Page 56 of Through the Wicked Wood

I scan my eyes around the cavern. “Well, there’s no music, for starters.”

“Isn’t there?” he asks, running his thumb along my jaw. I pull back to question him again, but he’s quick to silence me, running his thumb over my lips, parting them slightly. “Listen,” he whispers.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, and listen.

The subtle whoosh of water from the falls.

The faintest buzz of fireflies.

My heart beat.

His.

“Dance with me,” he says again. Opening my eyes, I glance up at him before he tightens one arm around my waist, while the other finds my arm and clasps our hands together.

Then, we dance.

Just as we did in Loxley. Slow and steady, our bodies flush, the heat between them growing more intense with every move.

But it isn’t the same as it was then.

This is different. Completely, utterly, aligned with one another. Our bodies move in perfect synchrony. I no longer fear his touch. I crave it.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the Ceremony?” he asks, dipping me slightly.

“For obvious reasons,” I say as he straightens us out, spinning me on my heels before pulling me back close to him. “I was ashamed I didn’t have any magick. Or so I thought. And besides, I wasn’t sure if I could trust you.”

“And now?”

“Now,” I drag my hands along his muscled back, “I trust you.” He bends down, kissing the top of my head. Our swaying continues as we move to the rhythm of the falling water. “Do you trust me?” I ask, trying desperately not to trip over my own feet as he twirls me.

He laughs again, pulling me back into him so my cheek is nuzzled against his chest.

“Without question,” he says, sliding his hand from my waist, painstakingly slow, up the center of my back. “I have many fears, many doubts,” he says, his hand drifting from my back until it hits the nape of my neck. “But none of them, this.” Continuing upward, he wraps a fistful of my hair. A light tug is all it takes and I know I’m at his mercy. “I am undoubtedly yours,” he whispers against my ear.

Tilting my head up, his kiss is deep and unrelenting. I take no time opening my mouth, giving him exactly what he wants. What we both want. Our swaying ceases as our kiss completely engulfs us.

Sorin nips and kisses along my neck. Over my scar. My chest. My mouth. His hand slides up my throat, dragging his thumb up the underside of my chin until it reaches my lower lip. The mix of teeth and tongue against my skin sets my senses on fire. He scoops me up, my legs wrap around him as he continues kissing me. Biting softly on my lower lip. My neck. I drag my nails through his hair, squeezing my legs tighter around him, forcing his body close to me.

But it isn’t close enough.

Pushing me up against the cave wall, my back is pinned between the cold stone and Sorin. I catch his eyes for a moment, and I can’t help but whisper his name. When I do, it makes him press himself against me even harder. The cold rock bites into my back and I relish in the hint of pain, so I say his name again, hoping he’ll do it a second time.

“Sorin.”

Chapter 29

Sorin

Elora says my name again and the sound of it is equally unholy and divine. At that moment, I know there is no sin I wouldn’t commit just to hear her say it again. She traces my bottom lip with her tongue before planting a soft bite there, forcing a moan from my lips. Her hands work up and down my chest as her hips push forward against me.

“I like the way my name sounds on your lips, Enchantress,” I tease before pressing her harder against the wall, raking my teeth along her throat. Pulling back to gauge her reaction, I’m met with that mischievous grin I’ve come to adore. Her eyes flicker as she wraps her legs tighter around my waist, a silent plea. Shooting her a quick grin, I tear her from the wall and carry her back to where our cloaks lie on the ground.

“I won’t lie,” I set her down softly, “this isn’t where I pictured us being together for the first time.”

Snorting lightly, she rolls her eyes. “Always such a gentleman.”

“Hmm,” I bite her neck just hard enough she gasps, then I kiss the hurt, while my hand pushes her tunic up until I graze the peaks across her breast. “Not always,” I say against her skin. She moans softly before I kiss her again, sending a shiver coursing down her body underneath me.

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