She gave what she hoped appeared a casual shrug, not ready to tell him just how much he pleased her. As if he'd heard her thoughts, his eyes narrowed. The giggle that threatened almost burst free.
A moment later, he waved a hand toward her. "Well? I've done as you asked, haven't I?"
"You have," she admitted. "And I thank you for your… indulgence."
"I'd like to indulge in other things. And if you continue to stall, I will punish you."
"You would not dare!"
"I would dare many things, as you well know. Now, obey or … suffer."
The desire lacing his words sent another bolt of heat to her core. Not wanting to risk discovering what he meant about suffering and with a deep breath to bolster her courage, she reached for the straps holding up the undershift. Her hands shook when she pushed them aside and let the soft linen slide down her body, heat blazing in her cheeks. Keeping her eyes averted, she fought the urge to cover herself with her hands. Finally, after several moments of thick silence, she glanced at him.
The pleasure and interest in his eyes brought a rush of pride that left her breathless. Emboldened, she straightened her spine and lifted her shoulders. The sharp intake of his breath was another clue to his growing desire, and served to intensify her own. Each time she thought her yearning had reached its peak, it soared again. Her gaze locked with his and the passion she read there sucked the breath from her lungs.
How odd that only a few days ago, she had been ignorant of desire and passion and now she wanted to embrace it, fling herself into the promise of dark pleasures. All because this man, her Dream Man, had come into her life and upended everything she knew about herself.
He moved toward her, in a peculiar slow and dreamlike pace, adding to the urgency searing her veins. When he stopped mere inches away, she let loose the breath she'd been holding. Though he did not touch her, the heat from his body warmed her, Hel, it scorched, and she wanted to feel that burn all over her flesh. Heart racing, she anticipated his next move, but he remained motionless, simply staring into her eyes. She braced herself for a vision, but none came.
All she saw in his gaze was hunger. For her. The sight spurred her own yearning and rational thought fled. She wanted him to kiss her, touch her, make her feel all the things her visions hadshown her. Wanted it so badly, she could almost taste the tang of desire dancing on her tongue.
Between her legs, her sex clenched, and the hot rush of wetness startled her. She pressed her thighs together, both thrilled and wary of the fierce sensations.
He slid his hand into her hair, fingers cupping the back of her head. Once more, she held her breath when he shifted still closer, and his heated skin against her breasts left her certain she was about to combust. A moment later his lips brushed hers, a feathery caress that merely hinted at pleasures she desperately wanted to experience.
Her hands trembled more than ever when she reached for his shoulders, unsure how to tell him she wanted more. The moment her fingers tightened on his solid flesh, his kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping in to tempt her further. A moan escaped her when he slid an arm around her waist and hauled her tight against him.
His devouring kiss left her helpless to do anything but hold on. The kisses and touches he'd given before had not spurred such a furious desire. She didn't care to think on the difference further, she only wanted more and knew he was about to grant her wish.
He shifted again and the hot flesh of his hard cock brushed against her cleft. A shudder passed over her, her legs growing soft as jelly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tightening in his hair, and responded eagerly to his kiss, her tongue tangling with his in the only way she could communicate.
A gruff laugh vibrated through him and he pulled away, licking his lips. Another sigh escaped her, this one of disappointment.
"You are quite… eager."
The harsh sound of his heavy breath revealed he was in much the same state as she. The hunger grew, until it was all she could focus on. As if her entire being had become desire only, and lived only to share it with him.
"You have done this to me." Her attempt at playfulness failed when her voice cracked. Hradi grinned, his chuckle surrounding her.
"I think the gods have done this to both of us."
She had no chance to answer, his mouth once more devouring hers. He bent and scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed, spreading her out atop the furs. All the while he kissed and teased and tasted, his lips and tongue sending her into a frenzy. Her fingers tightened on his shoulders and glided down his arms. The need to touch him, to feel his skin quivering and shifting beneath her hands, overpowered all else. No wonder all the other girls were always so happy when they arrived in a new town. Katrin didn't care about anything but the promised delight she instinctively knew awaited. Her sex was hot and wet, and quivering in that odd but temptingly tantalizing way.
Hradi lifted his head and her eyes fluttered open to meet his. He brushed a stray hair from her face and traced a finger around her swollen lips. The touch left her feeling like she'd stood in a summer's rainstorm, Odin's lightning crashing around her. Rising up on his knees, he reached for her hands, lifting them and placing them upon the wooden slats of the headboard. Curling her fingers around them, he leaned back.
"I want you to stay like that."
Confusion slowed the rapid rise of heat. "What do you mean?"
"I want you to hold on and not let go."
She couldn't touch him? "But I want to –"
"I know. But not yet." He hesitated and the darkening of his eyes set off an exhilarating wariness. "If I must, I will bind you."
"No!" Would he dare carry out his threat? The idea frightened her, yet at the same time, her breath quickened. Why should he do so, when she was willing? Why did the very idea spark a wicked lust? Where had these devilish imaginings come from?
"Then obey." Leaning down, he pressed a quick, soft kiss to her lips. He drew back and winked. "And enjoy."
