“I admireyou. And you should know by now that I’ll never stop.”
Her laughter trickled through me like the first rain after a drought. It settled something within me. She didn’t realize the power she held over me. Or maybe she did, and that madeherdangerous in the most intoxicating way.
“Close your eyes. I'm going to change.”
I slid off the bed and turned to face the window, trying not to notice her muted reflection in the glassy surface.
“No peeking.”
“You wound me, Wildfire. When have I ever tried to peek?”
“Don’t make me start keeping a list.”
The sound of fabric rustling filled the silence. I caught her tossing her nightgown onto the bed out of the corner of my eye, and I stopped breathing. By the fates. She was naked behind me. It wasn’t enough to know it; I wanted to see every bare part of her. What I wouldn’t give for her to turn to me on her own, no longer mourning.
Yet she deserved more than a man who could not offer her a complete person. That was why I’d never pushed her for everything.
More rustling told me she was tugging the dress over her head.
She cleared her throat. “You can turn now.”
I pivoted quickly, too quickly, and my breath left me in a rush. She stood with her back to me, the gown mostly in place, open in the back to reveal soft skin that gleamed in the pale morning light.
“Would you fasten me?” she asked over her shoulder.
The curve of her spine was both sensual and vulnerable. A feral, possessiveness streak shot through me. My hands twitched with the need to touch her, and I crossed to her without a word.
I skimmed my fingertips along the exposed line of her spine, and when her breath caught, I fell apart. The fastening of every button deserved its own kiss, my lips grazing up her back with each press of my fingers. Every shiver she released sparked firebeneath my skin. I buttoned the last with aching slowness, adding a kiss to the nape of her neck.
I turned her to face me, my body begging me to pull her close. Instead, I cupped her jaw and kissed her mouth. She tilted into me, and time folded in on itself.
It was all I could do to not pull her down onto the bed, to show her how thoroughly she owned every piece of my soul. But she wasn’t ready, and I would never rush her. She’d been hurt, and parts of her heart belonged to the man who came before. Loving her, truly loving her, meant loving all of her, even the parts still tied to ghosts.
I broke the kiss, resting my forehead against hers. I didn't—couldn't—speak. If I did, the words would shatter under the weight of what I felt for this woman alone.
“You look perfect.” My statement was both everything and woefully insufficient.
Her lips curved. “You look perfect too.”
This woman…
I’d surrender every piece of myself if it meant claiming even a fraction of her heart.
30
Reyla
“Ah, yes, well.” Lord Briscalar looked from me to Merrick exiting my room close behind me with his hand resting on my lower back. My body still quivered from Merrick’s kisses, and I was tempted to send the lord away and drag my husband back to my bedroom. “Nice to see you both this morning, my king.” The lord’s smile grew. “My queen. A delightful day, don’t you think?”
“Delightful,” I echoed. He must think we’d spent the night together, working on that baby I was supposed to be carrying soon.
“Briscalar.” Humor burst through Merrick’s voice. His hand slid up and down my spine, reminding me of him planting kisses as he secured each button, and a shiver bolted through me.
I likedit. Liked him.
Loved him, actually.AndLorant which was the most bizarre thing about all this.
“I took the liberty of ordering plenty of food, plus extra tea and a few treats for myself as well. I do hope you don’t mind if I join you while we talk. And I sent all your ladies-in-waiting outside with Farris.” Lord Briscalar waved to the table he’d set with a vase full of bright flowers and a lacy cloth beneath an array of silver-covered dishes. “I’ve spoken with Talvon, and he shared…” His face tightened. “Please sit.”
