Chapter 168
Althea’s voice was so quiet that he almost missed it, but the genuine worry in her tone made him smile. Gavriel brushed his fingers along her cheek, his eyes dark with warmth.
“I’ll be fine,” he murmured, his voice rough but steady. It was the first time he had ever shown this much restraint, but there was no way he would claim her while she was bleeding. Still, she looked so endearing to him, worrying over something so simple, her concern making his chest ache in the sweetest way.
Her blush deepened. “You’re lying,” she whispered, half-teasing, half-concerned.
Gavriel chuckled under his breath. “Maybe. But I’ve learned patience, Althea. And you make it worth it p>
He leaned closer, his breath mingling with hers. The tension between them crackled, almost tangible, an invisible pull neither could ignore. His thumb traced the line of her lower lip, lingering there, making her shiver.
“You really shouldn’t look at me like that,” he said in a low voice.
“Like what?” she asked, blinking innocently.
“Like you’re tempting me p>
Her lips curved into a small, flustered smile. “I’m not doing anything p>
“You’re breathing,” he teased softly. “That’s already too much p>
Althea’s laughter came out soft and nervous, and she tried to hide her face against his chest. But Gavriel caught her chin gently and lifted it again, his piercing gaze locking hers. The intensity in his eyes was too much, so much longing and restraint, that she could no longer bear it. On impulse, Althea leaned forward and kissed him first.
At first, she only mimicked the way he usually kissed her, slowly tracing his lips, tasting his breath, learning the rhythm of his desire. Then her courage grew. She kissed him deeper, her lips molding against his, her tongue sliding inside his mouth and brushing his.
Gavriel responded almost instantly, taking the lead as their kiss deepened. Their breaths mingled, their hearts thudded in sync.
Her hands moved on their own, tracing the hard lines of his chest and shoulders, feeling the tension in every muscle. Gavriel let out a low sound, a mix between a sigh and a growl, as her touch sent shivers down his spine.
Breaking the kiss, Althea drew in a shaky breath. She began to help him out of his upper garments, her fingers slightly trembling but determined. Gavriel didn’t stop her—he only watched her with that same intense gaze, his chest rising and falling heavily.
This wasn’t her first time pleasuring him, but this time felt different. She was doing it of her own free will, not because he had commanded or demanded it. She wanted to ease his longing, to offer comfort in another way.
Leaning closer, she pressed gentle kisses along his jawline, then down to his neck. Her lips brushed against his warm skin in tender and unhurried motions.
Gavriel’s breath hitched as her lips continued their tender path, pressing soft kisses down his chest. She could feel the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her mouth, steady yet quickening with every touch.
His hands, once firm and controlling, now rested uncertainly at her sides, as if afraid that one wrong move would shatter the delicate moment between them.
Althea didn’t rush. She kissed him again, lower this time, feeling the warmth of his skin against her lips. She licked his taut nipple and then suckled it the way he always did with hers. Playfully, she flicked the other with her fingers, alternating between them, making Gavriel moan her name.
The faint tremor that ran through him made her heart twist, this man who was feared by so many, trembling beneath her gentle touch.
Her kisses trailed further down, stopping briefly over the center of his chest, then along the faint line leading to his abdomen. Gavriel’s muscles tensed each time her lips brushed a new spot. She could hear his shallow breathing, feel the restraint he fought to maintain.
When she reached his waist, Althea hesitated for a heartbeat. Then, gathering her courage, she slowly began to tug at the remaining fabric that kept him covered. Gavriel opened his eyes, but he didn’t stop her. His silence was an unspoken permission.
The fabric gave way easily under her touch, and before long, he was bare before her. For a moment, Althea simply stared and then gulped.
Gavriel reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His voice came low and rough, breaking the silence between them.
“Althea p>
Her name, from his lips, sent a shiver through her. She looked up, meeting his eyes once more, and whispered softly, “Let me… take care of you p>
And with that, he gently tugged his length and rubbed it with her palm. She could see the glistening on its tip, and she unconsciously licked her lips.
“Oh, fuck, Althea,” Gavriel groaned, and she didn’t let him wait. Althea leaned down and started licking the tip of his length. She felt Gavriel grip her hair. She could taste his pre-cum, and she didn’t mind it. She licked its base, going up to the tip.
Althea repeated the motion, making Gavriel’s body tremble. Then she finally took his tip into her mouth and started bobbing her head, taking him in as much as she could while her palm handled the rest, rubbing it up and down in rhythm with her mouth.
“Oh, Althea… You’re killing me. So good Gavriel lewdly hummed as she took him as deep as she could.
Althea’s movements became more confident, her rhythm steady as she focused on pleasing him. Gavriel’s hands gripped her hair tighter, guiding her slightly, and a low growl escaped his throat. She felt the heat of his body, the tension building with each motion, and it only drove her to go faster, matching her mouth with the motion of her hand.
Althea’s pace quickened, her mouth and hand working together in perfect rhythm. She could feel Gavriel’s body trembling beneath her, his breaths coming in sharp, ragged gasps. His grip on her hair tightened, and a deep, guttural sound rumbled from his chest. The source of thɪs content is
“Oh, Althea… I can’t hold—” he groaned, his words breaking into moans.