The intensity of his silver eyes caught her. “I’m roused, that’s all,” he said tightly. “Do not stop.”
“Oh,” Warna glanced at him, realizing what she’d done. “I’ve never done this before. I’m sorry—”
“I’m not,” Verice said.
“What can I—” Warna started, but Verice reached for her hand before she said another word.
“Finish what you’ve started,” he growled.
And to her amazement, she did, watching as he threw back his head to expose that long, elegant neck. Watching, as his strong warrior body quivered and succumbed to her touch. Watching as he shattered in her hands.
Verice regained hissenses to find Warna curled up in his arms, the fabric of her skirts covering his legs. For a moment he enjoyed the pleasant sensation of being sated and relaxed. But then guilt rose up. He tightened his arms around her. “Warna?”
“Verice,” she said against his chest, her breath warm on his skin.
He couldn’t see her eyes, and didn’t know what she was thinking. He cleared his throat to offer his apology. “Warna, forgive me—”
“For what?” she asked.
He frowned. “I meant to see to your pleasure first. Not take my own before you’d had a chance to experience—”
“It was amazing,” she whispered. “That I could do that to you...make you feel that way.” She lifted her head, her eyes glowing in satisfaction. “And there’s more to it, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Verice couldn’t keep his amusement out of his voice. “A lot more. But we’ve no hurry, Warna.”
She frowned. “No more waiting.”
“Impetuous humans,” he teased.
“Staid elves,” she sat up and considered her dress. “It was messier than I anticipated.”
He laughed, letting it shake his entire body. Warna gave him a delighted look.
“Well, there’s a remedy for that,” he said, reaching out to trace her collar around her neck. “You are overdressed for the occasion.” He hooked his finger on the fabric and gave a tug. “Besides, is it not my turn to explore?”
Chapter Fifty-Five
Warna felt the tug of the fabric against her neck, and the heat of his hand through the cloth. As much as she wanted to, as much as she wanted his hands on her skin, she hesitated.
Verice knew it in an instant. “What’s wrong?” he asked, releasing her collar.
She looked away, licking dry lips. “It’s just...in your lifetime, you’ve been with thousands of faelles and—”
His snort was explosive. “Thousands?” Verice choked, clearly amused until he saw her face. “Ah, Warna,” he said, and sat up enough to reach for the bedding that had piled at the end of the bed. With swift movements he pulled her down beside him, and covered them both in warmth.
Warna didn’t resist his tugging. He waited until she’d settled beside him before he spoke. “I admit I am experienced,” Verice’s voice was warm in her ear. “And in my early days when I was a hundred or so, I was fairly wild. But thousands?”
She shrugged, hiding her face within the covers. “I just don’t see how I can compare. Elven women are lovely, and seemingly so perfect.”
“The important word being ‘seemingly’,” Verice said. “Don’t be taken in by appearances, Warna.”
“But how do human women compare?” She rose, letting the blanket slide off her shoulders.
“I wouldn’t know,” Verice said. “You are my first.”
“Oh,” Warna blinked in surprise.
“I have to say,” Verice pulled her back down into his arms. “You are amazing.”
