Page 85 of Destiny of a King

His kiss was hard and demanding, stealing her breath and whatever apology she had intended to offer.

Adira froze only an instant before her arms went around him.

That was all the invitation Dravic needed.

He drew her tighter against him, one hand spreading across her back while the other slipped into her hair, holding her as his mouth moved over hers with a hunger he no longer tried to restrain.

Adira felt it in him. The force of his embrace. The urgency of his kiss. The way he held her as if letting go was no longer something he was willing to do.

She answered him just as eagerly.

Her fingers curled into his shirt, holding tight as she returned his kiss with none of the uncertainty of their first ones. She knew his mouth now. Knew the pleasure of it, wanted more of it, and when his lips met hers, she welcomed him.

Dravic groaned against her mouth.

The sound was lost to her, but she felt the vibration of it where their bodies pressed together, and something about that small discovery sent a shiver racing through her.

He broke the kiss only long enough to draw a breath, his forehead nearly touching hers. He had walked out that door believing he could leave her.

He had been a fool.

His mouth claimed hers again.

This time Adira met him without hesitation, her arms tightening around his neck as the kiss deepened. Whatever uncertainty had filled her moments ago disappeared beneath the certainty of his embrace.

Dravic’s hands moved over her back, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them. He wanted her. There was no denying it any longer, no command stern enough to silence it, no duty powerful enough to make him walk out that door again.

He broke the kiss.

Adira immediately sought his mouth again, but he held her still.

His eyes shifted toward the bed, then returned to hers.

Adira followed his glance. understanding came quickly.

When she looked back at him, he was waiting. He did not gesture. He did not tell her what he wanted. He simply waited for her answer.

Her heart beat wildly as she stared into his eyes. She had never believed this would be hers. Never imagined a man would look at her as the king did now, wanting her and yet demanding nothing from her.

She nodded… once.

Dravic’s mouth was on hers again.

The kiss changed. The anger that had driven him back through the door was still there, but something more powerful had joined it. Weeks of restraint he had not realized had been there gave way beneath hands that no longer seemed willing to keep their distance and kisses that left Adira clinging to him.

He ended the kiss reluctantly, but he needed to be sure.

He looked into her eyes. There was no hesitancy. She knew immediately what he was asking.

Had she changed her mind?

Adira looked to the bed, then back at him and nodded firmly.

He didn’t hesitate. He swept her up into his arms.

Adira startled, grabbing hold of him as he carried her toward the bed. Her surprise quickly vanished beneath a smile she made no attempt to hide.

Dravic saw it and stopped.