AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 22
As warm lips pressed against hers, Lavinia couldn’t help but let out a moan. Sebastian immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he traced her lips with his tongue. She wanted this.
She’d wanted this for longer than she could remember. And it felt serendipitous that both times she’d asked him to kiss her, it had been after one of them had painted the other.
There was something erotic about drawing the other person, whether clothed or naked, whether seriously or in a jest. It was like staring inside a person’s world and seeing oneself reflected in the other’s eye.
She wasn’t a great artist, obviously. She wasn’t an artist at all; she was terrible at it. But just earnestly trying to draw Sebastian, concentrating on his features, forced her to see him differently.
He was a handsome man, that part she’d always known. But as she looked at him over the sketchbook, she was not studying the shape of his nose or the arch of his brows. She wondered what thoughts lurked beneath his blazing emerald green eyes, what thoughts plagued that complex mind of his.
She did pay attention to his physical appearance, of course. It was impossible to ignore. But she had no dream of ever capturing the texture of his coarse, black hair or the perfect peaks and planes of his body. He was built like a god, all hard muscle and long limbs. And then there was the most exciting part of his body… his swollen, masculine length. It was angry red and covered with tiny veins, just as hard and captivating as the rest of him.
No, she would never be able to put that beauty on canvas. And she wasn’t trying to.
Instead, she accentuated his eyes, because the first thing she had noticed about him was how they sparkled when he said something mischievous. She put a dimple in the corner of his mouth because it appeared there every time he smiled earnestly. She drew each of his elegant, long fingers because she would forever remember the warmth of his touch.
She wasn’t a real artist. No. She couldn’t dream of ever putting down on canvas his likeness the way he deserved. But if she looked at this sketch twenty years from now and could remember the shine in his eyes and the smile on his lips, she would consider her job well done.
Sebastian’s hand traveled up her spine and cradled her head, his fingers sifting through her hair as he angled her for better access. He swept his tongue inside her mouth, and all thought fled her mind.
She was like a raw wound: exposed, bleeding, sensitive to his touch. His kiss aroused and soothed her at the same time. She felt vulnerable and also protected in his arms. How could one person stir such a wide array of emotions all at once?
Lavinia felt confused, and she didn’t know how to respond to his passion. Her blood was rushing in her veins, making her hot and bothered. An uncomfortable feeling between her legs made her squirm. And as close as he was to her, she wanted him closer. She wanted to wrap herself around him and lose herself in him.
Lavinia ran her hands up his chest, wanting to explore the topography of his body, and he groaned.
Her eyes flew open at the realization that she had the same effect on him as he did on her. She had power over him. He was just as lost in their kiss, their connection, as she was. And he was just as exposed to her, maybe more so.
Lavinia closed her eyes and trailed her fingertips along his burning flesh. His muscles jumped beneath her touch, his breath hitching.
How lovely it was to feel wanted, needed. To feel control over another person, to bring him genuine pleasure while experiencing pleasure herself.
His tongue swept inside her mouth, tickling, stimulating, devouring her.
She wondered what he tasted like, so she touched her tongue to his.
The next moment, everything changed.
His fingers tightened in her hair, his other hand snaking around her waist, pressing her closer. He was like a hungry animal, lapping at her mouth, not able to get enough of her taste. And so was she.
His tongue rubbing against hers sent shooting sensations down her body. Her blood heated, and she wanted to be closer. Needed him closer.
Lavinia whimpered.
“Shh.” Sebastian kissed down her neck. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”
She moaned his name as he moved lower, kissing her collarbone, then the tops of her breasts. He licked around her round birthmark, then traced his tongue along the edge of her bodice. Sebastian dipped his fingers under the sleeves, then looked into her eyes.
His emerald eyes were blazing with passion. She knew what he wanted. He was asking permission to lower the sleeves and bare her shoulders. Lavinia’s heart drummed in her chest at the idea of being more open to him. Bare to him.
What would he think of her?
Lavinia met his gaze and nodded.
Her cheeks burned, and her entire body stiffened as he slowly lowered the sleeves. He dipped his head and peppered kisses over her shoulders. He then hooked his fingers over the top of her bodice and raised his brow.
Lavinia licked her dry lips. Sebastian’s gaze fell to her mouth, his eyes hooded, and he let out a shuddering breath. Did he truly crave her this much that his breath was ragged? Part of her couldn’t believe this was real, that he was earnest.
