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“Yes,” she managed between gasps, and oh Shards, there it was again. That spark of aether inside her that made her forget how to breathe, let alone think.

“Yes, what?” His fingers stopped moving.

He was trying to kill her. She was convinced of it. Her skin felt too tight, her heart was beating too fast. She tried to move on him, but his other hand flattened against her stomach, holding her in place. “Yes, you can stay.”

That was all it took. His mouth was on her in the next breath. He set to work between her legs with the same ravenous hunger she’d seen him decimate whole kitchens with, licking and suckling like she was the first real thing he’d tasted in weeks.

Her fingers twisted in his hair, holding him as her hips undulated, chasing every flick of his tongue. He had her open, pinned, wrecked—his hand working inside her in time with his mouth.

She tried to stifle a moan. It was embarrassing the sounds he pulled out of her. But he wouldn’t allow her the dignity. He sucked hard, tongue dragging, and her head tipped back with a broken cry.

Her thighs trembled. Her whole body went taut. Then, with one final flick of his tongue, he sent her tumbling into bliss.

Somewhere in the distance, she was pretty sure she made a sound she’d deny until death. Not that she could bring herself to care with his mouth coaxing every last tremor from her body.

When it was done, she leaned against the wall, limp and panting. Only half aware that she still had a body and legs—and that Skye was still kneeling in front of her.

Smugness dripped from him, tangled up with dark amusement and something much hungrier. He kissed the inside of her knee before placing her foot back on the ground. He rose. Her hands slid around his neck as he took her in his arms and kissed her gently, sliding his tongue into her mouth so that she could taste herself there.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted,” he murmured, kissing her again, long and slow. “Every part of me is yours.”

Then he lifted her into his arms, and Taly couldn’t help but giggle as he cradled her to his body. “You know, there’s a perfectly good wall right here.”

She barely managed to turn off the tap before he was out of the shower and then the washroom in a few easy strides. “I’m not taking your maidenhead against a wall.”

“How about a couch then?” she said as he carried her past the common room. “Why are we traveling?”

Skye ignored her, walking with single-minded purpose down the hall and into her room before setting her down on the bed. He began fumbling with the buttons on his pants, the fabric wet and clinging to him.

Taly’s mouth went dry at the sight. Moving to her knees,needingto touch him, she slid a hand beneath the waistband of his trousers. He wasn’t wearing underclothes, so when she reached inside—

Skye cursed, grabbing for her as she gripped him, like he needed her to stay upright.

He was harder than she’d imagined. Andhot—she hadn’t expected him to feel like a brand against her palm.

She gave a slow, experimental stroke—like she was testing a theory.

His hand fisted in her hair. “Taly—” It came out half a warning, half a plea.

She smiled and did it again.

Skye swore viciously, hands tightening on her hips. “Any other time,” he rasped, “you’re free to have your way with me. But for now?” He caught her wrist, pulled her hand away, gentle but firm. “For now, I need you to lie down and stop being so damn distracting.”

Then he caught her by the waist and tossed her back on the bed.

He made quick work of the remaining buttons, and when he finally sprang free… Taly’s eyes went wide, momentary panic breaking through the haze of lust.

He was big. So much bigger than just two fingers.

“What… what about the door?” she asked hoarsely, grasping for anything to stall, to buy herself a moment to wrap her head around the sheersizeof what she was supposed to accommodate.

“Already locked, warded, and reinforced against interruptions of any kind. Why do you think you beat me to the shower?” He moved over her like he was made to fit there. “If it hurts, just tell me,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching as he caught the not-so-subtle edge of panic in her face. “We can go as slow as you need.”

Taly would’ve nodded, but he nudged her. Then he began to push, going slow like he promised. And though there was no tear or pinch, not in the way she expected, she winced at the stretch, the sudden sting that stole her breath away when he was barely halfway seated.

“It hurts.” The words slipped out of her unbidden, and he froze.

“Do you want me to—”