1. Amberstone | ✓

40. Stay with Me

"I'm sorry, I'm probably crushing you," he steadied himself and lifted his weight off her. She immediately missed his warmth and the pressure that was encasing her a moment ago.

"I don't mind," she smiled weakly.

A faint smile appeared on his face before he turned to look away and covered his face with his hand. Almost in a rush, he backed away from her and left the bed. Her hand shot out to hold onto his wrist and she asked hoarsely, "Where are you going?" 

"To the bath, love. I am embarrassed that you saw me looking like that," he replied, his voice deep and soft.

"I don't mind," she chuckled. "But alright, please come back quickly." 

Rowan adjusted the blanket for her and tucked her in before he walked towards the bathroom. She could hear the faucet running and her face warmed at the thought of him taking a bath in her bedchamber.

When he returned, he was back to his usual look — cleanly shaven and fresh-looking. She stared as he approached and the bed dipped under his weight. There was a slight tug when he pulled the covers up and he occupied the space beside her. He shifted close to her and circled an arm around her waist, positioning her close to him. Embarrassed, she wanted to wiggle out of his hold but her body was too weak to move. 

Everything that happened up until this point still felt surreal. Elianna remembered losing control over her shadows and she had also pushed him away out of panic and fear. Moreover, before every of those, there was heavy tension that hung uncomfortably between them and the upsetting news of a marriage arrangement. With many questions in her mind, she wasn't able to express it all except to call his name in a careful manner, "Rowan?" 

"What is it, love?" he replied with a gruff voice that caused her toes to curl.

"Are you real?" she checked, wanting to know that she wasn't dreaming about all these.

"Yes," he chuckled gently. "Do you want to make sure of it?"

She wasn't sure what he meant but she nodded. The next moment, he let go of her and pushed himself up. Before she could be disappointed over the sudden emptiness, he hovered above her and leaned in so that their bodies were pressed together. Her heart stuttered when he lowered his head into the nook of her neck. His warm breath tickled her and his soft lips kissed lightly onto the sensitive skin, sending an unfamiliar tingling sensation all around her body.

"Your heart is beating really fast," he breathed, planting another soft kiss on her neck where her pulse could be felt. His husky voice sent her heart into overdrive as the heat of embarrassment crept into her and went right under her skin. His hands roamed from her back down to her waist and held her firmly to him as he nibbed gently on the bare skin of her shoulder, trailing up the length of her neck and along the curve of her cheekbones.

"Rowan," she moaned softly and her body quivered at the little shocks of ecstasy that flowed through her veins. Her body seemed to align quickly with the sensations, but her heart thumped nervously as there was a nagging feeling of fear within her. She had never felt this way before and she was surprised by how she didn't even sound like herself. When he pressed his lips on the sensitive spot just below her ear, she inhaled sharply.

"Is this enough?" he whispered into her ear before his teeth caught her earlobe. She arched her back and lifted her hands to curl on his shoulder, tugging on him weakly.

"Please..." she whimpered, unsure whether she wanted him to stop or give her more.

He shifted slightly, putting a small space between them so that their bodies no longer touched. He rested his forehead on where his lips tasted a moment ago and he said her name softly, "Eli."

She shuddered at the sound of her name and her body temperature rose to a feverish level. She panted softly while trying to catch her breath. He moved her gently to the side and he went back to lie beside her, tucking her close to him. Her back was pressed firmly to his front and she could feel the length of him thick and hard against her back. Heat rose headily as she gasped and fidgeted uncomfortably but Rowan flexed his arm as he tried to hold her in place.

"Close your eyes and sleep, love," he breathed, his voice was deep but urgent. "I won't do anything to you for now." 

"Will you stay with me?" she asked.

"If you wish for me to stay, I will," he exhaled.

"Please stay with me, Rowan."

She moved the arm that was circling her waist and placed her hand in his palm, interlocking their fingers. She smiled satisfyingly before closing her eyes and drifting off into deep slumber.

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