and worked double time to remove the garment. Fate had been good to her today. He didn’t even have on an overtunic. Fantastic. She’d hate to wreck it.

Once she finished unfastening the shirt, it swung open and revealed a sight that set her heart pounding.

Finally chiseled-muscles made up his chest in just the right proportions. He was neither too big nor too small. Hopefully, the rest of him would turn out the same way. But she’d no need to worry. The arousal prodding her earlier hadn’t felt small. Plus, she just knew he was satisfactory on all levels. At least the physical ones.

She tugged the material down his arms and let it drop to the floor. As she glided her hands over his pectorals, they rippled. No hair sprinkled his chest, so the sensation of smooth skin caressed her fingers. Were all male elves devoid of chest hair? Something to contemplate later. She had some exploring to do.

With gentle stokes, she neared his nipples. The turgid tips brushed against her fingertips. She glanced up in time to see him close his eyes.

He moaned and buried his face in her hair. “Stop it, or you’ll finish me right here.”

And deny her satisfaction? That couldn’t be allowed. She reached down and entwined their hands. His hands were much stronger and larger than her own, the fingers long and elegant. He ran his thumb over her palm, and the slight touch reached all the way down to her toes. A shiver rippled across her back. She tore their grip apart before she placed his hands on the side laces of her gown.

A few quick tugs loosened her garment. The gown drifted over her hips and landed on the floor with a soft swoosh.

He ran his hands over her breasts before cupping them. The rasp of his thumbs over the peaks sent liquid fire down south.

He plucked at her bra and sighed in aggravation. “Why must you wear this silly device over your breasts?”

She scowled. He spoke and ruined the moment. “Elvin women have eternally perky breasts and don’t wear bras? No wonder Vana looked at me like I was asking for a dildo instead of an undergarment.”

“I’ve never heard of this dildo. Sounds like it could be interesting.”

“I’m so not going there.”

He gave her a considering glance. “I could ask Cal.”

“No.” The word came out as a shout. Damn, he better not ask her. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? “Look, don’t ask, okay? You’ll just embarrass Cal. You know how sweet she is, and you don’t want Relian mad.”

“Must be something positively scandalous.”

“I don’t think anything would shock you,” she muttered under her breath.

“Hmm, you might be right. You’ll have to try
very
hard to shock me.”

The lazy look he turned her way ignited a desire to smack and kiss him. In no certain order. Maybe at the same time. The urge to throw herself at him ran rampant, and she fisted her hands. These hormones were going to kill her—or him.

He scooped her up into his arms and carried her toward a waist-high dresser. What was he doing? After he deposited her on the glossy wood surface, he unclasped her bra and lowered his head. Her airway froze as his mouth made love to one breast. All functioning thought died. She arched into him, her hands sliding into his hair. The ridge poking against her thigh stood at attention. That, along with him paying homage to her breasts, sent red-hot desire spiking through her. She wanted him in every way. Wanted to crawl into him and taste his very essence.

When he drew back, he licked his lips. “Delicious.”

Her breath came in huffs. “You. In me. Now.”

The blue pupils of his eyes glowed with an iridescent light. “Gladly.”

With a swift movement of one arm, he lifted her a few inches off the dresser and used his other hand to remove her panties. He set her to her feet and enveloped her in a hot, heavy kiss. Her hands found the front of his pants, and he groaned as she worked to unlace the ties that hid his most intimate part from her.

Each brush of her fingers against his rigid shaft wrung another moan from him. He deepened their kiss, and her hands fumbled in their quest before redoubling their efforts. The desire to come undone in his arms consumed her, and she shook in her haste to free him. Those damn leather laces seemed to slowly slide from their prisons.

Only halfway done with her task, she’d had enough. She was like a drug addict seeking a high. A strong tug ripped those pesky laces right out, and she threw them on the floor. A hum of victory escaped her before she closed her hand around him.

Talion laughed lightly against her mouth, but it held a strained quality not usually present. His hands ghosted down her thighs and sought out her heat. Pleasure burst through her beleaguered brain like exploding bubbles delivering oxygen to her starved senses.

“Your Majesty.” An anxious voice pierced the moment, and a knock sounded at the door.

Talion froze above her. Worse, his hands froze. She wanted to cry. Her arms twitched involuntarily in their desire to move his fingers to the place they’d so nearly explored.

“Go away.” The barked order came out as practically a growl.

Silence reigned for a moment until the frazzled voice pleaded, “Your Majesty, it’s important. News has arrived of the darkindred breaking through the barrier.”

Talion’s jaw clenched. He stared at her, tension etched into his face, before he lowered his forehead to hers. They remained in this position for a few seconds, both breathing heavily. He finally pulled back from her with a colorful curse that made even her ears sting.

“I’ll be there in a few moments, Evander,” he called out to the person on the other side of the door. With jerky movements, Talion retrieved the laces of his pants and made quick work of slipping them back in place. He then walked a few steps to pick up his under tunic. Switching direction, he started toward her. Along the way, he scooped up her gown and underthings.

With a toss, he sent them sailing into her lap. “Get dressed quickly. Evander, my seneschal, is waiting.”

She blinked at the clothes and then at him. What was a seneschal? Lust was still causing havoc in her body, and her mind ran sluggishly.

He turned his back on her and strode toward a wardrobe. She groaned, then leaned back and slammed her head against the wall. A whimper ripped from her lips. Why had they been interrupted again? Why not last night before the damage was done? Apparently, they’d indulged in a sex fest then. But now, they couldn’t even get a quickie in.

After he put his boots on, he turned around as he slipped on a richly embroidered overtunic. As his gaze landed on her, his eyes narrowed. “What are you waiting for? Get dressed.”

She scowled at his demanding tone. Who did he think he was? He might be king, but he couldn’t boss her around.

“Think I’ll stay right here. It’s quite comfy.” The discomfort in her butt disproved her words. Damn wood was so hard, but in the heat of the encounter, she hadn’t noticed. Now, it felt like torture to her sore skin. And they hadn’t even done anything kinky—at least not today.

“Unless you want us both to pass out, you’ll get your pretty little bottom off of there, get clothed, and follow me. We have a meeting to attend.”

“
We
?”

“My land is under attack. I don’t have time to placate your womanly sensibilities.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “It has nothing to do with being “womanly.” I just don’t want to be publicly tied to you in any way.”

He smiled thinly. “A little late to worry about that. But don’t worry. I’m not ready for my people to know I have a new queen who’s human. There’s too much unrest for such news to be received well, so you have a temporary reprieve.”

She frowned. Should she be offended or relieved at his words? She was proud of who she was. But the fact remained that humans weren’t commonplace in Eria. In fact, there were only two in existence. Her and Cal. And the elves did have a history of distrust with humans.