Wonder crept into her voice, bright and young and so damned beautiful it made his chest ache. “Erik, I’m actually floatin’!”
“Aye, ye are.” He couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his mouth.
Then she turned her head to look at him, and the movement shifted her body in the water. His hand on her back slipped lower. The one cradling her head tangled in her hair.
They both went very still.
The water lapped warm against Claricia’s skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat building everywhere Erik touched her. His hand pressed against her lower back, fingers splayed wide. The other cupped the base of her skull, tilting her head so she had no choice but to meet his eyes.
Those storm-gray eyes that had gone dark and hungry. “Claricia.”
“Aye?”
“I’m tryin’ very hard tae be a gentleman about this.” His thumb traced the edge of her jaw, and she felt that small touch everywhere. “But if ye keep lookin’ at me like that…”
“Like what?” The words came out breathless.
“Like ye want me tae kiss ye.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Like ye want me tae dae more than kiss ye.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs hard enough to hurt. “And what if I dae?”
The sound he made was somewhere between a growl and a groan. His hand tightened at her waist, pulling her closer. “I’m at the end of me rope here.”
“Erik.” She reached up, letting her fingers trail along the hard line of his jaw. Felt the muscle jump beneath her touch. “I’m ready.”
“Ye’re sure?” His voice had gone rough as gravel. “Because once I start, little bird, I’m nae sure I can stop.”
“Och, will ye stop blabberin’ and just?—”
His mouth claimed hers with a hunger that stole what little breath she had left. But this time, there was nothing gentle about the way his tongue swept past her lips, tasting her like he was starving for it.
Claricia’s arms came up around his neck, fingers tangling in his wet hair as she kissed him back with everything she’d been holding in. All the want and confusion and terrifying, impossible feelings she’d been trying to deny.
He lifted her effortlessly—one arm banding around her waist, the other sliding under her thighs until she was wrapped around him, every inch of her pressed against every inch of him with nothing but hot water between them. The hardness of him pressed against her belly, the realization sending a shock of heat straight through her core.
“Need ye…” Erik bit out against her mouth, then dragged his lips down her throat. “Somewhere tae… lay ye down proper…”
“I dinnae care where —”
“Then against the rocks.” His teeth grazed her pulse point, and she made a sound she’d never heard herself make before. “Just need ye under me. Need tae feel ye wrapped around me.”
She should say no. Should tell him to wait until they were back at the keep, in their chamber, somewhere proper and planned. But instead, she heard herself whisper, “Aye.”
Erik moved fast, lifting her, turning them until her back was against the smooth rock at the spring’s edge. The stone was warm from the water but solid, grounding her even as everything else spun out of control. He braced one arm above her head, the other hand sliding down to grip her hip as he kissed her again.
“Tell me if ye want tae stop,” he murmured against her lips. “Any time. Fer any reason.”
Her hands explored the broad expanse of his shoulders, the hard ridges of muscle across his chest. “I want… I wantye.”
“Thor’s bones, lass.” His forehead dropped to hers, and she felt him trembling with the effort of holding back. “Ye’ve nay idea what ye dae tae me.”
“Then show me.”
His hand slid lower, fingers trailing down her stomach and making her gasp. When he touched her between her thighs—gentle, teasing—she nearly came apart.
“Ye’re so soft here,” he breathed, his accent thickening as he stroked her. “So warm… och, lass, ye’re perfect.”
She couldn’t form words anymore. Could only hold onto him as he did something with his fingers that made stars burst behind her eyelids.
