Page 46 of A Clash of Moonlight

“Nora,” he ground out, almost reaching his release. He slowed his thrusts, needing a reprieve so he did not go over too soon.

“No,” she said. “Don’t you dare slow down.”

“Nora—”

She thrust her hips into him. Thrust again. Growling, he let go of his restraint. She could take it, take him.

Nora broke. He saw the orgasm cascade through her body and followed it with his own. Hot pleasure wracked through him. He held her tight, held her through her aftershocks, and breathed in the scent of her. He was becoming addicted to a point that was dangerous. He would want to keep her, and that was impossible. Arcuro would find a way to taint and twist the relationship.

He kissed her neck. Her skin was cool compared to his. His still felt as hot as the sun and he…

He looked over his shoulder. Early dawn brightened the thin white curtains.

Damn.

Nora’s face was relaxed. It was still flushed with pleasure. He did not want to interrupt the moment, but if he did not get away from the ambient sunlight, his skin would begin to turn from lightly sunburned to bright, brutal red.

“I have to get—”

Nora suddenly pushed back from him. Her gaze shot to the window. “Shit. The sun.”

He pulled his pants up. “Yes, I must—”

“The bathroom.” She pushed him toward the hall. “It’s the only room without a window.”

“I… Yes.” He strode quickly to the bathroom.

Nora went inside with him. Closed the door. Looked down toward its base. “Do I need to put a towel over the crack?”

“No. It is fine.” It was fucking embarrassing. He had not lost count of the minutes until dawn in over a century.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” Nora said. “You didn’t have enough time.”

“I needed to make sure you were okay.”

“You could have called.”

He could have. He had acted without thought, another thing he had not done in quite some time. “Yes.”

She studied him then. A V formed between her eyes, and she appeared to be thinking in depth about something. About them, most likely.

“I’m glad you came,” she finally said. A pause then, “Do you need an ice pack?”

His mouth tightened. “No.”

“Maybe some aloe vera?”

He stared at her. “Are you trying to be funny?”

“I don’t have to try. The situation lends itself to a laugh.”

He snorted.

Her eyes widened in mock surprise. “Did Arcuro’s henchman just snort? I didn’t think you were capable—”

“Come here,” he growled. He reached for her arm and pulled her to him. Her laugh nearly undid him. He had not heard it before, not like this, genuine and happy. It made him want to laugh, too. Smile too. It made him want to remain near her just for the chance to hear it again.

“Nora.” He slid his hand over her shoulder to the side of her neck, then he kissed her. It was deep but gentle, languid, as if they had all the time in the world to be together. He wished that were true—he could admit that now—but he could see an hour glass emptying of its sand. The last few grains were almost gone.