Page 187 of Between Two Kings

Tem threaded her fingers through his hair, participating in equal measure, allowing him deep inside her mouth. She would let him penetrate her this way—not with his cock but with his tongue, tasting her the way she knew he’d always wanted to. There was equilibrium between them: a match of equal value. Tem felt worthy. She felt seen.

Tem sent another pulse. This one was long and lingering, and during the middle of it, Apollo pulled away. She opened her eyes and asked: Should I stop?

No. His thumb brushed against the tip of the claw. You should take this out so I can fuck you properly.

Tem hesitated. The claw was like a barrier—as long as it was inside her, they couldn’t have sex.

Apollo heard her thoughts, because he said, Have you so little self-control?

Tem glared at him. She couldn’t believe they were having this conversation while naked, intertwined, with his cock between her legs. And yet, here they were. Tem supposed that given their circumstances, perhaps her hesitation warranted an explanation. I don’t trust myself with you.

To her surprise, Apollo didn’t respond right away. Instead he tilted his head, appraising her. May I ask why?

Tem barely knew anymore. If she slept with Apollo, it meant that she was slipping—falling slowly but steadily off the path of morality that she’d prided herself on walking her entire life. It didn’t matter that sleeping with him was acceptable—and expected—in basilisk culture. It was unacceptable to her. Tem couldn’t reconcile the way she felt about Apollo with her feelings for Caspen. It was too much to hold in one heart.

And then there was Leo.

If she crossed this line with Apollo, it meant she was capable of crossing the line with Leo. Tem couldn’t bear that. So she said, I just don’t want to make a mistake.

You consider sex with me a mistake.

It wasn’t a question. I consider it a risk.

A life without risk is not a life worth living, Temperance.

Tem rolled her eyes. It was exactly the kind of thing she expected him to say.

First my brother, then my father. Should I be offended you draw the line at fucking me?

He had a point there. But for some reason, this felt different.

It just seems…wrong.

We will fuck during the tournament. Or did you not know that?

Tem did know that. Adelaide had told her barely an hour ago. But just because she had to fuck him in the future didn’t mean she was going to fuck him right now.

When the silence lingered, Apollo said: I understand you do not trust yourself. But do you trust me?

What a question. Tem had no idea how to answer it. Instead, she was immediately reminded of the last time she was asked it: standing in a graveyard with Leo. You don’t trust me, do you, Tem? She hadn’t trusted Leo at first. Her trust for him had grown over time, and only after she had allowed him to prove himself to her. Did she owe Apollo the same courtesy? He had taught her to petrify; he had acted as her confidant. They had been naked with each other more than once, and he had acted in her best interests every time. So did she trust him?

Yes.

True joy flashed in his eyes. He pulled her closer. Then place the burden on me. I vow we will not have sex until you initiate it.

Tem considered this. Do you promise?

His hands tightened on her waist. I promise. He pressed once more against the claw. Now take this out and come on my cock.

The time for hesitation was gone. Tem was ready.

Slowly, so that Apollo saw every moment of it, she reached between her legs and removed the claw. Then she dropped it, glistening, to the ground. As soon as she was empty, she pressed her center down against Apollo’s cock. Without the barrier of the claw, there was nothing between his skin and hers. He was harder than stone between her legs, and Tem settled into position, her hips resuming their rhythm. They moved of their own accord now, rubbing with incessant urgency, creating a friction she had no hope of stopping. She wanted her orgasm, and she wanted it soon. Apollo wanted it too. Tem knew he had waited for this—to see her raw and ready and open for him.

Tem adjusted her position, moving her legs together so she was clamped tightly around him. Where before she’d been sliding luxuriously along his length, now she pumped him quickly through the apex of her thighs, keeping him tight against her center.

Apollo was close. His jaw was tense; his shoulders tight. His arms were locked around her, guiding her every movement. They were working toward it together, helping each other over the finish line. She slid herself desperately back and forth, spreading her wetness along the length of his cock.

There it is, Temperance. I know you like that.