She rolled over to face him, though she couldn’t see his face in the darkness.He continued exploring her breast, and the echoing ache between her legs made her skin grow hotter.
‘What doyouwant, Balor?’she whispered, resting her hands upon his thundering heartbeat.
‘More than you can give,’ was his answer.
She didn’t know what to say to him.Her future felt as if it was out of her hands, no matter that she was trying to grasp control of her own life.But she had this stolen moment with him.His hand stilled upon her breast, though he didn’t move it away.‘I know that I don’t deserve anything.’He cupped her face with his other hand.‘I’m the villain, remember?I haven’t earned the right to be with someone like you.’
The darkness in his tone was a warning.But she didn’t care.Sometimes darkness was soothing, a quiet night that haunted her dreams with yearning.
‘We have time right now,’ she whispered.‘Let it be enough.’
Balor’s mouth claimed hers, even as he tempted her with his teasing fingers, her nipple rising against him.When his tongue slid against her own, she opened to him, no longer caring that she was giving in to temptation.
‘But you came with me when I asked you to,’ she murmured against his mouth.‘You’ve fought for me these past few weeks.And I’ve never really known why.’
He rested his forehead against hers.‘Maybe because you seem to think there’s a part of me worth saving.’
A piece of her heart broke off at his words, and she kissed him this time, moving her hands over his face and down to his shoulders.
‘Youarea man of honour,’ she said, her hands moving against his skin.‘No matter what they say.’
‘I don’t feel honourable at all right now.’The edge of his voice held a hint of frustration as his palm slid against her spine.
‘I don’t want you to be.’
At her words, his mouth claimed hers again with a fierce need, heating her skin until she was wet and aching.
‘I want to touch you,’ he murmured against her mouth.‘Everywhere.’
She loosened the ties of the trews she wore and reached for his.Her hands were shaking, but she forced herself to admit the truth.‘So do I.’
‘Your family would slit my throat if they knew what I was thinking right now,’ he said roughly.He reached back for the anchor and pulled it up, letting the tide pull them back out to sea.
The sky was still dark and clouded, but the faint crease of dawn had begun illuminating the edges of the horizon.Their time together was slipping away, and she drew him back down to her.‘I think you are the only man who has ever treated me like a woman instead of a pawn.You’ve kept me safe, even when it brought you into danger.’
He pressed her back against the boat, his hard body poised over hers.‘You are no man’s pawn.Not even mine.’
‘It’s hard to breathe when you touch me,’ she whispered.‘And yet, I can’t catch my breath with the fear that you won’t.’
A hint of a smile caught his mouth.‘Then let me discover exactly how to make you forget how to breathe,a mhuirnín.’
* * *
Balor had never imagined that this woman would desire someone like him.And her soft acquiescence was an offering that humbled him.
He would never dream of claiming her virginity—that was a husband’s right.But he fully intended to claim the right of a lover, tasting her skin and giving her pleasure.
She’d mistakenly believed he was an honourable man.Right now, honour was the furthest thing from his mind.
He helped her loosen the tunic, sliding it over her head until she was naked from the waist up.Gods above, but shewas exquisite.In the faint dawn, shadows guarded the soft pink of her nipples.The generous curve of her breasts made his shaft rigid at the thought of touching her.
He kissed Mairead again, palming her breast and using his thumb to arouse her nipples.She was breathing heavier, arching against his touch.
And it was only natural when he trailed a path from her throat to one breast, covering the erect nipple with his tongue and mouth.She gasped, her fingers digging into his hair while he explored her.Oh, she most definitely liked that.He could feel her body trembling, and he drifted his mouth to the other breast, continuing to stroke the sweetness of the first.
He was so focused upon her, on tasting that soft skin and watching her unravel, that he didn’t notice until her bare palm closed around his erection.
He nearly shouted at the pleasure, and she squeezed him gently.‘Does that…hurt you?’
