Page 91 of Unraveled
“A couple of maids helped me into this thing last night, and I don’t think I can get out of it without help.”
He hums, reaching to the side and putting his glass of whiskey on the table, next to the lantern. The flame flickers, and I stand perfectly still while he works on the knot.
I expect him to say something, but he’s quiet—too quiet for someone like him. I press my arms to my stomach, holding the fabric against myself as it loosens around my breasts.
When he’s done, he doesn’t move away. Neither do I. The air crackles with energy, and my skin tingles in anticipation of what may happen next.
When the tips of his fingers graze the back of my neck, I hold my breath. His touch leaves a trail of goose bumps behind as he brushes an errant strand of hair over my bare shoulder. My heart races as I turn my head to meet his gaze. Whatever restraint he had before, is gone.
He doesn’t stop at my shoulder, and his touch continues down my arm. I let go of the corset, and as it falls to the floor, it skims over the thin layer of the chemise underneath. Ash spins me around, and his lips come down over mine in a deep, sensual kiss. My body is on fire, and his tongue, tasting of sweet whiskey, fans the flames.
His hands move over my chemise, sliding over my breasts and my hardening nipples. “Mia...” His voice is breathless as his lips travel down my jaw and to my neck where he licks and kisses, leaving a trail of heat across my skin. “If you want me to stop?—”
“Don’t stop.” I bury my fingers in his hair and keep his head close to me.
My body craves his touch, and I’m itching to get out of these clothes, to feel his hands on my naked body. A desperate throbbing builds at the apex of my thighs, and I reach for the top of his trousers, loosening the strings that tie them at his narrow waist.
He’s wearing far too many clothes. And this should be scary. Perhaps tomorrow it will be.
He inhales sharply when my fingers graze the tip of his cock. Gods, Nera was right. Fae men are built differently.
“Mia,” he says my name with reverence, pressing his forehead to mine. His hands skim my back and settle on my hips, but he doesn’t move away. “I don’t want our first time to be in this filthy place.”
“I don’t care where we are.” My voice comes out needy, almost a whine. “I want this. I want you.”
He groans against my lips and kisses me soundly as he lifts me from the floor. One minute, my feet are firmly on the ground, the next I’m spun around as Ash swoops me up and presses me against the wall.
Distantly, I hear the water is still running. I don’t care. This feels right.
I move to find some relief from the pressure building in me. He pushes his hips forward, bringing exquisite friction to my aching center. He’s so hard. Deliciously so. I barely hold back a moan as pleasure explodes at the contact.
More. My fingers tangle in the waves of his hair as I pull his face closer to mine.
“I’ve been going mad imagining what you taste like.” Each of his words is full of clear desperation. The scent of him makes my head spin, and my skin grows tight and hot. My core flutters.
He keeps me in place with one arm as his other hand glides up the side of my ribs, pulling away the lacy layer of chemise that’s bunched where our bodies meet. A breath escapes me, fanning over his lips as his hand trails down between my thighs.
He groans deeply, and it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard. I don’t want him to stop. I meet his gaze and see the same hunger reflected there.
“I’ll worship every inch of you until you forget how much you want to leave.” He pulls my chemise off my body and tosses it to the side, leaving me wholly naked and pinned to the wooden wall. The chill of the night hits the heated flesh of my thighs.
“I don’t want to leave you, Ash. Far from it.”
He pauses, his lips grazing mine. “Say it again.”
“I don’t want to leave.” My heart is beating so hard I feel it in my throat. “And I want you—I want us.”
“I want this—us—too.” He swallows, pressing his forehead to mine as his fingers trace lazy circles over my sensitive skin, right beside where I truly crave his touch. A tease, but it keeps the fire burning in my veins as his words sink in. He wants us too, and somehow, this isn’t a one-night thing for him either.
“Ash...” I tighten my arms around his neck, dragging my fingers over the thick layer of feathers wrapping around the base of his skull. I move my hips to the side, just enough so his fingers actually touch me where I want him. So I can find some relief.
“Demanding little Monster.” His dark, sexy chuckle makes my stomach flutter. His thumb finally strokes me in excruciatingly slow circles that send pleasure burning through me. He presses one finger inside me. “Has anyone touched you like this?”
“No,” I gasp, and heat flares in my cheeks. I haven’t told a soul how little intimacy I allowed myself as a librarian. I’ve touched a man before, even if at the time I wasn’t ready to let him touch me. This feels much different.
Before I can say anything else, Ash is kissing me. He presses two more fingers into me, still stoking the fire with his slow circles, and my breath stutters at the slight burn and the delicious stretch that follows. Harder, faster, setting a rhythm that matches my breathing.
“Ash, I need more of you.” I feel like I may explode from the pleasure he’s giving me. My power simmers under my skin. Just there as a reminder it comes alive when emotions are high.
