Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I sit up, wiping away the tears of relief that sting my eyes. Theo’s still sleeping, his gentle breaths rising and falling. As I look at him, my heart swells with gratitude and happiness. I can’t believe it worked. I slowly reach out and lay my hand on his warm skin, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

“Theo,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. He stirs, opening his eyes to meet mine. His face softens with recognition and love. I lean forward and press my lips to his, feeling the power of our love radiate between us. It’s like nothing has ever felt truer or more real .

Theo opens his eyes and stares into mine. “Rose? What is it? What has happened?”

“Nothing… well… something. But can we please just have this for a moment longer?”

With gentle motion, I place my hands on either side of his face holding the world at bay. “Just this,” I murmur. “This perfect pause where it is only us.”

His warm hands cradle my face, and he kisses me with a passion that leaves me breathless. I’m beginning to realize that all of this power… this magic… it really turns me on.

Gently, I trace my fingertips over the planes and contours of Theo’s strong chest, letting them dip into the grooves of his muscular abdomen. I feel the scar from where the ice spear had punctured him before. The rippling muscles beneath the skin jump in response to my touch, eliciting a gasp from him. His hands find their way to my waist, pulling me onto him until every inch of our bodies are entwined.

“Dang it, Rose,” he breathes out, his voice laden with desire. “I’m going to need you to stop teasing.”

I raise an eyebrow at him coyly. “Who said anything about teasing?” I retort, my fingers slipping lower, brushing against the thick length of his arousal. He lets out a low growl, his fingers digging deeper into the soft flesh of my hips.

His hand slides up my nightgown, stroking the bareness of my supple breasts. His thumb teases over a puckered nipple, sending bouts of pleasure coursing through me that pools down between my legs .

His eyes are wild with desire as he tugs the thin fabric of my nightgown over my head, leaving me bare before him. I gasp as the cool air brushes against my heated skin, sending a shiver through to my core. Theo’s gaze roams over my body appreciatively, and I blush under his scrutiny.

“Gods, you are beautiful,” he murmurs, pulling me closer to him. He captures my lips in another searing kiss, his hands roaming wildly over every inch of my bare skin.

I melt into him as our bodies move together in the rhythm of our deepening kisses. His fingers trace a blazing trail down the small of my back, causing me to arch into him. Our bodies flush against one another’s, entwining as though we are two parts of a singular whole.

A low moan escapes Theo’s lips, and he grips me tighter—as if he’s afraid I might disappear. But I’m not going anywhere—not right now. His arousal presses against my wetness, eliciting a sharp moan from me.

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.

“You feel so good, Rose. I want all of you,” Theo murmurs into me through bated breath.

My heart jumps at his words and I tense slightly before succumbing to the pulsating heat building between us once more. It is all-consuming; a warmth unlike any other that binds us together .

“Rose,” Theo groans into my ear, pressing harder against me. Then he’s flipping us over so that I’m spread out beneath him on the bed.

I shudder at the sudden change of position, feeling his hardness against my inner thigh. He’s hard as steel and I’m wet with desire. Tossing a challenging glance Theo’s way, I move my hand between our bodies, wrapping my fingers around his throbbing length.

He grinds his hips into my palm, biting his lip to silence a growl. His breath hitches as I guide him to my waiting entrance, teasing us both with the promise of what’s to come.

We collapse onto the bed in a sweaty heap, our breathing ragged and hearts pounding against each other. Theo pulls me closer to him, pressing soft kisses onto my forehead as we bask in the afterglow.

“That was…” Theo starts, his voice trailing off as he tried to find words to describe the experience.

“Amazing?” I finish for him, turning around to look into his golden eyes. They hold a softness and warmth that sends a rush of love through my veins.

“Yes,” Theo confirms, bringing his lips down onto mine once more. “There’s no experience quite like the ecstasy of being with you. ”

“Not even being a Dragon?” I ask playfully.

“Not even that. There is nothing greater than you.”