Page 45 of Violet Legacy

Dante raised a hand, sliding it around her nape, and dragging her closer until her body was flush with his. “I should.”

Chapter 26

Rieka’sbreathhitchedasDante continued to slowly trace the outline of her back. She was more alive than ever before. His touch marked her in a way she had never experienced. With Dante, she could forget about the onslaught of emotions from the gala—too consumed with the now and the way he made her body burn with the merest touch.

At the gala, he’d seemed formidable. With only the two of them here, he seemed so much more than flesh and blood, a fantasy she never thought she could have. She needed to feel him, to trace his lips and see if they were as soft as she imagined.

Rieka closed her eyes. His caress was whisper soft on her skin. It was like she was being branded. A small fire of desire burned along his fingers’ path. It was a reminder that she was not in control.

Not even close. Her body continued to shake.

“What do you want, Wildfire?”

Wildfire. It sounded like a warning, but one that she would ignore in a heartbeat if it meant having him closer to her.

He moved, as if he could read her mind, shifting her until his body pressed against hers. It sent a thrill of desire through her. Her legs threatened to give out as Dante lightly touched her lower back, his hand sprawling possessively across her as he held her steady. The table bit into her tailbone, but she didn’t give a damn. Her mouth was suddenly dry as every part of her came alive. Just a touch. The level of desire shouldn’t be this intense, but she couldn’t shake it. She wanted more.

Dante moved. She wanted to whimper at the separation. Instead, she arched her back as he clasped the back of her neck, holding her in place. Dante was the only thing keeping her upright. She would think about the reasons he was affecting her later, when he wasn’t this close to her. Rieka traced his chest, his skin warm through his shirt. His heart raced under her touch. Muscles only hinted at, hidden by his clothing, lay beneath her fingers. She wanted to tear his clothes off. Wanted to touch his skin.

“You,” she whispered, the words breathy when she finally answered. It didn’t sound like her at all.

She stood on her tiptoes as she brushed her mouth against his. His lips were soft, but firm. Dante tugged at her hair, still supporting her as he lowered his mouth. Her body shuddered as she tried to mold herself to him. Tried to close the gap between them as she cursed the countless layers separating their skin.

His tongue traced her lower lip, demanding entrance. She opened her mouth. It wasn’t soft. It was possessive, and it set her body on fire. All her senses were in overdrive. He tasted like chocolate and Dante. The kiss was slow, a domineering exploration of her as she clung to him.

She clasped onto his arms, her nails digging into his forearms as she returned the kiss, demanding more. Hungry for everything he could give her.

His hand danced along her bare spine; nerve endings came alive at the barest hint of a touch. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down until he tugged at her bottom lip.

Rieka almost forgot how to breathe. She didn’t care.

His hand moved lower, cupping her ass as he effortlessly lifted her onto the table, losing no contact. Her legs enclosed his lean waist, and her head fell back as he pressed light kisses along her neck. His teeth grazed the spot between her collarbone and her shoulder.

She moaned as her body shuddered in response; the area was far more sensitive than she had ever realized. It was like being branded by fire.

Dante lightly skimmed her legs; the barest touch sent heat running through her. There was so much more she wanted. Needed. Skin on skin. Damn the consequences. But he held them apart, controlling precisely what she would feel.

Goddamn it. In any other situation, she would have yelled. But right now, being at the mercy of Dante was the number one fantasy she never realized she’d had.

Dante lowered his head, licking her right shoulder as he traced the outline of one of her tattooed lilies. She didn’t think she had ever orgasmed from a kiss before, but she was willing to find out if it was possible.

“Dante.” Her voice was hoarse. She dragged his head up and sucked at his bottom lip as she pressed herself to him. He was wearing too many layers.

Dante chuckled. The vibration went straight through her. His hand moved to her breast and grazed her nipple. She hardened at the touch. Rieka ached for his mouth. But there was something else she wanted to do. The desire to break Dante’s ironclad control was overwhelming. The need to remind him that he was flesh and blood. She smiled, licking her lips in anticipation.

At least she wasn’t the only one affected by this, whatever it was.

Rieka’s hand trailed over his chest, her fingers following the hard lines of his stomach. Dante nipped her shoulder in warning, but she ignored it as she continued. She adored the way his body tensed at her touch, the small groan he released as she licked her lips. Rieka looked up at Dante as she cupped his hard length through his pants. Her eyes widened as she took in his size.

Dante grabbed her wrists, holding them above her head. Her entire body ached to be touched. Liquid pooled between her legs as her body quivered. Dante was scarcely touching her, and she was on the verge of coming.

“Rieka.”

She moaned at the sound of her name; Dante’s accent was thicker than normal. Her name had never sounded so pretty before.

Dante smiled.

Fuck. She had been right when she’d thought his smile might send her over the edge. Dante looked like a fallen angel who could tempt God herself. Wicked. Sensual. She felt like she owned the whole damn world when he stared at her like that.

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