Page 16 of Crownless King

He focused his gaze on me. “Who told you that?”

“Brebie.”

“And how does she know?” he asked, then waved his hand before I could answer. “Never mind. It’s impossible to hide anything from that woman.”

“She wouldn’t have talked about it if you told her not to.”

“I know. Brebie can be trusted, despite her love for gossip. That’s why I keep her around.”

“So, what’s happening now?”

“Now?” he asked slowly and with some added meaning.

I was about to clarify my question, to ask which of the High Lords he chose to support. But my hand was splayed flat against his chest. With his hand on top of it, Voron moved it into the opening of his shirt. My palm connected with his bare skin. I flexed my fingers, lightly scraping him with my nails.

“Now…” he exhaled, closing his eyes briefly, like a cat enjoying a warm day.

He turned his head, pressing his face into my lower stomach, and wrapped the arm around my hips, bringing me closer.

“Now, little bird, you’re going to kick me off this seat.” His voice was muffled by my dress. His breath seeped through the material, warming my skin just below my belly button.

With his hands propped on the seat, he rose over my lap in one determined movement.

“You’ll pick up your book and slap me with it, Sparrow. Then, you’ll yell at me to keep my hands to myself.”

He slid one hand up my side, gently squeezing my breast on the way up to my neck.

“You’ll have to save me,” he rasped. “Because I don’t know how long I can last on my own.” He caressed the side of my face, sliding his thumb over my lower lip. “You’re the first war I fear I’m not going to win. With you, I’ve been losing each and every battle.”

He fitted his knee between my legs, hovering over me as I sank back into the cushions.

“Help me, Sparrow,” he pleaded. “Stop me.”

I lifted the book he’d implored me to hit him with and held it between us. The focus in his eyes sharpened as he flicked them between the book and my face. Waiting.

Slowly, to make a point, I moved my arm aside and opened my hand, dropping the book to the floor.

Voron was so badly mistaken. I wasn’t the one to save him. I couldn’t stop it. I was already falling myself. Rapidly.

“Cruel, cruel little bird,” he groaned and dropped his head, burying his face between my breasts.

He yanked at the laces of my bodice, untying them.

“So be it.” He pulled the fabric aside, exposing my right breast. “Gods know, I’ve wanted so long to do this…” He kissed the top of my breast, gently at first, then with ever-growing passion as he moved down and finally sucked in my nipple.

I couldn’t focus on any one physical sensation. My entire body was alight. My mind was still reeling that Voron was here, with me, touching me and letting me touch him back.

Tenderness overtook me. Sinking my fingers into his hair, I wanted to lift him higher up my body, to nuzzle his hair, to kiss his lips, to look into his eyes. But he slipped out of my hold, shifting down.

He found the hem of my skirt, then slid his hands up my bare legs, lifting my skirt up to my waist.

“Let me look at you again,” he groaned softly, sliding my underwear down my legs.

His attention filled me with warm excitement. He kissed the inside of my thigh, gently and ever so slowly trailing his kisses up to my core.

This was different from him practically devouring me on the lily pad ten days ago. I’d dreamed about that day while he was away. But I refused to touch myself in his absence. I wantedhishands on me, not mine.

Now, every nerve in my body sprang to life. The heat of intense arousal throbbed between my legs, spurred by the glide of his fingers.

---