Emma went red, and she dropped her eyes to her cup. “That is because he is courting me, and it was more aslipthan telling me outright.”
Delighted, Cecilia refreshed her cup and, leaning closer to Emma, whispered, “Tell meeverything.”
“I am sorry I missed your friends,” Cassian yawned as he came to the doorway of her personal library in the making.
His voice drew her away from the letter she had sent off to Gabriel, addressing his constant and slanderous insults, and Cecilia looked up from the stack of books in her hand. She tucked a brow up, “No, you are not.”
He laughed and stepped inside to pawn her book off her hands, “No, I am not sorry I missed MissCatand LadyMouse. Your friend Rosalind has this squint to her left eye that I am sure makes the devil himself quake in his boots.”
“Hooves,” she corrected him.
“Hooves,” Cassian repeated. “I still think she can rival him in a scathing glare, though. Now, where do you want these placed?”
She directed him where she wanted the books positioned, and he slid them in the allotted slots while keeping up a light banter. As the last book was in place, she turned to him and said, “Did you know your solicitor friend is courting mine?”
He did not look surprised. “He mentioned something in passing before.”
Her mouth dropped, and before she could control her movements, she lightly punched his arm. “And you did not say a word! Cassian!”
He grabbed her fist and tugged her closer. “Are you aching for a fight, sweetheart?”
Eyes widening, she shook her head. “No. Why would you think that?” She was acutely aware of his hold on her, the firm grip of his callused hand on her softer skin.
Closer, the scent of his warm, spicy fragrance washed over her, causing Cecilia to swallow reflexively. Instinctively, she prepared for the pressure of his mouth on hers, and when his hand slid into her hair, his palm cradling the back of her head, she was ready.
His lips hovered over hers. While their mouths did not touch, the expectation sent her heart hammering. What was he waiting for?
The look in his eyes told her that he was waiting for her to take the reins, to take what she wanted. Gripping his shoulders, she tipped on her toes and kissed him; the steely bulge of his deltoid muscle did not budge as she slanted her mouth across his.
His low growl made her tremble. She parted her lips to draw a breath, and in that instant, he claimed her mouth.
Cecilia hardly felt when he backed her up against the wall, and his kiss was hard and passionate yet held a tender note to it, everything she hadn’t known a kiss could hold at the same time.
Fireworks scattered over her skin as heat rushed through her veins and molten lava flowed in her blood. Her limbs shook as he enjoyed her mouth with masterful intentions. Cassian’s lips always held a smoky, sweet fire, and she felt heady kissing him as she often felt when she’d taken a sip of spirits.
He pulled away from her for a breath, then claimed her lips again, the kiss slow and drugging. Cassian’s kiss was not forceful; he was seductive, and that was more dangerous than a forceful kiss.
His mouth had mapped the contours of hers with a masterful touch that blurred her thoughts. Cassian had not simply kissed her; he had claimed her.
She sucked in a series of ragged breaths while gripping his arms; she swayed, steadying herself against him. The kiss burned on her lips and echoed lower; the tips of her breasts were pebbled and tight while liquid heat thrummed low in her belly.Neverhad she felt this alive, her entire being buzzing with desire.
“Devil and damn,” Cassian’s voice was rough as his hand skimmed up the curve of her back. “You make me so aroused, I am tempted to break my vow to keep you a virgin.”
As desire beat through her blood, Cecilia was warring with herself—the temptation to let him fully claim her was clawing at her insides viciously.
One word for him, and I know he will do it.
“I…” her eyes clenched, and she hated the words that came from her lips, “…can’t.”
Her heart sank, hoping he would not take it as a blanket rejection. If he did push her away, Cecilia would understand. She’d hate it, but she could understand.
He pressed on her back, and she pressed her face into his collar as her fear mounted.
“I know…” Cassian murmured. There was an odd tone to his words that she could not quite place. His hands slid under her legs, and he hefted her up. “So, we’ll do the next best thing.”
“What—”
Before she could voice the dozen questions strumming in her head, Cassian dropped her on the chaise. She barely had time to scuttle up before he covered her with his body and kissed her again.
