Dietan gazes at me so intently, I have to look away for fear of melting.
I’m not wearing a stitch of clothing, and I reach for the sheet to cover myself, but he stops me. “I want to see you,” he says, his eyes hungry.
“Well, fair is fair,” I say, blood roaring in my ears and heating my face as I sit up and reach for the buttons of his shirt. My nimble fingers undo the buttons one-by-one, until his shirt flutters away from his torso, revealing several bandages. I reach out and run light fingers over the healing wounds. They’re now a reminder of what he did to protect me.
I glide my hands down to his trousers. Like me, he’s not wearing any smallclothes, and there’s nothing small about this man. But I knew that already. I blush at my boldness, then smile. Of course, I took charge. I’ve never been one to just lie back and let things happen to me. Not in life, and evidently, not in the bedroom, either.
I unbutton his fly, and his trousers drop to his knees. Dietan, scars and all, is now completely vulnerable in front of me, as I am before him.
Iwantthis man. I burn as my eyes roam his body. His broad chest, corded muscles, the fine golden hair leading to where it’s apparent he wants me.
Then he pushes me back onto the bed. He lays beside me so I can feel the entire length of his body against mine, nothing between us. He groans at the contact, and I close my eyes, enjoying the feel of him. He’s so warm, and his heart is beating as fast as mine.
I think he’s going to kiss me again, but then he turns and hovers over me on his hands and knees, kissing a trail from my neck all the way down my stomach. Each kiss more stirring than the next.
He reaches my core, and with a gasp, I rise up onto my elbows to watch as he kisses that most tender part of me. His eyes meet mine, and I groan, flopping back in the bed. Never has anything felt this good. Never. He flutters his tongue across me, and I arch my back and shudder. His strokes are gentle, almost careful, but I want more.
“More?” he murmurs. “Did you say more?”
“Mmhhmm,” I say, not realizing I spoke out loud, but now I can’t even form words, because what he’s doing with his mouth and tongue feels so good. No more tentative touches. He flicks his tongue as he sucks my sensitive bud between his perfect lips. But still, I want more—Ineedmore. I squirm underneath him, something cresting, something hot and just out of reach.
Just when I’m sure I’ll go out of my mind chasing a feeling I can’t name, that remains stubbornly out of reach, Dietan slips a finger inside me. The added pressure on top of the exploration of his lips and tongue draw me closer to the elusivesomething. Like storm clouds darkening the horizon, the feeling bears down on me, relentless and inevitable. Just when I think the heavens might open, drowning me in sensation, Dietan…stops.
He rises up on his knees and looks down at me, poised at the juncture of my thighs. He’s flushed, his face intent and eager. But now he’s hesitant, a shadow of doubt flickering behind his eyes.
I grab his hand, lacing my fingers with his. “Dietan, please. I want this. I wantyou.”
“As my lady commands.” There’s no sarcasm in his words this time. Only tenderness.
I squeeze his fingers, as we so often do, as my hips move under him of their own accord.
He takes a trembling breath, all desire again. “I’ll go slow,” he says.
“I know you won’t hurt me.” I beam up at him because I know that this time, it’s true.
He hovers over me and uses his free hand to guide his tip against my entrance. I breathe heavily with anticipation as he barely pushes inside of me. He stops for a moment, and my heart is beating like a bird trapped in a cage.
“Are you okay?” he asks, meaning it in more ways than one. “I can stop.”
I nod my head. I don’t really knowwhatI want, but I know it’smore.
He pushes deeper, stretching me.
That.I wantthat.
“Yes,” I plead, my voice almost a growl.
He grins, pushing in almost to the hilt. He withdraws slightly and then surges forward again, deeper this time. Goddess, he’s huge. “All good?”
“Harvest mother, yes. I want you.” I don’t mean for the words to come out as a challenge, but they ignite a fire in Dietan’s eyes.
He pulls out almost completely before thrusting all the way back in, and the feeling of fullness takes my breath away. Then he covers my mouth with his, kissing me as he sets a rhythm that makes my toes curl. I plant my feet on the mattress and tilt my pelvis to meet his thrusts, and he groans, increasing his pace to match my movements.
“Gods, Aren,” he rasps. “You’re going to kill me.”
“Already tried,” I say, gasping for air. “Failed.”
Then he pushes up on straight arms, changing the angle of his body just enough to create friction on that most sensitive part of me where our bodies rub together.
