Chapter 41: Trust
Ayden
Her breath hitches, and I feel her body tense with anticipation. “Ayden… I...”
“Shh,” I whisper, silencing her with a kiss. “Let me show you what I mean.”
I stand, pulling her with me, and lead her back to the blanket. The stars above seem to shimmer with approval as I lay her down gently, her crimson gown pooling around her like a sea of fire. I kneel between her legs, my hands tracing the curves of her body, my lips following the path my fingers have made.
Her skin is soft, her scent intoxicating, and I feel my desire spike as I kiss my way down her neck, my tongue tracing the delicate line of her collarbone. Her breath quickens, her hands tangling in my hair, and I smile against her skin, a smile she can’t see but can surely feel.
“Ayden… what are you...?” Her voice is breathless, her words cut off by a gasp as my lips find the swell of her breast, my tongue teasing the peak through the fabric of her gown.
“Trust me,” I murmur, my voice a rough whisper. “Let me show you how much I want you.”
With gentle hands, I ease the gown off her shoulders, baring her to the night air. Her skin is pale and flawless, her nipples tight buds of desire that beckon me closer. I take one into my mouth, my tongue swirling, my teeth grazing, and she arches off the blanket, her moan music to my ears.
“Fuck, Ayden… that feels...”
“Good?” I ask, my voice laced with dark promise. “Wait until you feel what else I can do.”
My lips trail lower, my hands exploring the curves of her waist, the dip of her navel. I kiss my way down her stomach, my breath ghosting over her skin, until I reach the edge of her gown. With a slow, deliberate motion, I push the fabric aside, revealing the lace of her underwear, the hint of her sex beneath.
Her breath hitches, her hands gripping the blanket as I press a kiss to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. “Ayden… please…”
“Please, what, Layla?” I ask, my voice a low growl. “Tell me what you want. Tell me how you want me to touch you.”
“I want… I want you to taste me,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “I want to feel your mouth on me, your tongue.”
I don’t let her finish. With a swift motion, I hook my fingers into the lace and slide it down her legs, baring her completely. Her sex is a work of art, her lips plump and glistening, her scent musky and sweet. I press a kiss to her inner thigh, my breath ghosting over her core, and she shudders, her hips lifting off the blanket.
“Ayden… don’t tease.”
I don’t. I dive in, my tongue tracing the length of her slit, my lips closing around her clit. She gasps, her hands tangling in my hair, her body arching as I suck gently, my tongue flicking, my fingers teasing her entrance.
“Fuck… Ayden… oh, fuck…” Her voice is a ragged whisper, her body trembling as I explore her, my mouth devouring her, my fingers slipping inside her. She’s wet and tight, her walls clenching around me as I thrust in and out, my thumb pressing against her clit.
“That’s it, Layla,” I murmur, my voice muffled against her skin. “Let go for me. Let me feel you come apart in my mouth.”
Her breath quickens, her body tensing as she teeters on the edge. “Ayden… I’m close… so close.”
“Come for me, Layla,” I demand, my voice harsh, my tongue flicking faster, my fingers pumping harder. “Scream my name as you fall apart.”
And she does. With a cry that shatters the night, she comes, her body shaking, her juices flooding my mouth. I drink her in, my tongue lapping at her, my fingers still moving, milking every last drop of her orgasm.
When she finally stills, her breath ragged, her body limp, I kiss my way back up her body, my lips brushing against her skin, my hands gentle as I help her sit up.
“Ayden… that was...”
“Just the beginning,” I promise, my lips capturing hers in a kiss that leaves us both breathless. “Because, Layla, I’m not done with you yet.”
And as I pull her into my arms, the night deepening around us, I know that this is just the start. It was perfect as we fell asleep under the stars. Waking up beside her will feel even better. I don’t know why Adrik is so against having a mate. I guess he is too focused on ruling the dragon world, but I never fully was, and now I have no desire to.
Ashton
I have counted down the minutes until my date with Layla. Without her knowing, she has become the center of my world. Adrik can rule as long as I can explore this fated bond with Layla. Her fiery red hair cascades like molten copper down her back, a stark contrast to the soft, sapphire-blue gown that clings to her curves. The fabric catches the light, shimmering with every subtle movement she makes. Her blue eyes, like twin sapphires, sparkle with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as if she senses the weight of my stare but isn’t quite sure what to make of it. I keep my expression unreadable, my features schooled into the cold mask I’ve worn for years. The betrayal of my past presses heavily on my chest, a reminder of why I’ve kept people at arm’s length. But today, I’m determined to set that aside. Today is about her, about us.
The kingdom of Talos stretches beyond these walls, a realm I’ve sworn to protect with my life. Yet, in this moment, my focus is solely on the woman before me. I’ve planned this date meticulously, ensuring it’s unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Ayden took her stargazing—a romantic gesture I cannot replicate. Instead, I’ve chosen something that reflects my desire to connect with her on a deeper level, away from the pressures of ruling and the ever-present threat of the Syndicate.
“Layla,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning within me. “Are you ready?”