Page 70 of Of Masks and Fury

The words sent fire through my veins.

I traced my fingers across his face. “You look tired.”

He shrugged. “Victor relieved me for a bit, and I slept.”

“Where?”

“With the other guards. It’s comfortable enough.”

And hopefully not for long. We had a lot to do and very little time to do it, but we’d find a way.

“I can’t stay here for much longer,” he said.

“One day, we’ll have all the time in the world.”

His hand slid up my spine, pressing me closer. “I keep thinking about the bridge. How close I came to losing you. How I stood there useless while he?—”

“You weren’t useless.” I stroked his face. “You were there. That’s what mattered.”

“Not close enough.” He glided his thumb across my lower lip. “Never close enough.”

The air between us charged, electric with everything we couldn’t say and couldn’t do.

“Every night I stand outside your door,” he said. “Knowing you’re just beyond that wood. Knowing I can’t?—”

I silenced him with a kiss.

He responded, his mouth claiming mine with a desperation that matched my own. His hands moved to my hair, destroying my ladies’ careful work as his fingers tangled in the pins.

“Minx,” he groaned against my lips. “We can’t?—”

“I know.” But I didn’t pull away. Neither did he.

His kisses turned deeper, more demanding. One hand slid down my side, tracing the curve of my waist, my hip. The other cradled the back of my head, holding me exactly where he wanted me.

I pressed closer, needing more, caressing the planes of his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath my palms.

“I want to ignore whoever might come to that door,” he said against my throat. “I ache to show you exactly how much restraint I’ve been exercising.”

“Then show me.”

His hands tightened on my waist. “Don’t look at me like you’re thinking the same thing I am.”

“I am thinking the same thing.” I rose on my toes again, bringing my mouth closer to his. “This is torture.”

“Exquisite torture,” he said, his gaze dropping to my lips. “But worth the wait.”

Someone banged on the door.

We froze, breathing hard.

“I have to go,” he said. “Stay safe.”

But neither of us moved. His hands remained on my waist. Mine still pressed against his chest.

The banging came again, more insistent.

He pinched his eyes closed, his inner struggle showing in the lines on his face. When his eyes opened, he focused them on me. “We will be together again. Never think anything but that.”