Aeromancist - The Beginning (Seven Forbidden Arts 2)

Wait. She opened her eyes. He was hard for her. What was she doing? Ashamed of her weak will, she pushed away. Lann didn’t protest. He let her go, allowing her to place two steps between them. He didn’t say anything, just stood there and watched her.

She touched her fingers to her lips. “I didn’t mean to do that. I’m sorry.”

He gave her a strained smile. “Don’t be.”

Replacing his glasses, he assessed her with clever observation while she tried to get her erratic breathing under control.

“It was a mistake to come here,” she said, turning for the door.

“Katherine.” His unnaturally soft voice made her pause. “You’re torturing me.”

She could only stare at him, at a loss for words.

“What is holding you back?” he asked. “Are you still in love with him?”

She forced through parched lips, “With who?”

“Your ex-boyfriend.”

She gasped. “What do you know about Mac?”

“Did he ever give you an orgasm?”

“Yes,” she said, an ingrained sense of loyalty making her defend Mac. “Every time. Not that it’s any of your business.”

His expression darkened. “Did he make you scream?” She shook her head to make him stop, but he was relentless. “Once I have you in my bed, I intend to give you all of it, everything you’re going to beg me for.”

Blood rushed through her veins. No man had ever spoken to her like this. Her cheeks burned while heat gathered in her core.

“I won’t keep you from your studies if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said in a reasonable voice. “You said it’s important to you, and I respect that.”

She couldn’t believe this conversation was taking place. He was the most forward, unusual man she’d met. He could have anyone in the world. Any woman would fall down at his feet with the flick of his fingers.

“Why me?” she whispered.

His eyes were so intense, she swore they turned a shade darker. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman.”

But… “Why?” She was no one special or noteworthy. She was just a girl who got a kick from flying, a girl who ultimately wanted a degree, a job, and a family—an utterly average life.

Closing the distance she’d put between them, he cupped her jaw. The way he stared into her eyes told her what he was about to say carried significant weight.

“Because, Katherine,” he said in that low, gentle tone, “you move the air for me.”

“Move the air?” What was he talking about?

He dragged his thumb along the line of her jaw. “You touch me in a way I never thought possible.”

The declaration was a powerful aphrodisiac. It even boosted her ego, but this was physical, and she wasn’t sure she could separate sex and emotions. Eventually, emotions always got in the way.

She took a shaky breath. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“Don’t I?” His eyes held a challenge. “I know what matters.”

She stepped away from his touch. She couldn’t think while he was stroking her jaw in a way that seemed both gentle and possessive. “Like what?”

He dropped his hand. “I know you’ll like it in my bed, because making love is like flying. You want it hot and wild. You want someone else to take control. Come to bed with me, Katherine. Surrender that control you want to let go so badly.”

Her breasts hardened painfully. No man had ever been so direct with her regarding his sexual intentions. She was pulled between her body’s desire and her heart urging her to run.

“I’m not asking for your life,” he said, his voice patient even if the set of his shoulders was rigid with tension. “Give me thirty days. In return, I promise you unequalled pleasure.”

Did she hear right? “You want to have sex with me for a month?”

“Just a month, and then I’ll set you free.”

A tremor ran over her body at the thought of his hands on her skin.

“When we’re together, you’ll be mine in every sense of the word.” He smoothed his palms over her arms. “We need to talk about rules.”

“What rules?”

“For the duration of our agreement, starting today, you stay here with me. Since our time is limited, I want you by my side day and night. You can work from here. I’ll bring in anything you need. I won’t keep you from your studies. On the contrary, you’ll have unlimited access to the library and my resources.” He paused, giving her time for his words to sink in. “I expect your exclusivity.” He grasped her chin. “I won’t tolerate another man’s hands on you or your touch on another man. Is that clear?”

She nodded in his grip, and by doing so, realized with shock that she was making it seem as if she not only agreed to his proposal, but also to his rules. She tried to pull back, but this time he held fast.