Chapter 432: The Privilege

Grayson laid her down in the center of the soft mattress as if she were made of thin glass.

Even with the fire crackling in the corner, Grayson did not just let her rest. He reached out, smoothing the cream silk of her nightgown over her knees, adjusting the big plush pillows behind her head, and sweeping her long dark hair over her shoulder so it didn’t catch underneath her back.

Mailah lay there, her cheeks warm, a soft laugh bubbling up from her chest. "Grayson, you are fussing again."

"I am not fussing," Grayson declared solemnly. He hovered over her, his broad hands resting on either side of her shoulders, his long body blocking out the rest of the bedroom. His blue eyes burned down into hers with an intensity that made her heart skip three beats. "I am making sure my wife is perfectly comfortable."

He reached out and touched the fine cotton sheet beneath her. His dark eyebrows knitted together in deep, dramatic focus.

"The linen is slightly cool," Grayson muttered, his voice dropping into a dark grumble. "This is unacceptable. I shall use my own skin to warm the bed for you."

"Grayson, the sheets are fine," Mailah giggled, reaching up to wrap her small hands around his wrists. "Stop looking for things to fix."

"I fix things because I adore you," Grayson rasped softly.

He lowered himself down until his broad chest pressed gently against hers. The simple physical contact was like a spark hitting dry wood. As an ancient demon—an incubus born of passion and shadow—his body naturally ran much warmer than a mortal’s. The moment his weight settled over her, a deep, comforting wave of heat washed through Mailah’s entire body, making her sigh softly.

Grayson froze at her sigh. His eyes darkened, the bright blue iris turning into a deep, stormy ocean.

"Did I press too hard?" Grayson asked instantly, his voice thick with sudden worry. He lifted his chest an inch off her. "Am I too heavy, Mailah? Tell me."

Mailah stared up at him, her heart swelling with so much affection it almost hurt. Here was a creature who could tear down buildings with his bare hands, a demon who threatened poor florists and baristas for looking at her wrong, yet he was hovering over her like a gentle giant, terrified of pressing too hard against her ribs.

"You are not too heavy," Mailah whispered softly. She slid her fingers up his wrists, tracing the hard muscle of his forearms, all the way up to his broad shoulders. "You are perfect. Now come down here."

Grayson didn’t need to be told twice. He let out a low, shuddering breath and sank back down, burying his face in the curve of her neck. He inhaled deeply, drawing the sweet scent of her skin into his lungs like a starving man reaching for water.

"You smell like yellow flowers and rain," Grayson murmured against her skin. His lips moved gently against her throat, pressing a slow, warm kiss right over her fluttering pulse. "It drives me completely out of my mind."

Mailah arched her neck slightly, letting her eyes close as a sweet shiver ran down her spine. "Grayson..."

"Yes, my love?" he rasped, his warm lips trailing up her jawline until he reached her earlobe. He took the soft skin between his teeth, giving it a tiny, teasing nip that made Mailah gasp.

"You’re being slow on purpose," Mailah accused him softly, her hands clutching at the silk of his robe.

Grayson pulled back just enough to look down at her face. A slow, wicked, breathtaking smirk spread across his sharp lips. It was the exact look of a confident demon prince who knew he had his prey completely trapped—and intended to love her endlessly.

"Slow?" Grayson echoed, his voice dropping an octave into a low, rumbling growl. "My sweet wife, I have waited through lost memories and empty nights. I intend to savor every single second."

He reached for the belt of his black silk robe, pulling the knot loose with one smooth tug. The dark fabric fell open, revealing his broad, sculpted chest, the hard line of his stomach, and the warm tone of his skin glowing in the firelight.

Mailah’s eyes drifted over his chest, her breath catching in her throat. Even without his full demonic power showing, Grayson was built like a classic marble statue—strong, sharp, and ridiculously handsome.

Grayson noticed her stare. His chest puffed up slightly with supreme, arrogant pride.

"Do you like what you see, my queen?" Grayson asked smoothly, leaning down so his lips almost touched hers. "It is all yours. Every inch of muscle, every drop of blood, every beat of my heart. Built solely for your enjoyment."

Mailah couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped her lips. "You are so full of yourself!"

"I am merely stating facts!" Grayson argued dramatically, pouting his full lips. "An incubus must take pride in his appearance for his lady!"

Before he could start another long speech about his grand physical perfection, Mailah reached up, grabbed the lapels of his open robe, and pulled his face down into a deep, hungry kiss.

Grayson’s words were cut off instantly. He let out a low growl deep in his chest, his grand posture completely shattering as Mailah’s soft lips pressed against his. His large hands immediately came around her waist, pulling her flush against his hot body.

The kiss was no longer gentle. It was deep, possessive, and thick with a sweet, aching heat. Grayson tasted like warm lemon tarts and sweet coffee, his tongue moving against hers with a practiced, intoxicating rhythm that made Mailah’s head spin.

His nature as an incubus—a creature made for desire—was not scary or dangerous in his hands. Instead, it felt like a soft electric pull hummed through his skin, magnifying every touch, making every press of his lips send waves of sweet fire straight to her core.

Grayson shifted his weight, his long fingers finding the thin straps of her cream nightgown. With slow, reverent care, he slid the silk straps down her shoulders, letting the gown pool around her waist.

He broke the kiss, his hot breath coming in short, uneven rasps as he looked down at her exposed skin. The playful, arrogant smirk was completely gone from his face now. His blue eyes burned with a dark, holy light, filled with a devotion so pure it made Mailah’s breath hitch.

"You are so beautiful," Grayson whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

He leaned down, pressing his soft lips to the hollow of her throat. Then he kissed her shoulder, the curve of her collarbone, and down to her chest, leaving a trail of hot, lingering kisses that made Mailah clutch at his dark hair.

"Grayson... please," Mailah breathed out, her fingers tangling in his thick black locks.

"Tell me what you want," Grayson commanded softly against her skin. He looked up at her, his hands coming up to frame her face, his thumbs gently wiping away a stray hair from her cheek. "Command me, Mailah. I am your servant tonight. Tell me what your heart desires."

"I want you," Mailah whispered back, her eyes locking onto his with absolute honesty. "Just you. Near me. Inside me."

Grayson’s eyes flared with intense emotion. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "Your wish is my life’s purpose," he rasped.

With careful, smooth movements, Grayson stripped away the rest of his robe, kicking the fabric off the edge of the bed. He shed the rest of his clothes until there was nothing left between them but bare skin and hot air.

He hovered over her for a brief second, his massive frame completely covering hers, shielding her from the rest of the world. He reached down, taking her small hand in his, intertwining their fingers tightly together against the soft mattress.

"Look at me, Mailah," Grayson requested softly.

Mailah opened her eyes, looking directly into his stormy blue gaze.

Grayson slowly lowered himself, joining their bodies together in one smooth, agonizingly sweet motion.

A sharp gasp escaped Mailah’s lips as the full, overwhelming heat of him filled her. Grayson froze instantly, his jaw tightening, his neck muscles straining as he held himself completely still, checking her face for any sign of pain.

"Are you alright?" Grayson grumbled urgently, his chest heaving, his dark eyebrows pulling together. "Did I move too fast? Do you need a moment?"

"Grayson, this is not our first time," Mailah gasped out, a sweet, teary smile breaking across her lips as she squeezed his hand tightly. "I am more than alright. Stop asking if I’m breaking!"

A deep, handsome laugh broke from Grayson’s chest, the tension melting from his broad shoulders. "I cannot help it," he murmured, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead.

He began to move.

The rhythm was slow, deep, and impossibly sweet. Grayson moved with a steady, powerful grace, keeping his eyes locked onto hers the entire time. Every time he pushed deep inside her, the electric warmth of his incubus nature radiated through her body, making her feel as though she were floating on a wave of pure golden heat.

Mailah wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, pulling him closer. She arched her back, letting out soft, helpless sounds of pleasure that echoed softly through the quiet room.

Hearing her sweet cries was too much for his control. Grayson let out a low, rough groan, his pace picking up. His large hands slid under her hips, lifting her slightly to meet every deep, breathtaking stroke. His head fell into the crook of her neck, his sharp jaw brushing against her collarbone as his breath blew hot against her skin.

"Mailah..." Grayson rasped out, his voice broken and raw with emotion. "My love... my queen... my home..."

"Grayson... yes... right there..." Mailah whimpered, her hands gripping his shoulders, her nails digging slightly into his back.

The feeling of her small nails on his skin sent a bolt of pure electricity through Grayson’s spine. He pushed deeper, faster, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs like a trapped drum. He kissed her mouth hungrily, capturing her soft moans, drinking them in as if they were the only wine he ever needed.

The firelight danced across the walls of the master bedroom, casting long, golden shadows of their joined bodies. The room was filled with the soft rustle of silk sheets, the heavy sound of Grayson’s deep breathing, and Mailah’s sweet, breathless sighs.

The pleasure built quickly, coiling tightly in Mailah’s stomach until it felt like a bright wire pulled too taut. She tightened her hold on Grayson, her toes curling into the sheets as she felt the edge of the peak fast approaching.

"Grayson, I... I can’t..." Mailah gasped out, her voice tight and trembling.

Grayson raised his head, looking down at her flushed face, her parted lips, and her wide, glittering eyes. His heart shattered into a million pieces of pure love.

"Let go, my sweet light," Grayson commanded softly, his voice thick with absolute devotion. "I have you."

With three deep, powerful thrusts, he drove her straight over the edge.

Mailah let out a high, sweet cry, her body trembling violently as waves of intense pleasure crashed over her core. The sensation was so strong it made her vision go white for a brief second.

Seeing her break under his touch was the final straw for Grayson. He let out a harsh, deep roar of satisfaction, burying himself as deep as he could go, his entire frame going rigid as his own pleasure burst through him like a roaring river.

He held her tightly, pressing her body flush against his chest, refusing to let a single millimeter of space come between them as they burned through the peak together.

The quiet returned to the master bedroom slowly, like soft snow falling over a quiet forest.

The only sound left was the crackle of the wood in the fireplace and the steady, breathing of the two lovers tangled together on the bed.

Grayson lay on his back, his broad chest heaving slowly. Mailah was curled up completely on top of him, her head resting over his beating heart, her small arm wrapped around his waist. Grayson’s large hand was stroking her dark, messy hair with incredible tenderness, his fingers running through the soft strands over and over again.

The thick velvet blanket was pulled up to their shoulders, keeping them cocooned in a warm, private world.

Mailah let out a soft, contented sigh, tracing small circles on Grayson’s bare chest with her index finger.

"Are you sleeping, my queen?" Grayson whispered softly into the quiet room.

Mailah smiled against his skin, shaking her head gently. "No. Just thinking."

Grayson tilted his head down, looking at her with a look of supreme pride. "Thinking about how magnificent your demon is? How skilled he is in the arts of love?"

Mailah let out a quiet giggle, slapping his chest lightly. "You just had to ruin the romantic quiet, didn’t you?"

"I am an ancient incubus!" Grayson declared grandly, though he kept his voice down to a soft whisper. "It is my duty to ensure my wife recognizes my superior talents! You looked thoroughly pleased, if I do say so myself."

"I was very pleased," Mailah admitted softly, raising her head to look up at his handsome face. "You were amazing, Grayson. As always."

Grayson’s sharp cheekbones instantly flushed a faint, adorable shade of pink. Despite all his big talk and grand statements, receiving genuine praise from Mailah always turned the terrifying demon into a flustered teenager. He looked away toward the fireplace, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Well... of course," Grayson mumbled, trying to sound aloof. "An incubus does nothing by half measures."

Mailah grinned, resting her chin on her hands against his chest. "You know, Grayson... we need to talk about something important."

Grayson’s blue eyes snapped back to her. His eyebrows pulled together in sudden, dramatic panic. "Important? What is wrong? Are you sore? Did I crush your leg? Do I need to summon Morrison?"

"No, Grayson, my legs are fine," Mailah laughed, shaking her head. "I’m talking about your arrangement in this room."

Grayson went completely still. His posture stiffened under the blanket.

"My... arrangement?" Grayson repeated carefully, his voice dropping into a tense rasp.

"Yes," Mailah said, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. She reached up, tracing the sharp line of his jaw. "You’ve been very good for the past weeks, Grayson."

Grayson held his breath, staring at her like a man waiting for a court verdict. "And...?"

"And," Mailah continued softly, "because you were so sweet tonight, and because I love you so much... I have decided to reinstate your bed privileges."

Grayson’s eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated joy. A brilliant, blinding smile broke across his sharp, handsome features.

Grayson’s heart dropped into his stomach. "However?" he mumbled behind her finger.

Mailah pulled her finger back, looking him straight in the eyes with a cool, sharp look that belonged to a true queen managing a troublesome king.

"Your bed privileges are permanent," Mailah stated clearly. "But you are still on probation."

Grayson gasped dramatically, placing his hand over his bare chest in total, utter shock. "Probation?! Mailah! Still on probation!"

"Of course. You’re not completely off the hook," Mailah countered, raising an eyebrow. "If you want to keep sleeping in this bed with me every single night, there are rules you must follow."

Grayson pouted heavily, his lower lip sticking out like a moody child who had just been told he couldn’t have dessert. "What rules?" he grumbled flatly.

Mailah began ticking the rules off on her small fingers.