Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 5

I wake up to the weight of another person in my bed; I see that he's still sleeping, sprawled out on his side like a cat in the sun while I'm clinging to his back for warmth. So much for an early riser, though I suppose he is when he's not dead on his feet.

 Sliding out of bed, I stretch with a groan. My body is achy and sore in the best way, yet I can't find a way to think past the looming dread of our trip tomorrow. We'd face the dilemma of leaving Loan behind as a placeholder or taking the man with us. 

Then there was the issue of Mr.Balan and his apparent comfort with sleeping in my home as if he were a guest. Leaving right now felt misguided, as if it were all a plan to leave my home vulnerable again. 

 I scrub a hand through my hair in frustration. 

How does one learn to trust people again? 

My gaze slides back to the man in my bed, sleeping so soundly. I admire the slow rise and fall of his chest, the way his full lips part ever so slightly, the stubble had returned to his jaw, the length of his hair threatening to block out his eyes, but not enough to not glimpse me his long dark lashes. 

How long had it been since he'd gotten a good night's rest?  I slide back into bed and kiss the point of his shoulder, pulling him onto his back as I kiss down his chest. My body always betrayed me; stress did horrid things to my libido.

"Can I help you?" Verando grumbles, stretching with a groan. "Bloody hell, I slept like a corpse..."

Capturing his nipple between my teeth, his hand fists in my hair, training my head back. "Yes. You can make up for your sins of last night, suggesting I marry a woman." I threaten with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. 

"I did save your life. I think we're even." Verando retorts dryly, releasing my hair with an exhale of irritation as I grope him through the sheets. 

"Not quite." I greedily bite his pectoral muscle. "What man doesn't want to rise to the sun with a willing participant in his bed? We're leaving for Transylvania tomorrow, I hardly got my fill of you last night, and I have a traitor in my house, forgive me for wanting a bit of...." I consider my words and slide up to kiss his neck. "Stress relief. You should have run while you had the chance. Now you're a part of my war games, Mr.Mercer."

"Insatiable." He sighs, folding one hand behind his head. "War games, hmm? Does that mean you might allow me to hang that bastard in the square before we leave? Do your worst, Your Grace. Let the negotiations begin."

I chuckle, kissing above his navel. "I think we need to discuss merging territories beyond the southern borders before talks of potential treason." I slide down the bed, dragging my fingers down his torso. "There is hardly enough evidence to suggest Loan allowed that man through in hopes he'd kill me, though to those who know him-" I drag my tongue up his abdominal muscles. 

My fingers drag down his thigh, earning an appreciative groan, flexing his hips against me. "Sounds like a lot of paperwork. Besides, you are a King, there is no need for you to do anything but suspect that prick. Oh, wait- I forgot, you're the Good King. That'd be against your moral ethics to slaughter someone on suspicion. But, if I did it for you... Perhaps we could negotiate a pardon?"  

The thought was tempting, allowing him to handle my dirty work. "A pardon for the infamous Alpha. Mr.Mercer, are you mocking me? Am I not harsh enough for your taste?" I slide under the covers, marking a trail with my tongue when I hear the door open. 

"Your Majesty, I'm bringing you some breakfast- OH." Ana quickly turns around, blocking us from her view.  I almost fall out of bed as I snatch a robe and cover myself while my warlord lies reclined back like a regular patron of a brothel.