Page 104 of Song of the Dark Wood

Conor rolled his eyes. “How to stay in my right mind.”

“Just have some fun. You’ve been way too tense, boss. You deserve it, and she certainly seems a spirited girl. No reason not to enjoy yourself. It would only help?—”

Conor narrowed his eyes. “No. It’s out of the question.”

Charlie sighed, shaking his head. “If you don’t, you might not be able to protect her much longer anyway.”

The words settled in Conor’s stomach like a stone. As much as he hated to admit it, Charlie had a point. The magic in him surged at the thought.

Conor satin his chair facing the bed, not sure where to begin. He needed to be himself. Maybe that would serve a dual purpose in giving him what he needed while also scaring her away.

Rowan sighed as she rolled over in bed and stretched, pushing her wild hair out of her eyes. She grinned at him, sitting up and letting the sheet fall away from her full breasts.

“I want you again,” he said.

Instead of looking apprehensive, Rowan’s eyes lit up. “How?”

Of all the questions in the world, she asked the one that sent all of his focus south.Of course she’d ask that. It was what she was taught to ask, he reminded himself.

“You’re just saying that,” he accused. “You were taught to want that.”

“Am I?” she asked. She climbed out of bed and crossed the room until she stood right in front of him. She lowered herself to her knees in front of his chair, and he swallowed hard at the sight.

“Perhaps I simply want to make you feel as good as you made me feel,” she whispered. “Perhaps I know you were holding back and I want all of you like you’ve had all of me.”

Conor stared at her. “I held so much back before.”

“I know.”

“I’m afraid of hurting you. I don’t want to get carried away.”

“Conor,” she said, sliding her hands up his thighs. He flinched at her touch. “I want you to get carried away. You’vebeen in control so long, and so have I. I want something else, and I don’t care if it’s dark. Neither of us are afraid of the dark.”

Conor groaned. “That may be true, but I still don’t want you like this.”

“Then how do you want me?”

“I want you to tell me what you want,” he said. He was losing his nerve.

She blinked up at him and bit her lower lip. “I want you wild—how you really are.”

He tugged her to her feet and tossed her back on the bed. She let out a squeal of delight and surprise. He slid off his pants and prowled between her legs.

“Rowan, Rowan, Rowan…where do I even begin with you?” he murmured as he kissed the inside of her ankle, her inner knee, then up her stomach.

She whimpered, arching into his mouth. She had the unique ability to separate him from his sanity with just that sound. How had he ever felt the predator in their relationship when he was so obviously prey to the exquisite woman in front of him?

Her green eyes were bright and full of fire, and he’d willingly let her burn right through him. At times, she seemed unaware of the power she held, and at others, she asserted an effortless command over it.

He wanted her in every position, on every surface of that room, but for now, he’d settle just for seeing her face as he moved with her. In all his years of celibacy, Conor had forgotten what it was like to be with someone.

In the back of his mind, an even more frightening revelation reared its unwelcome head. He’d never once felt the kind of connection he did with Rowan, and it intensified every kiss, every touch, every glance. The bond made it even stronger.

He slid inside her, and they both groaned in unison. He was certain nothing had ever felt as good as being so close to her.

“Okay?” he asked, brushing hair from her eyes.

“Goddess above, Conor! Stop checking on me. I’m fine, and I’ll say if I’m not. Now move!” she huffed, lifting her hips, seeking friction.

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