“I knew you were different the moment I walked into your bedchamber for the first time and you were so shy around me,” he said, chuckling. “Any other noble would’ve seized the opportunity to get me in their bed, but not you… I knew then I wanted to do things properly with you. Take it slow.” His lips returned to mine as he kissed me so gently. “You deserve a gentleman.” My heart fluttered. “Even if it’s taking everything within me not to lift your skirt and do some very ungentlemanly things to you against this chaise lounge.”
Oh…
“Please kiss me more.” I deepened the kiss in the hopes he wouldn’t see the fierce crimson on my cheeks. One of his hands remained pinning mine to the fabric seat while the other dropped to my thigh, pushing up my skirt and rubbing gentle circles against my skin.
Tipping my head back, I sighed.
“We should stop soon,” he whispered, pressing kisses along my jaw. “I don’t want to force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“Do I look like I am uncomfortable?” I said, holding back another gasp. “I want you. Tonight.”
The muscles in his arms tensed, but then something in his gaze darkened enough to make my stomach dip. Slowly, far too slowly, he fingers traced up higher along my thigh before he drew closer to me.
“I will not let our first time be in a public library,” he said, his breath teasing my ear. “But there areother wayswe can enjoy this evening.”
My brows lifted before immediately shooting up to the stars when his fingers found the sweet spot between my hips.
“Lukas,” I gasped.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, continuing to touch me in every way I hadn’t known I’d been craving until now. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to make you sing like the birds in that little forest village you come from.”
Breathy noises escaped my lips, growing when his other hand brushed my jaw.
“You’re so beautiful,” he purred while I tried my best to not break the silence in this frustratingly quiet library. “Has anyone ever touched you like this before?”
“No,” I breathed, gripping his tunic.
Something dark and possessive flashed across his features. “Good,” he murmured before dropping down to kiss me again. “If others value their lives it’ll stay that way.”
I writhed against him, my breath coming out in fast pants. Eventually, the hot bliss grew inside me, but before I could cry out, his lips smothered mine, stealing away any sound before it filled the quiet air.
“Absolutely divine,” he murmured against my lips.
As he drew back to fix my skirts, I couldn’t look him in the eye. Would he think less of me now?Ancients, the noises I’d just made…
“Naria.” His tone was serious.
I couldn’t help but wilt as he rose to his full height in front of me. “Yes?”
“You’re going to marry me tomorrow.”
“What?” My lips popped open.
“We’ll do it before we leave tomorrow evening. It’s nice here and I’m certain Cora won’t refuse another party.”
“But what about your kingdom?” I blurted. “Aren’t there nobles there who’d expect to attend, and won’t your people want—”
“Are you saying no?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Of course not, but—”
“Then we shall marry tomorrow.” Placing a hand on either side of my hips, he stooped over me. “If tradition requires us to have a wedding in Drothmore, and damn it if we need to have one in Corlixir too, then fine. We shall have three weddings. But please,” his gaze locked onto mine, “I cannot wait another second to show the realm just how much I adore you.” His lips brushed against mine. “How much I need you,” he murmured, kissing me once more.
Smiling, I let my fingers curl into his hair. “I’ll have to go gown shopping with Raena in the morning.”
Lukas grinned against my lips while his hands slipped up to my waist. Before I realised what was happening, he lifted me again, spinning me around until we collapsed onto the chaise lounge in a tangle of limbs and laughter.
“Stay with me here tonight,” he breathed, stroking my back while I lay against him.
