“Through Riona and the tree.”
He nodded. “Assuming Liam...”
She understood why he left his sentence unsaid. “Assuming she and Liam don’t bond first.” Ithadsounded like they got along well, which she could understand. Riona had always been a bit of a flirt herself. “She tends to like upbeat guys who don’t take life too seriously.”
“That would be more Liam than Declán, to be sure,” Cian said. “Because Declán shares such a large border with Raghnall, he’s always had to be on guard more than my other brothers. Warier. Hardened. Which has made him not only reasonable and levelheaded to a fault but sometimes distant from the rest of us.”
“Unless he’s with you.” She was certain she was right. “Then I get the sense he finds some humor in life. That you make him smile where others can’t. Offer some levity.”
“Yes.” He nodded, leapt down from a sizeable rock ledge, and held his hands up to her. “He’s more lighthearted with me because he knows he can be.” He wiggled his fingers in a come-hither motion. “I think he feels much along the lines I do. Our lands protect Liam’s and Aodh’s land, so we’re the first line of defense. In that, I suppose you could say our burden eases when we’re together. We don’t feel like we’re battling Raghnall singlehandedly.”
“Understandable.” She grinned. “I take it you want me to jump into your arms?”
This was a daunting drop compared to the one he'd helped her down from yesterday.
He met her grin and nodded. “I’ll catch you.”
Trusting him, she leapt down only for him to catch her by the waist and lower her slowly against his body. Enough to let her know he intended to do more than just show her a favored childhood place.
“Sort of makes you wonder how we get back up.” She sensed he could have brought her another way, but this route put her in his arms. Definitely not a bad place to be, either. Just as aroused, she placed her hands on his chest and eyed him with a look he couldn’t mistake.
Taking her cue, he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her in the hungry way he had last night. In a way that made her ache and press against him. In turn, he grabbed her ass, walked her back against the mossy rock, and hoisted her just enough that he could press his heavy ridge right where she needed it.
Andhell,did she suddenly need it.
So badly that she groaned into his mouth when he moved against her. Teased her. A familiar ache rose. A horrible desperation. Her center throbbed. Her growing desire turned painful. So painful that she turned, braced her hands against a rock that cushioned her with more moss by the moment, and met his eyes over her shoulder.
Understanding what she wanted, he hoisted her skirts up and caressed her throbbing flesh, building her up even more. He nipped her earlobe and tilted her head until he could kiss her again. All the while, she was aware of him freeing himself. Of how ready he was for her. When she whimpered in impatience, far too close to letting go, he showed her mercy and slid inside her.
She gasped and clenched the moss when somehow he felt even better than the night before. Which said something because she’d never felt anything so good. Yet now, the sensation was tenfold. Ignited her body and soul in a whole new way.
Perhaps because she was aware of her magic igniting? The moss spreading? There was no way to know, and she barely cared when he groaned against her ear and thrust. Took her in such a primal way that she released a throaty growl of feminine approval. In response, he moved faster. Deeper if possible.
And she came undone fast.
Hard.
Immersed in a climax that was so intense, she dug her fingernails into the moss and lost her ability to stand. It tore through her so harshly she was fairly certain she roared in pleasure. Right there with her, he thrust one last time, released a ragged breath, and let go.
Thankfully, despite finding his own pleasure, he had the strength to keep them both afoot because she was mush. Pure putty. And the feel of him pulsing inside her only seemed to keep things going.
And make her somewhat grateful she was on birth control.
“Somewhat?” he murmured in her ear, following her thoughts.
Moreover, following what she had only just realized.
