“You cannot be serious.”
His coat dropped on the ground, and he shed his tunic underneath.At the sight of his bare chest, I was suddenly quite thankful for the moonlight.He kicked off his boots and reached for his waistband.“Join me?”he asked.
I didn’t feel quite so cold any longer.In fact, I felt rather heated.“You are mad,” I murmured as he dropped his trousers.Before I could reach for him, he turned and headed for the water.I stared at his bare arse for a long moment, then unfastened my own belt.I really was not sane.The air was cold, and the water would be even colder.
Taio splashed into the waves and let out a war cry.I flinched at the noise but hurried to shed my own clothing.If I had to brave the freezing water to have Taio’s naked body against mine, I’d do it.Naked myself, I raced to the water and took a fortifying breath before splashing into the waves.I almost turned back around, but Taio emerged from the water, picked me up, and carried me deeper.As soon as the water touched my bottom, I inhaled sharply.But the water wasn’t as bracingly cold as I’d expected.It wasn’t warm by any means, but it wasn’t so cold I felt as though needles were stabbing my flesh.
“It’s not so bad,” I said, relaxing in his arms.We moved deeper and the water sluiced over me.
“This lake is fed by two sources,” he said.“Melting snow from the mountains and hot springs.This time of year, when the snow is falling in the mountains, the water is actually warmer than usual.In Zleyval, some mornings during the cold season, we see steam on the lake.”
This side of the lake was definitely not warm enough for steam, but the mild water combined with the heat of Taio’s body was enticing.I wrapped my arms about his neck and slid down his body.I could touch the bottom of the lake if I stood on tiptoe, while the water was only up to Taio’s shoulders.I held on to those shoulders and peered over them, catching sight of the campfire.The figures around it were small and seemed far away.Taio lifted a hand from the water.“What are you holding?”
“The last of the soap,” he said.“Shall I wash you?”
I nodded, and he rubbed both hands together until he had created a lather.He allowed the soap to float between us as he glided his hands down my back and over my buttocks.My legs were wrapped around his middle, and he grabbed the soap and created more lather before he returned to rub his fingers along my thighs down to my calves and feet.“Your turn,” I said, reaching for the soap, but he caught it before I could.
“I’m not done.Lean back.”He gave me a slight push to show me what he wanted, and I released his shoulders, adjusted my legs, and floated on my back in the water.Taio started at my shoulders and spread slippery soap down over my breasts then my belly and finally between my legs.I moaned, and his fingers slipped away.He caressed my inner thighs then worked his way up to the juncture between my legs again.“I cannot wait to get you home and in my bed,” he said, his voice low and filled with need.My breath caught as he guided a finger inside me, his thumb moving to circle the small nub now throbbing for him.“I’ll spread your hair on the pillow,” he said as he stroked me, “and kiss every inch of your golden body until I know exactly where my touch drives you mad.”
“I think you know that already,” I gasped as his thumb scraped lightly against my center, bringing me closer to climax.
“I imagine there are other places.”His free hand touched my neck, my hard nipple, and the inside of my elbow.Everywhere his hands touched me left little trails of fire in their wake.I didn’t even remember having been cold any longer.Now I was hot, so hot.
I raised my head to look at him.His muscles flexed as his fingers pleasured me.His gaze met mine, and his lips curved into a smile.The soap floated nearby, and I caught it and rubbed it between my hands.“Your turn.”
I locked my feet around his back and floated closer to him, then ran my hands over his broad shoulders, savoring the feel of his muscles.I spread lather on the tattoos at his neck and the lion on his shoulder.I moved my body closer to his, and his arms came around my waist, pulling me against his erection.I spread soap down his back and around to his belly, pulling away slightly to reach between us.Taio tried to bring me closer, but I sent a soapy hand down to slide over his hard cock.
“Mara.”His voice was hard and might have sent warning bells through me if I didn’t know that tone.He wanted me, and he was losing his patience.Taio’s hand slipped to my bottom, stroking it and positioning me so his cock prodded at my entrance.He nipped at my neck.“I want to be inside you.”
“Yes,” I said, arching back to give him better access to the tender spot he’d found.
“Take me in,” he ordered.
I opened my eyes and looked at him.“Yes, my lord.”I tightened my legs on his back and pushed down slightly, taking an inch of him inside.We both groaned quietly.Taio’s hands on my buttocks tensed and then spread me so I was open to him.
“More,” he said.He kissed me, slowly, as I bore down, taking more of him.His tongue dipped inside my mouth as his cock slid inside me.I tightened around him, already feeling my climax start to build.He growled and slid slowly out then back in again, just to where I’d allowed him.The movement heightened my pleasure, and I made a small sound of anticipation.
“More,” he demanded, and I couldn’t tease him or myself any longer.I pushed down and took him fully, gasping as he filled me to the hilt.We bobbed in the water, joined and panting, for a moment before he moved his hips.His hands on my bottom released me so I was tight around him, and every movement inside of me sent tendrils of pleasure down my legs, up my belly, and into my heavy breasts.I rubbed my nipples on his chest, trying to quell the way they ached, and the movement increased the friction between us.I rolled my hips, matching his measured thrusts.We both groaned, Taio’s mouth against mine, his eyes closed.We moved together again and again and then he opened his eyes.“My body for yours.My life for yours.”
“Yes,” I whispered as the pleasure crescendoed, and my vision went white with ecstasy.He thrust into me harder then, increasing my pleasure, and then lowered his head to bite my shoulder softly.I wasn’t aware of anything but the feel of him, the scent of him, the taste of him.That was all I needed in that moment and—dare I even think it?—forever.
