"I am not sappy," Ruhn protested, twisting on top of Sarai. She fisted her hand in his shirt, not answering as she traced his jaw with her lips. Her new ring glittered brightly. One of her knees rose to his hip and he slid a hand along her thigh. She was conveniently only wearing shorts today.

"Yes you are." Sarai's lips met the shell of his ear. She gave a short tug and Ruhn bared his neck for her. She pressed soft open-mouthed kisses down the length of it. "You're a sappy, perverted alphahole."

"I'm not an alphahole either," Ruhn chuckled. "I've specifically done my best not to be one, just like you asked."

"It's all right." She worked towards the underside of his jaw, her tongue following the curve of his neck the whole way. "Sometimes I like it."

Ruhn gave another low laugh and lifted her hair over her shoulder. He dropped feathery kisses on her neck. Sarai gave a breathless sigh, tangling her fingers in his hair. "I love you," Ruhn whispered. Sarai's cheeks flushed pink and her heartbeat quickened. "You like hearing me say that, don't you?"

"It's been a rarity for me. I like hearing anyone say it, but you especially."

"I'll say it as many times as you want to hear it."

Sarai kissed his temple and wrapped her legs around his waist. Ruhn eased her back onto the bed, already grinding against her. She made a small sound and heat fluttered through his stomach. Ruhn kissed her throat and down to her collarbone. He reached the buttons on her shirt and set to work. Ruhn unfastened each one, kissing the copper skin that was bared beneath it as he went.

Sarai's head strained back as she rolled her hips against his. Her scent was already thick with arousal. A smoldering ache welled up within Ruhn, but he didn't touch his own clothes. Not yet. There was something different about this. Instincts curled in his gut, and he knew he had to listen to them. He loved Sarai, and she deserved to know what that felt like.

Ruhn pulled her shirt and undergarment off, tossing them over the side of the bed. He kissed his way onto her stomach, already unfastening her shorts. Ruhn slipped them off and her underwear soon followed. His mouth drifted onto her sleek thigh as he guided her legs over his shoulders. Sarai reburied her hand in his hair. Ruhn dragged his tongue across the slick space between her legs. Sarai moaned, tightening her legs around him.

Ruhn kissed her this time, sucking lightly when he drew back. He angled his lip ring right where he knew she wanted it. Sarai cried out and warmth washed through Ruhn. He held her by the hips as he fell into a steady rhythm, licking and kissing with enough pressure to coax needful sounds from his love. Each of Sarai's breathless whimpers sent lightning through his veins.

"Ruhn," she moaned, arching her back.

He brought his thumb up, rubbing taut circles where he was already swirling his tongue. Sarai moaned again, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. Ruhn slid his thumb in, still working in slow circles. Sarai's breaths came faster and she rocked her hips in silent demand. Ruhn braced an arm over them, holding her steady.

"Ruhn," Sarai pleaded. "Ruhn!" She clawed at his shirt and he didn't resist. He lifted his head only for a moment, and when his shirt was gone, went back down again. Sarai dug her nails into his shoulder blades with a loud groan. He kept going even as he unlaced his pants. "More, please," she rasped. "More."

Ruhn shifted on top of her, licking his lips before capturing hers in a kiss. "I love you," he murmured. Sarai kissed the corner of his mouth with a faint grunt. He spread her legs wider and kissed her as he eased in. Sarai moaned softly and Ruhn echoed the sound. "Gods, Sarai," he breathed.

Sarai draped her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck as he began to move. He went slow, thrusting with hard, even strokes. Sarai shivered with a whimper. Ruhn groaned, dropping a kiss to her temple. He spread a palm on the center of her back, holding her steady while bracing himself with his other arm.

White hot pleasure coursed through him, burning with the fierce instincts in the pit of his stomach. Sarai lifted her hips and her body tightened around him. Ruhn shuddered, tipping his head up with a hoarse moan. Sarai kissed his exposed throat, then scraped her teeth across his skin. Ruhn's moan changed to a pleased growl. She matched his movements now, rocking her hips into his.

But that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to please her so completely that his own pleasure didn't even matter to her. He could take care of himself later if he had to. This was for her. Sarai tightened her arms around him, meeting his gaze with half-lidded eyes. "No," she breathed. "This is for us."

How she knew what he'd been thinking of, he didn't know, and he didn't have time to find out. Sarai managed to roll upright, pinning him beneath her. She gripped his shoulders and sank onto him. Pleasure washed across her features and Ruhn made a low sound. Sarai began to move and Ruhn couldn't smother his moans. He grabbed her by the hips and helped her through the motions, eliciting louder cries from both of them.

Sweat beaded on Sarai's forehead and Ruhn's own skin was damp, but neither of them slowed. Ruhn met Sarai's moves, thrusting into her when she came down on him. Pleasure burned through him and stars spun within his vision. "Sarai," he groaned, closing his eyes.

She changed her movements now, rolling her hips instead of bobbing up and down. Sarai pressed her forehead against his and kissed the tip of his nose. "Ruhn," she echoed. "Fuck..."

"You are so perfect," he rasped. "So beautiful."

"You should...tell me these things when your..." Sarai broke off with a moan. "When your dick isn't inside me."

"Don't I?" Ruhn countered.

"I..." Sarai's movements were slowing.

Ruhn flipped her beneath him once again. He grabbed Sarai's wrists, holding them over her head with one hand. "Don't I?" He repeated, pulling out. Sarai whimpered in protest. He kissed her jaw. "Don't I tell you how beautiful you are? How perfect I've found you to be? How powerful and strong I see you?"

"Yes," she admitted. She lifted her head until their lips almost met, but Ruhn ducked away. "Ruhn..." There was a slight whine in her tone.

He grinned. "Use your words, Rai Rai."

"I'm not done with you."

"Good. Neither am I." Ruhn released her and Sarai flung her arms around him, kissing him hungrily as he shoved in once more. This time, he moved harder and faster. Sarai trembled with each thrust, but she voiced no discomfort. Her moans grew louder still. "I love you," Ruhn groaned, catching her lips in a kiss. "I love you."

"Ruhn!" Sarai was shivering violently, and his own arms shook. Pleasure swelled through him, but he fought it back. "Ruhn!"

"Tell me what you need." He layered kisses on her neck. "Let me please you."

Sarai hauled her mouth to his, breaking off only to moan. Her moan became a breathless gasp as she reached her climax. Waves of release broke through Ruhn the next moment. He ceased moving, tucking one arm around Sarai to hold her steady. She clung to him, gulping down jagged breaths. Ruhn groaned onto her neck with every jerk of his body. Sarai rubbed her hands down his back and gradually, his racing heartbeat slowed.

Ruhn pulled out carefully and dropped down beside her. Sarai lay atop his chest, still panting for breath. He gently smoothed hair from her damp forehead. "Gods," she laughed, her voice quiet and shaky.

Ruhn smiled to himself, his eyes drifting shut once more. Contentment folded over him, warm and heavy. Sarai settled on top of him. He didn't open his eyes, even when she cupped his cheek in her palm and touched a gentle kiss to one side of his mouth. Sleep was already beckoning him away. His arms encircled Sarai's waist.

"I love you," he murmured again, almost inaudibly, and darkness claimed him.

◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ☾☽ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Sarai watched Ruhn for several long minutes. His breaths were deep and even with sleep. Nothing but lingering contentment and pleasure rested on his features. Her gaze fell to her hands, which were folded on top of his chest. Sarai eyed her new ring with a smile. He loves me.

She looked back at Ruhn. Carefully, Sarai brushed loose hair out of his face. She traced her finger over his lip ring, then kissed him. "And I love you," she said. "More than you'll ever know."

Something was awake within her now. Something she knew she would never be able to hide. She was his completely, and the thought didn't repulse her. Instead, it was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to be his, and for him to be hers. She wanted to spend every day with him, helping him in any way he required. Serving him, supporting him, loving him, and letting him do the same for her.

None of that will be possible if we don't stop whatever the Governor has planned, Sarai thought. Then, she corrected herself. If I don't stop his plan. Ruhn has enough to worry about between the Aux, his duties as Crown Prince, and his father. I'll gather more information for now and when I have it, I'll share it with him. Sarai nuzzled his cheek, drinking in his familiar scent. And then we'll discuss everything else. It will be safer that way.

Sarai grabbed a sheet and drew it over herself. She rested her head in the crook of Ruhn's neck, closing her eyes. Tomorrow, she decided wearily. Tomorrow I'll investigate the Redners, like I already planned. If that yields nothing, I'll see what Salem's dealers have to say. She smiled to herself as sleep beckoned her away. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.