Her gaze moved to his lips, and she murmured, “Daggers?”
“Daggers?” Julian echoed, confused.
She swallowed and clarified in a throaty voice, “I’d like to show you my dagger collection now.”
Julian grinned and nodded. His gaze swept over her face. He took her hand into his. “I would never deny you, my wife.”
She grasped his hand and hurriedly pulled him through the hallways, up the spiral staircase, and down the stone corridor.
“Elora,” he called. But she did not stop. He followed her through the corridor until she entered her room.Theirroom. A soft fire in the hearth warmed the chambers and threw a reddish hue across them. She bent beneath the bed and pulled out a rolled cloth. She rushed to the table and placed it on the table, unfurling it and stood for a long moment, looking down at the burlap fabric.
Julian stepped up close behind her to peer over her shoulder. Each dagger was carefully tucked into a separate pocket. The heat of her body penetrated his clothing, and his senses hummed with life. The scent of roses floated to him. Her luxurious hair brushed against his cheek and her breathing quickened.
“They’re beautiful,” he whispered, nuzzling her ear.
“You haven’t even seen them yet,” she protested without conviction.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. “Which is your favorite?”
She leaned back into him. “I have different favorites for different reasons.”
He brushed her hair aside and pressed a kiss to her neck. “You must have one you like above the rest.”
She turned her head to his, asking playfully, “We are speaking of the daggers, are we not?”
Her breath fanned his lips. His gaze swept her face, from her luminescent eyes to her moist lips. “What else would we be speaking of?”
They were so close, so agonizingly close. He cupped her chin with his hand and guided her lips to his. The sweet, gentle kiss quickly turned heated, and his heart pounded. His consciousness seemed to ebb and then flamed hotter. She turned toward him, bringing her arms up around him, holding him.
He reached behind her and trailed his fingers through the waves of gold as they tumbled to her waist. His body, nay, his entire being, ached for her. He dropped his hands to her bottom and pulled her close, pressing his stiffness against her belly.
She reached down to the hem of his surcoat and lifted it over his head, revealing his undertunic.
He bent to press a kiss to the hollow of her throat, his body swelling to his full size. She drove him crazy with want. One look from her eyes, and he was mush. One smile, and he proclaimed his love for her. His fingers glided over her hips and undid her belt, letting it fall to the floor. He kissed her silky lips gently, peppering kisses over her jaw and cheeks and returning to her lips. He wanted to kiss and worship every inch of her delectable body. He eased the dress over her head.
She stood before him in her chemise. The thin garment was the only barrier to his eyes, to his touch. Tugging his undertunic from his head, she tossed it aside and gazed at his naked chest for a moment before running her fingers over the planes in his muscles slowly, tracing them all the way down to the tops of his breeches. She lifted her gaze to his.
Lord, it was sweet agony. He didn’t want to frighten her by going fast. He needed to take his time. To relish this first taste of their love.
Her breathing came in gentle pants.
Desire coursed through his veins until he could resist no longer and claimed her lips with urgency, pulling her hard and tight against him. His hand slid from her back to her perfectly rounded breast. He cupped it, running his thumb across her hardened nipple.
She gasped, arching into him. With frantic urgency, he grasped the fabric of the chemise and quickly lifted it above her head, throwing it aside. The beauty of her naked body taunted and inflamed him. Her heated skin glowed in the firelight.
Julian guided her back onto the bed with his body, and together, they fell into the clouds of blankets, his body pressing hers down. He dipped his head to taste her sensitive, swollen nipples. She inhaled, and her breasts heaved forward.
He glanced up at her. Her large eyes were lidded in passion, and her head tossed back in desire, her delectable lips parted in ecstasy. He delved into the succulent taste of her.
Her hands pulled his head closer, running fingers through his hair. He desperately claimed her lips again, desire pounding through him. He was so hard for her.
She opened her legs for him, and his body nestled against her hot, wet core. She lifted her hips to him, pushing against him, undulating with craving.
He didn’t want to hurt her. Still, her shifting hips were driving him crazy with want.
When she reached down to undo his breeches, he called, “Elora,” in a gentle voice.
She groaned quietly with disappointment but did not stop. Finally, he took her hand in his. “Ellie.”
