Chapter Twenty-Five
“ITHINK WE both knowthat sleeping together is part of the dating process when it comes to MacLomains and Brouns,” she stated bluntly. Despite how unendingly flustered and shy Aidan could make her, she kept her hand held out to him. “And honestly, I’m all for that.”
“Are you sure ‘tis not the drink talking, lass?” he murmured.
While some might be put off by that, she knew he only had her best interests at heart.
“I'm sure.” She’d admit to having a little glow but was by no means drunk. “I’ve wanted this...pretty much since it last ended.”
She had never said anything truer. From the moment she opened her eyes that morning, she'd wanted him back in her arms. Between her thighs.
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he took her hand and stood, reminding her just how tall he was. How broad his shoulders were. How powerful all the way around. Yet despite all that, and blossoming magic aside, he had a way of making her feel just as strong. Just as powerful.
“Unless,” she continued, flirting. “You would prefer this ‘courting period’ you’re determined to give me.” She ran her finger down the front of his tunic, tempted to go lower, and run it over his obvious erection. “If that’s the case then—”
That’s all she got out before he yanked her against him, and his lips were on hers.
Just like before, his kiss made the world vanish, simply cease to exist. He spent time exploring the recesses of her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers in a way that had her moaning. By the time he pulled away, she swore she’d melt through the floorboards.
So slowly it was pure torture, he undressed her not just with his eyes but with fingers that grazed her flesh here and there. Light, teasing touches that sent shivers of awareness coursing through her.
“I’ve longed to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you,” he murmured, guilt no longer in his gaze where it might have been days before. He lowered her dress until it pooled at her feet. “I wanted to see your eyes when I did. Would they grow larger? More curious? Sparkle?”
“And what are they doing?” she managed on a hoarse whisper.
“Waiting,” he murmured, moving around her slowly, touching her gently, the warmth of his hand burning through her shift.
He pulled her hair aside from behind and whispered in her ear, “Wondering what I will do next.” He lowered her shift until it too hit the floor, exposing her body to the cool air. Exposing her breasts and pebbled nipples to his hungry gaze. “Hoping I would do that.” She heard the sound of clothing being removed. “Then, this.”
She groaned with pleasure, her every nerve ending alive when he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his bare chest. His sheer strength and hot, unrelenting flesh against her vulnerable curves combined with the feel of his forged-in-steel arousal nearly made her come undone. She went to turn and touch him, but he tightened his hold and held her in place, of the mind to touch her first.
He grazed the side of her sensitive breast so gently her eyes slid shut in bliss. He touched one breast then the other, fondling and squeezing just enough before tweaking her nipple. Her legs quivered, and standing became more difficult.
“Aidan,” she moaned, lost in how he made her feel. The raw lust he invoked. Her heart pounded. She couldn’t catch her breath.
“Aye, lass?” he breathed against the side of her neck.
“I need...we need...you need...” What was she trying to say? She would have laughed at herself, but that would mean catching her breath first.
“Idoneed,” he murmured against her vulnerable flesh, trailing kisses down the side of her neck. “If we are to make this part of our courting process, then I intend to get to know ye this way as thoroughly as any other.” He finally turned her, his eyes full of desire and promise. Cupping the side of her neck, he massaged her already liquefied muscles. “I want to know what ye like and where ye like it.”
While there were a few hot zones, she had a feeling he was about to show her so many more.
He swept her up and carried her to the bed. “This time ‘twill not be quick, but as it should have been before.”
It seemed getting rest for a long day on ‘the morrow’ was no longer a priority, and she was just fine with that. She would sleep on the horse. Or never sleep again if it meant spending more time with him. Like this. Or talking. Laughing. Anything at all.
Then again, once he removed the remainder of his clothing and she feasted her eyes on the whole package, she decidedlike thismostly would be best. When he began exploring her body, without a doubt a man on a mission, she decided positivelythisas much as humanly possible.
Forget him finding just ‘so many more’ hot zones; she swore he found hundreds as he navigated his way centimeter by centimeter from her neck down to her feet. He touched and fondled, stroked and licked, sending one delicious thrill after another through her. Some even invoked so much sensation it led to climax.
By the time his mouth found her center, her flesh was so swollen and sensitive, that just him breathing on it made her orgasm again. Taking full advantage, he set to enjoying himself and kept her pleasure going. It became so intense at one point that she leaned forward, fighting it, but he pressed her back down, merciless with his tongue and lips. So she gripped the blanket underneath and held on for dear life until he brought her so high, she lost sense of everything.
When she finally floated down, and awareness seeped in, she found him dropping small kisses along her hipbones and belly. All the while, he watched her with such heartfelt affection and desire, her breath caught.
He didn’t need to say he loved her.
It was more than clear in his tender, awe-struck gaze.
