A nod. ‘Yes.’
She watched him work for a moment. ‘You know, it’s too late to shut me out now. I’m already here.’
He turned his head, the now lit fire reflecting in his liquid eyes. She felt the intensity of his stare in her stomach.
‘You ran through a battlefield and fought off a warrior you could never beat alone,’ he said. ‘All for the small chance that I would survive my injuries. That’s why you’re here.’
She let his words settle. ‘So it’s gratitude.’
‘It’s more than gratitude.’
She swallowed. ‘How much more?’
He ran a hand down his face. ‘You could have died that day.’
‘You would never let that happen.’
His eyebrows pinched. ‘You shouldn’t have that kind of faith in me. You should be smarter than that.’ He looked around the room. ‘I want you to promise me you’ll never be that reckless again.’
‘I can’t promise that.’
He made his way over to her on his knees and took hold of her face. ‘You’re infuriating.’
Her legs opened as though luring him closer of their own accord. ‘Are you going to kiss me again?’
‘Do you want me to kiss you again?’
‘Yes.’More than anything.She slid to the edge of the chair, but still he hesitated. ‘What’s the matter?’
He pushed her hair back, studying the small red scar along her hairline. ‘I can see your heart thudding through your dress. Are you scared?’
She shook her head. ‘That’s not fear.’
He lifted her from the chair and sank back on his heels, lowering her to his lap. ‘We need to be safe.’
She swallowed. ‘Haven’t you noticed the distinct lack of babies in the borough? Pregnancy is the least of our concerns right now.’
His brow was creased with concern. ‘Have you done this before?’
She shook her head. ‘But lucky for you, I’m a fast learner.’
A chuckle rose in his throat, and Blake was treated to a rare smile that turned her insides to water. She felt an urgency she had no idea how to articulate. ‘Are you going to kiss me now?’
Harlan brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. ‘Always so impatient.’
He brought his mouth to hers, and the sensation spread through her like warm honey. She wound her arms around his neck as heat travelled along her spine. She deepened the kiss, needing more of him. When she pressed her fingers into his skin, he pulled away and looked at her, his lips wet and breaths coming faster.
‘You tell me what you like, and you tell me when to stop,’ he said. ‘Understand?’
She saluted. ‘Yes, Commander.’ She took hold of his face and kissed him, hips tipping forwards, seeking warmth and sensation.
He brought a hand to her hip and ground her against him. She sucked in a breath, the fire inside her burning brighter.
‘I like that,’ she whispered into his mouth.
His other hand went to her other hip, and he did it again. She tipped her head back that time. Impatient for more, she sought the sensation for herself, rocking against him.
His mouth went to her neck. ‘Shit.’ He whispered the word against her skin.
