“A test?”
“You passed,” he whispers. “If you weren’t concerned about the situation, then you wouldn’t be the woman I want you to be.”
I can’t help thinking…. “Do you do this every Lammastide? Throw yourself upon the mercy of a stranger?”
“Always.” And then he laughs. “Never. I’ve never wanted a woman like this.”
“Stop it,” I whisper.
“Stop what?”
“Stop looking at me like that. Stop looking at me as if I’m beautiful. I’m not. I know I’m not and I’m fine with it—”
He lifts a hand, brushing that gloved thumb down my cheek. “Who told you such nonsense?”
“I have seen the women of my court. I don’t compare—”
“You don’t compare yourself to other fae, Vi. Because I have never seen one such as you. Compare yourself to the stars and dare them to shine half as bright.” His fingertips rest on either side of my face. “You were made for the night. You were made for moonlight and stolen kisses.” His thumb brushes against my lips. “This mouth was made for secrets. It was made for me.”
A skittering breath escapes me. “You’re good.”
He leans closer and my heart erupts. “I speak only the truth. Maybe I am the night. Maybe you were made just for me. Maybe you’re perfect as you are.”
Our breaths mingle. I don’t even know how he’s done it—slipped through my defenses while I wasn’t looking. He’s a stranger. I should be on guard. But here he is, his thumbs stroking my mouth so gently I want to let him kiss me.
But he doesn’t.
“You would have to command me,” he murmurs as if he can sense what I’m thinking. “I will not take what is not freely given. Command me, Vi. Tell me to kiss you.”
My heart flutters like a captured butterfly. Find a stranger…. Take what you want from him…. I never dreamed this would actually be happening. I never thought for a second that there might be someone out there tonight who would tempt me to push past my natural reticence.
A shiver runs through me. He’s so patient, merely waiting for me to make this decision. Yes or no? It’s in his eyes.
But what is in my heart?
“Kiss me.” The words are out before I can stop them. “Just a kiss.”
“As you wish.”
His hand slides through my hair, cupping the back of my nape and then he draws me into his arms. My heart skips a beat as his lips brush against mine. He’s not the first male I’ve ever kissed. But he feels like the first. Because he doesn’t simply grab me and maul me.
His lips whisper over mine as if they’re saying “Hello.”
Back and forth. There’s a luxurious kind of gentleness to him, as if he’s got all the time in the world to taste me, and so he wants to do this right. It’s the kind of kiss a first kiss should be.
My hands find the crushed velvet of his doublet. I was right. Every inch of him is hard steel beneath the fine clothes and my fists curls into his collar as I press into him. I want that mouth. I want him to kiss me.
But he’s made it clear that my consent matters. It’s me who opens to him first, tracing my tongue against his lower lip in a silent demand.
A soft laugh echoes through his chest. “So be it.”
Everything changes.
Pushing to his feet, he claims my mouth.
I’m not so unschooled with kissing that I don’t know what I’m doing, but when his tongue brushes against mine, I can’t help drawing back with a sharp gasp. This is madness. When Andraste whispered her plan into my ear, I never dreamed I’d actually be in this moment with someone I might consider doing this with.
His mouth is a hungry demand. My thighs bump against the rock behind me and I’m caged between his body and the outcropping. One hand slides down my spine, curling into my bottom. I gasp as he squeezes there, grinding me up against him. My nipples go hard as his tongue lashes against mine. It’s heady. Overwhelming. I’ve spent a lifetime listening to the poets at court speak of the desperation a single kiss can conjure, but I’ve never felt it before.
This is desperation. I can’t control the want, the sheer need within me. Maybe it’s because this is forbidden that I tremble so. Maybe it’s because there’s an underlying hint of danger to the scenario. He’s a stranger. Gentle. Kind. Dangerous.
This is so, so dangerous.
And I don’t care. I want it all.
A groan rumbles through his chest. “Easy, easy.”
I slide my arms around his neck and kiss him hard, chasing pleasure off his lips. All the things I’ve wanted to do to him since I first laid eyes upon him are mine to do…. Hands brush like feather strokes down my waist as if he’s trying to gentle me, but his mouth doesn’t retreat. He wants this as much as I do. I can feel the tremor running through him, and then there’s barely any space between us as he thrusts against me.
Something hard nudges against my hip. Despite my determination, I steal a gasp. It’s a shock to know him in such a way.
“Vi.” He breathes the word against my lips, capturing my face again. “Vi, wait.”
I don’t want him to stop.
I want his hands to keep moving, to take away my last remaining doubts. I want him to coax me and seduce me, convince me to keep going….
But he doesn’t, of course.
Drawing back, he rests his forehead against mine as I tremble against him. We’re both panting. I want more. I want to slide my hands beneath his clothes and find the heated silk of his skin. I want to run my teeth over the corded muscle in his throat. I want it all.
But he captures my wrists and presses a gentle kiss to each of my knuckles.
“Patience, my love. Patience. Talk to me.” He laughs again. “Or
