The group left with a lot of good nights and sleep sweets and promises to see me in the morning. I couldn’t stop yawning as Tor and I cleaned up the kitchen and started the dishwasher.
“This was a good night. Thank you for letting me invite them over,” I said to Tor as he washed the counters.
“You showed us all that there is still hope.”
“Hope for what?”
“For happiness. For a female of our own. For a life we want to live.”
I went to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, and he hugged me in return.
“Go get ready for bed, June. I will come upstairs soon.”
My heart gave a stuttering jolt at his words and what he’d likely do again tonight.
* * *
I rubbedmy face against Tor’s chest and shifted a little in my half-asleep state, trying to get more comfortable on top of him. His hips arched against me ever so slightly a moment before his fingers ran through my hair.
A small sound of pleasure escaped me. I loved sleeping on top of Tor. He was warm and touched me non-stop. I didn’t realize how much I craved being touched and didn’t know if it was a new thing, a Tor thing, or a need that had always been hidden away, waiting to be discovered.
Moving my face again, I brushed my lips over his skin and felt his nipple. My tongue darted out.
The world flipped as Tor rolled us impossibly fast. One moment, I was on top; and the next, I was underneath him. He had my hands pinned above my head and leaned in, nuzzling the side of my neck. He inhaled deeply at the same time he slowly arched into me.
I gasped at the friction of his hot length against my folds, and my hips jerked in response.
He growled, the sound vibrating against my chest and filling my ears even as he nipped my neck.
“You are right, my June,” he rasped. “It is difficult to stop.” He licked me and groaned, pressing little kisses along my throat.
Then he was gone, the door to the master bath closing firmly behind his retreat.
I lay on the mattress, panting and very awake. It would have been easy to stay there until my heart stopped racing, but I knew what he was doing in the bathroom and didn’t need to hear another throaty groan ripped from his lips because of me.
So, I grabbed my things and hurried downstairs to get ready for the day. It was a good thing, too, because I heard a knock on the front door just as I tugged my shirt over my head. Upstairs, the shower ran as I hurried to answer.
Emily stood on the stoop, bundled in her winter coat against the cold predawn air.
“Hey, June.”
“Good morning. Come in.”
I lightly shivered as I closed the door.
“I hear you,” Emily said, noting my chill. “Spring cannot come soon enough. Sorry to stop by so early. I was going to stop by last night but saw you had a houseful.”
“Tor and I hosted dinner and a game night for the fey who’ve been assigned to me on the supply runs. It was fun. I think they really enjoyed themselves.”
“Trust me. They did. That whole ‘get to know their mind and heart before their body’ advice is a huge help.”
“How do you know that already?” I asked before I could stop myself.
She chuckled. “They don’t seem to need as much sleep as we do, and word spreads quickly. Which is why I wanted to talk to you. The fey cooks and servers are as ready as they can be for the simple meals we want them to make and serve. Matt’s kitchen and dining area setup are too. I think we should start today before anyone notices the tables and starts asking Matt questions.”
“Today sounds good,” I said.
“Matt explained more of the plan to me. Are you sure you want to move back there?”