A laugh burst out of Eva. "Tell me you did not just say that."
His fingers tangled in her hair. One thumb stroked the rim of ear in a soft caress that made her eyes flutter.
"I love your laugh." He nuzzled her neck, placing a small kiss there. "I'd do just about anything to hear it."
"Is that why you were gone when I got back?" She smiled up at the ceiling. "I was expecting to find you waiting, but you were nowhere to be seen. Maybe if you'd been a little less elusive, we could have put that hardness to use."
Eva couldn't hold in her snicker. In retaliation Caden nipped her collarbone, the quick pain causing her to jump and let out a sound embarrassingly close to a screech.
"Careful,alea na.There are consequences to your actions," he advised her in a husky voice.
Eva slid a foot along his calf and lifted her eyebrows at him. "Maybe I wouldn't mind those consequences."
Taunting a beast was a delicate and dangerous operation, yet all the more rewarding because of it.
And right now, Caden was more like a beast than a man. It was in the intense way he watched her. The almost predatory line of his body where he hovered over hers. His utter stillness, as if a single move on his or her part would break the rigid control he was exerting over himself.
Suddenly the few scraps of clothing separating her body from his felt constricting and tight.
Arousal rose.
For a brief moment, Eva wished she could see his face. Watch as passion overtook him.
It was a powerful thing destroying the control of a man like Caden. A warrior who could end her with a flick of his hand.
It was a little terrifying to be the focus of someone like that. Not to mention thrilling.
Not taking her eyes off his, Eva lifted her hands. Caden didn't move, holding himself effortlessly above her, as she smoothed them down his chest until she met the edge of his shirt.
Caden quivered, his stomach flexing as she explored. The warmth of his skin seeped into her hands. Her fingers touched the band of his pants, drawing a guttural sound out of Caden as she investigated the sensitive skin there.
His fingers curled into claws, clutching the blankets at her shoulders.
Excitement unfurled as Caden's breathing grew harsh.
In reward for his control, Eva leaned up, pressing a kiss against his chin as she dipped one finger below his waist band to tease the skin below.
"You play with fire,alea na," Caden said in a deep voice that rasped against Eva's ears.
Eva didn't fight her shiver, already anticipating the coming storm.
"You speak like that's a bad thing." Eva's fingers brushed against heated, velvet warmth. She gripped Caden, luxuriating as his soft breaths tickled her neck. "It would be better to burn in the blaze with you than remain safely in the cold alone."
Caden's head jerked as his eyes came to hers. Vulnerability peeking through the passion. An emotion she shared.
"You are my heart's breath," he told her, his tone carrying the hushed reverence of a vow.
Warm lips met hers. Unexpectedly soft for such a hard man. They moved over hers, first feather light.
Caden and Eva parted, their breath mingling.
"Fuck it." Caden's next kiss was hard and fast. Searing in its intensity.
He collapsed his lower body against hers, pressing his thick hardness to her center. Eva's pulse thumped as warmth pooled.
Caden's lips left hers to sear a path along her jawline and down the side of her throat. Needy sounds left Eva as she struggled to press herself closer.
A part of her felt like she might burst into flames from frustration if she didn't satisfy the itch inside. The craving burning ever brighter with each touch.
