The Summer King Bundle 3 Stories - Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,210

peekaboo with her legs. It reminded me of this morning when I woke, starving for her, and saw the curve of one exposed thigh. Her flesh had looked oh so lonely, peeking out from between the sheets, and I’d been more than happy to reintroduce the lovely expanse of skin to my hand and then my lips. I’d reached the junction of her thighs by the time she woke.

She was the best breakfast I’d ever eaten.

Hell. I could practically taste her on the tip of my tongue right now.

I shifted on the ground, giving myself a little extra room as I counted down the hours to Scorcha’s afternoon nap. I was very, very hungry again.

Seeming to sense my damn near obsessive perusal, Brighton looked over at me. Our gazes connected as I ran the tip of my tongue over my upper lip. Pink flushed her cheeks as she shook her head at me, but I scented the sharp rise of arousal. It reminded me of roses drenched in vanilla, and it was addicting.

At least once a day I found myself wondering how in any world I had gotten so damn lucky. And there were still times when I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t worthy of her, our daughter, and the life we were building together, the future that was waiting for us. My time under the spell of the Winter Queen still followed me into my sleep and invaded the most hidden corners of my mind, but Brighton always found me in those moments. Whether at night, where she chased the nightmares away with sweet kisses, or when I fell into sullen silences and she was there to pull me from the grasp of the darkness. Just like I was there when the nightmare of Aric found her. I always reminded her that she was safe. I’d been right about the breaks in reality. She never had another one, but even if she had, we’d be okay.

We’d be more than okay.

Scorcha let out a squeal of triumph when she caught Tink’s leg. I winced in sympathy. My baby girl had one hell of a grip. Just the other day, she’d grabbed my nose for whatever reason, and I’d thought she was going to yank it right off my face. And considering that with each passing day, her fae strength grew, it seemed plausible.

Tink only laughed and shouted, “You win! You win!”

Letting go of his leg, she clapped happily. “Again! Again!”

Swooping down, Tink kissed the crown of blond hair and then darted out of her reach. “You won’t catch me again.”

“Nuh-uh!” Scorcha did her funny little jerky knee run after Tink that was stopped by a loud, lioness yawn.

“I think she’s going to end up sleeping through the afternoon once it’s her naptime.” Brighton tucked a strand of hair back from her face. “I may end up right with her.”

Not if I had anything to do with that. I planned to make good use of our alone time.

The brownie glanced over at me as his wings beat furiously. “You’re welcome.”

I chuckled. “I owe you one.”

Tink zipped up, narrowly avoiding Scorcha’s grasp as Brighton’s gaze met mine again. I read the unspoken message and nodded in agreement. We really would owe Tink for today. Since he and my brother had taken over the management of Hotel Good Fae, both were busy, and I didn’t think anyone was more surprised than Tink by his dedication to continuing the success of the safe harbor for the fae.

“This is great practice, though,” said Tink. “Since I plan on being the Mary Poppins of brownies.”

“That reminds me. Have Ren and Ivy decided on a name yet?” Brighton asked.

“No,” he answered. “They’re still arguing between two names, and neither will listen to any of my suggestions.”

“Did you suggest they name their son after you?” she asked.

“I did, but you want to know a secret?” Tink hovered far above Scorcha’s head. “I gave them a whole list of names, and one of them was my actual name. They have no idea.”

Brighton’s mouth dropped open.

Shaking my head, I wondered if I should ruin Tink’s day by telling Brighton what his actual name was. But as Brighton attempted to guess what it was, and her eyes narrowed in fond annoyance, I decided that piece of information could be shared at another time.

Glancing over my shoulder at the hotel, it was almost hard to believe just how well Hotel Good Fae was running these days. Things had been a