Chosen One (Forever Evermore #6)(45)
Floating down, air escaped me as his quaking, massive form landed heavily on top of my shuddering frame, his grip still brutal in my hair. He barely kept any weight off me with his elbows, just enough so I could suck in oxygen, his unique scent, as our hearts pounded against each other, chests heaving, and I growled breathlessly against his neck, “God, I hate you.”
“Back at you,” he rumbled against my temple, lips rubbing against my damp skin, his tone just as breathless and pissed as mine. Slipping from the room, which we most definitely should not have had sex in, or even had fucking sex for that matter, I went the opposite way as him after we had broken away from each other, both seething from the act, glaring at one another, even though both of our faces were flushed as we silently threw our clothes back on. I wouldn’t have minded jumping him for a second round as I watched his goddamn delicious body move, which it was apparent he wouldn’t have minded either when he had inhaled heavily, staring at me for long moments before we quickly moved away from each other. He hurriedly jerked the door open and stormed out into the hallway as I hurried to grab my book. Now I was creeping down the damn hallway like a thief in my own home, glancing into each room I slowly passed, thanking God no one had been nearby.
And I turned a corner.
Stopped dead at one door.
And frantically worked to blank my features as King Collins noticed me before I could move.
…Where he sat in a small study with the three other Rulers, talking quietly.
He glanced at his watch, and then peered back up to me where I was illuminated in the light from the room. “It’s getting kind of late, isn’t it, Caro?”
I swallowed as both the Queens’ heads turned, rubbing at their own eyes tiredly before squinting in my direction, and I nodded once. “Yes.” I waggled the book in my hand. “Late night reading, but I’m going to bed.”
And, I firmly kept my gaze away from King Zeller, who had already been staring out the doorway, watching, waiting, where he sat comfortably with an elbow on the arm of a chair, his chin in hand, fingers covering his mouth with an utterly blank expression…silently observing.
…well within range of his fucking ears to have heard everything.
Queen Cooper chuckled. “Did you enjoy it?”
My eyes widened marginally, my heart rate skyrocketing even further, and I swear I saw King Zeller’s shoulders start to shake a bit as my gaze flew to her, my tone a smidge too high pitched. “I’m sorry?”
She rubbed her eyes again, still chuckling, pointing with her other hand. “The book of Laws you’re holding. I can’t imagine it’s very interesting reading this late at night.” She waved a hand at me. “But, you seem awake enough, so I thought you might actually be enjoying it?”
“Oh.” I stared at the book a moment, taking a step toward the salvation of the dark hallway, out of the spotlight. “Actually, it’s boring as hell.”
King Collins eyebrows were together. “You’re not coming down with anything again, are you?” He pointed at his face, then mine. “You’re kind of flushed.”
My lips parted slowly. “I am kind of hot, so I should probably go to bed.” The words didn’t flow as easily as I had hoped they would, but it still worked, so I waved a hand. “Good night, everyone.” And then, hearing them call their good-byes, I speed walked as fast as I could without actually running, not bothering—or wanting—to glance in any other rooms for fear of who they might hold, damning King Zeller for being there, but slapping myself mentally for having sex in that room—with him, only mildly relieved I didn’t believe King Zeller would currently ever out us on our reckless deed.
Chapter Eleven
Still kicking myself the next morning, angered all anew I couldn’t get him out of my fucking head, I was a…bit…of a grouch when Sin and I walked into the breakfast room. Sin had been giving me my space, but I could feel him watching me with an eagle eye, as if I was going to revert, and head down the spinning path of self-destruction again. Which, I wasn’t.
Been there, wasn’t going down that twisted road again.
I just needed to focus. Focus on what I should have been doing for the weeks I had partied-spread-my-legs-craze. And I was trying to. Reverently. Only if damn thoughts of Elder Merrick didn’t continue popping randomly in my head when I lost said focus. And there was the added fact that he looked all kinds of fucking delicious as he currently took a seat at the table while I turned my back on him to fill my plate. Dressed all in black, thin cashmere sweater and flat fronted dress pants, the platinum buckle on his belt was the only adornment of color, his mien quiet, but his navy blue eyes were cold, probably not unlike my own, but that didn’t even hinder my attraction to him, none of that helping a whole damn lot.
“How are you this morning, Caro? Tired from the late night cramming?” King Collins asked loudly as I sat next to him with a loaded plate, extremely hungry.
“Yes, I’m tired.” I kept my voice even, trying not to be snippy with my King as he flagrantly tried to make his Prodigy look better after her downfall. “And you?”
“I’m wonderful.” He patted my hand, beaming a bit before glancing about the table. “She was up late reading the book of Laws.”
Elder Venclaire was watching me closely from across the table. “So…you’re really done with the—,” his hand rolled elegantly as he paused in thought, “dimensional adjusting?”