“Good morning,” I say. “The scones just need a moment to cool.”
“Good morning, little moth. It smells delicious. Mmm. Ice-berry. My favorite.”
He reaches me in three quick strides, then wraps his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles his nose against the side of my neck while I transfer the last of the scones to a plate.
He straightens then, only to lean over me and release a soft breath. The air buzzes with his winter magic, and even before Iglimpse the first glimmer of blue light in my peripheral vision, I already know what he’s doing.
A narrow stream of sparkling, blue light travels from his parted lips to the plate of scones. The steam rising from the morning pastries vanishes under the rush of cold, magic-infused air that flows directly from Gideon.
Show off, I say through the bond.
His deep chuckle reverberates in my head.
I try to turn in his arms, but he has me pinned firmly in place against the counter. A thrill rushes through me, and my breath starts coming faster.
He leans down to kiss my temple, then his lips drift to my earlobe.
His comforting winter scent fills my senses, and I can’t resist taking a deep inhale. Peppermint, pine, woodsmoke, spices.
Mmm. I could eat him up.
“Gods, Isabel,” he says in a scolding but playful tone. “Have you no shame? The sun has barely risen, and already you’re having scandalous thoughts.” He shifts away from me for a moment, but only so he can grab my bottom in one hand and give it a firm squeeze.
“Me? Scandalous? You’re the one walking around shirtless. At least I am properly dressed.”
He lets go of my backside and rearranges his arms around me, holding me more tightly than before. When I sense his building desire through our bond, my pulse flutters, and a sharp, heated pang flares in my core.
He proceeds to nibble my ear with his winter-cold lips, causing a shiver to course through my body.
His lips brand my flesh as he continues, trailing kisses along my neckline.
My breath falters again, and the back of my neck prickles with sensation. Goosebumps spread quickly over my body,drawing another shiver. Or perhaps it’s simply that I’m now trembling with need.
You won’t be properly dressed for much longer, my sweet mate, he says through the bond.
“Is that a promise?” I whisper, purposely adding a note of challenge to my voice.
A low growl leaves him, and he finally turns me in his arms.
He stares down at me with lust gleaming in his dark eyes. He presses his body more firmly to mine… and then I feel it. The hardness that’s encased in his trousers. Suddenly, the room feels too hot.
He steps back for a moment, but only so he can sweep me into his arms. My heart skips a beat, and anticipation winds through me. As he carries me upstairs, I savor the winter chill that always clings to his hard, muscular body. Leaning against him, I settle deeper into his arms, allowing my fingertips to trace the sculpted lines of his chest.
He carries me into the bedroom, places me on my feet, and immediately sets about removing my clothing. His fingers make quick work of the ties at my back, and the dress soon loosens around me. He pushes the garment down over my body, and the fabric pools at my feet. Before I can take my next breath, he’s already tugged my chemise and stockings off, leaving me completely naked.
When he steps back, I can’t help but stare at the massive bulge at the front of his trousers. My mouth goes dry, and my eagerness to be beneath him on the bed grows.
But he doesn’t push me down and climb on top of me yet. Instead, he steps back and gazes at my body, his eyes heated, his nostrils flared.
I flush as he begins walking in slow circles around me, his steps as slow and deliberate as a predator sizing up his prey. A heated flush steals over me at the thought, and the warmthquaking between my thighs coils tighter with each measured step he takes.
Finally, he pauses in front of me. He grasps my chin and forces my gaze to his. A shaky breath escapes me at the intense look in his eyes.
Usually, Gideon is gentle with me. Or at least, our lovemaking sessions begin with gentleness before he grows rougher by the end. But as he stares down at me now, I start to suspect he’s going to be demanding and rough from the very beginning.
I also catch a hint of darkness in his eyes, the taunting gleam I used to fear. Now, it makes me quiver with longing. I can’t quite catch my breath under his steady gaze.
Through the bond, I have no difficulty sensing his primal desire. I can even tell what he’s thinking at this very moment—he’s already considering which position he wants to have me in when he claims my body.
