We finally got back into our bedroom.

“Let us know if you go anywhere,” Igna said with a straight face.

“Extenuating circumstances,” Sven responded.

“We would have come with you,” Reelin told me.

“And it would have put Siro’s life in danger,” I responded. “But I won’t do it again.”

Reelin grunted and Amna nodded.

Igna looked at Sven.

“I won’t either,” he said. “Though you know why it happened this time.”

Igna sighed. “Yes,” he agreed. “I would just ask that you try your best to allow us all to do our jobs. Both of you.” He looked at each of us. “We are all glad you are back safe.”

Reelin and Amna murmured their agreement.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

Sven nodded at them. Then we stepped into the bedroom and he closed the door while the guards figured out which of them would stay.

I let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.

“Tired?” Sven asked, coming up behind me as I walked over to look out the doors that led out onto the balcony.

“Yeah.” And happy to finally be alone.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against his front, kissing my temple. “Well, we don’t have to see anyone we don’t want to for the rest of the night,” he murmured, nuzzling my ear. “I’ll even have dinner ordered in, if you want.”

I turned around in his arms, resting my hands against his chest. “That sounds perfect.” I met his eyes as I slid my hands up to curl around his strong neck. “Did I thank you for saving my life?” I asked, half teasing, half serious.

“We can call it even,” he said, a shadow of pain crossing his gaze.

“All right,” I murmured, not wanting to dwell on the negative, not now that we were finally back.

His hands slid down to close around my waist and he turned with me towards the bed.

“Feeling sleepy already?” I asked, tongue in cheek. I could feel what was really going on against my front.

He smiled as he pushed me gently back onto the bed. “I’m feeling something,” he agreed, pulling off his shirt. “And look. We’re finally alone. And you’re feeling better...”

His hands went to his pants. I bit my lip as I watched him push them off his slim hips, leaving him dressed in nothing but a smile.

He was very happy to see me.

I sat up and reached out to grip his erection, wanting to feel it. He stiffened as I drew my hand up and down the hot length, then groaned as I leaned in and took the tip into my mouth.

“Adara…”

He slid his hand into my hair, resting it on my head but not pushing, using it as an anchor point.

So I did what I wanted. I kissed, licked, and sucked at him until he was cursing under his breath, his hips thrusting slightly with my movements. I wrapped a hand around his base to control those thrusts, sucking even harder.

“No,” Sven groaned, abruptly pulling out of my mouth. “I want to be inside you.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” I agreed, my voice already breathy.

Growling, he gripped the waist of my pants and yanked them down with my underwear. My top followed quickly thereafter.

Impatient, I reached up to pull him down onto me, but he shook his head and knelt at the edge of the bed instead, pulling me down as well. “Let me return the favor first,” he murmured, skimming his hands up my inner thighs.

My breath caught as he met my eyes. Then he lowered his head, his tongue coming out to flick at me. It was my turn to groan as I let my head fall back onto the bed It felt so good.

So necessary.

Sven pushed my legs farther apart, his shoulders keeping them there as he settled in. Licking. Sucking. Using his fingers to drive me wild.

He took his time, like he could stay there forever.

I wouldn’t complain.

When he finally did raise his head, I was a limp mess on the bed, my body slick with sweat, my breath coming in gasps. He didn’t bother moving me as he came down on top of me, half on and half off the bed.

We both moaned as his erection kissed my entrance, harder than ever.

I opened my eyes as he started pushing. I was so wet that he glided into me with only a few thrusts, his jaw clenched, his cheeks flushed. His hot eyes met mine as he started thrusting harder, his hands gripping my hips to keep me in place.

This was what we needed. This raw, hot connection, this reminder that we were still together. Still alive.

I gave myself over to the moment, to the simplicity of it, to the push and pull of our bodies, the rising heat between us. The connection between us that was so much more than physical.

Sven leaned over to kiss my breast, turning his head and laying his ear against my chest. Listening to my heartbeat.

I slid my hands into his soft hair, lifting my legs to wrap them around his waist as he thrust into me faster, almost desperately now. I gave as good as I got, trying to get even closer, hold him even tighter.

The orgasm was almost a surprise, hitting me hard and fast, a burst of pleasure that rushed through me in a hard cascade. I cried out, my fingers digging into Sven’s slick back.

“Adara!” he moaned, thrusting deep into me, his body trembling as his own orgasm hit him just as hard, his breath harsh.

Yes. This was what I wanted. I reveled in the sensations, the feeling of his skin against mine.

We came down slowly, our bodies still intertwined as Sven slowed his thrusts, his face pressed against the side of my own.

I slid my hand up to cup his neck. He stirred, lifting his head.

“We need to be on the bed,” he said huskily, his eyes sleepy and satisfied. He hauled us all the way up before pulling me in against him, sighing as we both relaxed fully.

He pushed my hair back from my face, his eyes soft as they met mine. “Hey,” he whispered with a slight smile.

“Hey,” I whispered back, smiling too.

His faded, his gaze turned serious. “I’m really glad you’re mine.”

My heart squeezed in my chest. “Ditto,” I murmured.

He slid his hand down to grip my butt, pulling me in even closer. “I just wish life was a little more… boring.”

I chuckled, nodding with my forehead against his shoulder. “Agreed.”

Boring sounded amazing.

There was a moment of silence where I thought he’d fallen asleep. I wasn’t that far off myself.

“I love you, Adara,” he whispered.

My grip on him tightened.

“I love you too.”