“Not yet,” he murmured. “But if you want me to touch you, I will.”
Disappointment washed over her, but he moved her so that her entire body rested on top of him. He kept her back pressed to his chest, and he guided her hand between her legs. She felt shy about touching herself, but he ordered, “Put your fingers inside.”
She did, feeling the moisture coat her flesh. Then he adjusted her gown until it was gathered against her waist. Her bare bottom rested against him, and he fumbled with his leggings until she felt the velvet length of his shaft resting against her spine.
“Let me touch you,” she pleaded, but he kissed her neck.
“No. Another night, perhaps, but not yet. Keep your fingers where I told you to put them.” Then with his thumb, he began to stroke her. She nearly came off the bed as the sensations caught her. The thickness of her fingers inside, coupled with the arousing touch of his thumb and his other hand pinching her nipple gently, was too much. She hardly recognized her own voice, as she let out a cry. The arousal crested into a wave that made her thrust against him, and the rhythm was unbearably pleasurable. She felt herself buck against his hand, and he rewarded her by rubbing hard, until a ripple of wild release shuddered through her.
She convulsed against him, feeling utterly boneless as the release swept over her. He gentled his caresses, and her body quaked with aftershocks.
Somehow, she was aware that no other man could have conjured these feelings. He’d known exactly how to touch her, sensing what she needed before she even knew it herself.
But when she tried to touch him in return, he refused to allow it. Instead, he held her tightly against his body. “It’s too soon for this, Katarina. Sleep now.”
What did he mean by that? They were already bound in marriage. And although she tried to relax, sleep would not come. Her body was alive, energized by the rush of sensations he had conjured.
Had he denied her because he did not want to join with her? Or was it because he was afraid of her conceiving a child? The gods had brought him back to her, but for how long?
She was afraid to even imagine the answer.
