“Thank you,” I murmured. “For showing me this piece of you.” I started to turn back when Finley’s hand caught my chin, gently tilting my face up.
He closed the distance between us. Heat radiated from his lips, a breath away from mine. The soft joy that was on his face minutes ago faded, replaced by something more profound.
“Carwynn,” Finley breathed, like a secret brushing against my soul.
The strength of my knees faltered. Emotions had been shifting between us for a while, and in this moment, I knew. Keeping my distance would have been the wiser choice, butwith the way he was looking at me . . . I could feel the vault inside my mind starting to unlock. Each part clicking open, threatening to release the buried feelings I’d kept sealed away.
Click.
His breath was heavy on my forehead as his other hand slipped around my waist.
Click.
I swallowed. Fire swam through my bloodstream, finding its home in my core.
Click.
“Carwynn,” Finley said my name again, but this time, it was a desperate plea.
I was tired of being in control and keeping my guard up. I wanted to let go, to surrender. My emotions, my body, my heart . . . Tonight, they were Finley’s to keep safe.
Snap—all restraint shattered.
48
CARWYNN
My mouth crashed into his.I gripped the tops of his shoulders, tugging him closer, needing to feel the warmth that was radiating off him.
His lips opened for me, hot and insistent. Claiming. The kiss was fierce, yet soft and passionate all at once. He was a goddamn aphrodisiac, stoking the fire that began to burn through me, knotting with ecstasy inside my pelvis.
Fuck. I needed him.
My hands went to his waist. I pulled him against me with force. The hard length of him pressed into my stomach, igniting me further.
I needed him—right now.
I broke the kiss for a millisecond, pulling away just enough to shed my sweater. Then, my fingers searched the waistband of his pants, unbuttoning, yanking them down in savage haste.
Finley kicked them off, heaving in a breath. Our lips pulled apart, but his forehead remained pressed against mine. A hand slid under my jaw as those green eyes scanned mine for an answer. One our bodies both seemed to reply to.
I nodded, my sight locked to his with urgency. That was all he seemed to need before?—
Strong arms wrapped around me, cupping my ass, lifting me effortlessly off the ground as if I were weightless.
A slight yelp bubbled out of me, followed by a giggle.
My legs instinctively locked around him, my hands to his neck, letting him know there was no getting away. His lips wickedly curled in response.
Steps echoed off the ruin walls as he carried me, hands anchored to my rear, but his eyes never left mine.
We approached a large stone slab in the center of the courtyard. It was aged with golden-flaked markings that glowed in the light of the moon. Finley placed me down gently on soft moss, my own throne for the night. Beautiful black dahlia flowers drew my gaze for a moment, instantly growing at the base of the stone, illuminating softly.
Tug. My inkling stirred.
I immediately snuffed it out. Not tonight.
My dress had ridden up, bunching at my waist. His hips pressed into mine, my legs still wrapped around him.
