Page 91 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

Bluebell sails through, stroking her fingertips along the doorframe as she steps inside.

“I’ve got an idea.” I take her hand and slide it up my shirt to rest it over my thudding heart.

“Oh yeah?” She nips her lower lip. “I like your ideas, Hadrian. You’re so…creative.”

“Mmm.” I rub her hand in circles over my pecs, loving how utterly warm and soft she is. “I’ve been working on carving my family’s memories into the three walls of my nest, per gargoyle tradition. But I’d like you and I to add one of ours. And sometime next week, I’d like Petra to help me add her too.”

Bluebell smiles up at me. “That’s actually a really beautiful idea, Hadrian, and I’d be honored to carve your nest.”

“Our nest,” I correct, pulling her closer to me. “Our nest, little mate.”

Bluebell

Hadrian guides me across the open living space and to the left of the kitchen, down a small hall to the primary bedroom. I’ve seen it before, of course, but last time I was here, Petra was too.

My concern and anguish over the drama between Jasper and me still weigh on my heart, but he’s gonna have to figure this out for himself. I allowed him to take advantage of my time for years, and it had to come to a head. More than anything, at this point, I feel relief over our situation, even if it’s tinged with sorrow.

I cast that aside at the sensation of Hadrian’s big fingers tightening around mine.

Tonight, we’re utterly alone, and that sends a deliciously warm sensation through my core.

“You smell good like this, wanting.” Hadrian tugs me into the bedroom. Placing both hands on my chest, he pushes me backward onto the giant round mattress.

I hit it and snuggle in with a smile, stretching my arms as I curl my fingers into the soft sheets. “Ah, the magic of a gargoyle nest. This has got to be the most comfortable place in the entire world.”

He falls on top of me, bracketing me between both huge arms as he uses his knees to press my thighs wide. “It’s been a rough few days, little mate,” he murmurs, dragging his nose up the front of my neck. “Let’s take the edge off before we’re confronted with reality again tomorrow.”

“Break from reality? I could use that,” I manage as he places a line of heavy kisses down my chest to the hemline of my shirt. Twisting the fabric in his fingers, he tears through it with those black claws, yanking and pulling until he reveals my upper body.

“No bra, Miss Tucker?” Dark brows lift in mock surprise. He presses forward and takes my left nipple into his mouth, hollowing his cheeks around the peaked bud.

I cry out and arch into him as the pleasurable tickle of his tongue sends shards of heat streaking through my core to my pussy. I’m wet for him immediately.

“Mmm,” he hums around the bite. “Maybe we should have a little fun before we do the carving.”

When I wriggle against him, he chuckles and pulls away with a saucy look. “Actually, I’m thinking you need a little teasing, and you know how much I love to edge you.”

I slap him and slide off the bed, noticing a book next to the carving tools. When I grab it and lift it he sighs.

“If you can believe it, Jasper ordered that for me and it showed up this morning.”

I’m shocked, honestly, at the foresight it would take for my brother to plan a gift. But it proves one thing—he’s definitely capable of it.

Moving on, because I can’t think about him right mow.

Hadrian takes the book from me, sets it down, and grabs two carving tools from a small table next to the nest and hands me one with a smile that lights up the room. “What should we carve first, little mate?”

“I’ve been thinking about that, actually.” I lean over and kiss a spot I love on his giant shoulder. “What about when we had our fake wedding and exchanged our bracelets?”

He laughs. “You mean the one you promptly got rid of while I kept mine for literal decades?”

I punch his beefy arm, threatening violence with the look on my face. “Yeah,” I finally admit. “That’s the one.”

He nods. “I love that. You carve me, and I’ll carve you.” Leaning over the bed, he grabs something from beneath. When he emerges, he tosses a plastic box onto the nest. “And I got a kit for us to make new bracelets because I obviously can’t let you out of this house without one.”

Barking out a laugh, I grab the box and look at the array of brightly colored flat beads. I nip my lip and smile at him. “Should we make one for Petra too? I miss her, even though I’m glad to have this time with you.”

“Definitely,” he says, fangs glimmering in the low light as he takes the box and sets it on the nestside table. He thumps the carving tool still in my hand. “Memories first, though.”