Page 56 of The Aether

Damian shifted closer, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other across her upper chest. Drawing her back against him, he said, “I’ve missed you. Missed this. Us. So damned much.”

She could feel the warmth of his body against her own, and a shiver ran down her spine.

"I've missed you, too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “This. Us. More than I can ever say.”

Without another word, Damian turned her toward him. Cradling her face, he covered her mouth with his, sliding his tongue between her parted lips. His kiss was the perfect blend of gentle and fierce. Almost worshipful as it went on.

She fell into the act, kissing him back like there might be no more tomorrows for either of them. With the threat of Morcant, there might not be, and Vivian would be damned if she wasted one more second on insecurity or regret. Making love with Damian was the balm to her wounded heart. Wounds she’d inflicted upon her own person. But she requiredhimto make her whole again.

Picking up on her need, he returned her passion with urgency and assuredness. As if once he recognized she wanted him as much, if not more, than he wanted her, his uncertainty dissolved into determination.

With every move, every touch, every sweep of his tongue across hers, he drugged her, drawing her further under his seductive spell like he had every other time before. If sex had a poster child, it would be her husband.

Her husband.

Hers.

Vivian smiled against his mouth, and he inched away with a questioning look. Shaking her head, unable to explain her possessiveness and pride, she unbuttoned his shirt and eased it down his sinewy arms. Her eyes devoured his beautifully sculpted chest, and she let her hands wander over his golden skin.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever felt as objectified.” Laughter was evident just beneath the surface.

“I’m calling bull. Every woman who’s ever encountered you has totally objectified you.”

Damian surprised her when he grew serious. “I’ve never wanted that. It’s important you know.”

“I do. I trust you, darling. Always and forever moving forward.”

A dark scowl hijacked his features, and he halted the exploration of her hands. “You think I was unfaithful in the past?”

“No.” Running her fingers up his chest, she wove them into his thick hair and drew his head down. “Never. You’re too honorable. I should’ve said I’ve always trusted you and I always will. But we both know there was a time I let Josie sway me. Moving forward,youare the one I’ll believe above all others.”

Mollified, he replaced her palms flat against his pecs. “Carry on.”

Laughingly, she did.

Leaning in, Vivian licked the tight bud of his nipple. His hands came up, and he threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her in place. Another lick elicited his soft moan, and latching on, she suckled his nipple, toying with the tip.

“Mmm. I think we should lie down before my knees give out like an overwrought debutant,” he said in a deep, raspy voice.

His was akin to the voice of a god, with the barest hint of a British inflection leftover from his childhood, and the sound shot a thrill through her. It was as hypnotic as the rest of him.

“Don’t use words like overwrought or debutant unless you care to give away your ag—”

“Don’t you dare sayage, wench!”

“Wench went out about a hundred years ago, too,” she informed him pertly.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he growled.

Her clothes were gone in a snap, and his lips and hands were everywhere at once, but nothing felt rushed. He caressed her as he’d done a thousand times, hitting all her erogenous zones without fail. Stimulating her and driving her into a frenzy over and over again. As the fire within her grew, she cried out, pressing up against him and begging for mercy.

Their eyes met and held.

The fierce longing in his gaze was her undoing.

There was no play, no teasing after that.

Only raw need.

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