Page 34 of Hero of Havoc

The world blurs, his thrusts stuttering as he snarls, finding his release a moment later. And as my vision blurs and ecstasy tingles down my spine, I smile.

Content.

Serene.

Shattered.

9

IVY

The gentle touch of fingers stroking down my arm lures me back to the present, slowly drawing me away from the comfort of the cloud I was floating on in my dream. I can feel my familiar sheets around me, but there’s a firm body beside me.

I feel delirious, yet safe, and it’s startling.

I don’t even know what day it is.

Despite my reluctance, I pry my eyes open and tilt my head a fraction so I can settle my gaze on who is beside me.

Sax.

Amusement dances in his eyes as he stares down at me, the rhythmic glide of his fingertips on my arm unswayed as he smiles.

The slight crinkle at the corner of his eyes catches my attention.

“What are you thinking about?” I breathe, and he drags his tongue along his bottom lip.

“Nicknames.”

My eyebrows gather in confusion. “In what sense?”

“Teddy calls you Princess.”

“Okay.”

“And Baron has claimed Firefly,” he continues, and my heart flutters at the reminder of it falling from his lips.

“Uh-huh.”

“Archer seemed set on Angel for a while there, but that hasn’t stuck. So I feel like I need to choose one before my options get any slimmer.”

It’s impossible not to blush under his intense stare. “What did you have in mind?” I muster, and he grins.

“Well, I’m obsessed with the fact that you’re my mate, but mate doesn’t really hold enough weight,” he starts, and I nod in agreement, as if I have a choice. We both know I don’t. “Then that made me think of the lifelong bond of fated mates, which led me to Fate. It’s fitting for sure, but it’s too close to The Fates, and I want something entirely for you.”

“And what are you thinking now?” I ask, watching him rub his lips together for a second before he speaks.

“Sunshine.”

My eyes widen. “That’s not where I expected you to go,” I admit, and he grins.

“I thought long and hard about Phoenix first, if I’m honest, and it’s a reflection of what you are, for sure, but I ultimately wanted to encapsulate who you are.”

“And you think I’m sunshine?” I clarify, and he nods, tightening his arm around me, pinning me against his side.

“At first I thought you were just my sunshine, but you literally are a ray of sunshine, even when no one is watching.”

My cheeks heat at his words. “How so?”