Circle of Death (Damask Circle 2)

He stopped. She leaned her forehead against his chest, her breath ragged. The thunder of his heart rang through her ears but failed to drown out the thump of footsteps moving past. The bathroom light came on again.

What is it with these people? Haven’t they got a toilet at home?

His smile shone through her. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. It’s our male visitor this time.

She looked up. How can you tell?

Lifted the toilet seat.

She smiled and began planting tiny kisses across his chin. He raised a hand, cupping her cheek, catching her mouth and deepening the kiss again. The toilet flushed and the footsteps moved away. A few seconds later, the back door slammed.

Alone again. Shall we continue this in a more comfortable position? He hesitated. Or would you rather stop altogether?

You stop now, and I think I will explode with frustration.

You wouldn’t be the only one. He smiled and kissed her briefly, tenderly. Their minds merged, and just for an instant, his desire scorched through her. But right behind it, following like a tidal wave, came his feelings. She closed her eyes, shaken to the core. She didn’t deserve the depth of those emotions. Didn’t know if her own feelings could ever truly match his.

“I don’t expect them to. Not yet.” He brushed the hair from her eyes, his touch shivering heat through her heart, her soul. “You asked for time before, and that’s all I want myself. Time together, so that you can more fully understand both my feelings and yours. Because those feelings are there, and so strong that I can almost taste them.”

Her gaze searched his, and she wondered whether he was right or was merely hoping it to be the truth. The touch of wistfulness in his tone suggested it might be the latter, and it crystalized the fear that he would leave and not come back. But right then, she didn’t really care. They had this moment to enjoy, and for once in her life, fear of the unknown was going to take a backseat.

“Kirby, you have to trust me—and trust the fact that while I may have to go back to the U.S., I will come back for you.”

Maybe. Maybe not. “If they’ve left, can we please take this discussion elsewhere? The dust is starting to get up my nose.”

He laughed softly and rolled out from under the bed. She followed, and he wrapped a hand around her forearm, helping her up, then pulling her close.

“Now, where were we?” He began sliding her shirt off her shoulders.

Excitement thrummed through her. She cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow. “Here? I thought we were moving to someplace more comfortable. You can hardly call a single bed comfortable.”

“Depends who’s in it with you.” His grin was roguish and made her heart do somersaults. Her bra quickly joined her shirt on the floor. “Now, let’s do something about those jeans, huh?”

He knelt, his tongue trailing heat down her stomach. She shivered in delight, anticipation growing. He slid her jeans and panties down her legs, allowing her to step out. Then he delved into her moistness, the caress of his tongue whisper soft and oh so arousing. She gasped, excitement pulsing through her, until every nerve ending screamed for release. He rose, claiming her mouth again and kissing her hard. He slipped his hand between her legs and stroked her, gently at first, then faster when the tremors began. She moaned, clinging to him, thrusting against his touch, climaxing hard and fast. She wished he were inside, climaxing with her, and yet not wanting it to end so soon.

“Nor shall it,” he murmured. “That, my love, was merely an appetizer.” He kissed her neck, her shoulders, then captured her nipple in his mouth, sucking lightly.

She gasped, and the embers she thought well sated sprang back to life. She pulled away from his touch. “Then by all means, let’s share.”

He arched an eyebrow and raised his hands, a teasing smile on his lips. “My body is yours to play with.”

“And a beautiful toy it is, too,” she murmured as she knelt.

She slowly undid his jeans and eased them down, taking his shorts with them. Allowed him to step out, then slowly ran her tongue up his leg and teasingly caressed the hard length of him until heat filled the link and threatened to burn them both.

She rose and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him against her, until the heat of his body seemed to invade every pore. She kissed him urgently, felt his hands cup her bottom and draw her closer, until his erection pressed deep into her stomach.

He kissed her neck, her breasts, trailing fire through her body. She groaned and pushed him back onto the bed, straddling him and pressing him against her moistness. Slowly, teasingly, she rocked back and forth. God, she wanted him inside so much she ached. But not yet. Not just yet.

He made a needy sound deep in his throat and reached for her, pulling her down against his chest and kissing her hard. She continued to rock, teasing them both, until the flames of desire burned through their minds and threatened to consume them.

Deep within her the trembling was growing, becoming a tide almost overloadi

ng her senses. She rubbed harder and heard his response—a quick, sharp gasp. Could feel him quivering and knew he was battling for control.

He released her lips, then ducked his head and caught her nipple, sucking hard. She gasped, and the tide became a wave of pleasure she could no longer hold at bay. Needing him inside, she shifted and captured him fully. He groaned, thrusting urgently, pushing her over the brink into ecstasy. She moaned and rode him hard, until their tremors had finally eased and they both were spent.

She collapsed against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he never meant to let her go. She closed her eyes and wished that were the case. And the doubts rose once more, teasing her insecurities to life.