Page 92 of Tears of Ink

Am I?! My legs are trembling, I’m full of a burning need, making me want to push against him until he’s torn me open and let the river of need flow free.

I crest the wave, knowing this is normally where it washes flat, leaving me unsatisfied, but not now. Now I’m climbing higher and higher. My hands splay against the tiles, my head resting on the wet surface as I cry a thunderous orgasm.

He follows me, crying out a deep groan into my ear. As soon as he’s finished, he pulls away, twisting me in his arms. His mouth lands on mine: hungry, hard, and determined. “I’ve never wanted anyone more than I want you right now.”

My heart crashes in my chest; my pulse thudding in my ears. “Take me to bed,” I whisper, and he does, picking me up and stalking with me, water dripping everywhere until we land on the covers and find one another all over again.

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - S E V E N

“What are you still doing here?” I’m not complaining. His arms are tight and warm, his breath fanning along my skin and I’ve slept deep and sound.

“I don’t have any meetings until lunch.”

My toes wiggle as I stretch, and I slide them up his legs. There’s a strong chance I never want to move.

He rolls me over though, and I groan in dispute until he slides his hot and firm body over mine. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you how amazing the hallway looks.”

I grin stupidly. “You like?”

“It’s breathtaking.” He slides his nose along mine, his mouth fitting my lips perfectly. My body sings with delight, warming and tingling up and down. When he breaks the kiss, I try to pull him back, my hands grasping the back of his neck. “What’s the next project?” he asks, ignoring my pleas for more kisses.

“I had an idea for the ballroom.”

He lifts an eyebrow; his startling blues focus on my face. “Are you going to share?”

“It’s about wild dreams.” My heart hammers in my chest, and I nibble my lower lip. “The things we want but can’t have.”

I want to crumple under the intensity of the blues. There’s a lengthy pause. “Sounds dramatic.” My stomach twists at his low tone.

A startling rap at the door makes us both jump from the bed. His eyes are wide. “Faith, do you have a minute?” Jennifer’s clear-cut call slices through the door.

I motion to the en-suite and point, and Eli pulls the funniest expression as his face scrunches in distaste. I wave my hand at him, shooing him away, and grab my dressing gown, quickly slipping it on.

“Yes?” I open the door, no warmth in my greeting.

“Do you have a moment?” Jennifer asks, not giving me any chance to say no as she steps over the boundary into the room. She frowns at the pink walls and shakes her head. “I can’t believe he spent a day painting this pink for you.”

“Why? It was a kind gesture to try to make this place feel like home for a while.” There is no mistaking my inflection on this place.

“Elijah has far more important things to do with his time.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “True, he does; such as help people like Lewis.”

Her face is carefully neutral as she stares back at me. “Indeed.”

“Anyway.” I turn and make it look like I’m busy, not lying in bed with her son. “How can I help? I’m about to get dressed for the day.”

“I was wondering if you’d thought of any plans for the ball? As I need to get my invites to the printers tomorrow?”

To the printers? Clearly Jennifer Fairclough doesn’t nip down to the local stationers for her party invites.

“Yes, I have.” I straighten myself up a little. “It’s going to be a dream anything theme. People can come as anything they’ve ever wanted to be.”

The glance of derision she casts in my direction makes me want to punch her damn hard. “Really?”

Ignoring her tone, I carry on. “The dress code is optional of course.” There’s no way Jennifer will do anything other than dress to impress. “The room will be decorated in art that represents the dreams of the people here.” I choose my words carefully.

Her face is folded. “Excellent. I shall get on that.”