I lifted her chin so she would look me in the eye. “Then what is it?”
“You didn’t kiss me.” She shrugged. “I’d like to know what that’s like.”
My heart squeezed painfully.She wanted me to kiss her?
“You’ve never kissed a male before? I can hardly believe it.”
She cleared her throat nervously. “My parents, in particular my father, made sure everyone—including any interested suitors—knew that my kiss could result in their death.”
“Why?”
“My fangs. He told them they are venomous. But they’re not.” She frowned again, seeming to want to say more. “They’re gone now. See.”
She smiled brightly, revealing a row of even, straight-edged teeth.
I chuckled. “I’m not afraid of your fangs. I don’t mind a little biting.”
Her already flushed cheeks darkened to a deeper blush.
“Come here,” I urged gently, slipping my hand beneath her hair to the nape of her neck.
I wrapped my other hand around the back of her waist and lifted her onto her toes, pressing her body against mine as I curled down to her. With more gentleness than I normally used, I brushed my lips against her full mouth, before teasing her lips wider and pressing deeper.
She combed her fingers into my hair and pulled me to her, pressing her lush body against me, her tongue playing against mine. I groaned, my cock hardening again at her softness, this intimacy I hadn’t imagined could be so beguiling.
Humming with approval, I slid my tongue along hers, reveling in the sweetest sensation I’d ever known—Jessamine in my arms, her scent, her body, her essence cocooning me in ecstasy.
I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead to hers. “Youwillbe the death of me, sweet Jessamine.”
She laughed, joy in her eyes, because she thought I was jesting. All I could think of was my father, his mistake of taking a female who wasn’t his mate into his clan, and how it had destroyed him and my mother, eventually killing them both.
I cast those thoughts aside as I smiled down at her, holding her close for a moment longer, relishing this feeling, for I knew there was no path forward that didn’t end with her beside me—in my bed, in my life, bearing my children. If it led to my death, that was fine with me.
Let the gods do what they will. Jessamine was mine.
Chapter 17
JESSAMINE
I did not miss the knowing looks from the other males or the teasing smile from Tessa once we returned to the camp. While the others debated what King Goll would do to squash this rebellion, I kept myself busy by holding Saralyn and playing with the sweet, bright-eyed babe.
Of course, all I could think about was my encounter with Redvyr in the woods. I’d pleasured myself alone many times, but it had never felt like that. So absolutely overwhelming.
And his kiss…
My mind drifted, new desire unfurling in my belly. I was surprised by Redvyr’s aggressive intimacy. I knew he was attracted to me, but I didn’t realize he would act on his craving like that, in the middle of the woods against a tree. It was the most wonderful experience of my life.
When I glanced at Redvyr, it was to find his steady, golden gaze on me. He’d stretched out atop his bed of furs, leaning his weight on his forearms, pretending to listen to the others chatter about King Goll. But his attention was on me. And by the gods, I reveled in it.
I wanted his eyes on me, his hands, his body. I wanted his mind on me, too. I wanted him to be as twisted on the inside as I was. His unshakeable stare didn’t tell me whether he felt as wildly desperate as I did, but it warmed me through.
Saralyn cooed and tugged on a lock of my hair. I smiled down at her in my lap while she wrapped her tiny fingers around one of mine. I admired the pretty babe, wondering if I might have a daughter like her one day—with golden or green eyes.
The thought shocked me, that I was considering such a thing. And yet, I’d never felt this enchanted by a male before. I’d been infatuated with some, but I’d never felt like this. It was a deep longing that felt like madness and exhilaration and unquenchable need all at once. If Redvyr and I were alone, I would already be crawling into his lap.
My parents would be disgusted with me, that I was falling for a dark fae, and a beast fae at that. But I didn’t care what they thought. I didn’t care what anyone thought, except him.
I caught his ever-watchful gaze again across the fire.
