Slowly, he sat up and rested his hands on her bare hips.‘I know I should tell you to cover yourself.Your body belongs to your future husband, not me.’
A flush came over her, and she wondered if he was truly going to turn her away.
‘But right now,a mhuirnín, the sight of you destroys my honour.’He cupped her breasts, gently caressing her until warmth bloomed between her legs.‘I haven’t forgotten what it was to watch you come apart.And now I want to be inside you when that happens again.’
The wetness between her legs surged at his words, for she hadn’t forgotten, either.His talented tongue had stroked her over the edge when they were on the boat.She bit her lip, trying to calm her racing heart at the memory.
Mairead began to pull at the laces of his tunic, lifting it away until she revealed the hardened muscles beneath.She touched his warm skin, sliding her hands over his shoulders.His strength fascinated her, and she lowered her mouth to his shoulder before her hands drifted over the scar on his chest, down to the ridges of his stomach.
She was about to explore his body with her own mouth,but then he kissed her throat, his warm breath causing gooseflesh to rise over her skin.
‘I’ve never taken a woman before,’ Balor murmured.‘But I swear I’m going to spend every moment of this night learning what pleases you.’
His words only deepened her blush, and Mairead drew her arms around his neck.
It startled her to learn that he was a virgin, especially after the way he’d touched her before.If she were still innocent, she would be terrified of these feelings coursing within her.She would be so afraid of what was to come—when instead, she was eager.
A flush of guilt passed over her, for Balor didn’t know she wasn’t a virgin.He was afraid of ruining her—but that wasn’t possible, for she was already ruined.
She had given herself to Diarmud, only a year ago.They had fumbled in the darkness, and she hadn’t minded the awkwardness of their lovemaking, fully believing that they would be married after he proved himself to her father.Diarmud had promised to love her forever and make her his bride.
The loss of him had been more than the loss of her innocence.It was the loss of the man she’d loved and the future she’d dreamed of.Maybe it had been her fault for daring to seize what she wanted instead of remaining obedient.
Now, in Balor’s arms, she wanted to reclaim that missing part of herself.She wanted to experience hope and dreams of a different kind of future.It was a risk, yes.
But she believed it was worth it.Hewas worth it.
Balor seemed to know exactly what she craved, and the thought of joining with him sent a rush of desire racing through her veins.
She didn’t care if it was wrong.She was tired of obeyingthe rules, tired of being the woman everyone else told her to be.For one night, she wanted to be disobedient and reach for whatshewanted.
And what she wanted was Balor.
‘Lie down,’ he ordered.
She knew he wanted to be in command while he touched her.But she intended to be his equal in every way—and that meant pleasuring him as well.
‘Not until you’ve removed your clothes,’ she countered.
Balor moved his hands to the ties of his trews and swiftly removed them.The sight of his body and hardened muscles made her breathless at the thought of what would happen between them.Between her legs, she grew wet with anticipation, her body trembling with need.
Mairead lay down, and Balor stretched out to face her.For a moment, she traced her hand along the edge of his cheek.
He closed his eyes, as if drinking in her touch.Then he pulled her body against his, the heat of his skin warming her.He kissed her, and the hard length of him pressed against her stomach.She reached down between them, feeling the smooth tip of his erection.When his tongue slid into her mouth, she moved her thumb over the ridge.
He caught her hand and raised it, along with the other one, pinning them above her head.‘Not yet.’He bent down to take her nipple in his mouth.‘I could taste you all day, Mairead.The sweetness of you.’
She couldn’t move, but she opened her legs slightly, letting him rest against her intimately.The hunger and need rose up within her, and she tried to hold herself back as he suckled her, teasing her breasts with his fingers and mouth.
She savoured his touch, moving her legs until her knees were bent, and it would take nothing at all for him to beinside her.He was being so careful with her, exploring her body with his mouth when she wanted so much more.
‘Balor, please,’ she begged.
But he only slowed his pace, releasing one of her hands while he brought his fingers to her aching womanhood.
‘Softly,’ she urged.She showed him how she wanted to be touched, and he was quick to explore.
When he dipped his finger into her wetness, he cursed softly.‘I don’t want to hurt you.’
