Chapter 17

17

O utside the baths, Laverna's apartment was empty except for two covered trays left on the table. Everyone seemed to know when to stay away.

"Bedroom," Romulus commanded. Laverna pointed to the set of stairs on the other side of the room, and he carried her up the tight passageway. He flicked a switch, the lanterns around the room turning on and bathing the room in soft, dim light.

"Perfect," he said, carrying her towards the bed.

"Isn't it? Glad you like it, but you are sleeping on the couch after being a pussy tease," Laverna said primly, dropping her towel and laying back on the soft blankets.

Romulus's wicked smile made her nipples harden. "I wasn't teasing. I was moving you to a softer location to finish what I started."

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Laverna asked and bent one of her legs, slowly sliding it up the blanket and exposing her pussy to him. "Did you want a written invitation? I do know how much you enjoy paperwork."

Romulus's grin only widened as he crawled his way up the bed. Laverna's whole body locked up in anticipation. She knew they had so much to talk about. Not just the mate's thing, but the fact she heard him admit to Hermes, the biggest loudmouth ever, that he loved her. All of that and the world could wait.

The first warm lick of Romulus's tongue had her breath catching. She started to wriggle, and his hand came down on her hip and pinned her.

"Get comfortable, cara mia . You are going to be there for a while," he purred before burying his face into her again. It took a whole thirty seconds before her legs tightened around his head, and she came with a shuddering gasp.

Romulus's eyes were glowing as he lifted his head and said, "Again." And stuck his tongue in her pussy. Laverna thought she might have died after all.

Laverna didn't know how much time passed, but by the time he had decided she'd had enough, her body was wrung out, and her pussy was throbbing.

"I want to return the favor, but I don't think I can move," she said, her voice hoarse.

"I don't want you to move. I love looking at you so fucked out because of what I did to you," Romulus replied, stroking himself over her. His eyes flashed as he came hot all over her pussy and belly.

Laverna groaned as he licked his come off and moved up her body and kissed her. She could taste both of them on him, and she wrapped her legs around him, bringing him down on top of her.

"Fuck me," she said between heated kisses.

"Insatiable woman." Romulus laughed. "I will tomorrow when you are healed. For now, I'm going to get you some food."

Laverna pouted as he wiped the come off her with her towel before he put the blanket over her. Satisfied she was comfortable, Romulus put his towel back around himself and disappeared down the stairs. She was too tired to worry about her jumble of feelings around him. She wasn't a hundred percent sure her soul was even in her body.

Laverna was dozing when Romulus returned with a plate of food and placed it down on the bedside table. She made to sit up, but he gently pushed her back down.

"I was joking about the feeding thing," she said, frowning with a defiance she didn't really mean.

Romulus took a grape from the plate and held it out to her. "I wasn't. Consider this penance for making me wolf out before the full moon."

"You were that worried?" she said and took the grape from him.

Romulus nodded and didn't speak again until she had eaten all the fruit, soft bread, cheese, and olives he had brought her. Satisfied she had eaten enough, he rose to his feet.

"I'll go and find that couch now," he said.

"Don't you fucking dare," Laverna snapped and patted the bed on the other side of her. "You're staying here with me."

"You need to rest, Laverna," he replied, stroking her cheek.

"I'll rest when I'm dead."

Romulus's expression hardened. "That is not fucking funny."

"It's kind of funny. Too soon?" she asked, biting back a laugh. She pulled back the covers. "Get in here, Rom. I'm an invalid and need to be watched over. What if I wake up at night and I'm hungry again? I need you."

Romulus cocked a brow. "You need me?"

"Yes," Laverna admitted, her cheeks turning red. "I don't want to sleep alone after tonight."

Romulus climbed in beside her and dragged her up against him.

"Um, I'm not the little spoon," Laverna complained but didn't move.

"Tonight, you are. I'm protecting you while you are hurt and vulnerable," Romulus said. His breath was warm on her ear as he whispered, "Because you need me."

"I'm never going to live that down."

"Not ever."

Laverna laughed. "I hate you so much."

"Tell me about it in the morning," he replied and turned off the lights.