CHAPTER 68: _AW, NO MORE FOREPLAY?

(Warning: Empire Level Spice ahead.)

Elian’s POV

*****

Elian’s breath still trembled against Axel’s lips, even as the kiss broke.

His heart beat out a chaotic rhythm against his ribs, like it was trying to escape his chest and sprint out the damn window. His lips tingled, warm and swollen.

Every nerve in his body screamed confusion and arousal.

Axel was staring at him like he was something sacred. Something fragile.

And that? That melted Elian’s heart in more ways than he could understand.

"You okay?" Axel murmured, his voice reverberating.

Elian snorted, trying to gather whatever shredded dignity he had left. "Define ’okay.’ Because if you mean ’am I mentally spiralling’? Then yeah, I’m doing great."

[That’s a lie,] the system chimed in. [You’re sweating like a sinner in a temple, and your heart rate is 143 beats per minute. T

Talk about cardio.]

He mentally flipped the system off.

Axel’s gaze dropped to Elian’s lips. "I shouldn’t have done that... Without asking."

Elian blinked.

That was... a surprise.

A certain Douchey prince would’ve doubled down after a kiss like that. Axel, however, looked genuinely concerned, as if he’d overstepped some holy boundary.

Which made Elian’s chest ache in a way he wasn’t ready to confront.

"I didn’t mind," he said finally, his voice low. Then, unable to help himself, he smirked. "You kiss surprisingly well for someone who’s constantly babysitting a disaster."

[You’re the disaster, FYI.]

Axel chuckled in response. The sound rumbled from his chest like thunder wrapped in warmth. His thumb brushed the edge of Elian’s jaw.

"You’re not a disaster, Elian."

Lies... He was a walking, talking, emotionally unavailable crime scene.

Still, something about the way Axel looked at him... It made Elian feel less broken. Like maybe the cracks in him weren’t something to be sealed up, but something someone could trace with care.

The air thickened between them again.

Elian leaned forward, his lips ghosting over Axel’s. "You gonna kiss me again, or are you just gonna stare like you’re debating it with the gods?"

Axel didn’t answer. Instead, he just kissed him again, harder this time.

Elian gasped against his mouth, clutching Axel’s shirt as their mouths moved together in a desperate, intoxicating rhythm. Axel’s hand slipped around his waist, pulling him flush against his chest.

Heat exploded down Elian’s spine.

His skin buzzed, needy and hypersensitive. His legs found their way to Axel’s lap again, and the Beta didn’t protest. In fact, he welcomed the weight, his hands gripping Elian’s thighs like he was holding something precious.

Elian rolled his hips forward, grinding down against Axel’s clothed arousal.

A strangled groan escaped Axel’s lips.

[Oh. OH. We’re doing this now? Got it. Let me just adjust my internal sensors real quick, you horny rabbit.]

Elian ignored it, too focused on the way Axel’s hands moved, one sliding up his spine, the other gripping his hip, guiding the rhythm of their grinding bodies.

Clothes were suddenly the worst invention in history.

"Off," Elian murmured, tugging at Axel’s shirt.

Axel hesitated. "You sure?"

Well, duh!

Elian nodded, his pupils blown wide. "Unless you plan to combust with your clothes on."

Axel made quick work of the shirt, tossing it aside.

Gods!

The man looked like he was carved from marble and divine frustration. Warm skin, muscles flexing with every breath, and those deep, golden eyes watching Elian like he was the answer to every unspoken question.

Elian slid his hands over Axel’s chest, down his abs, marvelling at the strength under his fingers. Axel shuddered in response.

Then Axel’s hands found Elian’s waist again, his thumbs brushing just under the waistband of his underwear.

Elian nodded slowly and then the underwear was gone, leaving his dick aching out in the open.

The air was cool against his skin, but Axel’s touch was scorching. He leaned forward, trailing kisses down Elian’s throat, his collarbone, then lower.

Every brush of lips made Elian’s breath catch.

His hips bucked. His hands tangled in Axel’s hair.

He was spiralling, his erection pulsing with even more arousal.

Axel’s lips found a sensitive spot near his hip and Elian let out a whimper he would absolutely deny later.

[Embarrassing. But understandable. Your hormones are currently doing backflips.]

"Shut up," Elian gasped.

Axel paused. "Was that for me or...?"

Sorry," Elian wheezed, his heart dropping as his cheeks flushed. "Not you. Keep doing that."

Axel grinned and returned to making his knees wobble, taking his time, worshipping every inch of Elian’s body like it was a ritual.

It was maddening, teasing and perfect all at once.

And Elian? He was unravelling under Axel’s mouth, kissing him back like his life depended on it.

When Axel finally pressed forward, their bodies aligned, skin to skin, nothing but heat and friction and the scent of arousal between them.

Elian moaned hoarsely.

"Axel..." He gasped, his voice strained with need.

Axel kissed the corner of his mouth. "I’ve got you."

And he did.

This time, the Beta moved with more care, control, and intensity.

Every touch said: I want you. Every kiss said: You matter.

Elian arched against him, gripping his shoulders, chasing pleasure like it was the only thing keeping him breathing. Their bodies rocked together, slow and rhythmic, like they had all the time in the world.

The room spun. Elian’s name was whispered like a prayer. And he whispered Axel’s in return like it was the only word he remembered.

Pleasure built steadily, spiralling higher and higher until Elian felt like he might break apart. He bit down on Axel’s shoulder, desperate to keep from screaming.

Too late.

"Axel!" Elian moaned out shakily, unable to take the teasing any more. "F–Fuck me... please..."

[Aww, no more foreplay?]

’Shut up for the goddess’ sake!’

Suddenly, Axel’s grip on his waist tightened as he pulled him closer, his grin widening. "You don’t need to tell me twice."

He shoved Elian gently onto the bed, taking off his pants and flinging them aside.

Elian stared at the Beta as he took off his underwear, revealing his throbbing erection.

[Time for the main event...]