Chapter Fifteen
All the pieces came together. Why Christian hadn’t said goodbye. Why after their first kiss, he was suddenly gone. Her father had been the last person to speak with Christian. Emotions swirled within her. Rage. Remorse. Guilt. Willow had blamed Christian all these years, and it wasn’t his fault. “He told you to leave, didn’t he?”
Christian wouldn’t confirm it. He wouldn’t look at her, his gaze locked on the ground.
It was the only logical reason for what Christian had done. “You didn’t want me to have to make a choice between you and my family,” she whispered. “You didn’t want to tear my family apart.”
Christian sighed softly, and his shoulders sagged. “There is love in your family. And devotion. It was something I never knew. It was something I never had. I didn’t want to bring the hatred and anger that lives in my family to yours. I didn’t want to be the cause of ending what you have.”
She melted. Her heart swelled. “Oh, Christian,” she gasped. He had left to protect her and her family. “I missed you so,” she admitted. “You were fun. You brought laughter. Before you, there was seriousness. ‘Practice. Learn your skills.’ I loved the time we spent together, gazing at the stars and climbing the mountains. When you left, it was as if you took part of me with you. I was alone again.”
Christian scowled. “I’m sorry, Willow. I had no choice.”
She knelt before him, placing her hands on his bent knees. “I know that now. And I understand why you left.”
“I never meant to hurt you,” he whispered.
She leaned toward him and gently, reassuringly, brushed her lips to his. He responded instantly with a caress that heated her. It was unlike any kiss she’d ever had. Like a promise, an aching pledge she desired more than anything. His mouth was hot, and she swept her tongue against his. Instantly, his hands went around her, drawing her closer and deepening the kiss. His tongue sent tremors of yearning through her body.
She reached down to his breeches and tugged at the string.
He captured her hand.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked up at him in confusion. Every other man she had been with had never stopped her.
“Nothing has changed,” he said. “I will not stand against your father’s wishes.”
“You don’t have to,” she admitted. “I will.” Her kiss was full of assurance. She wasn’t going to lose him this time.
For a moment, his lips were still, and he refused to return her kiss. Then they softened and he intensified his exploration.
Her mouth burned with fire from his slow, thorough kiss, and when his lips trailed a series of unhurried strokes over her jaw to her neck, her world whirled. She tilted her neck with a gasp to feel more of his touches. Shivers of delight followed his lips. It was as though he wanted to touch every part of her with his mouth. The thought sent wild excitement pulsing through her.
He cupped her breast through her armor.
Willow was annoyed she couldn’t feel his skin against her. Yet, she still arched into his hand. She yanked the string of her armor, and it opened. She quickly shrugged out of it and dropped her hands to the hem of her dress.
Again, Christian captured her wrists, and she groaned with impatience.
“I’m going to savor you,” he whispered against the pulse in her neck.
His words, deep and promising, resonated through her, sending goosebumps up and down her entire body. She wanted to see him, to feel him, to touch him. She dipped her hands beneath the linen tunic and probed the sleek, ribbed planes of his stomach.
He hissed as she skimmed her hands up his torso, marveling at the strength and forged muscles beneath his skin. She lifted his tunic over his head.
He removed his arms from the fabric.
Willow had seen him shirtless a long time ago, but it was nothing compared to the breathless anticipation filling her now.
He caught her in his arms and flipped her onto her back, hovering over her. “You are impatient.”
“I want you,” she whispered.
“Not yet.” He dragged her dress up, and she leaned forward, tugging it over her head. Her chemise came with it.
His heated gaze swept over her in awe.
Her body tingled as if his hands were rubbing her. She reached for him as his hot hand closed over her breast, fondling it, brushing the nipple with his thumb until it was marble hard.
