Two moons is just under 60 days.
It has been two days since Theo was shot.
And Aveline was quickly realising that she couldn’t hold back when it came to him.
Being sensible, Aveline separated them to opposite ends of the bed.
Theo was leaning against the headboard and she was at the foot of the bed.
“Are you sure that you want to stop?” Theo pouted as he reached out to her.
He looked like a kicked puppy in the rain.
His hair was down and even though dusk was settling in, those gold locks still shimmered in the light.
At this length, he seemed younger and softer than the intimidating mountain of a man during battle.
Aveline was so mesmerised that she didn’t even notice him crowding closer until their lips were almost touching.
If he kisses me now, then it’s all over!
She sprang back and managed to land on her feet this time.
I need a distraction!
“Let’s bathe!” Aveline willed her heart to stop beating so fast when she took in the lustful gaze of Theo on the bed.
He looked like he was ready to pounce her.
“We’ve been travelling without a proper wash – how do you do things here?”
Theo didn’t reply but gave a smile that told Aveline all she needed to know.
I’m going to regret asking, aren’t I?
❀
Bathing in Paxmouth was very different than Farren.
They still kept the old ways of communal bathing with facilities inspired by the distant nations from across the water.
Aveline had heard about them from travellers in the market.
After Theo left her, Hales and View came in to prepare Aveline for the bath.
Unlike Fourth and Bae, Hales and View handled the more ‘traditional’ aspect of being a royal woman.
Despite their delicate appearances, they were still able to hold off an outnumbered assassination attempt.
And yet, here they are trying to undress me!
“Your Majesty!” Hales looked like she was going to cuss from Aveline’s stubbornness.
“‘I can take it from here!” Her hands tried to cover her chest as View hung the dress up.
“There is no need to be modest in Paxmouth, Your Majesty.” Hales shrugged like it was normal to strip in front of your servant.
“Communal bathing helps us look after each other; especially after battle.”
Ah, that makes sense.
They can check wounds and treat it easier with someone else’s eyes.
“We should have prepared you for the formalities first.” View chimed in.
“There are rules to bathing?” Aveline was reminded just how much of an outsider she was.
I knew some places still practiced communal bathing, but didn’t realise that Paxmouth was one.
“We shall teach you the actual rules.” View blushed as she wrapped a silk robe around Aveline.
“I fear your husband may not be the best teacher.”
View and Hales shared a knowing look before they broke out in a giggle.
Aveline should have defended Theo because he has taught her multiple things about Paxmouth, but…
Why do I feel like the things he’ll teach me won’t be transferable to others?
Aveline was correct the moment she entered the bathing room.
It seemed to be made for a more private session as there was a central in-floor bath at the middle of the room with just enough space for four people.
With Theo’s bulk, it barely fit the two of them.
There was colourful geometrically shaped tiles along with walls with some alcoves for candles.
Steam rose from the water through the gaps between the scarlet petals to create a mysterious atmosphere as Aveline made her way deeper.
The whole room smelt like roses.
It was intoxicating.
Theo was sat against the wall of the bath; directly facing Aveline.
He sure knows how to set the mood.
He knew better than to submerge his whole body and risk the wrath of his wife.
The bandage wrap was off, but the gauze remained.
The heat of the room gave his cheeks a rosy hue with a light sheen of sweat coating his muscular torso and arms.
Aveline watched as a drop rolled between his chest down to the well-defined abdomen and into the water.
I wonder just how hard his muscles are.
As expected, Theo was covered in scars on varying colours and sizes; it used to make make her feel uneasy, but now, Aveline found herself with the urge to trace them with her tongue.
“Does my wife like what she sees?” This time, Theo’s hair was tied back; the shorter front pieces fell in an elegant swoop that made him look absolutely sinful.
Two moons.
Two moons.
You can do this!
“Why don’t you take a closer look?” Theo moved his leg under the water and Aveline didn’t miss his hard arousal peeking up against the petals.
That’s how you want to play?
So, Aveline smiled sweetly as she made her way with her robes slipping down her shoulders each step.
View had gathered her hair up and out of the way for ease, but it also exposed the unblemished skin on her vulnerable neck.
She dipped one foot into the water and noticed Theo shifting forwards slightly in anticipation.
As the robes dropped lower, nearly exposing her chest, Aveline threw the garment over Theo’s head, and by the time he managed to swat it away, she was already submerged to her shoulders opposite him.
“No!” He gasped dramatically like a great offence was committed against him.
I wasn’t going to give in that easily!
“View told me that there are rules to bathing.” Aveline pretended to be interested in the petals before she went for the kill.
“But View thinks you won’t teach me the right things.”
At this distance, Aveline was still able to reach her leg over to teasingly trail her feet along the inside of her husband’s spread thighs.
Now his bulbous cockhead was fully upright from the water like a surprise root.
He’s not even hiding it.
“What do you think?”‘ Her toes lightly scraped the sensitive skin as it made it way towards the middle.
“Is my husband going to teach me all the naughty things instead?”
At her question, she pressed the length of her feet against his rock-hard erection; the size of it was impressive.
“Ah…”‘ Theo groaned coarsely as his hips twitched closer to the much-needed contact.
The muscles on his arms tense as he gripped the edge of the bath.
“Aveline…”‘ He breathed desperately.
That voice…
She pressed her feet against his length until –
“Ngh… Faa…” Theo moaned.
It sound so erotic that it sent tingles through her body.
So sexy!
So, she did it again; pressed against the length to elicit more of that obscene sound.
Here was a man with a formidable reputation who led his kingdom into battle without an lick of fear, but under her, he was moaning so sweetly that Aveline was falling in love with the sound.
His expressions are so cute.
Theo looked like he was in pain with his brows knitted and mouth in an ‘o’ shape with every uncontrollable moan.
His eyes were large and pleading as Aveline slowly felt his hips move with every press of her feet.
Suddenly, it hit her.
He’s so desperate for this.
“Aveline.” The man grunted when the toes caught on the underside of his flared cockhead.
He’s desperate for me.
“Ah – ah.” Theo moaned repeatedly as his hips speed up; the petals around them stirred with the powerful motion.
What do I do?
He’s too sensual.
Aveline bit her lips as Theo’s expressive grey eyes locked onto hers.
They were slightly hooded as they silently stared.
Don’t look at me like that…
“‘Aveline – fuck!” Before she knew it, Theo threw his head back as he shot his essence against his stomach and some even landed on the petals. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Aveline froze at the image in front of her.
Theo’s hair came loose and some strands clung to his neck and shoulders from the sweat.
The veins in his arms bulged from the strain of keeping his hands on the edge of the bath.
His chest rose with every pant as he tried to compose himself.
He came with just my touch.
The mighty King Magnus; the protective Theo – both intimidating men came completely undone beneath her touch.
And Aveline was the one he trusted enough to let see him like this.
I did that…
Something in her snapped.
In a flash, Aveline crossed the space to take his lips into hers.
Theo barely caught his breath when Aveline flickered her tongue into his mouth, which he gladly accepted to lick back.
“What happened to ‘two moons?'” Theo teased.
His post-orgasm voice was rough in a way that made him even more attractive.
“Hm…” Aveline tried to reply, but her mind was blank from how good the kisses were.
There wasn’t a thought in her head as she focused on devouring her husband.
“You’re making it hard.”
“You’re the one that’s making it hard.” Theo corrected as his good arm pulled her closer to that she was straddling his lap.
His length rested against her pelvis as they pressed close.
“‘Stop seducing me.” She bit back but there was no venom; not when Theo was so sweetly kissing the length of her neck to suck a mark at the base where neck joined shoulder.
“Is it my fault that you can’t keep to your rules?” Theo’s husky voice vibrated through Aveline’s body as he whispered into her ear.
She bit her lip as she clenched around nothing.
You can do this…
He’s injured – don’t risk anything.
58 more days.
“My rules…” She parroted as her brain started working again.
“‘Are to keep you safe!” With all of her willpower, Aveline drew back to look into his eyes.
“No more.” Aveline declared as she moved to sit beside him.
“But you haven’t -“‘ The man began but one shake of his wife’s head made him stop.
“I can wait.” Aveline tried to sound convincing but the heat at the base of her stomach begged to differ.
“You come first.”
She looked up at her husband, half expecting a joke at the double meaning, but his grey eyes were glistening.
Before she could ask, Theo wrapped his arm around her as he buried his face in her hair.
No joke this time?
Skin-to-skin, they pair held each other as Aveline rested her hand against the arm across her chest.
She tried to turn in his arms, but Theo wouldn’t let her face him.
“I can wait for you.” Theo’s voice was muffled in her updo, but he sounded watery.
Aveline wasn’t sure if the moisture on her neck was from the bath or something else.
“I waited for you all this time.”
Waited for me?
Aveline stilled in his arms.
But he asked to marry Astra.
The treaty.
His reaction when her veil was lifted.
The ease that he accepted she was the wrong bride…
A thought she tried to bury finally surfaced:
How long has he waited for me?
News flash: Woman becomes aroused by her husband’s moaning!