Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 38 (M)

"Is this what you've been doing while I've been gone? Sparring? I was wondering how I'm the ever-expanding King and you're still in fantastic shape."

Verando chuckles, turning to face me, his eyes dragging down my body shamelessly. "Expanding?" He muses.

"I'm eating actual food, so yes, I'm expanding. I feel like a roasted goose next to you." If I was less starved for the male form, I'd demand he put a proper shirt on to save my fragile self-esteem. While I'm not overweight, my body looks different, and I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with it.

My warlord sighs at me, putting his hands on my hips to pull me against his body. I flush, glaring at the cut of the shirt that exposes his naked chest. Guards surrounded us, layer upon layer of lower court members, Earls, and royal guards meant to protect me from creatures like him, yet he touched me so unapologetically.

"You're healthy." He reminds me. "You were wasting away when I first met you."

One of his hands slides down to tangle with my good hand, bringing my knuckles up to his lips to kiss them.

"Do you know how long I've hoped for you to look healthy? Don't insult yourself, you're positively mouth-watering. I'd have you now if these French bastards could keep their mouths shut."

Verando kisses my wrist, smirking against my skin as the full lips drag over one of the scars on my palm. My pulse pounds in my chest as I jerk my hand away from him.

"I'm merely learning everything I can, suspect everyone, remember? We need his trust. He's a little eccentric but nothing beyond what one might expect." The shift in focus could practically give me whiplash.

"So you're the one whom he shouldn't be trusting." I point out, admiring the bead of sweat rolling down his neck, wetting my lips at the thought of his mouth on mine.

Verando shrugs. "He doesn't, but he trusts me more than you." He counters.

I purse my lips, struggling with the feeling of his stubble on my skin as he kisses my fingers in slow, casual pecks.

"He likes me. Imagine that. If I had found this guy before I met you, it'd be a different world." His musings take me by surprise as I lean back against the table.

What would he be like?

Did I help him develop a conscience?

Was I crucial in the creation of 'Randy'?

Where would I be?

I note his hesitation, picking up on my inner workings, and he tilts his head down to look at me. "It was a joke, darling."

Placing my crown on the table, I run my hand through my hair to regain my bearings. "Sorry, I forgot that you are capable of human emotions sometimes."

He pulls his lips into a thin line, and it brings a smile to my face. I can't help but take in every inch of him, committing him to memory, reminding myself just how beautiful this man is.

"I think you would have killed each other. You're so suspicious, plus I doubt he'd have fucked you." I tell him, point blank. "The fucking was a key component. You're cranky when you're in need."

I catch my lower lip in my teeth, my body longing for more than just words. His hands rest on either side of me, watching my expression as he bends to meet my gaze.

"My my, Your Grace. What a filthy, filthy mouth." He doesn't play fair, locking me between himself and the table, so dangerously close to my mouth. We were under the scrutiny of so many eyes, yet the room was silent; the depravity of the wealthy was well known to these poor souls.