Although I knew he was right, and that he was being the logical one here, something stirred deep within my gut, something that didn’t want rest, or sleep. Just him.
And answers.
The questions bubbled out of me. “That first rescue . . . from Bru?—”
Color climbed up his cheeks. The legendary General of Ralheim was blushing. “I was still fighting it then.” His voice was slightly hoarse. “But I was on edge the whole time you were gone. I couldn’t focus, and when I nearly stabbed Askel through . . .” He released a chuckle. “I knew I had to be nearby.I snuck back toward Bru and the moment I saw you there . . . tied to a pole . . .” He brushed his finger over my cheek. “I never planned to rescue you, but something else demanded I step in.”
I couldn’t stop the warmth that spread through my chest.
His hand ran down my arm. “I’ve been a rather poor general since the day I met you,” he confessed.
I didn’t know what to say; I had no idea how to handle a confession like that. So, I did the only thing I could think of. My lips found his neck, and I trailed kisses downward.
“Runa,” he breathed. “You’re going to be the death of me.” The second part was a groan, but he didn’t stop me, and my hand found his hardening member through his pants.
I didn’t know where this sudden braveness had come from, especially considering that I’d just recently had my first experience, but something about this felt so right in a way I was unable to put into words.
One of Otho’s arms remained under me, while the other came up to cup my breast through the thin shift I was wearing. Then his lips were on mine again.
Though our kisses remained heated, and his thumb rubbed delicate circles on my breast, it did not venture to where I really needed him, until finally, I took matters into my own hand, pulling the fingers that rested on my breast between my legs.
Maybe it was almost dying, or maybe it was the fact I had finally found my true weighted, but though I knew we should stop, that I probably needed rest more than I needed him, my body felt like it was on fire and he was the water I needed to put it out.
His hands moved deftly between my legs, applying light pressure.
“Runa,” he breathed again between kisses. “We really shouldn’t.”
“Why not?” I whispered in a voice I barely recognized as my own while continuing my ministrations through his pants.
“Because you’re still recovering.” His darkened eyes found mine, and what I saw in their depths made me shudder.
“I feel fine,” I lied.
And just like that, one of his fingers slipped into me and I found myself rocking onto the palm of his hand. I didn’t know why, but even though we were both still fully clothed, this was one of the most erotic things I’d ever experienced. Just me and the man who’d had my heart twisted in knots for the last season, lying together on a cot with our hands roaming each other for the first time. I felt validated at last.
He leaned his head down to take one of my nipples into his mouth through my shift. I found my hips thrusting against his hand harder. I don’t know what had come over my lower half, but I was already close to an orgasm.
“Otho.” It was a breathy chant, and I wasn’t sure he had even heard me until his gaze rose to meet mine.
“Say my name again.”
“Hm?” I hadn’t been paying attention in my lusty haze.
“I want to hear my name on your lips again.” He added a second finger as he said the last word, making it almost impossible for me to have any coherent thoughts.
But somehow, I knew what he needed. “Otho,” I cried as my body danced at the edge of pleasure.
“That’s my girl.” He groaned, pumping his fingers faster.
And just like that, I reached my peak, my eyes closing of their own accord as my internal muscles clenched around his fingers.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but next thing I knew, Otho was placing a small kiss on the side of my lips as he maneuvered me to stand from the cot.
“Wait.” My voice was hoarse again, my fingers twisting in the fabric of his shirt. “What about you?”
He let out a light chuckle. “Oh my sweet Runa, I’ve waited my whole life to meet you, an entire season to touch you; I can wait another few days to have all of you.”
His words caused my heart to flutter, and I could feel my body preparing for round two. “Come back?—”
