Page 114 of Tides of Shadows

“Nerissa.” He rose slowly. “I thought Mina had you in her grip for a while yet.”

I did not know what to say. I stood in the doorway, feeling as though I could not draw a breath. My thoughts were a storm of memories, every shared moment, every touch, every glance. I knew what I wanted. For the first time, I was not lost.

“Nerissa, is everything alright?” Concern flickered in his silver eyes.

I crossed the chamber in three quick steps and kissed him.

He paused, surprised, then his mouth answered mine, hungry and sure. His tongue met mine and the world shrank to the space between us.

My hands found his shirt and I began to unfasten the buttons. I no longer wished to wait. I had waited too long, for this, for him. His hands caught mine and stilled them.

“Nerissa,” he said under his breath, almost a growl. “A moment more and there will be no turning back. I will not stop this time. I barely let you go yesterday.”

“I want you, Aidenar. All of you. Now.” I met his gaze, my heart racing.

His pupils widened like a hunter when he scents prey. In one smooth movement he caught me by the hips, lifted me, and set me upon the edge of the desk without breaking the kiss. The ledgers fell to the floor with a dull thud. His hands moved over me, lighting every nerve. I tore his shirt open to the last button and ran my fingers over the hard lines of his stomach. His body was perfect, each muscle shaped and warm beneath my hands.

He did not hesitate. He tugged my shirt, the buttons scattering. His palms closed around my breasts, his thumbs brushing the hardened nipples. I trembled, arching into him, every touch feeding the fire between us. My nails bit into the back of his neck.

I felt his desire, hot and unhidden, pressed against me. He began to unfasten my belt, his fingers working at the laces of my trousers.

“Aidenar,” I stopped us for a breath. “I...” The words would not come, a knot in my chest held them back, until at last they broke free. “I have never done this.”

I looked at him, strangely ashamed, though I had no cause to be. I felt foolish. And a little afraid.

He froze. His breath caught. His silver eyes searched mine, intent and unreadable. For a moment he neither spoke nor moved. Then he bent and brushed my lips with his.

“Oh, Neri,” he whispered, more tenderly than I had ever heard him. “Do you wish to stop?” He looked straight into my eyes.

“No,” I answered, my voice firm despite the wild flutter in my chest. I drowned in his gaze, full of desire.

He lifted me easily from the desk. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me into the bedchamber. As we crossed the threshold, a hard gust of wind slammed the door behind us. He laid me upon the bed. His movements were steady, yet gentle.

Slowly he drew off his shirt. His body was flawless. I could not look away. He was beautiful in every line. He kept the pants on, as if giving me one last chance to change my mind.

He came to me and slipped off my boots. As he drew my trousers down, he pressed soft kisses along my thighs. The torn shirt fell away. Then I was bare beneath his gaze.

My heart pounded. No man had ever seen me like this. No man had ever looked at me as he did now. Power hummed in the chamber, the air thick with his magic. His eyes gleamed with inner light.

“You are perfect,” he whispered, his voice roughened with wonder. “I have imagined this more times than I can count.”

His words fell one by one as he leaned closer.

“When I saw you in training, I thought only of having you breathless and wild beneath me.

“When we danced, I wanted to kiss you without end.

“Each time you laid your hand on me, I wanted to sweep you into my arms and never let you go.

“When you touched me with your power, I wanted to know how it feels to drown in you.” The last words came low and husky, his eyes on me like a predator’s.

He lay down beside me. His hand cradled my face and he kissed me, at first softly, then tilting his head to deepen the kiss. His other hand slid along my body, skimming my breasts, tracing the curve of my waist, brushing the sensitive skin of my thighs.

His fingers strayed lower, exploring, coaxing. Pleasure shivered through me, strange and sharp. I touched the hard planes of his chest and scattered kisses along his lips, his jaw.

He removed his hand from my body and brought his fingers to his lips, licking them, then touched my core again—slowly, deliberately, circling my sensitive skin. My body reacted immediately, a soft moan escaping my lips.

“Trust me,” he murmured against my ear, his breath hot on my skin.