Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 1432 - 31 : Dancing Breaths

*Saoirse*

Rhys held me in a way that implied he never wanted to let me go. He continued to stroke the skin of my cheeks with his long fingers. It was almost as if he was assuring himself that I was alive and well. My eyes had fallen shut again. I was completely addicted to the feeling of his sure hands against me.

A swell of muffled laughter had both our heads whipping to the side. The reception was becoming more rowdy. While no one was looking in the direction of the garden, I could feel the tension rising within both of us as we were reminded of where we were and the predicament I found myself in.

Rhys’ face fell for a moment, and he dropped his hands from my face. His eyes darkened as he gazed at the part through the thick glass doors before he met my gaze, his eyes impossibly bright in the dark. His hand grazed mine. “Come with me.”

I took his hand and allowed him to pull me away from the reception. With each step we took away from the palace, I felt lighter, relieved to fully escape the crowd and the pressures for the time being. It wasn’t long before the muffled laughter and chatter became the sound of grass beneath our shoes and the gentle chirping of summer bugs.

We emerged from beneath the shadows of a collection of willow trees and found ourselves in front of a hot spring pond surrounded by fragrant flowers.

In the privacy beneath the willow branches, Rhys pulled me into his arms. His warm eyes gazed at me with admiration and affection as he brushed a loose strand of hair from my face.

"You were magnificent today despite the manipulations," he murmured, his smooth voice filled with awe.

I felt my eyes widen as I looked into his face. I felt my cheeks heat at the praise. “Was I?” I asked, hating how timid and uncertain my voice sounded. I giggled slightly. “I couldn’t help but feel completely out of place. They were all looking at me like I didn’t belong.”

Rhys’ eyebrows rose, and the corner of his mouth went up in amusement. “Their opinion of you isn’t what matters.”

I felt my lips thin into a straight line. “I feel like it does since I am supposed to be their savior.”

Rhys’ expression darkened slightly. “It doesn’t matter who they think you are,” he said firmly. “I know who you are, Saoirse. You are a brave and kind person who will no doubt change the lives of many, no matter what you choose to do.”

I felt my throat tighten at his words. I could feel the tension leave my body as I relaxed in Rhys’ hold. His strong arms made me feel so protected like nothing could ever harm me.

Rhys dropped a kiss to the top of my head. "You were breathtaking tonight, but I’ve missed having you to myself."

A shuddering sigh slipped from between my lips as I melted against the solid muscle of Rhys’ chest. No one had ever looked at me the way Rhys did. It made me feel treasured beyond measure.

"I’ve missed you too," I confessed, sliding my arms around his back to pull myself closer to him. "I feel so overwhelmed by everything, but you keep me anchored."

That was an understatement. I bit my lower lip as I was reminded of the fear I felt standing up in front of all those dragon shifters. Just knowing that Rhys was in the crowd kept me from completely losing it and running from the room.

Rhys gave me a heart-stoppingly tender smile full of unspoken emotion. His magnificent eyes darkened slightly as I watched them drop to my mouth. I tilted my head back eagerly, begging for what I knew we both wanted. He didn’t keep me waiting and kissed me deeply with a restrained passion that left me breathless and aching for more of him.

As he trailed kisses down my neck, I arched closer, my hands tangling in Rhys’ thick, black hair. I gasped as Rhys kissed lower, his lips dropping so that he could nip at my collarbone while his thumbs brushed the swells of my breasts. Liquid heat pooled low inside of me. I gritted my teeth together but wasn’t able to suppress a slight moan.

"Rhys," I whimpered, needing him to soothe a fire in my blood that only he could satisfy.

Needing no further encouragement, Rhys stripped me carefully, his fingers gentle but quick as he undid the array of buttons on the back of the golden dress I had been put into. I felt him suck in a sharp breath as more of my skin came into contact with the cool night air.

When I was down to just a cream-colored corset and some stockings, I reached up and undid the buttons on the front of his long-sleeve shirt, my hands shaking slightly in anticipation. Rhys kept his strong hands on my hips until I undid the last button. I ran my fingers along the hard ridges of his chest, making him shiver.

Rhys bent to kiss me again, his mouth hot and eager against mine. He started to trail kisses along the top of my corset. He unsnapped the front, roughly pulling it off me and tossing it aside. I inhaled deeply as I was able to breathe more easily. Rhys tenderly ran his fingers along the imprints left behind by the hard piece of clothing.

“I don’t understand why they made you wear that horrid thing,” he said in a low voice. “Your body is perfect.”

I giggled, the sound coming out a bit breathy. “It’s just to accentuate what curves I have,” I said.

Rhys’ eyes narrowed. “Your curves are perfect,” he said in a tone that breached no argument. He ran his hands down my sides to emphasize his point. “The corset was unnecessary.”

I thought about arguing, but my mind was quickly becoming hazy as Rhys made quick work of my stockings and underwear, leaving me completely bare.

Rhys gripped my hands and looked into my eyes. His gaze didn’t drift down to my naked form. He was looking at me, right into my soul.

“You are beautiful,” he told me, his eyes still on my face as he gripped my hands. “I want you to know that. The moment I laid eyes on you during our video call, I felt it. Your concern and devotion toward your people and the bravery and determination you had toward helping them made me fall in love with you.”

I swallowed a sob as Rhys spoke. He kissed me again. His lips brushed mine lightly before the kiss became more heated, and he claimed my mouth fully.

My hands shook as they rose to pull his open shirt from his shoulders. He shrugged the garment off, and it fell in a heap behind him. Without breaking the kiss, I found the button on the front of his pants and undid the snap, tugging them down. He stepped out of the clothing and kicked them away.

We were soon skin-to-skin. My eyes fell shut again as I felt Rhys’ smooth skin against mine. I felt desperation well up inside of me as I pressed myself against him firmly, needing to be as close as possible and knowing that it would never be enough.

Rhys pulled away and rested his forehead against mine, and our breaths mingled together as we stood in each other’s arms. His hand came up to gently caress the back of my neck, his fingers tickling me slightly, raising the tiny hairs there.

He pressed his mouth to mine again and stepped toward me, one hand moving to the small of my back as he carefully lowered me onto the soft grass beneath our feet. He held me the whole time as if I was made of glass. He lowered himself over me so that his powerful body was above mine, his strong arms on either side of me.

With his arms encasing me, it was as if he was blocking out the entire world save for his beloved face. As I gazed up at him, I could practically feel everything else in existence melting away.

Nothing else mattered except for me and him.

I gasped when Rhys’ knee gently nudged mine apart. I felt the breeze kiss my slick inner thighs. My cheeks reddened as I realized just how ready I already was for him.

I whimpered.

Rhys smiled knowingly, lowering his face to mine so we were nearly nose-to-nose. “Give yourself to me, Saoirse,” he requested in a firm voice. “Let yourself go.”

I let out a shuddering breath but obeyed, relaxing completely and arching my back so my hips were thrust up for him. Rhys’ breathing became ragged as I felt his hardened cock at my slick entrance. He teased me, running his length up and down my passage while I whined.

He smirked but obliged me, sliding in with one quick movement that had me crying out in ecstasy.

“Rhys!” I cried out, continuing to move my hips up to meet his powerful thrusts. I could feel my chest heaving.

Rhys’ gaze roamed over my chest, and his eyes darkened as they met mine. “That’s right,” he murmured above my cries. “Give yourself to me, Saoirse. I want you. All of you.”

His thrusts slowed, but he slid into me deeper than ever and then held still as I orgasmed, shrieking as my whole body quaked against his. He gripped my hips tightly, holding me to him as he felt every shiver that passed through me.

“Just like that,” he growled before he began to really pound into me, lifting my legs so he could pull me toward him over and over.

I felt as if I was floating, my head spinning as I rode out the earth-shattering orgasm. My whole body tingled as Rhys continued to fill me up. I gazed up at him, unable to believe we were truly together this way. I’d never felt so whole before.

Rhys kissed me hard, and I felt his whole body tighten as he came. I threw my head back as his seed filled me up, the warm sensation overwhelming and immediately bringing elated tears to my eyes.

Rhys kept his forehead against mine as he emptied himself into me. Our breaths danced together as we both panted from the exertion. When he lifted his head a moment or two later, his eyes were impossibly bright, the little gold flecks in them dancing beneath the moonlight.

As he had done probably dozens of times that night, he kissed me. I gasped since this one held the most intensity. It was no longer desperate but soft and layered like he wanted to give me everything through it.

I knew then that I would never tire of kissing him.