Page 57 of Her Cruel Dahlias
“I never thought I would hear those words fall from your pretty lips,” he said softly, tucking a loose lock of her hair behind her ear.
“I mean them.” Cricket didn’t release his hand as she led him out into the gardens, the serene quiet enveloping them.
“Autumn told me what Mistress Eliza said to you, and she had no right,” Zephyr said, shattering the silence. “If you’re not a part of the carnival, neither am I. I go wherever you go. You want to start a new carnival? I’d be your first performer.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “My only performer.”
“The only handsome one you’ll ever need.” A smirk played on his lips as his eyes found hers. “So, is it true what Anika said? I was your favorite.”
“Yes,” she huffed, “you were my favorite.”
“It didn’t always seem that way.”
“I have a terrible confession.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “In a sense, I blamed you for my death, blamed the carnival, for losing the life I’d had, which was something I had no right to do. You were the main reason I was at the carnival. I wanted so badly to see you perform, to pretend I was dancing on that very stage, getting to travel with the carnival from place to place. But as I’ve grown closer to you, I knew how foolish it was. And if I can fault you over something as ridiculous as that, then you certainly have the right to accuse me of causing Juniper’s death.”
Zephyr halted and drew her to him, slowly lifting her chin, their breath mingling. “I don’t blame you. You were kind to Juniper, brought her out of her shell when no one else could. I don’t blame Stormy either, even though I wanted to. I’m just desperate to find the murderer and tear them apart worse than they did my sister. I want their blood spread by my own hands for this city to see that the killer is dead.”
“I want the same.” Perhaps she would even tear them apart worse.
“Come with me somewhere quiet,” he said, a plea in his voice. “Just for a while. I’ll take you back here any time you wish. Just you and me—that’s all I need right now.”
Cricket wouldn’t deny him anything in that moment. She cupped his cheek. “All right, but let me tell Anika so she doesn’t come searching for me.” Before they left, she grabbed her satchel from her room and let Anika know that if she didn’t come back today, not to worry. She knew the perfect quiet place they could go.
Wrapping her arm around Zephyr’s waist, she led him to a cozy inn where her father used to work. Of course, her father wasn’t at the front desk any longer, though. Before she could take a few coins from her satchel, Zephyr placed three on the counter and took the key from the young woman.
Once they entered the small room, filled with scents of vanilla and lavender, she sat beside him on the edge of the bed. The rooms, or at least this one, were the same as they used to be. Succulents rested on shelves hanging on the wall, two paintings of the city were above the bed, and an ornate quilt covered the mattress along with several knitted pillows.
A small smile crossed her face. “I have something to show you.”
Zephyr leaned in close, his breath hot on her neck, before he whispered in her ear, “My answer is yes to anything you say.”
Cricket brushed a hand down his cheek, letting several red roses bloom across her palm without even needing to make her skin translucent. “Because of you, I have control of myself. Thank you, Zephyr.”
He took her hand in his, trailing his fingers over the roses as he smiled. The feel of his digits touching the velvety petals was the same as if he was touching her bare flesh. “You’re beautiful. Life and death combined.” Zephyr’s eyes grew hooded, and he captured her mouth with his. “We’re not leaving this room until morning.”
Cricket’s heart pounded, and she knew her eyes were as dilated as his. “I…”
He lifted her into his lap so her legs cradled his thighs. “This isn’t about fucking, although dear gods do I want to, but I only want you. Whether it’s you lying beside me or me making you come until you quake with pleasure.”
Her lips twitched, and she studied him with wide eyes. “If you fulfill your promises, good sir, I think we’ll never leave this inn.”
Zephyr’s hands trailed down her sides to cup her buttocks, his fingers deliciously digging in. “I want you. It’s undeniable.” His voice came out gravelly as his hard length pressed against her softness.
“Show me.” She brought a finger to his mouth and caught it on his lower lip. He gave it a gentle nip and rolled her hips into his. “Give me the performance I’ve been waiting for.”
“I accept the challenge,” Zephyr growled, capturing her mouth once more, their kiss eager and desperate.
Cricket helped him bring his shirt over his head, only briefly breaking contact between their lips for mere moments. Piece by piece, they shed their clothing until nothing remained between them but thin undergarments. He slowly peeled the undergarments away, taunting her until he began worshiping her body with his tongue and hands.
Zephyr lay her gently on the bed, kissing down the valley between her breasts. He flicked his tongue over her peaked nipple, then sucked it between his teeth before trailing heated kisses lower and lower. As her heart pounded, he spread her legs, his teeth grazing her inner thigh. He slowly ran his tongue up her center, making her gasp and yank on his hair for more.
He released a low chuckle. “I’ll make it so you’re ruined for anyone else, so that you’ll only ever want my head between your thighs, my tongue lapping up your sweet flavor. Do you want that?”
“Yes,” she breathed, willing to surrender to him if he would just keep touching her the way he did.
Zephyr slid two fingers inside her as he stroked and circled her. He did as she’d asked—he performed, using whatever tricks he had hidden in his exquisite movements. A whimper escaped her, and her body quaked from the way he feasted on her, from the way his tongue and lips made love to her core.
When his mouth found hers, she brushed her fingers along his collar.