Page 94 of Of Storm and Emerald
Then he pulled her closer and crashed his lips against hers.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Daemon
ThefeelingofhavingAuraelia in his arms again was like coming up for air. Like suddenly the world had righted itself, and everything was as it should be. They still had things to discuss and figure out, but right now–in this moment– his world was whole once more.
She melted into his touch, her grip on the back of his shirt unrelenting, as if she were afraid he would disappear on her again. He pulled her flush against him, reveling in the way her body molded perfectly to his.
His hand drifted from her neck to her hair, tangling his fingers in the soft waves as he held her to him. When she moaned against his mouth, the sound went straight to his cock and made his heart race.
Their hands became desperate, their kisses more frantic.
It was as if they were both trying to erase the fight they had, while simultaneously making up for their missed time together.
His hand coasted down her back, landing on the patch of bare skin at the base of her spine. Her skin was feather soft and warm beneath his touch, and he wanted to reacquaint himself with every inch.
As his fingers slipped beneath the fabric, dipping slightly to graze the dimples above her ass, his cock twitched behind the laces of his trousers–his need growing by the minute. And if Auraelia’s frantic fingers were anything to go by, she was right there with him.
But now was not the time.
He just wanted to–needed to–hold her. Comfort and reassure her that this wasn’t going to happen again.
He wasn’t sure how much time he had, or how long she was staying in Kalmeera, but he wanted to make every moment count.
Daemon reluctantly broke their kiss. Placing one on her forehead before resting his brow on hers. “Let me help you get cleaned up.”
Auraelia pulled back and lifted a brow, rightfully skeptical of his intentions if their history was anything to go by.
He chuckled as his thumb idly traced the ridge of her cheek. “I promise, Auraelia. I just want to help. No ulterior motives. I just–I want to take care of you. I want to start trying to make amends, and if that first step is me helping you get cleaned up, then it would be my pleasure.” He paused for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “But if you need space to think, or–”
Auraelia brought a finger up to his lips. “IthinkI’ve had enough space for the last month and a half, and I’d like some company.”
Her eyes were still glassy from the tears she’d shed, but there was a small smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth.
She dropped her hand and turned towards the bathing chamber, and he watched the subtle sway of her hips as she walked away. His heart kicking up a notch as his breath caught in his throat.
Goddess, help me.
He took a deep breath, then followed her in.
He entered to the sight of Auraelia on her tiptoes, leaning across the counter as she tried to get as close to the mirror as possible. The position accentuated the long lean lines of her body, and the muscles of her arm stood out from her balancing her weight on it. Her long golden tresses hung like a curtain to one side.
She was stunning.
He crossed the space in a few strides and placed a hand on her lower back–their eyes locked in the mirror. “Here–” he held out his hand for the cloth she was using to wipe off the kohl, “Let me.”
She held his gaze as she nodded, then turned and handed him the damp rag. Placing it to the side, he picked her up by her hips and set her on the counter–her legs falling open naturally to accommodate him between them.
Like this, the slit in her skirt slid open to reveal the entire length of her leg, nearly stopping where her hip and thigh met. The chain garter draped across her tanned skin and jingled softly with every movement of her leg.
Daemon’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes roved over her body like a man starved. Swallowing thickly, he stepped further into the space between her legs and picked up the cloth. This close, he could feel the heat between her legs, and he had to suppress a moan that threatened to escape.
When he finally pulled his gaze to hers, the tears had dried, and the hurt had ebbed. And in their place were tiny embers of passion, ones that he was desperate to stoke back to life.
He dipped the cloth into the water that she’d pooled in the basin, and ever so gently wiped the black streaks from her face.
They sat in silence, the air thick with tension and electricity, neither of them brave enough to break the silence.
