Chapter 24

Meadow’s POV

And just like that, I lost all coherent thought.

I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t breathe.

Alaric’s words echoed in my ears like a promise.

And even worse? He didn’t even give me a moment to second-guess it.

Wait—” I gasped as his strong arms gripped my waist, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing. My thighs brushed the cool edge of the marble counter as he settled me onto it like I belonged there.

My core throbbed nonstop, my heart pounding hard against my ribcage as Alaric drew lazy circles on my thighs. He was distractingly hot.

I swallowed hard, my palms pressed flat against the countertop as I tried to catch my breath. “Alaric…”

I lost my train of thought as he leaned in, his lips moving lightly over the skin of my jaw and neck. Alaric kissed me everywhere except my mouth, and I wanted to know why. Badly. But right now I didn’t care.

My head fell back as I moaned, feeling his five o'