Page 95 of Bloodguard

After a few long moments, he sighs.

His sea-glass eyes are tormented as he takes me in, like the thought of me coming to harm is more than he can bear. “I thought we’d have more time, Maeve.”

Vitor and Soro have seen that he’s well. That he can fight. And knowing that I don’t want to marry Soro… Yes. Vitor has no doubt figured out my plan.

Once Soro does, too, he’ll come for Leith. With everything he has.

Leith’s hands frame my face, and he tilts my chin up to his. My mouth parts, already anticipating the feel of his kiss. But he doesn’t kiss me. Not yet.

His thumb rubs across my bottom lip.

I shudder in his arms and say what’s in my heart. “I want all my tomorrows to be with you.”

His eyes flare, the pale green glittering in the moonlight. “Whatever time we have, I shall forever cherish.”

I go up on my toes and press my mouth to his before I take his hand and guide us toward my favorite place in the world. To our personal slice of paradise. “Then let’s not waste it…”

chapter 35

Maeve

My trembling hands relax to the sound of the waterfall on the other side of the lake.

My racing heart… Well, that’s something else. It pounds against my ribcage as it demands I give every last bit of it to Leith.

I unfasten the back of my dress. Leith would never pressure me. He wouldn’t even ask. And for that reason and so many others, I want him to have it. To haveme. Slowly, my clumsy fingers tug each button free, and I pull one sleeve down, then the other, exposing all that I am. Every curve. Every bit of pretty.

Every flaw. Every imperfection. Every piece of me that I’ve respected and even more I’ve wished away. For Leith, I bare it all.

He quiets, drinking me in. But his chest rises and falls fast, and his eyes are darker, the pupils dilated so that only a thin rim of pale green shimmers in the moonlight.

I hold my hand out to him, and he takes it. His thick, curved lashes fan over his eyes as he bows his head and kisses the back of my hand. “Are you certain?”

I’ve never been more sure of anything. “Yes, Leith—”

In the next heartbeat, I’m in his arms, his mouth hot on mine, tongue teasing and tasting. I gasp against his mouth at the feel of his big, rough hands gliding over my skin.

There’s a clang when he drops his scabbard to the grass, a pull of cloth as he removes his cape, a slide of leather as he peels off his boots, and a slip of fabric as he loses his breeches.

Leith stops briefly to catch his breath and lift his shirt over his head, his dark hair falling to cascade against his shoulders. Mesmerized eyes skim over my face and drag down my body.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers.

Then his hands are trailing along my skin, his lips following close behind. One hand strokes my waist, testing the side of my hip and curve of my ass, his fingers gripping me as if anticipating the way we will fit together. The other hand caresses my neck, touches my face, angling my head up so he can begin a leisurely exploration along my throat with his mouth and fingertips.

My back arches as Leith threads his fingers through my hair, sweeping his luscious mouth over every portion of damaged skin. He walks us backward until the trunk of the adoni wisteria tree is pressed against my back, his hard body against my front.

My breasts are sensitive, the hardened tips rasping against the muscles of his chest. He moves his torso back and forth, and I gasp. He smirks against my lips and then lifts each breast and cups them, rubbing across the tips with his thumbs.

I can’t control my breaths.

Leith’s shoulders are twice the breadth of mine and thick with corded muscle. Every raised scar and wound on his body—so many that I personally healed—makes me want to do as he does and reverently kiss each one. I touch him, my hands skimming over hard muscle and smooth skin.

He has known so much pain, my gladiator.

But this night, I can bring him pleasure. Of that I am profoundly certain.

His hands pluck at my nipples until I’m writhing against him. As I feel that long, hard part of him thrusting up between us, I switch my attention from his shoulders and chest to stroke my hand over the top of him. Leith tears his mouth away with a loud groan.

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