Page 48 of A Conduit of Light
“Willyou stay with me tonight?” he spoke in a raw rasp and she kissed his throat lightly as it bobbed in his question.
Shepulled back, her smile sultry, filled with a promise of the passion they would share.Sweepinghis hair from his face, she cupped the side of his cheek and whispered above his lips, “Idon’t think there’s a single thing on this isle that could drag me from your bed tonight.”
Hewas on her mouth then, their passion colliding in a wave of kisses and heavy breaths, all hesitation gone, all thoughts of her power and whether she would stay disappeared with every caress of her back and every tug on his hair.
Helifted her to him, her legs wrapping around his waist, and she pushed harder on his mouth, unwilling to let herselfbreathewithout his lips on hers.
Hebalanced her on his knee as he placed a boot on the edge of the bed, holding her up with ease, grabbing her waist with one hand, pulling at the ties of her dress with the other, his talents revealed in the movement, and she smirked on his lips as she felt her bodice loosen and begin to fall off her chest.
Thefreedom of it was welcome, her skin longing for his hands, his caress, and she fell back onto his bed, tugging at the sleeves, pulling the white cotton off her chest, pushing it down off her hips, her belly writhing in anticipation of his body over hers.
Shepulled her legs out in one quick motion and threw the gown off the bed, stretched out before him, unclothed, unsheathed, and unwilling to look away from his gaze.
Hestared down at her, his sharp intake of breath through his nose at the sight of her fully before him excited her and she laughed in bliss of how she affected him.
Hebegan with his boots, pulling them off one by one before moving to the buttons on his vest, his eyes never leaving hers as she lay back on her elbows, one leg crossed over the other, a smirk on her lips, enjoying the presentation before her.
Shruggingout of his vest, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the heap of clothing piling up on the floor.Thesight of his torso, toned, hair trailing down his chest, eventually disappearing into the band at his waistline, was almost too much for her, and she resisted going to him, ready to help in his undressing.
Hegave her a half smile as he moved his hands to the button of his trousers.Shecould see the evidence of his desire for her pressing against them.Theyfell off his waist and confirmed her thoughts, her lower belly twisting, warm, and almost painful at the anticipation.
“Youare so beautiful.”Shebroke the silence, unwilling to let him ever wonder at her thoughts as he stood unclothed before her, the tight muscle of his thighs flexing as he brought himself onto the bed, over her body, their skin not yet touching—hers writhing in the agony of it.
“Andyou?Whatdoes that make you?”Helowered his body onto hers finally, her hips rising to meet with his as she slid her leg up his side, pulling him even closer, her hands sliding through his hair.
Grazingher lips between each thought, he whispered, “Youare perfect.Everyinch of you.”Heshook his head in the dark, the low firelight casting his face in shadow. “Icannot imagine howIam ever going to leave this bed again withyouin it.”
“Thendon’t,” she challenged, welcoming the fullness of him inside her, their bodies entwined, moving as one, as the fire died low behind them.
Chapter21
Ash
Rev’stouchwas light as he stroked a thumb acrossAsh’slips, rousing her from a deep sleep.Shesmiled at the gentleness of his caress, sweeter than the raw passion they had shared the night before.Hisfingers traced the shape of her bottom lip and she kissed them, relishing in the earthy scent of pine.
Keepingher eyes shut, she reached out and pulled him onto her, their bodies bare and warm, pressed together in a lover’s embrace.Hechuckled to himself as he began those early morning kisses, starting lightly on her temple, across her eyes, down her nose, meeting her lips, his tongue coy and coaxing—asking her to come out and play.Shestretched her body along the length of his, pushing her hips into the hardness of him, sliding her belly up his length, an inviting smile on her lips.
Revichgroaned lightly at the suggestion and whispered on her mouth, “Wehave no time for that, my love.”
Hereyes flickered open, lips in a pout. “Whynot?Neitherof us have left this bed.Mightas well just keep going.”
Helaughed, pressing his forehead into hers, his eyes serious. “Ifwe don’t leave this bed,I’mafraidClairanniaandFiguerahwill break down the door.”
“What!”Shesat up, pulling the quilt to her chest, turning toward the door out of the room.
“Theywere here about twenty minutes ago.Youwere dead asleep,Ash.”Helaid onto his back, placing his hands behind his head. “Ididn’t get up to meet them, butFiguerahyelled through the door, andIquote, ‘Ifwe don’t seeAshin thirty minutes, we’re tearing this door down by whatever means necessary.’”
Ashlaughed at the thought of it.
“Ibelieve her.Yousaid you’d see them at dinner, right?Andthen you’ve also missed breakfast?”Hetsked his tongue and took her hand, pulling her onto his chest. “I’dbe breaking down doors, too.”
“Wemissed breakfast?”
Oncue, her stomach rumbled loudly, warring with other parts of her body that begged to stay in bed—door and belly be damned.
“Pompeiican bring us something to eat if you’d like.BaronHeimlenis aware of your exhaustion, andIlet him know last night thatI’vegiven you the morning off from training.”
Shegasped in mock anger. “YousneakyBaron, you!Youplannedon seducing me—admit it!”
