She should have been embarrassed. Should have crossed her arms over herself, turned away. But the way he looked at her, like she was something precious, somethingwanted, held her frozen in place.
His head dipped, his lips grazing the sensitive skin just above the curve of her breast. She shuddered, her fingers clutching his shoulders, nails digging into his tunic.
His beard was rough against her skin, a tempting contrast to the softness of his mouth as it trailed lower, his tongue flicking out to tease her nipple through the thin linen.
A soft whimper escaped her, her back arching as she pressed herself closer.
His chuckle vibrated against her skin, smug and knowing, and she wanted to hate him for it. Wanted to shove him away, to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off his face. But then his teeth grazed her, just enough to sting, and her thoughts scattered, her body melting into his touch.
His hands explored, one sliding up to hold the back of her neck, the other gliding down, tracing the curve of her waist and hip before teasing at the hem of her skirt.
“Noah...”she said his name again, but it wasn’t a protest this time. It was a plea, broken and needy.
He answered by dropping to his knees. “Shhh… relax and let me make ye feel like a woman.”
The stone was cold beneath her bare legs as he pushed her skirts up, his hands rough and impatient.
The night air hit her thighs, but it was his breath she felt, hot and damp against the inside of her knee as he pressed a kiss there. Then another, higher. His fingers hooked into the lace of her undergarments, tugging them down just enough to bare her to him.
She should have been mortified. Should have squeezed her legs shut, covered herself. But the way he looked up at her, his eyes dark with hunger, his lips parted, it made her feel powerful.
Alluring.
His mouth was on the spot between her thighs before she could breathe again, his tongue flat and wide as it traced through her folds.
“Noah!” Her hands flew to his hair, fingers tangling in the dark strands as her knees threatened to buckle.
“Oh, Ava. I could do things to ye that will make ye forget me name.” This was followed by a low groan against her. The vibration caused her hips to jerk. His hands gripped her thighs, holding her steady as his tongue went deeper, circling her clit with maddening precision.
“Please...”The word tore from her, raw and desperate.
She was trembling, her body coiled so tight she thought she might shatter.
His chuckle was a dark, wicked thing, his breath hot against her wet flesh before his lips sealed around her clit, sucking gently.
“Ye dannae ken what ye are doing tome right now. I could eat ye all day.”
Her vision whited out, stars blurring above her as pleasure crashed over her in waves.
She came with a broken cry, her body trembling, her fingers gripping his hair so tightly it must have hurt. But he didn’t pull away, his tongue soothing her through the aftershocks, his hands sliding up to her waist, grounding her.
When she finally sagged against the battlement, her breath coming in ragged gasps, he rose slowly, his lips glistening in the starlight.
“Have I proved it enough?”he murmured, his voice rough, his eyes never leaving hers.
She should have slapped him. Should have stormed off, furious at how easily he’d unraveled her. But she was too busy laughing, the sound shaky and disbelieving, her body still humming with the ghost of his touch.
He reached for her, his fingers deft as he helped her straighten her clothes, tying the laces with a gentleness that made her chest ache.
The night was still around them. The stars just as bright.
And when he reached for her again, she didn’t hesitate.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“This is nae helpin’!”
The morning had become gray and drizzling when Ava stopped pretending to read.
