Page 79 of A Lick of Flame

Tight…so tight. So coiled. My belly almost aches from being clenched so tightly. I hold my breath as everything lets go in a rush.

I yell his name.

Orion doesn’t let up. He keeps licking and sucking. I growl his name, ending on a long, drawn-out groan as I turn inside out. As my world flips on its head. As white-hot pleasure rushes through me, over me, around me.

I finally fall back on my bedroll. It feels like my bones have been stolen from me. More than just my bones. I feel limp and breathless and completely sated.

Orion kisses me softly. He has a musky scent that I realize must be me. It’s how I taste. I’m tasting myself on his mouth, and it makes me feel hot and needy all over again.

“We can stop here,” he says.

“Do you want to stop?”

“I want to strip you naked and thrust inside you until you forget your own name.”

“I want that too,” I moan.

He gets a look of concern. “It will hurt for a moment, and then your maidenhead will be gone.”

“Understood,” I say.

His face morphs into a look of concern. “Are you sure you—?”

I put my finger against his lips. “I want you, Orion. I want tonight and this and us…for however short a time we have together. I want it, and if you want it too, then…make love to me, please.”

His throat works, and he nods once, reaching the hem of my shift.

28

Orion

How can something be so wrong and yet so right?

It’s wrong that it can only be for one night. Wrong that we will have to go our separate ways soon. Everything else feels right. Everything about Maya is right.

From the way she feels under me to the way she tastes. To the look of awe still lingering in her eyes.

I want her more than I have ever wanted anyone before. Perhaps more than I will ever want anyone again. The thought almost stops me…almost.

Between fervent kisses, I help Maya out of her shift. I keep my eyes on hers as I pull my tunic over my head. Next to go are my breeches. She watches me intently, the light of the fire causing a golden glow to light up our skin. I lean over and throw another log on the fire. I want to see her. I want her to see me and what she does to me. I want her to know what she means to me; it will be written in my eyes.

I look her way and she smiles, not in the least bit shy or modest in any way. It makes my heart beat faster.

Maya is radiant…glowing almost from the inside out. Her mouth is slightly swollen from our kisses. Her hair is tousled and loose about her shoulders, glinting in the firelight. Her eyes are hooded with desire. Her breasts are full and tipped with wine-stained nipples that remind me of big, juicy cherries.

I gather her in my arms and kiss her like my very life depends on it. I remind myself that I need to take it slow. This is all about her. Every second of every minute…is all about her.

It’s been a long time since I was last with a woman. I have never cared for someone like I do for Maya. I don’t want to hurt her in any way. I want this to be good for her. To be memorable and perfect. I want her to look back on this night with fondness and perhaps a little longing, too. I know it’s selfish of me, but I can’t help it. It’s how I feel.

I trail my fingers over her soft skin. She touches me back like she’s trying to memorize every contour of my body. I lean down and take one of her plump nipples into my mouth. Maya moans gently, digging her fingers into my back. I cup her breasts in my hands, marveling at their weight. Maya arches into me, her eyes fluttering closed. I make her moan a few more times before I lift my head again.

“You’re beautiful.” I leave it at that since I am not one for flowery words and sentiments.

“So are you,” she whispers, reaching for my shaft. She closes her hand around me, tentatively at first and then with a little more confidence, and I hiss, my balls pulling tight.

“So soft and smooth.”

“Soft.” I choke out a laugh. I’ve been hard as nails for days.

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