‘Yes,’ she managed.
14
He leaned closer and nipped her earlobe. The sharp bite resonated in her nipples, tightening her belly, creating a divine spark in her clitoris.
‘Then there must be ground rules. I will not risk going further than you want.’ His voice vibrated along the tiny hairs in her ear canal.
Oh my. Since when did rules become an aphrodisiac?
She inhaled through her nose, buying time. But it backfired. Her lungs were full of soap and spice, and her thoughts scattered. She pulled them back into order with extreme effort. Because he was right; rules were necessary to ensure she didn’t lose her head. Or her heart. And she would never risk that.
‘Rules. Yes. Good. Three, I think.’
He raised his brow. ‘Three? All right. The first?’
‘No penetration.’ She might be innocent, but she wasn’t an ignorant fool. She had no interest in one night of exploration ending in a lifetime of responsibility. Certain herbs could be brewed in such a way to discourage a man’s seed from taking root, but there was no method to completely guarantee a womanwould not conceive. She didn’t have access to her herbs and potions, but even if she had, she wouldn’t risk falling pregnant. A moment of madness was allowed, but not if it altered her life’s trajectory.
He gave a silent nod of acknowledgement. ‘The second?’
She hadn’t thought that far. He ran his nose up her neck to her temple, burying it in her hair.
His lips tickled her ear. ‘Think, little witch. What is the second rule?’
Not helping!
‘I… um… h-honesty.’
He pulled back, quirking his head. ‘What do you mean?’
This was more embarrassing than the first time she practised spells with Aunt Rowan and accidentally caught the kitchen curtains on fire. ‘If I do something wrong, you’ll tell me.’ She hated the idea of failing at this. She didn’t know what she was doing, so missteps were inevitable. But she would be damned if she didn’t learn. And get better.
Something melted in his eyes. ‘Impossible. Nothing you do between us could ever be wrong.’
She narrowed her gaze. ‘What if I singed your bollocks? Or accidentally incinerated your willy? Would that be wrong?’
He swallowed. ‘Point taken.’
‘Brilliant. I won’t have you pretending something is good if it isn’t. You’ll tell me if I do anything you don’t like.’
‘And you will tell me the same. Before you resort to blasting me with hellfire.’
‘Witchfire.’
His brows drew down in a question.
She couldn’t hold his gaze. ‘That is my gift. Witchfire.’
‘Ah. You truly are a wonder.’ He grazed his thumb over her lip, and she had an impulse to bite him. Taste the salt of his skin. ‘Allright. Honesty. And what is the third rule?’ His voice was burning brimstone.
‘If I tell you to stop…’
‘I will stop.’
She knew beyond a question he would hold true to his word. Which gave her enough courage to step into the unknown. ‘Then we have an accord. Tonight, I give you the reins, Grey.’
‘Thomas.’
No.
