The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(32)

“No.”

“Were you thinking about finding a protector?”

“No!” She could feel the heat of his lips on her own, but he did not touch her.

“I kissed you because I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman in my life. Because the thought of tasting you has haunted me for three years.” His breath brushed her when he spoke, but Leo didn’t move the inch forward that would have brought their lips together.

Kyra was frozen in place. “I wanted your kiss.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you.”

His hand reached up, and Leo wove his fingers in Kyra’s hair, letting his wrist sit warmly on the nape of her neck. His lips still hovered over hers.

“How much did you want me?”

Every hair on her body stood at attention. “It was all I could think about. You’re all I can think about. Even when I try to forget you, you come to my thoughts.”

“That’s how I know.” Leo pressed his hand forward, bringing Kyra’s lips to his own.

Madness and peace.

She sank into his kiss. It was gentler than the last time. Their mouths more familiar with their partner’s. Leo’s lips moved on her with hunger, but also with exquisite control. He drew away. Paused. Changed the angle of his mouth and took hers again. Everything was slow, deliberate, and maddening. She reached up, gripped his shoulders, and kissed him harder.

With a low growl, the dam broke. Leo reached over and hauled Kyra from her cushion onto his lap. He spread her legs and gripped her thighs, settling Kyra over his lap so his hand pressed to the small of her back, welding their bodies together. Her head swam from the searing kisses he pressed along her neck, the scrape of his teeth along her jaw.

Both her hands were on his cheeks. She could feel them, hot and flushed beneath her palms.

And in his touch…

Silence.

There was a low, resonant singing in the back of her mind, but all she could think about—all she could register—was Leo.

His arms hard around her. His lips meeting her own over and over and over. His hand twisted in the thick length of her hair. His massive body, rippling with muscle, between her thighs. She pressed her knees into his sides and he bit her lip.

Leo pulled away from their kiss, but his hands kept Kyra plastered to his chest. “We are going to try this. And it has nothing to do with you needing my magic.”

“What?” She couldn’t pull her eyes from his lips. They were flushed and full. She wanted to bite them and leave a mark.

“I understand everything you told me,” Leo said, “and I’m making the decision to see what we might be together. Do you agree?”

“Yes.”

He nipped her chin. “Don’t try to make decisions for me again, Kyra. I may be inexperienced in some areas, but I’m not a boy.”

She froze. “I didn’t think you were a boy.”

“When you decided that we couldn’t be together because I would never know your true intentions regarding my magic, you treated me like a boy.”

“That’s not what I meant to do, Leo.” She brushed a hand along his temple. “That’s not what I wanted.”

“I know when a woman wants me.” His lips trailed down to her collarbone. “I see her lips flush. I see her eyes get hazy. Your heart”—he tasted the rapid pulse in her neck—“pounds when I’m nearby. It has nothing to do with my magic.”

That depends on what magic you’re talking about. Kyra’s eyes rolled back when she felt him lick the delicate indent between her collarbones. Leo lapped at it, nuzzling kisses into the curve of her neck.

“What are you thinking of right now?” he whispered.

“You.” Her hands twisted in his hair. “Just… you.”

“Do you want me?”

She wanted him like it was a madness. Kyra had never experienced this kind of pleasure before. She couldn’t even speak. She nodded, and Leo pressed his cheek against hers; she loved the rough texture of his stubble against her skin. Every nerve was on fire.

“I want you so much,” he whispered. “But I don’t want to rush.”

“Okay.”

“Have you ever…?”

She felt her cheeks flame. “No. Any kind of contact was too overwhelming.”

“Mine?” His voice was sharp with concern.

She closed her eyes, dipped her head, and ran her lips along the column of muscle in his neck. “Your touch brings me nothing but pleasure.”

“Good.” Leo’s shoulders relaxed. His hands drifted from the small of her back down to the top of her buttocks, caressing her over her thin dress.

Kyra shivered. The sensation was thrilling, but his iron-clad control soothed any nerves that threatened to riot. She felt utterly safe with Leo.

And nearly out of her skin with excitement.

“Do you want to try, Kyra?” Leo kept one hand caressing her bottom and the other reached up to cup her cheek. “I need to hear you, because the minute your brothers hear about this, they’re probably going to try to assassinate me.”

Kyra’s eyes went wide. She tried to pull back, but Leo wouldn’t let her.

“Which is fine,” he added. “I’m not worried about them as long as you are willing.”