Aeromancist - The Beginning (Seven Forbidden Arts 2)

Her stomach summersaulted. If she had a wise bone in her body, she’d be running right now, but instead, she took the hand he offered and allowed him to pull her next to him.

As he explained the content of the book, quoting Latin phrases, and showing her what needed repair, his arms and thighs brushed against her from time to time. Every sweeping touch ignited a new fire. Every breath of air that fanned from his mouth over her face made her want to feel his lips on hers again.

After a grueling hour of his proximity, his deep, calm voice doing nothing to relax her, he finally put the book away.

“Come, Katherine.”

If the smile he gave her was meant to be soothing, it had the opposite effect. Her body was as tight as a violin string. He took her hand and led her outside. The monastery was eerily quiet.

She looked around. “Where are Martina and the others?”

“They get off at five.”

Of course. She’d lost track of time.

They walked down the hallway and up the stairs to the end of the landing. He opened the second to last door and pulled her inside.

She was too aware of the fact that he’d closed the door to inspect the room. She glanced back at him, her heart pounding in her chest.

His expression was warm, affectionate even. “Do you like your new room?”

Her room? She turned her attention with difficulty to the room. There was a big bed in the center of the floor, a living area facing a balcony, and two doors on opposite sides. It was a handsome room, masculine, with dark furniture and finishes in hues of blue.

“Will this do?” Lann asked.

The question didn’t require an answer, but she nodded anyway.

“Good,” he said. “Now, krasavitsa, take off your clothes for me.”Chapter 4This wasn’t what Kat had expected. At least, not like this. She stared at Lann, hoping she was misunderstanding. “What do you mean?”

“You heard me,” he said in that soft tone he often used with her but that did nothing to calm her nerves.

“I … this is awkward.”

“You’re like a string ready to snap. Let’s just get this part over with so you can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

She bit her lip. “Aren’t you supposed to seduce me or something?”

“If I have to seduce you, you’re not compliant.”

She swallowed. “I don’t think I can do it. Not like this.”

“You have the face of an angel and the body of a goddess.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “You’ll have me on my knees at the drop of your dress.”

Her heartbeat spiked. She’d never thought of herself like that.

“Take it one step at a time,” he said. “Start with the shoes.”

This was what she’d signed up for. This wasn’t your average candlelight dinner and then deciding whose place to go back to. Surprisingly, skipping the dating ritual made it hotter.

“That’s it,” he said as she pulled off her sandals. “Easy, see? Now the dress.”

Hesitatingly, she pushed the straps over her shoulders. Why was this so difficult for her? It was because she felt out of her depth. She didn’t know anyone like Lann. He was foreign, exotic, intense, and a little frightening. However, she’d made the decision and she was determined to see it through.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the dress down over her hips and let it pool around her ankles.

He dragged a heated gaze over her, stopping on her breasts. When he lifted an eyebrow in a silent challenge, she reached for the clasp of her bra at her back, undid it, and let the garment fall on top of her dress. Her breasts hardened when they spilled from the confinement of the lace cups, her nipples tightening in response. The way his eyes deepened to a golden color that seemed to glow told her he liked what he saw. He stared openly, carnal hunger etched on his face. He wasn’t shy about letting her see the effect her naked body had on him.

After a long moment, he dropped his gaze to her French-cut, matching panties. “However sexy those are, they have to go too.”

She pulled off the final barrier as he followed the action with that lustful gaze, setting fire to her skin with nothing but a look. Standing naked before the tall Russian while he was fully dressed make her feel both vulnerable and excited. She liked the perverseness of the situation, something new she learned about herself.

He took a step back to study her. “Perfect, just as I’d thought.”

A hot flush crept up her neck.

“Do you ever look at yourself the way I’m looking at you?” he asked.

She shook her head.

Taking her shoulders, he turned her toward the full-length swivel mirror next to the dresser. “I want you to see what I see.”