“Thank the goddess.” All at once, he thrust into her. He hadn’t given her everything before, not even close. And although it didn’t hurt, it made her gasp. The fullness, the depth. He was everywhere, and her flesh reveled in it.
He began to move over her, in her, until she felt that now-familiar building again.
“Please,” she whispered. She hadn’t meant to say the word. Hadn’t meant to beg. But the feeling was so intense, so intimate, it spilled from her lips like a prayer.
And he was there for her, hooking her knee over his shoulder and driving in deeper. When the light filled her this time, it seemed to come from a deeper place. She had to bite her wrist to keep from screaming. And when he tensed over her and she realized he was experiencing his own magic, the sight of his face in the throes of ecstasy fed her own.
It was a long time before it seemed she could breathe again. Longer still until he rolled off her and dragged her against his chest, covering them both with the thin blanket.
“Another taste,” he whispered in her ear. “Was it what you expected?”
She shook her head. How could she explain what she was feeling? “I didn’t know you could get to heaven by joining bodies.”
His voice was serious when he responded. “Neither did I.”
“But you have done this before.”
“I’ve had sex before. I’ve never done this before.”
For some reason, that made her heart glow. “I wish things were different.”
He stiffened behind her. “Different how?”
Tears filled her eyes. “If I were a different person. If we’d met at a different time. If I hadn’t yet taken my—” She stopped. She’d been about to say if she hadn’t yet taken her oath and become a scribe. But did she mean it? If she’d met Colin before she’d devoted herself to the order, would she have chosen him over being a scribe?
A lump formed in her throat. There was no sense thinking about such things. “I should return to my room. I can barely keep my eyes open. I have to get back while everyone’s still asleep.”
He pulled her tighter against his chest and kissed her temple. “You said you wanted a taste, that you wanted everything.”
She laughed softly. “I think you gave me a full meal.”
“Not even close. The after-sex cuddling is an important part of the experience.” His breath was warm against her ear. “Sleep, Leena. I’ll wake you before dawn. Plenty of time to make it back to your room.”
She yawned and snuggled deeper into his embrace. She should go. It would be wiser if she returned to her chambers now and didn’t prolong the inevitable. Every minute she lived in this fantasy made it harder for her to return to the real world.
But in the end, she wasn’t strong enough. She wanted more of this, wanted to drink the night dry of its indulgences. She closed her eyes and drifted off in the protection of his embrace.
Chapter Twenty-One
For all intents and purposes, last night was a disaster for Colin. His dragon had fallen scales over talons for Leena. He’d given her everything and bound himself to her, and she’d made no such vow with him. She’d be the only woman for him now, ever. He’d condemned himself to a long and lonely life.
Still, he wouldn’t change a thing. A single night with her was worth any cost, including a lifetime alone. He watched her sleep as the hours passed. It never occurred to him to close his eyes and rest himself. Why would he? And willfully miss a second of this?
But alas, the hour came when he could wait no longer without putting her at risk. He’d promised her a taste and then to return her to her own life. It was time. She had to go, and he had to complete a mission. He had a war to lead.
“Leena,” he whispered in her ear.
She took a deep breath and smiled in her sleep.
“It’s time to wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and then her smile faded. “It’s time for me to go, isn’t it?”
He nodded.
Slowly she climbed out of bed, out of his arms, and pulled on her clothes. Only when she was fully dressed did she turn back to him. “Thank you for this.”
He inclined his head. She reached for the door.
