To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(65)

“I’ve never felt anything like this in my life,” she breathed, smiling as she ran her hands over the hard planes and sinews of his back.

“Like what? A man’s body?”

“A man’s body that’s so big and strong.”

He chuckled, his breathing labored. “What other types of men’s bodies have you felt?”

She giggled. “Scrawny, ugly ones covered in warts. Big, fat ones with lots of hair.”

He growled and nuzzled her neck. “You’d better be lying again.”

“Yes. I am a liar. A promise-breaker and a liar.”

“Appalling.” He buried his fingers into her hair and unraveled her braid, then brought the locks to his nose to inhale deeply of their scent. “Your hair smells of lavender and lilacs.”

“It’s my new soap that I bought in Kingston.”

“It’s very arousing,” he said, stroking a hand down the length of her body through the coverlet.

She raised her head to kiss his neck, inhaling the warm scent of bergamot and musk on his skin. “I like how you smell too.”

He caressed her hip through the blanket, creating a craving in her that was beginning to scream for satisfaction. She wriggled the blanket and sheet down to her waist, then pushed them down farther so she could free her legs. That done, she wrapped her arms around his neck again, pushing him back against the pillows and burying her face against his smooth, muscular neck, moving the chain of the ruby aside so she could lick and suck at the warm skin there.

“Oh, Graciella,” he groaned. His arms circled her waist, their bodies separated only by her nightgown and his trousers.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t stop,” she apologized between kisses. “I’ve wanted to do this so badly, love you like this. I’ve been in love with you for so long.”

“Wait.” He rose up on one elbow, gently pushing her back against the pillows and peering down into her face. “What do you mean, you’ve been in love with me for so long? You just got here a little over a week ago, Sheir-zin.”

“I’ve loved you since I was fourteen. Since the day we met at Stovy Farm, when Jiandra brought you there for the first time.”

He claimed her lips, tasting her mouth with his tongue. “You noticed me then?” he asked against her mouth.

“Of course. How could I not?”

“Sheir-zin…” He kissed her again, this time more hungrily, while his hand stroked over her hip through her gown. “Lahdli. Ladhli Sheir-zin Halvon.”

“I love it when you speak Nandalan.”

“The words ‘my love’ just don’t carry the same depth of feeling for me as the Nandalan words.”

“My love?” A surge of excitement rose in her chest.

He buried his face against her neck. “Lahdli. My love…precious Graciella. Sheir-zin Halvon. Halvon means mine,” he rasped against her tingling skin. “Ohkfu shah denahmay. I love you so much, sweet Graciella.”

“You love me? I think my heart is going to stop.” She arched her back and strained up against his kisses. “Since when?”

“Since the moment I opened the coach door and saw you in there with a wild, untamed look in your beautiful hazel eyes.”

“At the bandit attack?”

“Yes. All grown up, and having become the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Yavi. Don’t exaggerate, because I’m willing to believe anything right now.”

“Then believe this,” he said, propping himself up on his elbow to peer down at her. “You are undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Including Gerynwid the Shapeshifter? Her beauty was reportedly legendary.”

“Her beauty was forced, malevolent. Yours is pure and innocent, a beauty that comes from the innermost core, Sheir-zin.”

“Mm, Yavi,” she sighed, stretching up, seeking a kiss from his sexy lips. “Kiss me. I need your kisses right now. All over me.”

He flicked his tongue over her lower lip, chuckling. “All over you? Don’t tempt me.”

“Tempt, tempt,” she said, laughing.

He covered her mouth with his, his hands caressing the curve of her waist. “Graciella,” he rasped against her lips. “Don’t beg me for more. Tell me to stop. I don’t want to take your virginity right now, like this.”

“No, it’s fine—I know a way we can avoid getting me with child.”

He paused to look down at her, cocking an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“Yes. Jiandra explained it to me. It’s how she and Yajna have avoided having a child up to now.”

“Do tell.” He caressed her waist through her gown, his thumb straying close to the underswell of her breast.

“If I understood it correctly, you pull out of my, ah, chamber, before you spill your seed.”

“Ah hah. Well, your getting with child isn’t the only reason I don’t want to take your virginity tonight. Or this morning, rather,” he amended, glancing over his shoulder at the clock.

“What is your other reason?”

“You might regret our lovemaking later, resent me for giving in to temptation.”

She thought about that. It was true she’d resent him if he only used her for sex and then discarded her, which made her suddenly wonder if that was what he was planning on doing.