Finally he drew away and she opened her eyes to find him studying her with a gaze that near scorched her on its own. A ragged breath shuddered through her. He trailed a finger along her cheek before moving to open her brooches and beads, allowing him to slide thesmokkrfrom her shoulders.
A moment of alarm rose, for an instant cooling her passion. But when he continued to hold her gaze, in another second the panic faded, replaced with a surge of longing when he slid the dress down her arms, followed immediately by her undershift. The chill of the evening air raised gooseflesh on her skin and finally, the dress slid still further, now baring her breasts. Her nipples hardened almost painfully, yet she relished the tingling in her flesh.
Ari's stare drifted to gaze on her breasts. Her hands tightened on his shoulders at his low groan. Was he pleased? Why should it matter?
"Beautiful," he murmured, right before cupping her breasts in his hands. Another trembling breath rasped through her at the touch. She half-expected to see sparks along her skin as he explored her, his fingers like a hot blade leaving fire in their wake. He caressed and squeezed, and Thora's fingers tightened on his arms. Her legs wobbled ominously, the intense delight overtaking all her senses. The taste of his lips still lingered on hers and with each breath, she inhaled his rich musky scent. She only wished he would look at her, so she could get some sense of what he felt. Was it only she who thought the world spun madly about them?
Her thoughts grew into a muddled mess, fading under the ever-growing lust Ari's caresses caused. Passion had hold of her now and it rocked her very soul, leaving her whirling in the maelstrom.
When his fingers tightened around her nipples, a low moan finally escaped, her entire body quivering under the intensity of the sensations robbing her of her wits. Flashes of bliss pulsated through her, her only awareness of the delight consuming her body. Her sex throbbed, hot and wet, the tumultuous pleasure sucking the breath from her lungs. Finally, knees no longer able to support her, her legs buckled and she leaned heavily into him.
He wrapped his arms around her, a soft chuckle escaping. The feel of his kisses pressing against her forehead drew her from her stupor. She sucked in a deep breath, echoes of the pleasure he spurred quivering through her.
"You are quite passionate, Thora."
His low voice, heavy with desire, seemed a heated caress against her ear. Another tremor jolted through her. She gulped deep breaths of air, but it did nothing to cool the ferocity of the desire still holding her in its tempting grip.
Awareness returned when Ari guided her back to sit beside the fire. He tilted her head back and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
"Wait here."
She blinked several times, the loss of his nearness drawing a different kind of shiver in the cool evening air, yet she made no move to cover herself. Her gaze never left him as he moved to his pack and removed several items, though since he kept his back to her, she had no clear view of what he did. Each breath came heavily while she waited for him to return to her side.
After what seemed an eternity, he finally turned. The heat in his eyes warmed her anew. Anticipation for what else he planned set her heart to racing again. The sliver of alarm that remained added to the tumult, another layer of delight tinged with dark promise. His earlier words about obeying him whispered through her thoughts, spurring tremors of eagerness. What did he mean by punishing her if she disobeyed? And why did she so badly want to discover his intentions?
He lifted his arms holding up several fur blankets. He gave her a smile before carefully laying the skins on the other side of the fire, creating an enticing bed. Her gaze held his when he approached, his pace quick and purposeful until he stood before, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. His mouth crashed onto hers and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, needing to ground herself against his passionate onslaught.
The fierce sensations assaulted her wits, as if the heat from Sol's summer chariot shone within her, making everything inside squirm with delight. When he set her away, their harsh breathing mingled like erotic off-key music in the quiet of the secluded glen. Desire glazed his eyes with a deeper green. Desire for her. The realization set off a giddy whirl of excitement and eagerness. All the reasons she shouldn't give herself to him briefly poked through her haze of passion. The reasons for doing so overwhelmed the doubts, her own yearning taking over most of her awareness. She wanted this. Wanted him. And he knew it, too.
Thora didn't care. She longed for more of his kisses, his caresses. As of he read her thoughts, he gently cupped her bared breasts once more. She arched toward him, a groan of pleasure escaping. The groan quickly turned a soft whine when he withdrew.
"We have all night."
His whisper contained a dark promise she had no strength to resist. How could it be that mere hours ago, she'd not even known this man existed and now she craved his touch as if it were the air she breathed? Still, she remained motionless, waiting for him to guide her. She needed to maintain some of her dignity, not fall upon him as though she was Kata in heat.
He reached for her again, but only to slide her kirtle further down, past her hips, until it drifted to the ground around her ankles, leaving her bared before him. A wave of heat suffused her at the force of the fire blazing in his eyes.
For several moments, which to Thora seemed an eternity, he simply stood before her, his gaze moving over her. She fought the urge to cover herself, instead lifting her chin and straightening her spine. Her reward was a pleased smile that left her breathless.
"You tempt me beyond my endurance."
His words came out on a growl and she barely had time to savor the delight before he once again pulled her close, devouring her mouth with a kiss that left her head spinning. Her breasts mashed against his tunic, the fabric another tantalizing sensation added to the riot in her body. Her hands moved to his shoulders and she pushed him away. The confusion in his eyes almost drew a laugh.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm naked. You're not."
A grin brightened his face and near stole her breath. He truly was one of the most fetching men she'd ever known.
"Very well," he said, his voice still heavy and deep with desire. When he moved to undo his belt, she reached for his hands, stilling his motions.
"What now?" he asked.
With a sly smile she said, "I wish to do it."
Another grin, and a nod, and Ari dropped his hands to his sides. Before her boldness faded, she reached for his belt with trembling fingers. The buckle and tail of the belt were made of what appeared to be gold, but she had no time or inclination to study it now. She quickly opened the belt and pulled it free of his pants, pushing them down as he had done to her dress. Aware he watched her, she forced her focus to remain on his clothing. With a deep breath to steady her trembling fingers, she stood, reaching for the laces at his neck. They opened easily enough, but Ari remained motionless, hindering her progress. She paused, meeting his stare. The hunger there almost undid her determination to keep some semblance of control. Somehow, she managed, composing the errant need to offer herself without protest. Instead, she lifted her chin, arching an eyebrow.
"Raise your arms."
