“One more bite,” he said softly, “And then I’ll let you enjoy the sights.”
I nodded, feeling almost mesmerized. In that tone, he could instruct me to do pretty much anything, and I’d gladly comply.
“Open up,” Pharis said, and yet another shiver went through me, tickling my back and lifting all the fine hairs on my arms.
And then something sweet came into contact with my tongue. It had a solid texture that turned creamy and melted as I chewed.
Chocolate. I’d first tasted it in Stellon’s suite. This chocolate was even finer somehow than the royal chef’s. Or maybe it had been too long since I’d tasted some.
“Mmmmmmmm,” I hummed, and a smile of pure bliss spread across my face. “That was sooooo good.”
Licking my lips, I asked, “Can I have more?”
There was a sharp intake of breath. And silence.
“Pharis?”
I started to reach for my blindfold to lower it to see what was going on, but Pharis pushed my hands down and grabbed my face, his big hands cradling my jaw.
For a second I could feel the heat of his breath against my mouth.
Then his lips were on mine, hot and soft, and more delicious than any of the delicacies he’d fed me.
Heat blasted through me, as if a bonfire had been lit while I was standing far too close. My mind was spinning almost as fast as the sensations racing through my body.
Pharis was kissing me. And I was loving it.
The exciting feelings from our sparring match rushed back, and new ones were added to them with every maddening sweep of his tongue.
All of it together was creating a throbbing demand in me—to get closer to him, as close as I could manage to get.
Reaching for him, I caressed his face then slipped my hands into his thick hair. It was cool on the surface but enticingly warm underneath.
With an urgent, growling sound, Pharis wrapped his arms around me so tightly I thought he might crush me,
And then suddenly, he was gone.
His mouth, his arms, his glorious scent and body heat. All gone.
I yanked down on the blindfold, blinking at the sudden onslaught of sunlight.
Pharis stood with his back to me, facing the waterfall. His shoulders were heaving with his heavy breaths.
Scrambling to my feet, I went to him and touched his arm. He jumped as if he’d been struck by lightning.
“What happened?” I asked.
Keeping his eyes on the rushing water, he wore a grimace. “I’m sorry. I… forgot myself for a moment. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I disagreed, but Pharis was clearly unhappy.
“Why did you?” I asked in a small voice.
Now he looked at me, but then his gaze fled again, avoiding mine as he answered.
“It’s been a… long time since I’ve… had wine. Or kissed someone.”
Neither of us had consumed enough wine to serve as a believable excuse. But he seemed to be looking for one.
