Chapter 172 Get Under My Skin
Morning came, and Althea stirred awake when she felt something warm against her neck. A soft smile curved her lips at the familiar warmth and scent surrounding her, she didn’t need to look to know it was Gavriel.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw him hovering just above her, his lips brushing gentle kisses along her shoulder.
She loved waking up like this, with him beside her, close enough that she could feel every breath he took.
“Gavriel,” she moaned, and in that instant, he stopped and looked into her face. “I’m sorry, did I wake you up?” he gently hummed. “Sleep more, I’ll behave now.”
Then he pulled her into his arms. Althea buried her face in the crook of his neck. “What time is it?” she sluggishly asked him.
“It’s dawn, the sun will be up soon, but you can sleep more,” Gavriel murmured. Althea gulped and opened her eyes because she could feel his emotions. He was at it again, and she knew well how much he was controlling himself.
She raised her head and then looked at him. Without saying a word, she leaned and kissed his lips. Gavriel groaned, and his body stiffened. Althea didn’t stop kissing him while her hand started roaming his bare upper body. She loved how warm he was and how firm his body felt in her palm.
She stopped and played with his nipple, alternately flicking and pinching it gently with her fingers.
Then she released his lips and started licking and suckling his skin on his jaw, then neck, leaving her bite marks along the way. Her hand moved further south, too, until she finally touched his hard length and tugged it. It was a bit wet already, making it easy for her palm to hold it and to rub it smoothly.
Althea no longer had any inhibitions left. She was already familiar with Gavriel’s body and how she could please him.
“Oh, Althea,” he growled her name when she started licking and suckling his nipples while her hand busied itself rubbing him up and down.
Gavriel’s length was so massive, and she could feel in her palm how his hard length pulsated. She continued rubbing him up and down, this time moving faster and tugging it a bit tighter.
Her movements grew more confident as she watched him struggle to keep control. Every breath he took grew heavier, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm. Gavriel’s hand gripped the sheets, his jaw tightening as he tried to suppress the low sound that escaped his throat.
“Althea…” he breathed, his voice rough and trembling. His body shivered under her touch, and she could feel the power in him barely contained, straining at the edge of release.
When he finally reached his limit, Gavriel’s eyes met hers, dark and intense. With one final shuddering breath, all that tension broke, leaving him still and breathless beside her.
Althea bit her lower lip as she watched his release spill into her hand, continuing to stroke him slowly, making sure he emptied himself completely. It still fascinated her how easily he could climax with just her hand.
Gavriel sat up on the bed and pressed his lips to hers. Pulling back slightly, he asked with curiosity, “How many days until your cycle ends?”
There were at least two more days before he could have her fully, and until then, she would find other ways to please him.
“Two more days…” she replied with a smile. Then, teasingly, she added, “You want more?”
Gavriel’s gaze darkened, a slow, amused smile tugging at his lips. He leaned closer, letting his forehead rest against hers. “You’re enjoying teasing me, aren’t you?” he murmured, his voice low and playful.
Althea’s heartbeat raced. “Maybe a little,” she admitted, her tone daring.
He chuckled softly. “Alright, but we should get your hands cleaned up.”
Althea jumped up. “I’ll clean you up too!”
Gavriel’s chuckle deepened. “Aren’t your hands tired already? You do know that a simple touch from you will have me aroused over and over again…”
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “It’s fine. I can handle it,” she said, leaning closer with a teasing grin. “I can rest my hands and use my mouth next…” she vulgarly stated with a wink.
Gavriel groaned, but his lips curved into an affectionate smile. “You really know how to get under my skin,” he murmured, shaking his head.
Althea laughed softly, enjoying the way her teasing affected him. Something was intoxicating about how easily her bold words could stir him. And here he was again, rock hard in front of her. A mischievous smile curved her lips, her mind set on pleasing him completely.
At the West Wing, Royal Palace, Capital City
Wilma didn’t bother finishing the birthday celebration. That same night, she returned to the palace after her conversation with Gavriel. He had explained everything, and though she still struggled to fully believe it.
Today, Althea would begin Riela’s treatment, and Wilma vowed to focus all her hope and energy on her daughter’s recovery.
A knock interrupted her thoughts. Her maidservants entered first, followed by Nilda. Wilma took a deep breath and then released a deep sigh. She could already tell why Nilda was there to see her early in the morning.
Nilda quickly bowed and directly reported, “Your Grace… something seems wrong. I passed by Princess Riela’s cottage to check on her, but the guards wouldn’t let me in. Please… we have to do something. We don’t know the nature of the traitor’s daughter’s magic or spells, it could harm the princess. There’s a chance she’s not trying to help, but it could also be an illusion meant to deceive us.”
Then she lifted her head and added, “Princess Riela is like a daughter to me, Your Grace, and you know how much I care for her. Are you really going to let the traitor’s daughter manipulate us? Please… don’t let her treat the Princess alone. At the very least, allow me to monitor it and make sure the Princess stays safe.”