Page 47 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

Gods, I want all of him, but I don’t know if I can fit anymore. He presses into me again hard then stills. One hand leaves my hip and grips my ass then travels further, spreading me wider. His thumb presses against my backside, and an embarrassing noise escapes me as it presses into me. “Good girl,” he whispers, and then he fucks me.

With every hard thrust of his cock, he works his thumb into my other hole, and every touch, every sensation is amplified. I surrender to the overwhelming tide of pleasure, and when it crashes, it’s all consuming. I find my release twice before I feel him climax, grounding me back to the present.

He remains there for a moment, his soft breath warming my skin, a stark contrast to the wild passion from moments ago. He retreats gently, leaving a trail of soft kisses down my backside before heading to the bathroom.

After a few moments, he returns, climbing into bed and lying on his back. He motions for me to scoot closer, and I comply, relaxing on my back next to him while his arm wraps around behind me. “Are you alright?” he asks.

I tip my chin up to meet his stare. “Yes, why wouldn’t I be alright?” I ask, my eyebrows furrowing.

“I just want to make sure. If you ever don’t want to do anything, or if this is moving too fast for you, you can tell me. I’ll never get upset.”

I offer him a tender smile. “I know. I’m alright, really. I feel good, better than good.” A smirk plays at the corner of his mouth.

For a while, we simply lie there, savoring the tranquility. Through the window, I watch the sky gradually brighten and the forest come to life. Birds begin to chirp, and animals stir amongst the trees.

“I’m going to send word that I’m back, and a couple of my friends are going to stop by today. I didn’t want you to be caught off guard. I think you’ve already met one of them, Bim,” he mentions.

Startled, I sit up straight. “What!?” The horror in my voice is more pronounced than I intended. Clearing my throat, I continue, “You’re friends with Bim? Nyx’s best friend? But you and Nyx can’t stand each other. What am I missing?”

He laughs, adjusting himself to sit up against the headboard. “We all grew up together. Nyx and I might not get along, but that doesn’t prevent Bim and me from being friends. Bim’s always been smart enough not to take sides.” He studies my face for a moment then adds, “If you’re worried about him going back to Nyx and revealing our relationship, he wouldn’t, especially if I ask him not to.”

I exhale deeply. I’m not sure why I reacted so strongly. Bim had always been kind to me, and Nyx is bound to discover my relationship with Colton sooner or later. “No, it’s okay. It took me by surprise, that’s all,” I explain, settling back against the headboard beside him.

“Clearly,” he says with a chuckle. “I need to step out for a bit. Will you be okay here by yourself? Feel free to shower and make yourself at home. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Of course, I’ll be fine. Go on. I know you’ve been away from home for too long and have things to take care of.” I gently prod him, urging him out of bed.

“Alright, alright,” he relents. With a snap of his fingers, he’s impeccably dressed in beige pants and a dark-green tunic. He leans down to plant a kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll never get used to seeing you naked in my bed,” he remarks, his smile widening.

“You’d better,” I tease as he makes his way to the bedroom door. “Hey, will you leave the door open for Chepi? He’ll probably be waking up soon.”

“Of course,” he replies, his voice fading as he disappears around the corner.

Now alone, I survey the room in the morning light. It’s nearly a mirror image of my room down the hall, though this one boasts a full bar and a fireplace. The sheets, while equally plush, are a deep shade of gray, bordering on black. Last night was nothing short of perfect, and this morning? Absolutely decadent. The thought of spending the day cocooned in these sheets, enveloped in his scent, is tempting.

I rouse myself and shuffle to the bathroom. The water from the shower runs over me like a warm rain. I reach for Colton’s soap, which carries the refreshing scent of the sea. After lathering up and rinsing my hair, I linger under the water, allowing the steam to sooth my muscles.

When I finally emerge, I scour the bathroom for a towel. Given that he probably uses magic to dry off, it’s a minute before I locate one stashed in a cabinet. Dried off and wrapped in the towel, I return to the bedroom and spot a steaming mug of coffee accompanied by a piece of parchment on the bedside table. I take a tentative sip of the coffee, pleasantly surprised by its creamy sweetness—such a contrast to the harsh, black brew in Zomea.

Curious, I pick up the parchment and unfold it. It reads, “May this keep you warm until I return. P.S. My closet is on the other side of the bar. Feel free to choose anything you’d like.”

A smile spreads across my face. I take another sip of the delightful coffee and move to explore his wardrobe.

I decide on one of his white tunics. Pulling it over my head, I fasten a leather belt around my waist, looping it twice and knotting it, fashioning the tunic into a makeshift dress. Coffee in hand, I make my way downstairs. The heartening warmth from the fireplace greets me, its flames still dancing with life. However, Chepi is nowhere in sight.

A clinking sound draws my attention, guiding me to the kitchen. “Oh my,” I murmur, taken aback by the scene unfolding before me. The kitchen island and countertops are laden with an assortment of delectable dishes. Chepi is heartily devouring some freshly cooked bacon, while two Twig Wisps flit about, diligently stocking the pantry with a bountiful supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Forgive us. We didn’t mean to frighten you. Milord sent word he was back and instructed us to stock the house with food,” one of the Twig Wisps says, looking so much like Twig with the same purple skin and silver wings, only his hair is black instead of gray.

“I am Rune, and this is my brother, Rix,” the other says, his light-green skin and black wings setting him apart.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Lyra, and I see you’ve already met Chepi.”

“Indeed, he was hungry, so we cooked him breakfast. Can we make you something to eat?” Rix inquires.

“No, thank you. Though I’ll take a piece of fruit and get out of your way,” I respond, moving to grab an apple from the countertop.

“Don’t worry. You’re not interrupting anything. We’re here to serve you. Whatever you need, we’ll get it,” Rune assures, his hands busy with bags of grain.