Page 77 of Kiss and Spell
Xavier stood and went over to the sink by her.
Ursula picked up the soap bottle and drizzled it all over the plates. Her hand turned on the faucet, filling the sink with hot water and turning the soap into bubbly suds.
“Sula, beloved.”
“No, Xavier.” Ursula held up her hand. “You’re not telling me. I’m not listening to you.”
“What if I want you to know it?” he whispered.
She slowly closed, then opened, her eyes. He was met with sheer defiance and hesitation.
Xavier wanted to give her something that would be hers and hers alone. Something that she could keep. He couldn’t promise her a future. Now that he was fully disenchanted, he was destined to return to the Realm, marry a princess, and live out the rest of his life in a castle. That was how his story ended. It was how his father’s story ended and so on.
The sink was half full. Ursula snapped off the faucet but didn’t reach for the plates.
“Let me.” Xavier eased her out of the way. He rolled up his sleeves and went about washing the dishes. Ursula stood by his side while he scrubbed and cleaned.
This was a dangerous game. If Ursula knew his true name, then she with her magic and powers could call him whenever she wanted. He’d be bound to her across time and space. He knew it was too much for her, but at the same time not enough.
“Your Highness,” she sighed.
Xavier let out a low whistle. “Every time you call me by my title, I… almost come undone. I don’t deserve civility. Don’t call me Your Highness when you don’t know all the indecent things I’d do if we were alone together.”
He stopped, too stunned by his confession. Xavier reached for the dish towel by the sink.
“We are alone,” Ursula said roughly. Her voice turned hoarse. “Are you scared to be alone with me?”
He swallowed. “I’m scared at how much I like to be alone with you.”
That’s why he courted her publicly out in the sunshine. If they were alone, truly alone, then he might be tempted to offer her more than he could give her.
“Are you really giving me your true name?” she asked.
“It’s the most valuable thing I have.” He couldn’t give her anything more than that.
“No,” she said. “It isn’t.”
She turned to him, with eager eyes and skin waiting for him. Xavier brushed his lips over her face, then to her neck. He moved away from the sink so he could touch more of Ursula. The earth within Xavier shook. He licked the delectable salt of her skin and sighed roughly. He eased her into his arms and fit her between his thighs. Xavier stilled, but then she snuggled into his embrace. All his blood pooled south, and he grew excited. Hard. Xavier trailed open-mouthed kisses on her neck until he captured her lips. No other soul would do.
He deepened the kiss with careful savagery, and she seemed to go boneless. Ursula, with her soft curves and sweet moans, tasted of tart lemon and temptation. Her perfume filled his nostrils and invaded his senses. Longing throbbed and made him aware of their closeness.
They weren’t close enough. He wanted to be underneath her.
This was too much. He leaned back and studied Ursula to steady his thoughts. Her smooth skin glowed with pale pink undertones. Bestow her with a crown and make her yours. His soul demanded. Kisses wouldn’t be enough for him tonight.
He’d want everything.
“Give me something else,” she said. “Something else that won’t—” She cut herself off and silently looked at the walls. He filled in the rest. Give me something else that won’t hurt you. Keep you here against your will. Bind you to me.
“If you’re going to give me something, give me tonight.”
“I came over to court you, to woo you, but all I can think about—” He took a steadying breath. “I want you. I want to worship every inch of you. I… yearn to possess you in every way possible, if you would allow me that honor.”
Tonight, there was no trace of the prim prince who gave her a rose that smelled of pumpkin and fae magic. Instead, it was the man of her fantasies. It had been over a year since she’d been with a man, let alone a man as enchanting as Xavier. She needed to take a moment to collect herself. Ursula moved into the bedroom area to catch her breath and get herself together.
He was leaving at midsummer, but he was hers.
For the last two weeks, they’d been kissing and touching each other into overwhelming levels of sexual frustration. It was like she was standing in line for a roller coaster and every step she took forward with Xavier just increased the anticipation. Now, tonight, it was her time to get on and ride him hard. Her imagination and the frantic motions of her hand weren’t enough to keep her satisfied; she wanted Xavier. She breathed in his alluring scent—crushed wildflowers and wild grass—allowing it to ease her nerves.