Page 42 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“I’m just . . . I’m not sure I’m ready to have sex,” I finally mutter under my breath, feeling embarrassed.

He pulls away from me, falling back onto his side and facing me.

“Are you upset with me?”

“No, Lyra, I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready to do. It's okay.” He places his hand on my cheek, so I turn to face him. “I’m not upset. We’ll move at whatever pace you want.” He places another kiss on my forehead and pulls me close to him.

“We can do other things. I just want to wait a little while before we have sex.”

“I like . . . other things. Let me make you feel good,” he says in a low voice before pushing his lips to mine.

His kiss is ecstasy, and I could drink from him all night. He explores my mouth with his tongue, and his hand glides down my body, cupping my center. I feel the pressure building in my core. I seek out his cock once more, rubbing my fingers across the beaded liquid at the tip before stroking him slowly from root to tip. He groans at my touch and pushes a finger inside me. He moves his fingers in and out slowly while his thumb presses against the bundle of nerves at my center. I breathe heavily into his mouth. My mind goes blank as I stroke him faster, following his increasing pace as he moves in and out of me. My body is on fire. I ride his hand, moving my hips and twirling my tongue with his. Just when I think I’m going to explode from the pleasure, he curls his fingers inside me, hitting just the right spot. I find my release at the same time he does.

Both of us lie there looking at each other, panting. I release him, and he slowly eases his fingers out of me. He moves to get up.

“Please don’t leave,” I say quickly.

“Oh, Lewis, trust me, I’m not going anywhere,” he says, getting out of bed.

I relax on my back, still recovering from what just happened. He goes into the bathroom to clean up, then brings a damp warm washcloth and cleans me as well. Once satisfied with my cleanliness, he tosses the washcloth and climbs back into bed. He pulls me to him, and I relax my back against his chest. I can feel his breath tickle the top of my head.

“Goodnight, Lyra.” He kisses the top of my head and holds me close.

“Goodnight, Nyx.” I relax my head on his arm and fall asleep surrounded by his warmth.

Chapter Twenty

The soft glow from the morning sun shimmers through the translucent curtains warming my face. Nyx is still tangled around me, and my chest warms. How can this feel so good being so close to him? I've never been in a relationship before, and I wonder if that’s what this is. Is this what true intimacy is supposed to feel like?

He repositions behind me, and I feel his hard length pressed against my backside. I turn over in his arms to face him. He’s awake, smiling at me.

“Good morning, my love,” he says, and my breath catches when he says it.

“Good morning.” I smile sleepily up at him. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

“Would you like to take a bath?” he asks while rubbing his stubbled jaw against my hair.

“A bath sounds good,” I say quietly into his chest.

Before I have a chance to think about it, we appear in the bathroom. Nyx holds me cradled to his chest. The bath is already full of warm water.

“That was unnecessary.” I laugh as he lets my feet slowly drop to the floor.

“What good is having powers if I don’t use them for important things like this?”

“Yes, baths are very important.” I laugh as I turn to face him.

“When it comes to you, everything is important,” he says matter-of-factly and taps my nose with the tip of his finger.

As I step into the bath, I feel Nyx’s gaze following me, and I don’t shy away this time. I take my time, letting him take in my body as I submerge myself in the water, surrounded by luxurious baby-blue bubbles. The water is warm, and the scent of blueberries fills the air. Nyx climbs into the bath behind me, positioning himself with my body between his legs.

“Do you think Bim dislikes me after last night?”

“No.”

“I feel a bit ridiculous for ignoring him and practically molesting you in front of everyone at the party. Great first impression, huh.” I grab the soap.