Page 164

Trust.

All of it lived in her eyes. She rose from the seat under the window and took a step forward.

She didn’t need to speak.

Neither did I.

I reached over my head, grabbed my shirt and dragged it free. She followed, shedding her clothes in the middle of the room until we collided.

My fingers speared through her hair. The other hand softly gripped her throat. My thumb found the line of her jaw, then pushed, tilting her face to mine.

“About fucking time,” she whispered.

I kissed her. Hard. Consuming. Her breath was mine. Her heart too…

I slid my hand under her thigh and lifted her, pulling her against my chest as I carried her to the bed. I lay her down softly, rising above her. I branded every curve of her lips and every spark in her into my mind. Then I sank down.

I gripped the straps of her bra, peeling them down her shoulders. Then reached around, twisting the clasp with one hand, sliding it from her body. A shiver and her nipples puckered, hardening before I took one into my mouth.

A low moan rumbled in the back of her throat. She arched her back, pushing deeper into my mouth. I cupped her other and licked each breast, working my way from one to the other, then moved lower.

“Alaric…”

“Let me,” I croaked, catching the sides of her panties and dragged them down. “Please.”

I needed this.

I needed her.

I kissed her belly. Her hip. The tops of her thighs and her soft flesh. I leaned back, dragging my fingers along the crease of her. Pressing when she shifted. Circled when she moaned. Tongue. Fingers. I stroked her, then pushed in deep.

My body reacted to the taste of her. Pressing hard against my boxers. I thrust against air as she lifted her leg and slid it over my shoulder. A low snarl rumbled in the back of my throat and I pressed that sound against her warmth.

“More,” she whimpered, rising onto an elbow. “Alaric, I need more.”

I licked the line of her, letting the rumble build once more, then rose. She wrapped her arm around me as I kissed her hard, letting her taste herself on my mouth. One hard push and my sweats dropped to the floor. My arms took my weight. I drove my hips forward and plunged deep inside.

She stiffened. Gripped tighter. And moaned.

“Harder.”

I closed my eyes. It took everything in me not to unleash, but this was my Nyssa, and I forced myself slower.

“Alaric,” she snarled.

Her grip tightened in my hair. One hard yank and my eyes flew open. Hers were fixed on me.

“Harder,” she demanded once more.

But she didn’t understand.

I was dangerous here. I knew that. I couldn’t allow that part to touch her.

No matter how much she wanted it.

“No.” I shook my head.

She looked up at me. Confusion flickered across her face. “Alaric?”