Page 47 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)
I ... did. With a hoarse groan, I clasped his cheeks and lifted my head.
He lowered his. Our mouths met in a heated tangle, his tongue thrusting against mine.
He kissed me as if he couldn’t breathe without me.
As if no other woman existed. As if he’d found a treasure he’d waited his entire life to obtain.
I kissed him back, every fiber of my being engaged in the act and entranced by the man.
Not an ounce of frustration tainted the exchange, my cauldron amazingly empty.
In my veins, blood burned like fuel, burning hotter and hotter.
Thoughts fragmented and defenses cracked until the kiss grew frenzied.
I mewled, ceding emotional ground to him.
What I ceded, he conquered, and I only craved more and more and more.
I clutched and kneaded at his back. Clung to him. Threaded my fingers through his hair.
My bones liquefied. Somehow I rallied the strength to wind my arms around his shoulders and gasp out “Cyrus.”
He pinched my chin, angled my face in the direction he desired, and deepened the kiss, forcing us both to slow. Strength fizzed under the surface of his skin, yet his touch remained gentle, infinitely tender.
My aches and pangs amplified. I met each languid roll of his tongue with a roll of my own, relying on him for every breath. Desperate to be closer to him, I cupped his cheeks. He leaned into my touch as I traced my thumb over the puckered scar tissue. A precious badge of strength and survival.
Groaning, he grazed my bottom lip between his teeth and lifted his head. He still panted. I panted faster. Our gazes held. I couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to. His glittering irises reflected the night storm, electrifying me.
With another low groan, he pressed his forehead to mine. “What are you doing to me?”
“Hopefully the same thing you’re doing to me.” The huskiness of my words summoned a sizzling flush to my cheeks.
“Do you want more?”
“Yes,” I admitted. More than anything.
“Good.” He gifted me with a soft kiss, then lifted before I could demand another. He stood and offered me a helping hand. “To get your next kiss, you’ll have to ask me nicely.”
I sputtered. He wasn’t going to ... he expected me to—oh! I sat up and batted away his outstretched arm. “That is cruel and unusual punishment, sugar bear.”
He caught my wrist, just as before, and hefted me to my feet.
“No, it’s the best play for my endgame. Now for the teaching moment.
When you strike at someone, always mean it.
Remember to hit hard and fast.” He passed me a dagger and backed up.
“And don’t allow your emotions to lead you.
They are fickle and prone to giving bad advice. Come at me again, but show no mercy.”
“You are so irritating,” I snapped, but I did obey. Another unsuccessful assault.
“You’re wrong,” he said, stopping me with ease. He spun me around and shoved me against the wall, locking my arm and the blade over my head. “I’m irresistible. There’s a difference. By the way, a student usually improves with practice. Why haven’t you?”
The taunt did its job. I bared my teeth. “Ask my instructor.”
“I did. He says you didn’t listen.”
Further annoyed, I executed a countermove, breaking free of his hold. We grappled throughout the living room, rolling over the fallen coffee table, kicking at each other, punching and blocking. He still didn’t land a blow, but it wasn’t because he lacked opportunity.
In the end, I wound up right where I’d started: pinned. My spine pressed against the wall. One of his hands trapped my arm and the blade, while the other gripped my waist.
“Do you surrender?” he asked with a grin. He was barely winded.
“No. Consider this an extended time-out.”
He chuckled, his warm breath fanning my face.
“When we return to Fort Bala,” he said, releasing me, “do whatever you feel is necessary to find what you’re searching for, and I’ll continue to clean up where I can.
I just hope my babysitter does a better job of hiding her activities while attending upcoming functions with me. ”
Me too. I couldn’t not spy on the powers that be in their natural habitat. But, as much as I desired to be at his side for every function, I couldn’t waste an opportunity to bargain. “Hold up. Event attendance wasn’t part of our original negotiation.”
“It was, though I concede it wasn’t mentioned specifically. Therefore, I’m willing to renegotiate.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Demand compensation, and I’ll supply it.”
No need to ponder. “Let me move into your place in Bala City.” There was no faster route to reach the Rock. Tomorrow, I would speak with Soal, or die trying.
A half smile played at the corners of Cyrus’s mouth. “You want to spend more time with me. You enjoy being with me. Admit it.”
“I enjoy access to restricted areas,” I hedged.
“Lady Pink, you enjoy both.” He reached out to lightly bop the end of my nose. “I agree to your demand. Now go get some rest.” The smile widened, making a spectacular debut. “Dream of me.”