Han sobered, coming to her and parting her cloak, settling warm hands on her waist. “I don’t want Alise Elal in my room. I only want you. Now where was I?” He lifted his hands to the clasp at her throat. “Ah, I remember. You weren’t wearing this.” He flicked the magic toggle and her cloak whooshed to the floor, leaving her feeling oddly naked, though she was still fully clothed. Were they really going to do this?
“And we were dancing,” Han continued, taking her hand in his and settling the other at the small of her back, easing her close to brush against his long, lean body. He began humming the same, slow song, swirling her a few steps closer to the fire as he danced her back into that sweet dreamy space. Firelight flickered over his gorgeous face and lit the inner, crystal blue rings in his eyes so the green spires flared gold. “And then,” he murmured, expression rapt, “I kissed you.”
His lips brushed against hers, whiskey warm, sugar sweet, and a moan escaped her. Velvet soft and fiery spice. He nibbled, tested, tasted, gradually deepening the kiss as she wound her arms around his neck, leaning into him, into the incredible sensuality of the kiss. They swayed still, turning in slow circles as they rocked against each other, though he’d long since stopped humming the tune.
Still, the music played in her mind, winding with Han’s taste and scent, the feel of his arms around her, the beauty of his lips which felt even better than they looked. She swam in a honeyed sea of desire, where only this existed. Bolder this time, she untied his hair from the ribbon he’d used to tie it back, combing her fingers through the luxurious silk of it.
Finally, he raised his head, searching her face. “What are you thinking?” he whispered.
“Same as last night—that I should’ve kissed you a long time ago.”
A half smile quirked his gorgeous lips. “See?”
“Han…” She wound her fingers into the silky tendrils at the nape of his neck. “I don’t want to think anymore.”
“Let me see what I can do about that.”
He kissed her again, this time with increasing hunger that stoked her own, his hands stroking down her back, then tangling in her hair as he tugged her head back so he could kiss her even more deeply. She let herself go, giving herself over the utter delight of his caresses, even as a small part of her stood back in astonishment at the good little citizen being so very bad, and as another, larger part of her jumped up and down in glee that she was here, with Han, at long last.
He traced a finger down her spine, parting the magical back seam of her gown so the bodice sagged around her shoulders. Raining kisses on her upturned face, along her jaw, on her closed eyelids, he eased the gown down and over her arms, letting it fall in a puddle around her, so she stood only in her undergarments. “So beautiful,” he whispered between kisses. “I want to kiss every freckle.”
“That would take forever,” she said on a giggle. She was covered in freckles.
“I want forever.” Han paused and she opened her eyes to his ferocious glare.
She laid her fingers over his lips. “Less talking.”
“As my lady commands,” he murmured, then drew her fingertips into his mouth and sucking lightly on them, flicking his clever tongue against their sensitive tips so she gasped, trembling with the passion he evoked.
“How do you even know what you’re doing?” she breathed.
“I read a lot, instead of memorizing antiquated house crests,” he teased, releasing her hand and nuzzling under her ear, sending delicious shivers through her. “I wanted this to be good for you,” he said against the hollow there, before licking it.
“What about for you?” she managed to ask, barely managing to stay on her feet, and even then it was mostly because she was hanging on to him as his mouth feasted down her throat.
“It’s you,” he replied simply. “This is already beyond perfect.” He hooked his thumbs in the straps of her camisole, meeting her gaze seriously. “Yes?”
She took a breath, her nipples taut against the silky material. “I think it’s your turn, first.”
He smiled, delighted mischief in it. “Fair enough.”
Stepping away, he pulled his shirt off over his head, tossing it aside. His lean chest gleamed in the firelight, muscles rippling as he leaned one hand against the bed post to toe off his boots.
“You are so beautiful,” she whispered, and he flashed a wicked grin at her.
“I think that’s my line.” He paused, hands at the magic toggle of his pants. “Everything?”
“I may not have read all the books you have, but I’m pretty sure we have to be naked.”
“Not necessarily, but naked gets my vote.” He released the waist band and shoved his pants down, kicking them away and standing naked before her. His hips narrowed above his long, shaped thighs. In a nest of pale hair, his cock, as long as the rest of him, stood straight out. Alien and enticing. Begging to be touched.
With a shy grin, he gestured to himself, “And… here I am.” He blew out a breath. “Wow, I didn’t expect to be nervous.”
She laughed, her own nerves dissipating a little, and she stepped to him, holding up her hands. “May I?”
He closed his eyes, a shiver passing over him. “I’ve been fantasizing for years about you doing so. Yes.”
She set her hands lightly on his shoulders, starting there with her exploration, stroking along the lean lines of his muscles. Since he couldn’t take any of the advanced courses, he’d been doing a lot of weapons training electives. Sword, staff, and archery, and it showed in his exquisite physique. He shuddered lightly under her caresses, his lips pressed together, hands in fists at his side as if he fought to stay still for her.
