With a sigh, she leaned against his bare chest and breathed him in. His musk was a constant comfort. How could she give up his scent? And now that he held her, how could she forget how wonderful being surrounded by his warmth and strength felt? “Yes,” she gasped. “I want you.” I love you.
He pressed a kiss against her temple. “Told you, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“How?” She clutched his strong arms. “I can’t give you what you need. We can’t ever…” She hiccupped.
“Fuck?” he whispered. “I’m guessing we can’t risk a condom breaking. And I know magic can be tricky, especially when you go against nature. So, no spell can be used to prevent conception, but babe, I know so many other ways to make love.”
Relief was quickly doused. The corners of her mouth turned downward. “You’ll never hear an echo.”
“And neither will you.” He kissed her hair then framed her face with his hands. “But let me tell you what’s worse. I ran tonight. Trying to escape my own thoughts. Avoiding thoughts of you, but it was impossible. You’re everywhere and everything. You’re the sweet air I breathe.”
Her heart broke at the same time fierce joy erupted inside, hearing him say these things she’d wished for so long to hear. Slowly, she raised her gaze.
He wiped her tears with his thumbs.
His expression was still stark, but not unyielding. And a hint of tenderness glowed in his golden-brown eyes. “I can still share my magic,” she whispered.
“I don’t give a fuck about your magic, Aoife.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Only thing I care about is you,” he said, his voice gruff. “Your happiness. Your…fulfillment.”
And as quickly as he uttered that last word, the air between them crackled. The fine hairs on her arms lifted. The Powers That Be approved. And that confirmation of what her heart already knew was enough. Her pulse beat faster, and her breath hitched in her throat. “I don’t know how to…do it… without, um, actually, doing it…”
His mouth curved into a sexy half-smile any cat would admire. “Baby, follow my lead.”
Chapter Four
‡
Aoife held still while Sigurd smoothed down her hips, and then crushed her dress in his fists as he pulled it upward. She raised her arms and let him draw it off then stood trembling.
His gaze raked her body.
Goosebumps prickled her skin. Her nipples tingled. Embarrassed her arousal was so apparent, she covered her breasts with her palms.
Sigurd backed up to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress, his knees spread. His glance swept over her body then rested on her hands still covering her breasts. “Interesting choice.” His gaze dropped lower.
She rolled her eyes. “If you must know, I’m a little embarrassed at the way my body betrays me.”
He grunted. “My problem’s more noticeable…” He cleared his throat. “Do you want to know what I think about when I jerk off?”
Her eyebrows shot up, and she laughed nervously. Aoife’s nipples spiked harder and, below, she her sex tightened. A slow pulse throbbed there, between her legs. “Did you think of me?” she asked, surprised at the husky quality of her voice.
“I think of you, dancing in the moonlight on the night of the battle.”
So, memories of that night disturbed him as much as they did her. Knowing she wasn’t the only one helped. “I drew down the power of the moon then gave it to you.”
“I thought I was hard until you touched me here,” he said, gripping his shaft.
And by the sharpness of his cheeks and jaw, she knew what he wanted. What she could offer that might make up for what she could never give. She walked toward him and knelt between his splayed thighs. “I smoothed moonlight over your skin, to protect you from injury. I couldn’t resist coating this as well.” She closed her eyes, letting the light she stored inside her soul heat her body and enter her hands. Gently, she placed her warmed hands over his, still gripping his shaft. When he pulled away, she wrapped her fingers around his length, enclosing him and slowly let the heat spill onto the soft, satin skin clothing his hardness.
His gasp was immediate. His head fell back.
All those masculine edges and muscles surrendered to her touch. She watched his chest rise and fall, his breaths deepening as she glided up and down, reveling in the power she bestowed. Because what she surrendered was more than heat. When he lifted his head, his eyes glowed.
“Enough,” he whispered. “I can’t lose control.” He scooted backward on the bed.
She was forced to release him, but she followed, climbing onto the mattress and over his body. His arms enfolded her, bringing her chest against his. With his cock trapped against her mound, she began to ache, deep inside, her core tightening, and pleasure coiling.
He fisted one hand in her hair and pulled her face toward his. His kiss was lusty and hard. His tongue speared into her mouth, and she savored the thrust