Page 57 of All the Pain of Promises
Solarius uncurled his fist and planted one finger against her lips, a scowl lining his brow. “This fucking dress.”
Narissa’s spine locked into place, and she glared up at him in challenge. “What’s wrong with it?”
His low, answering chuckle caused her knees to soften and her nipples to pebble. “Nothing. Not a damn thing.”
With his hand still propped on the wall near her head, Solarius leaned closer. He traced the line of her jaw with one finger, then it glided down her neck, between the valley of her breasts, all the way to her navel. He toyed with the diamond piercing there.
Rubbing his lips together, Solarius slid his hand beneath the deep cut of her gown, molding his palm to her hip. “I just need a moment to take you in, to admire you.”
“Right here?” Narissa asked, struggling to form words around her hammering pulse. “In an alcove?”
Tingles radiated from his touch and goosebumps rippled across her flesh. Desire pooled low in her belly and her nails bit into the wall behind her in a desperate attempt to keep herself upright. His labored breathing became her own, his heart pounded in time with hers, and his mouth skated over hers in an almost kiss.
Solarius cocked a brow. “Are you nervous, Rissa love?”
“No.” She stiffened, plastering her back against the wall, ignoring the rough scrape of stone against her skin. Melting when his hand coasted up her waist, to her ribs, to the curve of her breast.
He grinned while his thumb drew small circles over her skin. “Does it make you uncomfortable when I look at you?”
Yes.
“No.” But the word escaped her on a pinched breath and her confidence faltered.
His hand, still snugly fit under the fabric of her dress, roved over her shoulder, catching on the thin diamond strap. “Do you know how easy it would be to snap this flimsy little strap in half?”
Narissa doubted it would take much effort. He could probably break them with a simple tug, shredding the ribbon, sending a waterfall of diamonds scattering around them.
“Please don’t,” she whispered, and he froze, his gaze snagging on hers.
“Don’t?” he asked, watching her intently, and she saw the flash of concern in his eyes. The worry that hardened the silver to steel.
“It’s one of my favorites,” Narissa amended, arching away from the safety of the wall, offering herself to him.
“Then I will be very careful.” He pressed a kiss to her neck, branding her. “Just like I will with you.”
He hooked a finger beneath the diamond strap, slowly letting it slide down her shoulder, then he repeated the motion on the other side so she was completely exposed to him from the waist up.
Her nipples hardened to the point of pain and her breasts grew heavy, aching for his touch. For any kind of reprieve. He cupped her breasts, rolling her peaked nipples between his thumb and forefinger, and she loved the way she fit so perfectly in his hands. Solarius lowered his head, squeezing them both as his tongue darted out and laved her tender nipple. He showered her sensitive flesh with attention—sucking, licking, and teasing until the tension building inside of her sent currents of longing coursing through her. When his teeth scraped at her nipple and lightly bit, tugging it into his mouth, Narissa spasmed and squirmed.
She rolled her hips, peeling off the wall in a silent plea.
Solarius edged back, his hands gripping her hips, pinning her against him so she felt every swollen inch of him. His thumbs drew those agonizing circles again, and she grabbed his shoulders, her nails scraping along the stiff fabric of his collared shirt.
“Do you want more?” he asked, rubbing his lips together.
“You know I do.” Narissa folded her arms beneath her chest, shoving her breasts directly into his line of sight. She lifted one shoulder in feigned disinterest, not wanting to appear needy or desperate.
“So pretty,” he murmured, dropping to his knees before her. One hand vanished beneath the hem of her gown, and she inhaled sharply as his palm skated around her ankle.
Every inch of her was alive, vibrating with desire, and her knees nearly buckled when his hand slid up the back of hercalf all the way to her thigh. Warmth spread through her, and the sensitive flesh between her legs grew damp as his fingers discovered the band of lace wrapped around her leg. Shivers of delight raced down her spine while his fingertips inched closer, brushing the inside of her thigh.
His brows rose in surprise. “What are these?”
“They’re only stockings. To keep me warm.”
“May I look?”
Narissa nodded, grateful he asked her permission, but knowing she would’ve let him look, anyway. If Solarius wanted to duck beneath her skirts and place those exceptionally kissable lips near the tender flesh of her inner thigh, who was she to stop him?
