Page 25 of Raising the Sun

“You look positively parched, my dear.” He slid the forked tip of his dexterous tongue across his bottom lip, presumably to taunt me.

“You found my drinks cupboard, I see.”

“Human spirits cannot get me drunk, but it does burn nicely in my throat.” He offered me the glass. “Would you like a taste?”

He was a tenant inside my head, I was sure of it.

I nodded, but instead of handing over the drink like I’d expected, Ash took another sip, holding it in his mouth as he moved closer. With all the care of a lover’s caress, he tilted mychin, used his thumb to pry my lips apart, then kissed me. My breath hitched, and my heart may have skipped a beat or two.

The whisky felt like acid on my tongue, searing a trail down my throat as I swallowed, but it was worth it to feel his soft lips, to hear him moan against me. It sent sparks from my ears straight down to my toes, freezing me in place.

It wasn’t my first kiss, but it was by far the hottest.

Ash knotted his fingers in the long hair at my crown, keeping my head pinned at an angle as his tongue—the split tips that I remembered curling around my cock—flicked past my teeth in exploration. Whisky trickled from the corner of my mouth, and he paused long enough to catch it, not wasting a single drop of the sweet, smoky nectar, before diving back in with a pleased hum.

I may have held my breath for however long it lasted, unwilling to part even for air. The warmth, the closeness, the thrill, all of it was consuming me, making everything that wasn’tusfade into the background. It was bliss, a peace settling in my head, in mybones, that I hadn’t known for months. If this was how it felt to kiss him, what would it be like to have more?

I wanted to find out.

As if sensing it—and deciding to be the wilful arse that he was—Ash withdrew, reclining at the far end of the sofa again, leaving me panting and disgruntled. He sprawled out like a contented cat, undoing his robe with a calculated flick, and basked for my viewing pleasure, a smirk firm on his face. Heknew he looked good, and normally I’d have rolled my eyes at his antics, but with a glance downward, I understood his arrogance.

Sulk forgotten, my eyes widened, mouth watering at the sight of forest-green lingerie against miles of gorgeously sleek, dark skin and lightly-toned muscle. A bralette covered his pecs, nipples pebbling under the lacy fabric, as if tempting me to bite them. The outline of his cock was visible through the knickers, not yet hard, but jerking with the attention.

Whereasmydick was perked high, my dropped jaw almost smacking the tip.

“I like that look on you.” His voice was pitched low, smooth as honey. “All heart-eyes and tongue lolling on the floor. Very flattering.”

Before I could defend myself, he spread his legs a little more and the robe slid off his thighs, revealing frilly green garters.

Fucking hell.

“Jesus Christ,” I choked out on an unsteady breath, my eyes fixed on how those innocuous slips of fabric bunched around the supple skin that I wanted to bury my face in.

And mark with my teeth.

“Not quite, pet.” He grinned, smug and shark-like. “But I can be your saviour, if you wish me to be.”

I swallowed thickly, my hands tightening into fists in my lap with the uncertainty of what to do next. My gaze roved from the arch of his horns, to his neck, graceful and slender, all the way down to his toes, lingering on each detail and contouralong the path before darting up again. I’d already seen him naked, but this felt different.Kinkier. I was in overdrive. So many fantasies were whirring through my head that it stalled me. I wanted to touch everything, to worship, to make him feel as good as he’d made me feel the other morning, but I didn’t know how.

I didn’t know if Icould.

Perceptive as ever, Ash seemed to understand my hesitation, his smile softening at the edges. He didn’t mock my inexperience, didn’t show any impatience about my nerves or lack of confidence, he just slid a foot towards me, snaking it between my legs and pressing against the growing bulge in my pants. I moaned, eyes shuttering and hips shifting towards the pressure.

My thoughts scattered.

“Is this all for me?” he purred, gently stroking my clothed prick as I clenched my fists even tighter as an anchor to keep myself from doubling over. “Such a good little creature, aren’t you? So polite and eager to please. You want me so badly, don’t you, petal?”

I nodded dumbly, biting my lip to stifle the whine building in my throat.

I was no dog, but I sure as shit would bark if he asked.

Ash swept a hand over his body in a pointed gesture. “You can have me. In whatever way you’d like. Don’t be shy. I’ll give you anything you desire.”

I barely resisted the urge to pounce on him like a horny animal, but I managed, determined to do everything in my power not to put him off or make myself look like a complete novice as before. There was so much I wanted to do to him, so many places I ached to explore until he shivered and cried with pleasure, but it was difficult to choose what to do first.

Best to start slow.

“Can I—” I cleared my throat. “Can you kiss me again?”

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