His face was above hers, stark with arousal and determination. He continued to work his fingers inside her, her own slickness easing the way. He thrust deeply with sudden force, and the sharp slap of his palm against her mound reawakened her satiated nerves. He did it over and again until she was rocking her hips to meet his touch, panting his name.
Ecstasy rolled over her once more, deeper this third time, an endless, languorous wave.
“Christ, you’re bonny.” His voice was deep.
Through her euphoric haze, she noticed the sheen on his forehead, the tight lock of his jaw. Once she’d interpreted his control as a sign of a cold, unfeeling nature; now she wondered why such a hot-blooded man would so tightly leash his passions. Whatever the reason, she had a flash of insight into what his willpower cost him—and she wouldn’t stand for it.
He grew still when she reached up, brushing away a dark, tousled lock.
“What about you?” she said.
His eyes glittered. “What about me?”
“Don’t you want to... ?” Blushing, she couldn’t force out the word.
“Do you want me to come, sweet?”
She gave a shy nod.
His nostrils flared. He shifted onto his knees next to her, his hands going to the waistband of his trousers. His eyes never left hers as he lowered the flap. Her eyes widened as she took in his rampant manhood. His big, thick pole stood boldly erect, the engorged purple crown reaching several buttons up on his waistcoat. Her intimate muscles clenched as he slowly ran a fist from root to tip. As he stroked himself, the turgid shaft jerked with a life of its own, the veins pulsing along its length. At the base, his sac hung like a ripe, heavy plum.
“Have I shocked you, pet?” he said silkily.
Was she shocked? Yes. But even more so, she wascurious.
Feeling very bold, she said, “May I... touch it?”
His smile was slow, brimming with sensual promise. “No, this time you watch.”
She leveraged herself up on her elbows to get a better view. He handled himself firmly, the motion swift and strong, his bicep bulging beneath his jacket. Arousal sharpened his features, and within his grip, the rosy brown skin of his cock rippled over its rigid core. He was a study of control, of primal male power contained by equally potent self-discipline.
Watching him pleasure himself had a profound effect on her. Her nipples stiffened, her mouth watering at his magnificence. She wet her lips, and his gaze hungrily followed the path of her tongue. When he drew the skin back on his shaft, she watched, transfixed, as dew seeped from the slit in the exposed head. The fluid was swept up by his palm, and more leaked out, quickening his strokes. She could tell he liked the sensation from the way his jaw clenched, as if he were biting back a shout of pleasure.
He looked so powerful—and alone. A solitary, savage god. His loneliness, even in this, pulled at her heart.
“Come for me, Alaric,” she whispered. “Please.”
He jerked, his eyes blazing with pagan fire. “Feel me then. Feel my seed.”
An instant later, he exploded, his teeth gnashing. Her breath stuttered as droplets pelted her breasts, marking her with his heat, his scent so masculine and arousing. One pearly bead landed on her nipple and clung to the hardened tip, before sliding leisurely down the curve.
Heart pounding, she saw his gaze following that languorous trail.
“My God, Emma,” he said hoarsely.
Yanking her to him, he claimed her mouth with fierce possession.
Chapter Seventeen
Despite the fact that the velvet curtains had been drawn for privacy, Emma was cognizant of the four burly guards posted atop and at the rear perch of the moving conveyance. It felt surreal to be cocooned in the luxurious carriage with Alaric while the world and its dangers slipped by outside. He sat on the opposite bench, his long legs stretched in front of him, one broad shoulder propped against the wall. His pose was casual, yet the possessive heat in his gaze filled her with a strange, dozy warmth.
Her thoughts were utterly scrambled. She felt disoriented, confused... and, most perplexing of all, toorelaxedto care. For the first time in her adult life, all she wanted to do was take a nap.
“We have matters to settle, Emma,” he said.
At the glittering resolve in his eyes, some of her languidness faded.
“You gave yourself to me,” he said tonelessly, “and now we must discuss the consequences.”
