Page 112 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

Gideon edged his body closer to hers, like he had every morning when he woke. She felt the heat from his skin seeping through her silk nightwear. The silk nightwear that was another gift from Cally and her never-ending trips to the Markets.

When Emara had told Cally she would be staying with Gideon in the infirmary again, she had insisted that she wear a strappy, charcoal grey blouse that was made of the finest silk—and the extremely short undergarments to match. Cally had tried to roll up the garment from the waist to show the curve of Emara’s buttocks, but Emara had pulled it down in protest.

Have a little fun, Emara. Show off your curves. Embrace them. It will drive him mad. Do you want Gideon to look at you like you are a friend, or girl whom he might want to ravish in the night?

Deciding between the two outcomes, she had rolled the undergarments over once at the waistband.

The sweetness of Gideon’s breath tickled into the nape of her neck, distracting her, as he spoke, “I am sorry for nodding off on you so quickly last night.” He kissed again and again at her skin. “I wish I didn’t need to keep taking those elixirs that make me drowsy, but it’s the fastest and least painful way to heal.” He ran a hand up her bare leg, tenderly. He rimmed the hem of her undergarment with his index finger.

She tightened the muscles in her legs, forcing them together.

Oh, to the ancient Gods of Caledorna.

“It’s quite alright.” She collected herself. “I know first-hand how fuzzy Rhea’s potions can make you. Plus, it’s allowing me to brush up on my knowledge whilst you sleep. I have missed twenty years of learning, you know.”

He ran the backs of his knuckles down her arm and kissed into the tip of her spine at the same time.

Her back arched in response.

She fought to keep her breathing steady. “I have enjoyed it. The books, the manuscripts...all very informative.”

He laughed softly. “Do you want to know what I have enjoyed?” He pulled himself up and over, rolling her underneath. Her head sunk fully into a feathery pillow. “I have enjoyed waking up to your face every day.” He brushed his nose over hers and her heart fluttered.

“I can see that you are feeling a lot better.” She smirked back at him as she ran her fingers down his side. “Please don’t hurt yourself.” Emara felt her brows pull together.

His chocolate brown hair fell over his forehead as he lowered his face to hers. “I had to feel better for the uplift. I promised someone a dance…”

She snorted. “I don’t think that someone is overly fussed about dancing at the uplift. So you don’t have to mend yourself for that reason only. Plus, you said you don’t dance.” She allowed herself to run her hands down the plains of his back, wishing the shirt he had on wasn’t there so that she could feel his skin under her palms.

“That’s not the only reason...” He paused. “It was essential to get better for this reason, too.” He lowered himself slowly down against her body and brought his lips to hers. He gently separated them so that her mouth was wide enough to deepen the kiss. Emara’s heart pounded in her chest as he moved his knees closer to her body to stabilise himself, freeing a hand that reached up and cupped her face. Feeling the kiss deepen in her mouth, she pulled his shirt, closing the small gap between their bodies until the curve of her upper frame connected with his.

Moving his hand slowly around her jaw, he traced his lips down her neck and kissed into a soft spot. A moan escaped from her lips and a tingling sensation led directly to her core. “I would dance for you.”

She took a breath.

He kissed further down, hovering over her collarbone as he went, causing her body to arch into him. He trailed his tongue further down, to her breastbone, pulling at the skimpy material with his teeth. A breathy moan escaped from her throat and he planted a kiss between her breasts.

She had never done anything like this before, but everything felt so natural. Like her body was automatic to his touch.

He kissed along the top of the material, where the fragile lace met the delicate silk. Emara felt his hot breath seep through to her skin. Her head fell back, and she closed her eyes. Quickly, he lowered his hips and brushed against her, allowing her to feel every inch of him against her.

All of him.

An unfamiliar satisfaction devoured her as she knew in that moment that he was enjoying this as much as she was. Spurred on by Gideon’s arousal, Emara lifted her hand to his neck and angled his head, running her teeth along his earlobe. A primal moan purred from his throat, sending sparks all over her body.

And then his mouth was against hers, desperately. The kiss quickened as she ran her fingers through his hair wildly, grinding her hips against his hardness. He moved with her, mirroring her movement, intensifying everything.

She didn’t want this to end.

With the taste and touch of Gideon Blacksteel, her body craved more. Her mouth wanted more. It wasn’t enough.

His lips twisted with hers as she pushed her tongue back against his, finding a sweet friction between them. She ripped at Gideon’s shirt and he sat back on his knees, lifting the material over his head, and flung it to the ground. He winced, for a second, looking at this arm. She stared at him, the perfectly laboured muscle that knitted his torso together, as he leaned overher. His throat bobbed as he looked down at her, watching him. She sat up to meet him, sweeping her hand across his abdomen, and he shuddered in response. Emara traced her index finger down the soft line of hair that swirled into the waistband of his pants and she allowed herself one soft kiss to his stomach.

“I want you so bad,” he whispered as his mouth found hers again, pushing her back against the mattress. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, wide and deep. His kiss left her breathless as he pulled away. This time, he skipped her collarbone and, through her shirt, consumed her breast with his mouth. She let out another moan of pleasure.

A sound she hadn’t known she could make. She blessed and cursed the material that lay between her bare skin and Gideon’s tongue as she flung her head back in gentle ecstasy. The pleasure ran through her spine and in between her legs.

He moved quickly, tucking his arms under her bare legs and yanking her down the bed. Before surprise could set in, he had pushed the silk material of her top up to the lining of her breasts and he trailed his mouth down her torso.

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