Rather, I felt powerful. And that power mingled with unchecked desire as he met my violet and gold eyes in our reflection.
Every nerve hummed in anticipation as he handled the crown. Deft fingers tugged hairs away from the metal, each gentle pull sending pleasant prickles across my scalp. He took longer than he needed to, long enough for me to imagine what those fingers might feel like ghosting over my skin.
When he reached past me to place the crown on the bureau, our gazes collided again. His hands reached for my shoulders.
Then they dropped. “You’ve had a long night.”
I was inexperienced, but not so much that I couldn’t tell how forced his statement was, or how his intense expression spoke a very different message from his mouth.
I turned to face him.
His jaw ticked as he rasped, “I still need to explain about Jonathan.”
“You do,” I agreed. But it didn’t need to be now.
We stared at each other, long enough for his pupils to expand.
I don’t know who moved first.
Our mouths clashed together, my back arching as he hauled me against him. I gripped his chest as his tongue pushed past my lips. There was no easing in, no cautious seeking. It was a claiming, my body trapped in his arms, my mouth—my entire being—at his mercy as his tongue explored and sensation stole my breath.
He stepped forward, and the hard wood of the bureau met my lower back. A sound reverberated deep in his throat. I swallowed it. Reveled in it. Groaned as one of his hands slid to the nape of my neck, holding me there.
He bit my lip, holding it between his teeth for a second, and my belly jolted. Then it turned molten when he soothed the spot with his tongue and skated his mouth across my cheek to my ear. A sharp nip. Then he laved over that too, before coasting down my neck. My lower belly throbbed as I waited for him to do it again, for another small sting to ratchet me higher.
Without warning, he pulled back. “If this doesn’t end now, it won’t end at all.” Crimson colored the tops of his cheekbones as heavy breaths flared his nostrils.
He was losing control. Because of me.
And Ilovedit.
“I don’t want this to end,” I breathed.
I went to lean forward, but he tightened his grip on my nape, holding me apart from him. “I hurt you once. I won’t allow myself to do it again.”
That reminder did nothing to cool the desire heating my veins. He’d betrayed me. I’d betrayed him. It was in the past. Whether or not it was prudent, I didn’t care anymore.
“Unless you have plans to harm Merelda, you cannot be hiding anything that would hurt me.” A reckless, confident statement. One driven by a need that was becoming painful.
His expression turned grave. “I would never harm her. This is not about secrets. This is about who I am and the night you’ve had.”
“Merelda is here. This is a wonderful night.”Now kiss me again.
A slight shake of his head. “Too many things have been thrown at you tonight. You’re vulnerable. Not thinking clearly. I won’t take advantage.”
For Domus’ sake.“You haven’t coddled me before. Don’t start now.”
He didn’t argue back. Just considered me, his fingers digging into my skin.
I bit my lip, bringing his attention back to where I wanted it.
“I do not deserve this,” he murmured. Then he lost whatever battle he’d been waging in his head.
His mouth landed on mine again, and he pressed his advantage, his grip on my neck all that kept me from bending too far under his force.
“Up.” He grabbed my hips, and I obeyed, wrapping my legs around him. Something thick and hard brushed against my center as he moved.
Maybe it should have scared me, but that throbbing only intensified.
