Page 146 of A Tower of Half-Truths
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“For what?”
“For convincing me to not make this journey alone. What I did last year was a mistake, but going it alone would have been equally foolish. You were right. I do need your help. And, loath as I am to admit it, I may even need Neldren’s—”
“Shh.” She placed her index finger on his lips. “No more talking about him, or spells, or even the temple. In fact…” She shifted closer, until the tips of their noses were barely touching. “I’m not much in the mood fortalking.”
He smiled. “What a coincidence. I’m not in the mood for that, either.”
He drew her in for a kiss that began soft and slow. The moment his tongue slipped into her mouth, her hands began to roam. Over these past days, they’d explored each other’s bodies while fully clothed and beneath bedsheets. Tonight was the first opportunity to see what they’d only imagined.
One of her hands cupped his chin while the other trailed the length of his spine, grasped his arse, and gave it a firm squeeze. He emitted a moan of surprise, then wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer. Their arms entangled while their fingers sought every inch of exposed skin. One of her hands meandered to the front of his shirt. She pulled the fabric free from his waistband, and he shivered as her fingers brushed his bare stomach. But when her hand slipped into his trousers, they both paused.
“Oh,” Mavery said. “Seems you’re not ready yet. Well, not to worry…”
She wrapped her fingers around his length as she resumedkissing him. But her efforts proved ineffective; he remained as soft as before.
Damn it…
He squeezed his eyes shut as he focused on Mavery’s touch, hoping he could manifest a great surge of arousal, that he could will every drop of blood to flow where he needed it most. But it was no use. It never was when his body was this fatigued, his mind this full. Mavery’s free hand rested on his cheek, and behind his eyelids, he saw brief flashes of Vara’s disappointment, Conor’s frustration. He feared what he would see this time when he opened his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I can assure you, this has nothing to do with you. I find you incredibly desirable. It’s—”
“Alain, it’s all right.”
He opened his eyes at last. Mavery’s gaze was soft, and though she wore a slight frown, it seemed more out of concern than frustration, or even disappointment.
“I understand,” she said. “It’s been a rough couple of days. Maybe we should both turn in for the night, get some rest.”
“Yes—I meanno. I need this. I need to…”
I need to know I’m adequate. As adequate as the man downstairs, at any rate.
She sighed. “Is this because of Neldren?”
His eyes widened. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she was a Mystic. Perhaps his thoughts truly were that obvious.
“How did you…?”
She laughed softly as she stroked his cheek. Though her touch was feather-soft, it left his skin scorching. “He tends to have that effect on people. But I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She leaned closer, whispered, “Whatever we do together, I know it’s going to be wonderful. Because it’syouI want, not him.”
Gods, did he love her. He wanted to give her what she’d already given him several times over. He didn’t care if she couldn’t return the favor.
He kissed her firmly, catching her lower lip between both of his. As he tried to deepen the kiss, she pulled back.
“We don’t have to,” she said. “Only if you want—”
“I do. And don’t worry, I’m going toenjoy this as much as you will.” He smiled. “Well,almost.”
He guided her onto her back, then made short work of unbuttoning her trousers, sliding them and her drawers down her legs, tossing both to the floor. That he’d once become flustered at the sight of her bare calves seemed preposterous now. Here she lay before him, exposed from the waist down, and his only desire was to touch every inch of her.
He began by following the curve of her calf. His touch was lighter than air as it skimmed across her bad knee. But he then applied more pressure to her thigh, to fully appreciate the firm ridges of her muscles, the soft curve of her hip. She gasped as his fingers moved inward, lingering on her inner thigh. When he reached the point where her thighs joined, her eyes closed with a soft moan. That sound would have been enough to bring him close to the edge, had his heart and the rest of his body been on the same page tonight—or in the same book, for that matter.
He hadn’t bedded a woman in years, but it didn’t take long for old instincts to return. He started with slow, methodical strokes. Each blissful sigh that escaped her lips urged him to go a bit faster. When he slipped a fingertip inside her, her breath hitched.
“Yes, just like that,” she breathed. “I want you inside me.”
He leaned down to kiss her as he obliged, starting with a single finger. When he added a second, she whimpered while clutching the bedsheets.
