Page 28 of A Storm of Fire and Ash
We began our descent back to the guards’ quarters, the stone walls looming around us as the air turned noticeably cooler. This part of the castle lacked the warm and cozy atmosphere, making the chill seep into my skin. However, I found the darkness somewhat enjoyable.
I rubbed my arms up and down in an attempt to generate some warmth as we walked up the winding staircase.
As we climbed higher, Fintan paused and looked at me with concern. “You’re cold,” he remarked softly, a hint of worry lacing his tone. With a swift motion, he unfurled his cape and draped it around my shoulders, wrapping me in its comforting warmth. “You should stay with me tonight. It’s much warmer in my room than it is here,” he added, a hopeful glint in his eyes as he wrapped the fabric snugly around me.
Feeling a rush of boldness, amplified by the lingering effects of the drinks I had had, I leaned in closer, the space between us practically electrified. “You’re just trying to get me in your bed, Golden Boy,” I teased, my finger trailing playfully from his neck down to his well-defined abs.
To my astonishment, he responded with a slightly breathless chuckle, revealing the muscles beneath my fingertips. The sight of his physique was almost overwhelming, triggering a rush of adrenaline through me.
His gaze locked onto mine, deep and intense. “That is precisely what I want, Elara,” he admitted, his voice low and smooth, echoing off the stone walls of the stairwell. “Iwant nothing more than to see you in my bed and wake up to you the next morning.” The sincerity in his words lingered between us, thickening the air with an unspoken promise.
I bit my lip, feeling the rush of excitement surge through me. “Perhaps you could warm me up here instead,” I suggested, my voice dropping to a sultry whisper. Slowly, I traced my fingers lower, my heart racing as I slid my hand to the top of his trousers.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he purred, his voice low and gravelly, which gave me goosebumps. But the warning only fueled my determination. Ignoring his words, I hooked my fingers along the waistband of his trousers, pulling him closer to me, daring him to challenge me.
His chest rumbled with a deep growl as he pushed my back against the cool, unyielding stone wall. The contact sent a thrill through me, and I gasped softly. With a firm grip, he seized my thigh, his fingers sinking into my soft skin, while his other hand pressed against the wall beside my head, caging me in. The slit of my dress bunched up to my waist, exposing my legs to him as he held me steady.
I felt a rush of boldness surge within me, and I instinctively opened my legs wider, hooking one leg around his waist, pulling him closer, harder against me. The heat radiated between us, intensifying with every passing second. His voice, deep like rolling thunder, rumbled through his chest and washed over my skin, igniting every nerve ending in my body. The world around us faded away, leaving only the intoxicating tension that crackled in the air.
Hot, wet need pulsed between my legs as he pushed his hard length against my core. I let out a small whimper, needing to feel him inside of me. His lips met mine in a fervent embrace, igniting a spark that sent a jolt of electricity through my entire body. Our tongues intertwined, dancing and twisting with a delicious urgency, each tasting the other, exploring the depths of our connection. Fintan, with aplayful intensity, trailed his tongue down the curve of my jaw, lingering at every sensitive spot, before retreating to my neck. He started to kiss the delicate skin beneath my ear, planting soft, teasing kisses that made me tingle all over.
I moaned softly, a sound of pure pleasure escaping my lips as I rocked my hips against him, craving more of the intoxicating closeness we shared.
“Fuck, El, you keep teasing me like that, and I’m going to take you on these stairs right here, right now,” he whispered, his lips barely touching my neck.
“Not here,” was all I managed to say, my voice breathy and filled with urgency. Fintan’s strong arms embraced me, lifting me off the ground effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my heart pounding with excitement. In that moment, I found myself throwing caution to the wind, not caring who might see us. His dark cape billowed around me like a protective cocoon, concealing us from prying eyes as we ascended the remaining stairs.
I couldn’t resist the impulse to kiss his neck, my lips exploring the skin there zealously. I sucked and nipped at him, leaving my mark while relishing the soft, yet deep moans that escaped from his mouth. Each sound he made sent a thrill coursing through me, and I reveled in the knowledge that I was the one provoking such responses. A confident smile spread across my face as I savored the moment, feeling empowered and daring.
Thankfully, there were no guards in the hall; the path to my room was clear. When we finally reached the door, Fintan practically kicked it open, the sound echoing in the quiet hall. Just as he maneuvered to slam it shut with his foot, Eryn poked her head out of her room. She looked disheveled, her hair down and tousled. She caught a glimpse of us and smirked. I lifted my mouth to return her smile, but the door slammed shut with a decisive thud.
Fintan effortlessly tossed me onto the bed, my body bouncing slightly on the soft surface. My flats flew off my feet, clattering to the floor. The bed was smaller than his—cozy but accommodating enough for two people to fit comfortably. As the fabric of his cape slid from my shoulders, I felt a rush of exhilaration, the air cool against my skin, heightening the tension and anticipation that hung between us.
As he reached one hand behind him, he smoothly lifted his shirt over his head, the fabric gliding off his skin with effortless grace.
Holy stars, everything he did seemed perfect.
His body was a masterpiece of muscular definition, with lines and curves that I hadn’t seen before. My gaze involuntarily traveled downward, tracing the deep V-shape that dipped below his trousers, and I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the sight.
“How badly do you need me, love?” he asked, his voice low and filled with a deep, raspy warmth that seemed to wrap around me.
A breathy smile played on his lips, and for a moment, I found myself entirely at a loss for words. Everything inside me felt like it had stilled; I suddenly forgot how to speak.
“How badly do you want me?” he reiterated, his movements fluid as he stepped between my legs. With a gentle force, he urged me back onto the bed, the softness of the sheets cradling me as I lay there, completely captivated by him. I moaned as his hand trailed up my bare thigh and moved painfully slowly to my core. He cupped my sex, and my back arched. “How badly do you want me between your legs, hmm? How badly do you want me to slide my cock inside of you?” He rasped.
I whimpered.
“Use your words, El,” he whispered, placing his lips softly against the warm, sensitive skin of my neck oncemore. His hands moved to the back of my dress, fingers deftly working to undo the delicate fastenings with an ease that caught me off guard. Before I could even process what was happening, my dress slipped from my shoulders, cascading down to my waist and leaving my breasts exposed to the air.
Fintan’s eyes widened, and he inhaled sharply, his gaze hungry as he took me in, his appreciation palpable. I could feel the heat of his gaze tracing every curve of my body, igniting a rush of warmth and excitement within me.
As he took a step back to admire the view fully, I felt a spark of defiance rise within me. I quickly placed my foot against his bare chest, pushing him away with a teasing firmness. “Use your words,” I purred, echoing the very words he had just spoken to me. I watched as his nostrils flared, a mix of surprise and desire flashing across his face, a reaction that sent a thrill coursing through me.
His golden eyes darkened, a storm brewing within them. “You are breathtaking. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he murmured, his voice low and intense. As the weight of his words sank in, I felt a surge of bravery wash over me. I stood up, emboldened by his gaze, and let the delicate fabric of my dress cascade down to my ankles. Only the small triangular maroon piece of fabric remained on my skin, clinging to me like a secret.
A cocky grin spread across his face as he took in the sight of me. “My favorite color,” he declared, his voice laced with admiration and desire.
In an instant, he closed the distance between us, lifting me off the ground effortlessly. My legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, as if I needed to fuse our bodies together.
