Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 158

158 Sleeping Beauty

158 Sleeping Beauty

Lucian

I slipped into bed that night with a rare sense of hope curling in my chest. For the first time in weeks, it felt like we were inching closer to the truth.

Our investigation into my mother’s death had taken a subtle but promising turn, and while my father remained unaware, I knew I had to keep it that way-at least for now. Too much was at stake, and trust

was a currency I couldn’t spend lightly.

One thing was certain: I’d be heading to Neev sooner than anticipated. Richard’s presence there made the perfect cover-my father wouldn’t suspect a thing. As far as he was concerned, I was still in the dark

about his mysterious trip with my mother.

When I got to the bedroom, Mara was already asleep. Typical of her, she hadn’t bothered to cover herself properly. The joggers were tossed aside, leaving her curled up in just my sweater and her panties. Some habits never changed. And this-this careless comfort-was one of the many things I loved about her.

I quietly undressed, lifting the blanket to drape over her before slipping beneath it myself. As I turned to spoon her, she stirred, murmured something incoherent, and instinctively shifted closer, laying her head on my chest. Still asleep. I smiled into the darkness, gently stroking her back, the rhythm of her breathing calming the storm in my mind.

It was in moments like this-simple, warm, quiet-that I realised how deeply blessed I was. I closed my eyes, willing the stress of the day to dissolve. Sleep found me soon after.

I woke to kisses.

Soft, playful, deliberate. My vision cleared slowly, and there she was-Mara-kneeling beside me in nothing but her underwear, red lipstick painted across her lips and a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“Wake up, Alpha,” she said with a grin. “Only lazy men sleep till noon.”

I blinked, sat up groggily, and caught sight of the lipstick in her hand. Then I looked down.

Across my bare chest, she’d written: Sleeping Beauty.

“You needed true love’s kiss to wake you up,” she added, giggling.

Without thinking, I yanked her back down onto the bed, kissing her-morning breath and all.

“Ugh! Lucian!” she squealed, laughing. “Brush your teeth, you animal!”

I grinned and rolled out of bed, the usual stiffness of my morning hard-on making my steps more deliberate. I headed for the bathroom, feeling her eyes on me. Halfway there, I turned, catching her watching me through her lashes.

“What?” she asked innocently.

4158 Sleeping Beauty

“I’ve already showered,” she said, though the pink in her cheeks betrayed her thoughts.

I glanced down pointedly. “So… are we really going to waste this?”

She groaned and buried her face in the pillow.

Clam

I left the door open as I stepped into the bathroom, brushing my teeth slowly-giving her a show. As soon as I rinsed, I felt her arms slide around me from behind. Her body pressed against mine, her hands trailing across my chest, fingertips grazing the grooves of my abs. Her breath was warm against my neck as she moaned softly, surrendering to the game.

She got the invite.

And this morning? It was just getting started.

“You look so handsome, Sleeping Beauty,” she said softly, her gaze locked with mine in the mirror.

I grinned.

“Don’t be smug, Lucian.”

She didn’t resist when I reached for her, backing her into the shower with a slow, deliberate press of my

body..

With a single motion, I peeled off her panties, letting them fall to the tiled floor, and turned the knob. Warm water burst from the showerhead, cascading over our skin, plastering her hair to her shoulders.

“I guess I’m allowed to kiss your lips now,” I murmured, running my thumb over her mouth.

Her breath hitched, eyes fluttering shut. “Yes…” she whispered, barely audible over the falling water.

I dipped my head and captured her mouth, kissing her like I’d waited all my life to taste her again. Her lips parted eagerly, and I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue against hers until she moaned into my mouth. I let my fingers drift down, slow and teasing, until I found her slick heat.

My thumb brushed her clit, and her gasp echoed off the tiles. Her hands gripped my shoulders, body arching into me like she couldn’t get close enough.

I went down on one knee, then the other, spreading her legs gently with both hands. The moment my tongue met her folds, she shuddered, her fingers tangling in my wet hair, nails biting into my scalp. I devoured her like a man starved-licking, sucking, circling that sensitive spot until her thighs trembled uncontrollably.

“Lucian-oh-Gods!” she cried, her voice breaking as her orgasm rushed through her.

I held her steady, kissed her thighs, and rose to my feet, her taste still on my tongue.

She looked wrecked and beautiful-exactly how I wanted her.

Without a word, I lifted her, pressing her back against the cold tile wall. Her legs wrapped around my waist like instinct, and I slid into her slowly, groaning at how perfectly she fit around me.

158 Sleeping Beauty

It was heaven.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify