Elsy’s lips parted. The warmth flooding her cheeks as his gaze dipped lower to her lips, making her legs fidget with discomfort. She wanted him. It had been so long since she felt a man’s touch, since she felt Connell under her fingertips. She wanted him now, but she knew she couldn’t. Not when he was treating her this way.
Connell chuckled, his fingers stroking her chin. “Yer husband has hardly been in the ground, and already ye want me? Are ye really so forgetful, so quick to throw yerself at another man?”
Elsy scowled. “I do not know what ye speak of.”
“Ye lie,” Connell whispered, tugging her chin toward him.
Elsy pushed his fingers away, the warmth tingling within her lacing with anger. “And what about ye?” She looked him up and down, her gaze taking in his broad shoulders, his large arms, his strong chest. “Ye speak of me being forgetful, yet wasn’t it ye holding me close the entire ride here?” She leaned toward him, watching his eye widen in alarm, his cheeks flush. “I felt yer arousal digging into my back,” she breathed. “For someone who dislikes me so much for betraying ye so, marrying a man ye despise, ye still can’t seem to forget my touch.” She slid her hand up his arm, feeling him still under her palm. Her hand continued its path onto his shoulder, while her other stroked his chest. She cupped his face with both hands, his breath hitching as she stroked her fingers against his eyepatch. “Do ye deny yer affections for me?”
Connell’s lips curled into a bitter smile, yet he remained still, not moving away from her touch. “Affections?” he breathed. “All I feel for ye is lust.”
“Then why the gowns?” she asked, craning her neck toward him. “The food? The room?”
Connell scowled. “I’ve had enough of yer trickery.”
“Tis nae trick,” she whispered, her lips nearly brushing his. “Affections? Lust? Which is it, Connell? Which excuse will ye give me?”
Connell grabbed her waist, pulling her close as his lips slammed against hers. His tongue entered, stroking the fires within her. Elsy moaned, cupping his face, holding him to her. He tasted sweet, like wine on a sunny summer’s day. She couldn’t get enough of him. Her hands slid into his hair. She could feel the cords tying his eyepatch to him under her palm. Her fingers twitched, wanting to release the binds. Instead, she stroked her fingers through his hair, tugging it lightly. She moaned at his soft growl, his mouth sliding from hers to kiss a path down the length of her neck.
Elsy’s breath hitched as his teeth grazed against her skin. He sucked and kissed, his tongue tasting every inch of her. His hands moved to cup her bottom, pulling her closer to him. Her legs parted, a gasp escaping her lips as she felt his hard length pressing against her through her skirts.
“Elsy,” he murmured against her neck, making her knees wobble and her breath halt.
Elsy felt as if her head was swimming. Her body felt so hot. She wanted more of him. She wanted to feel him against her. Her knees buckled and she felt her body slowly crumbling to the floor. Connell followed her, cradling her head as he laid her onto the stone, his body covering every inch of hers. He moaned, claiming her lips once more, his body moving against her in waves, making the heat within her rise. She ground her hips against him, a whimper escaping her as he palmed her breasts. Elsy kissed him like she would drown without him, she kissed him as if his very being offered her life. And she hoped this meant her Connell had finally returned to her.
