“Protection?” he whispers. “I’ve taken nothing. I assumed there wouldn’t be reason.”
I nod once more. I drink a tonic of birthbane every full moon, as do many villagers of a certain age, people of all stripes. The last thing I need in my life right now is a child.
With a look of relief, Alexus brings his mouth down and touches his lips to mine. At first, his kiss is gentle and attentive, but soon it becomes wholly penetrating, his tongue stroking mine with fluid grace and startling precision. He takes his time, mapping out every curve like he’s committing this moment—and me—to memory.
There’s a pause, a split second when I feel him smile, and I sense overwhelming joy radiating from his being. I smile, too, and shift my hips against him as I run my hands up his back, craving his naked skin on mine.
He groans and deepens the kiss, sliding his hands into my hair, holding me in place. His grip is gentle but firm as he claims me with his lips, his skillful tongue granting assurance of what’s to come.
Gods, I feel so much in this kiss. It’s exhilarating and makes my knees weak, but at the same time, there’s so much affection and care in this man, in the way he kisses and touches, so much promise that the woman who will leave this room will not be the same woman who entered.
His need for me presses firm against my stomach, thick and rigid. Unable to wait another second, I trace my hands beneath his tunic and break our kiss long enough to pull the garment and key over his head, discarding them on the rugs.
The starburst that marred his chest days ago has already faded. Even if it remained, his scarred, ancient body would still be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen—so sculpted and powerful. I couldn’t look away if the sun fell from the sky.
I dance my fingertips along every bronzed curve, cut, and rune, exploring not only with my hands but also with my mouth.
His nipples harden when I flick my tongue over them, butwhen I kiss the skin beneath the new rune on his chest, he moans and rakes his fingers roughly through my hair, holding on as though he might float away if I stop.
He slips his hand down and twists the sash at my waist, giving it a tug. “Off.”
A breath catches in my throat, and I nod my permission. In a beat of my pounding heart, the robe lies in a blue velvet pool at my feet.
Alexus kicks off his boots and peels off his leathers, leaving him standing on the most beautiful long, strong legs I’ve ever seen, wearing nothing but a thin pair of braies that hide nothing of his desire.
He comes for me, kissing me, curving his warm hands around my ribs. A moment later, he cups my breasts, kneading, teasing, and caressing.
“You feel so right in my hands,” he whispers, kissing my mouth again before ducking his head low. Through the thin fabric of my shift, he drags his teeth achingly slow over my nipples, biting just hard enough to take my breath. With a delicate touch, I drag my fingernails down his back and draw him closer.
There is no love without fear.
I can’t call this love. Not yet. But I have to wonder if it could eventually become something extraordinary. I’ll never know if I let this night pass me by.
Something comes over me, the same something that guided me in the refuge. I give in and push Alexus toward the bed.
Eyes holding mine, he sits and pulls me onto his lap, his hands sliding up my thighs and underneath my gown, over my naked hips, gripping my ass, heating my flesh everywhere he touches.
I want more. I wanthim.
I want to finish what we started days ago.
Gathering my gown, I pull it over my head, baring my body to him. His eyes go dark as he takes me in, but then he lowers his mouth to my breast again, his tongue and teeth sending molten pleasure to my core. He trails his hand down my spine, over my hips, and lower, teasing me between my legs, readying me for him, making me throb as I push against his touch.
He stares up at me, a wicked little smile curling one corner of his mouth. “I was going to be gentle.”
I shake my head and sign his words back to him. The words he’d spoken at the stream.“Sometimes, a rough hand is best.”
Holding my gaze, he slips a finger inside me, pushing deep, making me gasp. Pulse pounding in my ears, I urge him down to the bed and bury my hands in all that dark hair, kissing him harder and hungrier than I’ve ever kissed anyone before. His touch remains, his skillful fingers brushing over me, tormenting.
I’ve never ached like this. Never felt like I might die from need. Never burned for another as I burn for him.
Nothing but his thin braies separates us, and already, the friction and pressure of his hard cock against me is intoxicating. Brazenly, I shift so I can slide my hand between us. I untie the laces of his braies and tug the fabric down, enough that I can clutch his erection in my hand. He touched me so perfectly in the wood. I’m only returning the favor.
“Gods, Raina. Yes.” With every stroke of thick length, my name is an ache given life, hanging from the edge of a ragged breath.
Alexus raises his hips. Together, we clumsily shove his braies down his thighs, and he kicks the garment aside. The action presses his cock against me—without any barrier.
I have to look at him. Gods’ death, he’s so hard, so perfect.
