He suddenly stood before her, forcing her to tilt her head way back to hold his stare. In silence, he held out a hand. She took it, willing the trembling to stop. When his fingers closed around hers, he tugged until she stood before him. She had barely a moment to breathe when his mouth descended roughly on hers, his tongue sweeping her lips apart. The heat weakened her knees and she leaned heavily into him, already the passion rising with such force it tore the breath from her lungs.
He drew away, breathing as heavily as she. The flames in his eyes scorched her soul and her fingers curled in his shirt.
"Remove your dress."
She should have been annoyed at his sudden command, but the husk in his voice overrode her displeasure, instead sending those delightful tingles whisking across her skin. She stepped out of his embrace and reached for the brooches, keeping her eyes on his. His gaze lingered on her hands as she freed thesmokkr, letting it slide from her shoulders. His breath hitched, echoing over the crackling fire. She held back her smile, enjoying the ability to tease him for a bit, as he did her, though not quite in the same manner. She reached behind her neck to unfasten the laces holding her tunic closed.
Lust tightened the planes of Ari's face, his eyes alight with desire. Knowing she caused this reaction in him intensified her own passion. The earlier fear had vanished, completely overtaken by eagerness.
She wiggled her hips so thesmokkrfell further down, allowing her to slide the tunic from her shoulders, slowly baring her breasts. Another sharply inhaled breath signaled Ari's growing yearning. She held back a smile and let the tunic andsmokkrdrift down over her hips. Without her undershift, she soon stood naked before him, the fabric piled at her feet. She stepped out of the clothing and took two steps closer.
"Your turn," she said.
He grinned, and now it was she who watched with eagerness when he reached for the laces of his shirt. Soon his chest, burnished in the firelight, was bared to her hungry gaze. Her fingers itched to slide along his shoulders and chest, feel the softness of the dark hair dusting his skin. She fisted her hands to control the urge.
His hands went to his belt, his fingers fumbling in his haste. A moment later, he slid the leather from his trousers and shoved them down. Thora's gaze was drawn immediately to his cock, standing hard and erect. Soon, he would fill her with his flesh. Her mouth watered in anticipation, as did her sex.
She took another step, now mere inches away. Her gaze once more locking onto his, she lifted her mouth to his, savoring the way he briefly froze, apparently surprised by her boldness. Using her tongue the way he did, she teased his lips apart, slipping inside to stroke along his. The feel of his hands tightening on her shoulders added to the tumult assailing her senses.
Giving in to her earlier urge, she placed her hands on his chest, loving the way his skin heated under her touch. She took her time exploring the muscled flesh, noting from time to time how he groaned. Still kissing him, she raked her nails along his nipples and she swore he growled. She dared to reach lower, sliding along his abdomen to the curls at the base of his shaft. His entire body went rigid. She took the opportunity to trail her fingers along the length of his cock. That time he definitely did growl.
Abruptly, she found herself pushed away, though he still held his grip on her shoulders.
"What's wrong?" Freyja's blood, was that hoarse croak her voice?
"Nothing. On your knees."
She blinked. What did he mean?
"Must I repeat myself?"
The hint of frustration in his voice told her how her brief touch had affected him. She tilted her head and studied him.
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, you must repeat yourself." She stifled a laugh at the way his brow furrowed.
"You test my patience in so many ways." His husky words sent the familiar shivers along her spine. "I said, on your knees."
"Why?"
"Do not question me further. Just obey."
She shrugged, hoping she appeared casual and unaffected. Doing as he told, she lowered herself to her knees, wincing as tiny pebbles bit into her skin. Ari bent and lifted his tunic, folding it and offering it to her. After she placed the fabric under her knees and straightened, she found herself face to face with his cock. Suspicion rose as to what he intended. Uneasiness mingled with her desire.
"Thora, touch me."
For that, she needed no further encouragement, reaching up to encircle his cock with her fingers. Hard and at the same time soft, his hot flesh quivered under her hand. She stroked slowly, noting with interest how he seemed to grow even thicker under her ministrations. The ridges along his flesh scorched her hand. His fingers slid into her hair, a gentle caress that encouraged her to stroke more firmly. A wild quiver overtook him, his fingers tightening in her hair almost painfully. She released her grip, trailing her nails along his length. A hoarse groan shook him again and she looked into his face. Her heart raced at the sight.
Eyes closed, the lines of his face melted in pleasure, his lips parted as he sucked in deep breaths. Once more, she tightened her grip and stroked faster, until his hand covered hers, stilling her motions.
"Stop, lest this is over before it's begun."
She didn't understand his meaning, but allowed him to uncurl her fingers. He held her stare, and she sensed a question he didn't voice. Several moments passed in heated silence. The feeling of vulnerability caused by kneeling at his feet roused a strange intoxication that left her shuddering in excitement.
His hand cupping her cheek in another gentle caress stirred yet more tingling delight. He ran his thumb along her lips, and she sucked in a breath, her core tightening.
