A beautiful bed now sat where the couches used to, and soft instrumental music enveloped the space.
“Is it okay?” he asked, uncertainty replacing his usual confidence.
“It’s perfect, but you shouldn’t have used your magic for me.”
“If I can’t use it to make you happy, what’s the point?”
Tears pricked at my eyes, and the words spilled out before I could stop them. “I love you.”
It was as if my declaration washed away all of his exhaustion. He stood straighter, looking every inch a prince as he strode toward me. His hand went around my neck, pulling me toward him, and then his lips were on mine again.
He ravaged my mouth, tongue plunging past my lips to tangle with mine. I tried to give as good as I got—I really did, but Killian was a man possessed.
I wrapped my arms around his back, holding on, and he lifted me up. In a flash, I was on my back, pressed against soft blankets. Lifting my head, I found him staring at me.
“I love you too.” He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I never expected this.”
I sat up and played with the buttons on the front of my dress. His gaze went to my fingers, and a pink flush bloomed over his cheekbones. Slowly, button by button, I undid the fastenings on my dress and slipped it over my shoulders.
That spurred him into action. He rose over me, hands going behind my back to unclasp my bra and pull it off. As anxious as he was to feel skin beneath his hands, so was I. I pulled and fumbled at his jacket. Then his shirt and pants.
There were too many pieces. I couldn’t kiss him and undress him. “Dang it, Killian. Do you have to wear so many clothes?”
He chuckled, leaned down, and kissed me hard. My lips would be bruised later. I’d be able to press my fingers to them and feel the ghost of his kisses.
Sitting back on his heels, he stared down at me. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
It suddenly hit me that I was lying naked in front of him. His kisses had made me stupid, and I hadn’t realized every inch of me was bared to his sight.
It was the first time anyone had seen me like this, but I couldn’t find it in me to be embarrassed. Not when he stared at me like a starving man.
A starving, gorgeous man.
Killian, from his head to his feet, was the model of male perfection. His shoulders were broad, and as he leaned over, the muscles flexed. It was hypnotizing. The candlelight played over those muscles, highlighting each dip and ripple. I ran my hand over his chest from one nipple to the other, and then down over his abs.
At his waist, I hesitated. He kissed me again, taking my hands at the same time to draw them over my head. Then, slowly, so slowly, he rested his weight over me.
His skin was hot. I opened my legs, making room for him. He stayed there, breathless.
I ran my hands up and down his back. My core throbbed and my hips rocked forward and back without me commanding them to. I wanted to be closer. I loved the way his length slid between my folds. Each motion built up the heat inside me.
He dropped his forehead to mine and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Are you okay?” Please be okay. I needed relief, and he was the only one who could give it to me.
He shook his head then opened his eyes. “I’m not okay, Imogen. Tell me this is real. I’m not imagining it.”
I smiled. “It’s real, Killian. We’re really here.”
He eased back and forward again. I loved the friction, but I was too empty. Reaching between us, I clasped his length. “Inside me,” I whispered, grateful mortal protection wasn’t an issue, because I didn’t want anything to separate us. Fae could only procreate with intention from both partners.
His initial thrust was careful. He moved, inch by inch, staring at me for any sign of discomfort. There was none. I was ready for him.
Made for him.
When he was finally seated as deep as possible, he held himself there. I kissed his cheeks, his throat, his shoulders. Every place I could reach, I marked with a kiss.
I loved this man.
He withdrew and thrust again, faster this time. Muscles I didn’t know I had clenched, and I sucked in a breath.