Page 51 of Of Storm and Emerald
Finally, Daemon lifted the remaining cloche to reveal a tray of chocolate, berries, and a bowl of sweet, fluffy cream. “Would you like to stay here, or would you like to take these…elsewhere?”
His question sent a shiver of anticipation through her, making the fine hair on her arms stand on end and the corners of her lips tilt up into a Cheshire smile.
Auraelia stood from her chair, and walked over to where Daemon was still seated. She didn’t say anything, merely extended her hand for him to take.
When he placed his hand in hers, a tiny spark of energy passed between them. Jolting away from the contact, she clutched her hand to her chest–her eyes widening at the sensation. She looked to Daemon for an explanation, but his face mirrored hers.
“Did you–do you know what that was?” she asked.
“No, I’m not sure what that was, actually. But I’m sure that it’s nothing.” He grabbed her hand, pulling it from where it was still clutched to her chest, and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles in soothing circles.
The contact made her stomach flutter.
Gently, he pulled her to his chest, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Using his free hand, he tilted her face up to his, “Did you still want dessert, my star? We can stay here if you like.”
Daemon’s eyes were swirling pools of moss green and liquid gold. Concern banked the fire that had been burning brightly, but the embers were still present, and she was determined to stoke them back to life.
Auraelia pulled her bottom lip between her teeth before replacing it with a smile and nodded.
He hesitated a moment, and then dropped the hold he had on her waist.
Backing away slightly, she once again grabbed his hand in hers. The lack of energy sparking between them was both a relief, and a conundrum. She wasn’t sure what it was, and until she figured it out, Auraelia knew it would bother her.
Tucking those thoughts away, adding them to her growing list of problems for another day, she focused on the man standing before her, before walking them back towards her bedchamber.
Her eyes stayed locked on his as they crossed the room.
As they reached her door, Auraelia set a gust of air to push it open, her use of magic bringing a smile to Daemon’s face. Once inside her chambers, she sent another breeze to close the door behind them, tousling his hair in the process.
With the door closed, her room was cast into darkness–her fireplace was cold, and her drapes were drawn.
“Stay here.” She pulled her hand from his and slowly backed away, thankful she could navigate her room with her eyes closed.
Padding across the floor to the sconce by her bed, she turned the dial on the bottom and set about illuminating the space in a warm glow.
When she turned back around, she found Daemon’s searing gaze was once again locked onto her, heating her from the inside out.
She felt it lick over every inch of her being. The way it caressed every curve before traveling back to her face where their gazes interlocked. The heat in his eyes burned into her soul and her arousal pooled between her legs.
Pulling herself from her lust filled stupor, Auraelia strode over to where Daemon stood in the center of the room. The once golden pools that graced the fathomless green of his eyes, turned to crystalized amber in the lamplight.
When she was close enough, he pulled her to him. The scent of sandalwood and the ocean breeze enveloped her senses as he wrapped an arm around her waist, while his other hand wrapped around the back of her neck and pulled her to his lips.
The kiss wasn’t rushed.
He didn’t devour her like he had earlier when they were surrounded by shadows and stars.
It was slow and tender, but it burned with a passion that was all consuming.
He took his time.
Coaxing her to open for him with a flick of his tongue.
She let him in. Let him consume her, body and soul.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she let her hands rove over his back and the ridges of muscles there.
