Page 70 of The Unseen Hour

“Starlight, I’m going to kiss you, if you’ll allow it.”

“Do you really think you’re recovered enough for that?”

“I’d say it might just be the best possible remedy.”

I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

CHAPTER 31

This time, his lips were demanding as they pressed against mine. This was nothing like our first, tentative kiss. It was wild, and I craved more of Ry.

When his teeth nipped at my bottom lip I gasped, and when his tongue slid across mine I couldn’t repress a low moan from climbing up the back of my throat.

While I’d never thought the trysts that created such a scandal in Emrys should have been the ruination of someone’s reputation, I had never participated in one. I’d never cared enough about anyone to get this close.

With Orion, however, the closer he got, the closer I wanted him to be.

I placed my hands on his chest, running them up his tunic, and then grabbed it and pulled him even closer. A small voice in the back of my head reminded me that he was injured, and I needed to be careful.

It was silenced when he deepened our kiss and I moaned against him.

When he released my lips, I was disappointed for only a moment, and then he slid my hair over my shoulder and began kissing my neck. When he gave another soft bite at the spot where my shoulder and neck met, I felt my knees tremble.

I’d heard the phrase ‘weak at the knees,’ but I’d always thought it was a dramatic and unnecessary exaggeration. I hadn’t realized it could be entirely accurate.

Just like some of the romances I’d read.

In his book with the pirates, Orion had written a couple that I’d initially envied, but I didn’t want any fantasies. I wanted Ry.

He was the adventure I’d longed for.

His mouth found mine again, and one of his arms wrapped around my waist. I reached up with one hand, running it through his hair.

The next time he broke off the kiss, I sat back, creating space before he could find my neck again.

“I …” I paused, at a loss for words and feeling embarrassment I’d never felt before. “I would like to continue, but I have no experience with what comes next.”

Orion held out his arms, and I moved back into them, careful not to touch his injured leg.

“I won’t lie to you, Starlight. I’d love to explore every inch of you.”

“You have mentioned your love of travel,” I teased.

“And by your side is the place I’ve most longed to be. That being said, we’ll move at whatever pace makes you comfortable.”

“As eager as I am to keep going, perhaps I should be insisting you rest instead, given your grievous injury.”

I kept my tone light, but I could see his leg shaking.

“I wouldn’t call it grievous. Besides, this is a welcome distraction. But, I will defer to your judgment.” He winked.

With a combination of concern, regret, and a desire to throw both to the side and throw my lips against his again, I extricated myself.

I got him a glass of water and then helped him lie down on the cot.

Once he was settled, I dragged my own cot across the floor so it was next to his. By the time I had it situated, he was already asleep.

The following morning, Orion was in no state for a visit to the Meadow or anywhere else. I didn’t like the idea of leaving him, and he didn’t like the idea of me wandering the forests or the Meadow alone.