he filled her, the pressure sending her to a space in her head that turned almost floaty.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Gods, yes,” she moaned.
Grey flashed a grin, then took her hands and positioned her arms above her head. Gazing deeply into her eyes, he started to move, pumping into her, lighting already sensitive nerves on fire with each thrust.
Rowan lost herself in his dark gaze, in the sensations flowing through her. She couldn’t hold back the small sounds of pleasure keening out of her. Grey’s own groans mingled with hers as he started moving faster.
Her orgasm came up on her fast, tingling low and then exploding out from there. Lights flashed behind her eyes in a dance of color as pure ecstasy shot through every nerve in her body. At the same time, Grey threw back his head with a shout, his body jerking as he spilled into her. The mark on her wrist burst with a pleasure so intense it spiraled her body into a second orgasm that went on and on.
And every moment she drowned in the possessive need staring down at her from Grey’s eyes.
Once her body stopped shuddering, Grey pulled out, another spell cleaning them both up, then pulled her into his arms, yanking the covers over their hips. He laid a soft kiss on her shoulder as she sighed into the fading bliss, her body languorous and replete.
The afterglow of making love with Grey had Rowan unwilling to move. His heart thudded steadily beneath her cheek, the sound strangely comforting, reassuring.
Unable to help herself—the compulsion to touch too strong to ignore—she traced a fingertip over the tattooed sigil of his family name over his heart—this one a normal tattoo in black ink. The design matched the white lines on the inside of her wrist, which showed with even more clarity. No way could she deny the mark on her arm was his family sigil now. But hopefully he hadn’t seen the glow. She couldn’t show him. Not when she was about to do a disappearing act, taking the threat of attack with her.
“You truly are a witch, Rowan McAuliffe.”
She smiled at his words, even as she reveled in the shiver his deep voice caused to ripple over her nerves. “Oh?”
“I don’t lose control like that. Ever.”
Surprise at his admission had Rowan lifting her head. She caught a flash of shock in Grey’s eyes and grinned, pure feminine triumph thrumming through her. “I guess you kind of like me.”
He gave his head a shake, lips tugged down in rueful amusement. “I hope that’s obvious.” He indicated their naked forms with a wave, then cupped her jaw with his hand, ensuring she looked him in the eyes. “What’s more…I trust you.”
Forget a slow twisting knife. Guilt lanced through her on a spike of pain, impaling her and stealing her happiness. And the smile fell from her lips. “You shouldn’t.”
Taking the sheets with her, embarrassed about her exposed state now, she sat up. Grey’s eyes darkened as he took in both her verbal and physical rejection. “Rowan?”
She grimaced and rushed through what she had to say. “I talked to Delilah tonight.”
He scooted up in bed, and she had to clench her hands to keep from reaching out to touch the enticing ridges of his stomach. “Oh?”
She licked dry lips. Now that the time had come, she dreaded what she had to do. But she had to. However, the excuses she’d come up with earlier seemed trite now. After what they’d shared, Grey deserved the truth. But telling him at this moment would result in one of two unsavory results. Either he’d turn her over to the Syndicate, or he’d insist on protecting her himself.
No. She’d deal with Kaios’s lover and her shifters, with Delilah’s help, and then she’d admit all. Stick to the plan.
However, she couldn’t tell him the plan naked, because she suspected a hasty exit would be in order. Scooting off the bed, sheet wrapped around her toga style, she gathered her clothes strewn about the room, thanks to her earlier spell, and set about getting dressed. Grey watched in silence, not moving from where he lay on the bed.
Finally, she turned to face him, chin jutted out. “Delilah is going to be sending you a new nanny.” She gave a regretful smile. “A…better one.”
Grey jerked upright, eyebrows drawn down in a scowl. “What are you talking about? You’re perfect for the girls. For m— For our family.”
Rowan shook her head hard, backing up, her hair