In Other Worlds by Sherrilyn Kenyon

up and about.”
    Adron rubbed his stubbled cheek against her shoulder as he came awake. “I need to learn to lock my bedroom door.”
    She laughed.
    Tiernan made a sound of agitation. “I’m going to go out there and wait until you two are dressed.”
    Adron brushed his hand over her hair, and she felt his erection against her hip. “Why don’t you keep walking until you get to the other side of the front door?”
    â€œHa-ha.” Tiernan paused in the doorway and turned back toward them. “By the way, your wife has a great body.”
    Heat exploded across her face as Tiernan shut the door. Adron gave her a stern frown. “Say the word, and I’ll kill him for you.”
    She smiled. “It’s okay. If you did that, Taryn would miss him.”
    â€œHardly. He’d probably fall down in gratitude. You know, when they were babies, Tiernan used to shove Taryn down and grab his bottle away, then drink it.”
    â€œNo, he didn’t. Tiernan’s too sweet to do something so mean.”
    He scoffed. “Don’t let Tiernan’s polite, mild-mannered demeanor fool you. He’s every bit as lethal as Taryn, and he hits twice as hard. Take it from someone with firsthand experience. The only difference is, unlike Taryn and his pirate garb, Tiernan will be in a suit when he cuts your throat. No one expects an ambassador to go bad, but believe me, Tiernan’s not a pacifist. I’d put him up against any assassin the League ever trained . . . including me in my prime.”
    She still had a hard time believing that. There was an aura about Taryn that said he could be vicious if provoked. But Tiernan . . . he was like an adorable baby brother who never lost patience with anyone. Not even Zarina.
    With a low groan, Adron rolled over slowly and reached for his injector and medicine on the nightstand.
    Livia cringed as he gave himself a shot in the stomach. How she wished he didn’t have to do that every few hours. But it was either that or his body locked up with so much pain that he couldn’t move at all.
    Unfortunately, he would have to do it for the rest of his life.
    His features strained by the effort, he left the bed and dressed. Every few minutes, he’d have to pause and wait for the pain to subside before he could resume dressing. She wanted to offer to help, but he wouldn’t appreciate it.
    By the time he finished, his brow was damp with sweat from the strain. He gave her a sheepish look before he grabbed his cane and left the room.
    While he went to speak to his brother, she headed into the bathroom for a shower.
    She took her time, letting the hot water cascade over her skin, until she felt someone watching her bathe. Turning around, she saw Adron leaning against the wall, staring straight at her.
    She dropped the cloth in her hand. “You startled me.”
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean to. I was just wishing I could join you.”
    It amazed her how comfortable she’d become around him when she was naked. Her nudity had long since ceased to bother her. As did his. In fact, she’d learned every dip and curve of his tawny flesh. Every scar.
    She glanced over to the tub a few feet away where he took his baths. “Want me to join you?”
    He smiled. “Yes, I do.”
    Livia turned the shower off and ran them a tub full of water. Adron got in first, then pulled her in on top of him.
    â€œCareful,” she warned as a wave of panic went through her. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    â€œYou could never hurt me.” He claimed her lips with his.
    Livia moaned. Oh, but she would never get tired of his kisses. His touch.
    Adron pulled back to stare at her in awe. Her lips were swollen from his kiss and her cheeks red from his whiskers. He ran his hand over her ravaged skin, hating that he’d chafed it.
    â€œI’m sorry about that.” He reached for his razor in the cubbyhole in the wall