“This is addicting, I think…your taste”, he mumbled between kisses. “I am beginning to wonder if you are meant for me after all, Ashta. No, Iknowyou are meant for me.”
She was kissing him back, her body melting against his, the softness of her breasts pressing into his chest. By the gods, there was no way he would not have her this night. But not here. He would bring her to his chamber, where he could take his time and savor every moment; every inch of her flesh. With great effort, he pulled away. He was breathless and so was she.
“Come.”
He took her hand and she looked up into his eyes. Hers were dark and sparkling, and he knew she would not deny him. He knew, even then, that this night was going to be unlike any he had known before, and the very anticipation of it burned like fire and lightning in his veins.
Nessawatched as he lit the torch on the wall, shut the door, and turned to face her where she stood nervously in the middle of the room. Her hands trembled a little, so she clasped them together. Bridei had changed somehow. It was as if something that had been coiled tightly inside him had suddenly snapped. Raw energy rolled off him in palpable waves, and he was watching her the way a predator watches its prey. Had she thought she wanted this from him? Nessa was no longer certain she could even handle a man like this one. Surely she was no match for the sexual hunger and lust she saw in his eyes. She had only ever been with Nathan and two other men, all gentle and considerate lovers. Tame. Bridei must have had dozens of different lovers, if not more, and nothing about him looked gentle or tame at the moment. He looked as if he wanted to…consumeher.
He took a step towards her, and she took an unconscious step back. He was flooding her senses, and he hadn’t even touched her yet. Her heart raced. Her skin heated and tingled. Her breathing was fast and shallow, and she suddenly felt a little frightened. A kiss had been so…safe. And even that had left her reeling. And yet, at the same time, she wanted everything he would give her and more. And she wanted it badly.
Without taking his eyes off of her, he pulled his tunic over his head, dropping it onto the floor, exposing the powerful muscles of his chest. The beautiful patterns of black ink that covered his skin reminded her that this was not a docile, civilized man from her time, but a Warrior King who lived by his sword and was celebrated for his fierceness in battle.
“What…what are you doing?”
“I think you know.” He took another slow step forward, completely focused on her. “I’m going to claim you, Ashta, with my body. You are going to be mine.”
It was too much, too soon. Wasn’t it? Nessa’s mind was spinning. Only days ago he had kissed her and then walked away when she wanted him to stay. What had changed his mind? “But…you said you wouldn’t. You said…”
Another step. A tug to loosen his belt. Firmly spoken words. “I’ve reconsidered.”
“But why?” She shifted backward again. She couldn’t seem to stand her ground against him.
He stalked forward, and her retreat was far too slow. He reached her in several long strides, and his hands clasped the sides of her face, forcing her to look up at him.
“Have you not felt it? What is between us? Tell me you do not feel it too!”
“I feel it”, she whispered. “I do.” And if she had felt that pull when he was across the room, now it was a tidal wave, sweeping her up and dragging her under.
His grip tightened just a little with her admission. “I will not deny it any longer. Iburnfor you.”
Nessa stared up at him, her heart pounding and her legs quivering. If she did this, another piece of her would fall to him forever. And then, if, or when, he walked away, satisfied with his conquest…where would she be? Heartbroken? Watching him with longing like so many other women she had seen?
She backed away from his grasp. “I…I don’t know how I feel. I don’t know if I...”
His chin took on a stubborn tilt. “If there is something I want, nothing can stand in my way. I wantyou.”
“I…I’m not some fortress to be conquered, Bridei.”
He reached out and traced her full bottom lip with his finger. “Then let me gently persuade you.”
“I…”
The finger breached her lips, sliding over the tip of her tongue. Without thinking, she closed her mouth around it. Bridei sucked in a harsh breath, his eyes closing for a moment.
“I want to be inside you. I want you to surrender to me. To whatever power brought us together, here, tonight, against all odds. By some miracle.” His voice was rough with need. “Don’t you see? There is no going back now.”
He drew his finger from her mouth, tracing it slowly down her chin before reaching for the hem of the tunic she wore. He lifted it slowly, revealing her naked flesh bit by bit. Nessa began to tremble. She couldn’t seem to move. Was this really happening? How far would she let it go? Her body was screaming“All the way!”
“Bridei, wait…” But her protest was only half-hearted. She wanted him like she wanted her next breath. Maybe more.
He pulled the tunic over her head and dropped it to the floor, leaving her naked before him. His lips parted as his hungry gaze raked over her.
He shook his head. “I cannot. I amstarvingfor you.”
He pulled her into his arms then, and kissed her. Tenderly for a fleeting moment, then harder and deeper, and as he did, he moved her slowly towards the bed, until the back of her legs hit the edge of the mattress.
He pushed her gently down onto it, following her with the solid weight of his body. As lost as she was in his kiss, the intensity of what she was feeling frightened her. Her heart felt as if it would pound out of her chest. Her body no longer seemed to be her own as her hips rose to meet him and an aching need gripped her like an iron vice. His cock brushed against her opening and a wave of desire washed over her, almost dragging her under. She pushed half-heartedly at his chest.
