Alanna reminded him of it with a whisper that averted their tumble. He chuckled against her lips, and then they were in the bedroom. He had her down on her back and was pulling off her clothes, taking over in a way she welcomed eagerly.
He was right. After a certain point, the hammering all disappeared.
She didn’t want to upset the bride, but she slept with Niall another several hours, her hand on his heart, her head on his shoulder, eyes occasionally fluttering open to look at him. As anticipated, after giving them both pleasure, he’d fallen asleep. Now she noticed, with heart-stopping awareness, how deep that sleep actually was. His heart rate slowed to the point she wanted to keep waking him up. But instead she kept her arms around him, holding him, dozing in and out, inhaling his forest and male smell, until late afternoon came.
It’s time to go, Alanna.
She closed her eyes, her fingers tightening on Niall’s broad, bare shoulder. He’d kicked off the covers, so she was gazing at the beauty of his naked body, the dragon tattoos. Evan’s mark was beneath her fingers as she traced the scales. His thick cock rested on his thigh, and she wished her Master was able to see through her eyes.
On very rare occasions, you’ll get away with topping behavior with Niall. You won’t with me. Don’t make me come up there and get you out of the bed.
Where she would have been mortified by the reproof a few days before, she heard the tenderness in Evan’s voice. But it was still an order.
She took a quick shower, donned her clothes again, and paused at the bedroom door. He didn’t stir, even when she brushed a soft kiss on his mouth. Despite the fact that she knew she was being remiss in her duties, she was unable to make her feet move. It felt like her priority was here.
I’m always watching over him, Alanna. As much as he watches over me. Go take care of the bride. That’s your task for the rest of today.
For all their bickering, she wondered if Evan’s calm presence in his mind steadied Niall the same way it did her. She hoped so. Nodding, she left the room.
When she stepped out on the porch, she took a deep breath. For various reasons, it was difficult to go down the stairs, but she did it, reminding herself of the same thing she’d told herself earlier. She couldn’t live her life on what-ifs. Niall and Evan expected more of her than that.
Making her way across the grounds, she saw the results of the morning preparations. A wooden altar was down by the waterway bulkhead, framed by a pair of sprawling oaks. She saw florists considering different color choices, while others embellished the altar with sheer, sparkling fabric and greenery. Even though it was a life she’d never entertained for herself, she understood the desire to bond, to commit oneself to another. Enough that she indulged her desire to watch for a few moments.
Continuing, she passed pavilions with tables of elegant china and glassware, the floral centerpieces and dance floor for the reception. As she approached the house, she saw a breathtaking garland of pure red roses hung between the large, graceful columns from the upper verandah. The red of the roses was remarkably vivid and deep, suggesting the velvet silk of the petals even without touch.
“Gorgeous,” she breathed.
“Thank you.”
Turning, she saw a tall man standing just behind her. His eyes were somewhat like Niall’s, but with more amber than gold. Perhaps in his late forties, he had a steady attention in his gaze, an alert quality to his body language. That, plus the fit, combat-ready form displayed in tailored gray slacks and white dress shirt open at the throat, told her he was ex-military, since she’d seen those qualities in servants who’d come from military service. Only this man was no servant. The authority he naturally carried on his shoulders, the way he held her gaze, making her want to drop hers, told her what he was.
She knew they weren’t in a Master–servant situation, but since her conversations with humans not part of the vampire world had been short, functional interactions related to errands, groceries, et cetera, it seemed safer to go with what she knew. “You grew these, sir?” she asked.
“I did, though I had a great deal of help and guidance from my gardener, Robert. Tyler Winterman.”
Before he extended a hand, she almost knelt in