Page 35 of Ensnaring the Dove

Colombia gasped, and Aedan froze.

The tension that filled the small chamber intensified. And as their stare drew out, something shifted within Colombia. A little wildness broke free.

“Colombia,” Aedan said roughly. “This isn’t—”

“About what happened this morning,” she whispered. “I can’t stop thinking about it.” Aedan’s lips parted in surprise, yet she pressed on, breathlessly reckless now. “Tomorrow, we must say goodbye, but before we do, can you kiss me … one last time?”

XV. DON’T TEMPT ME

AEDAN SLOWLY LET out the breath he’d been holding.

“Colombia,” he murmured. “Don’t tempt me.”

“It’s just one kiss,” she whispered back, her gaze never leaving his. “What harm can it do?”

Heart pounding, he rose to his feet. Did she truly have no idea? Even so, her request lured him like a fairy maid’s song, and he found himself unable to resist. “Come here then,” he murmured.

She did, and, reaching out, Aedan drew her into his arms. His mouth then slanted over hers in a hungry, possessive kiss.

With a groan, Colombia’s lips parted under his, welcoming his questing tongue. Reaching out, she slid her hands up his chest before her arms linked around his neck, pulling him close.

And Aedan pulled her hard against him.

The Reaper strike him down, her body felt good pressed along his. Too good.

He grazed his teeth over her lower lip, nipping gently. Her soft, answering whimper made a groan rise in his throat. She nibbled at his mouth in return before sliding her tongue against his.

Her response was bold, and he loved it.

An instant later, Aedan tore his mouth from hers. “Gods, Colombia,” he growled, “we have to stop.”

Breathing hard, she drew back slightly. However, their bodies were still pressed flush.

“Why?” she whispered.

His breathing caught. “But what about your betrothed?”

“He belongs to another world,” she replied, her gaze steady and bright. “Tomorrow I shall step back into my old life … but tonight, I’m free to be with you.”

He dragged in a deep breath, trying to fight the hunger that thundered through his veins. “But there could be consequences. Tomorrow you might regret giving yourself to me.”

She shook her head, stubbornness flickering across her face. “Never. I’d regretnotdoing this more.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Do you want me, Aedan?”

A wave of dizziness swept over him. “Yes,” he rasped.

“Then take me. I want this too.”

A heartbeat passed, and then he hauled her against him. Their mouths collided once more, ravenous now. Aedan parted her lips with his tongue and explored the heat of her mouth, while his fingers delved into her hair, tangling in its silkiness.

Aedan’s heart began to thud against his ribs.

He couldn’t believe this was happening.

Colombia’s tongue was tangling with his, her fingers sliding across his chest. She was making soft, mewling sounds in the back of her throat. Her small hands slid down to the waistband of his bracae and plucked at it impatiently.

Aedan smiled against her mouth.

It was clear what she wanted.