The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(48)

Leo’s eyes landed on her, hot with intent. “Your turn.”

She rolled over and hid her face. “Not yet.”

Leo tossed the washcloth in the basin and crawled over her, bracing himself on his arms and caging her with his massive body.

“Are you joking?” he said. “Kyra, the things I want to do to you—”

“Not yet,” she whispered. “Later.”

He paused, rolled to the other side of the bed, and gathered her into his arms. “Tell me why?”

Kyra’s heart began to race, and Leo caressed her back with long, soothing strokes. She buried her face in his chest and breathed in his scent. Kyra knew, for the rest of her life—however long it was—the scent of Leo’s skin would be the most comforting thing in the world. Touching Leo’s skin, there was peace. Breathing him in, there was happiness. His arms made her safe. His kisses made her brave.

Kyra took a deep breath and tried to explain. “Just watching you is overwhelming.”

“Are you scared?”

“Not of you,” she said. “Just… the unknown.”

He bent down and whispered in her ear. “Have you ever touched yourself?”

She shook her head.

“Never, Kyra?”

“I never felt alone,” she said. “There was never any privacy. And all the women who came to my father… What they did felt obscene. Dirty.”

“Is what you did to me dirty?”

“No,” she choked out. “It was beautiful.” She looked into his eyes. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you,” he said, smoothing a hand from her neck, down her back, and lightly over her bottom. “And everything we do together will be beautiful too.”

She nodded and tried to regain her boldness.

“Later.” Leo pressed her cheek to his chest. “Sleep, ana sepora. We’ve had a long day. Right now is the time to rest.”



She woke to the sound of birds in the forest and a man snoring in her ear.

Kyra’s eyes went wide.

Oh yes. Leo was in her bed.

Leo was… in her bed.

And she’d done rather wonderful and brazen things to him in the middle of the night.

She’d blame exhaustion, but that would be dishonest. She’d been wanting to touch him like that for… possibly years. Yes, years.

And now… he was in her bed.

He drew in a giant breath and shifted, turning toward her and snaking an ink-covered arm over her waist. He pulled her back and spread his hand over her belly, tucking her body into his. His chest pressed to her back. Her head rested on his arm. His hips snugged against her bottom as he arched and pressed…

Good morning! It was back.

Kyra’s eyes went wide, but Leo didn’t wake up. Apparently he could sleep that way with no problems. She wondered what happened if he rolled over. It was very hard and stiff. Would it break? That seemed painful.

But the sleeping man wasn’t inclined to move. He rested with his face in her hair, breathing in and out with a happy rumble in his chest. His warm skin pressed against her back, and his hand rested on the soft skin of her belly.

It was all rather wonderful.

Kyra smiled and snuggled closer, enjoying the feel of Leo’s skin against hers. She was happy. Despite everything, she didn’t think she’d ever been happier.

He took another deep breath and cleared his throat a little.

“Good morning,” she whispered.

A quiet grunt was the only response she received. Leo wasn’t a morning person. That knowledge made her smile too. What else would she learn about him that would be only for her?

Leo lifted his arm from around her waist and put a heavy palm on her hip.

Kyra sighed and closed her eyes. His hands always felt wonderful. He rubbed her hip up and down in long strokes, following the line from her knee up her thigh, over her hip, and dipping down to her waist. His fingers teased her ribs and then started the journey down again. He did it over and over until she felt liquid in his arms.

Then he slid his hand up the inside of her leg, stopping at the juncture of her thighs.

Kyra sucked in a breath. “Wait.”

“Over your clothes.” His voice rumbled behind her. “That’s all. Just touching over your clothes.”

Oh. That sounded nice. Leo always made her feel good. She relaxed.

“Is that something you would like?” he asked.

“Yes,” Kyra whispered.

His fingers danced delicately over her inner thigh, nudging her legs wider as he explored her body like she’d explored his. His erection felt heavy at her back, but Leo didn’t move or press against her. He seemed solely focused on exploring the delicate and sensitive mound between her legs. She felt wetness pool, felt her body become heated and liquid. Leo kissed the back of her neck. Her ear. Her jaw.

“So beautiful,” he whispered.

His fingers ran over an excruciatingly sensitive point. Kyra’s breath caught, and Leo paused his movements.

“There?” he asked softly.

Kyra nodded.

Leo used his legs to spread hers, nudging her onto her back as he kissed her. His hand dipped down to that aching point, then retreated. Dipped again. Retreated.

“Leo?” Her breath was coming faster. Tension captured her spine and her breasts throbbed.